Lib-Dems cement Sefton deadlock

May 14 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

SEFTON’S Liberal Democrats will announce today which of their councillors will become “opposition spokesmen”.

The move is intended to solidify the party’s position outside the borough’s administration.

They say they will remain on the sidelines in Sefton – in spite of being the largest party – until the Labour and Conservative groups agree to allocate power on the council proportionally.

A deadlock appears to have set in with both camps waiting for the other to come to them to negotiate.

The Lib-Dems’ refusal to play a role governing the borough has left Sefton without a leader and with two other cabinet seats vacant.

Last week the party withdrew from the council’s decision-making cabinet and Cllr Tony Robertson stepped down as leader after fours years at the helm.

With the nine-strong cabinet just two thirds filled, council officers have complained about feeling “rudderless”.