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Dale Mulgrew - new Deputy Leader of Rochdale Council

Reporter: Laura Wild
Date online: 08 January 2010

Councillor Dale Mulgrew has been elected as the new Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and hence the Deputy Leader of Rochdale Council.

Councillor Mulgrew is currently the Health and Social Care Portfolio holder and will replace current Deputy Leader Irene Davidison when she takes on the role of Council Leader on Wednesday 13 January.

An election took place within the Councillor group and Councillor Mulgrew was declared the winner this evening (Friday 8 January 2010).

Mr Mulgrew was thrilled that he had won, he told Rochdale Online: “I am very naturally delighted and filled with real pride.

“I am happy that my colleagues have given me such a vote of confidence, it is very humbling.

“The new leader and I work very well together and I think this bodes well for the future.”

Councillor Mulgrew is also a Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Rossendale; but he told Rochdale Online that his focus has always been Rochdale.

Mr Mulgrew said: “I hope that the Liberal Democrats have success everywhere but my priority is for success in Rochdale and for the Liberal Democrats to keep control of the council. My priority is for Paul Rowen and the Liberal Democrats of Rochdale.”

The new deputy leader described his Rossendale role as more of a "pastime" and re-iterated that Rochdale comes first.

When asked what would happen if Mr Mulgrew was voted MP of Rossendale he said: “I would never take on two really important roles that are so demanding at the same time.

“Naturally if it came to this situation I would have to think about it.”

Councillor Irene Davidison explained her delight at the result, she said: “I am absolutely delighted that Dale is going to be my deputy leader. I have always worked very well with him and I look forward to working with this new team and moving forward.”

Finance Portfolio Holder Councillor Greg Couzens, who was in the running for both the leadership and deputy leadership roles, and lost out on both said: “It is the perfect choice, Dale is an excellent politician and he is very dedicated and hard working.

“I look forward to a new direction with the Lib Dems.”

Labour leader Councillor Colin Lambert commenting on the election of Mr Mulgrew as the new deputy leader said: “And there’s more, as Jimmy Cricket would say!

“There is an interesting new team leading the Lib Dems. Irene Davidison thinks before she speaks and Dale Mulgrew speaks and doesn’t know when to stop.”

Conservative Leader Ashley Dearnley, said: “Dale Mulgrew has got a lot of ability and I look forward to working with him for the benefit of the borough.”

Comments

With Dale, we’ve seen dismantling of RMBC adult care, the proposed removal of a warden from 'warden-assisted' housing, closing/ privatising the four residential rehabilitation centres and, as meals on wheels is put on the market, a refusal to give a direct answer whether a 'daily delivery of a hot meal will continue'. I had hoped that the coup in leadership at the council would see a change of style to a council responsive to the needs of the vulnerable. The signs do not look promising.

Congratulations to both Dale and Irene.
Unfortunately it's a shame that one of our Religious 'figureheads' of the Borough cannot put aside his political differences for once and congratulate two individuals on their success, instead he turns a positive news item into his own well worn rant - it's enough to turn you off religion!