Sefton council in turmoil after leader and cabinet members quit

May 9 2008 by Clare Hickie, Liverpool Daily Post

SEFTON council is today in a state of turmoil following the dramatic resignation of its leader and all other Liberal Democrat cabinet members.

A stormy end was brought to 22 years of consensus politics that has seen the council lauded by central government and awarded four star status.

Last night’s Southport town hall meeting was intended to install a leader and cabinet following the local elections.

But after more than five hours of heated debate all three party leaders were refusing to step forward.

The bitter stalemate was established after a motion floated by the Lib-Dems to return a proportional cabinet of 10, with Lib-Dem leader Cllr Tony Robertson as overall council leader, was amended by the Labour group, whose changes were backed by the Conservatives.

The Blue-Red coalition intended to give the Lib-Dems a bloody nose by reducing the cabinet by one seat so that each party held three posts.

The amendment also called for the Lib-Dems to be stripped of their positions as chair of three key committees.

Labour and Tory councillors complained about the “irresponsibility” of the Lib-Dems during recent campaigning and in alleged leaks to the media.

Cllr Peter Dowd, Labour group leader, lambasted the Lib-Dems for signing up to policies in meetings and then criticising them while campaigning.

He said this broke “unwritten rules” of consensus politics.

As the amendment for a nine-seat cabinet was passed the Lib-Dem members said they would not serve in an administration in which power was not shared proportionally.

They argued that with 40% of the council’s seats they should have 40% of the power.

After four years as leader Cllr Robertson stepped down from the helm and was followed by cabinet member for the environment Cllr David Tattersall and cabinet member for leisure and tourism Cllr Lord Ronnie Fearn.

This followed the abolition of Lib-Dem Cllr Ian Brodie-Browne’s cabinet portfolio for performance.

Lib-Dem members have now vowed to form a robust opposition.

Last night the nine-seat cabinet contained only three Labour and three Conservative members.

Speaking after the meeting former leader Cllr Robertson said: “The Conservative and Labour parties need to find three cabinet members and a leader. And I don’t know how they will do that, but that is a situation of their own making.”

Cllr Dowd said: “If they (Lib-Dems) don’t want to take their responsibility, that’s a matter for them.”

Cllr Paula Parry, Conservative group leader, said: “The Lib-Dems have some very decent people, I just hope they can control the renegades.”

OPINION: PAGE 10