Councillors switch parties

Councillor Paul Rowen with Wera and William Hobhouse

Two Conservative Councillors have quit the party and joined the Liberal Democrats. Cllrs. Wera and William Hobhouse have cited their concerns about the former asbestos site as their primary reason for defecting.

In a joint statement, the Councillors who represent the Norden and Bamford Wards said, "We are doing this because of our concerns and involvement in the safe development of the former Turner Brother's Asbestos site. It becomes increasingly clear that while everyone says they want safe development, only the Liberal Democrats are serious about making it happen. Only Paul Rowen and his colleagues are prepared to tackle the complex problems of Rochdale's asbestos legacy. Of the Party Leaders, only Paul Rowen has come publicly forward, and has spoken out for safe development."

Leader of Rochdale Liberal Democrats - Cllr. Paul Rowen said, "We obviously welcome the decision of Cllrs. William and Wera Hobhouse. We are working hard to find a safe, sensible solution to the huge problems at the former Turner Brother's site. Since becoming the biggest group on Rochdale Council we have been working hard with the Save Spodden Valley and Friends of Healey Dell pressure groups and the community to try and find solutions to the problems at the TBA site. I am delighted that William and Wera will be joining our fight."

The news came as a body blow to the Conservative Party. Spokesman, Cllr. Ian Duckworth was scathing about the lack of courtesy extended to the Conservative Party by the Hobhouse's - they have not yet written to the party leaving the Conservative's to hear of their resignation through the press - and their motives for doing so. He said: "What sort of councillor resigns and doesn't even let party members know about it? Moreover, William Hobhouse had put in for prospective Conservative Party parliamentary candidate for Heywood not so long ago and now he has suddenly resigned"

"The fault lies within the Hobhouse's not the Conservative Party."

"I feel sorry for the voters who elected them and the party workers who campaigned for them. If they had any integrity they would insist on a by-election."

The political make up of Rochdale Council is now 27 Lib Dems, 24 Labour and 9 Conservative Councillors.