Independent Alliance Councillor joins Labour

Barbara Todd

Labour now has 30 seats on Rochdale Council after a member of the Independent Alliance group defected following last week’s Local Election.

Councillor Barbara Todd of the Spotland and Falinge ward – one of the seven Councillors who quit the Liberal Democrats in December and formed the new Independent group - has described her move as “the most sensible option.”

The Independent Alliance didn’t win any seats in the Local Election and on the night of the count, their then Leader, Greg Couzens, signalled it was the end for the party.

Labour on the other hand, held on to eight seats and gained a further seven, leaving them with 29 seats at the end of the night. This latest addition to the party means they are one step closer to the overall majority they need.

Speaking to Rochdale Online about the move, Councillor Todd, said: “After Thursday night’s election results it was clear that the Independent Alliance is not getting anywhere.

“Rochdale is not ready for Independent Councillors.

“At the time we formed the group, we were thinking of the people who voted us in and we didn’t want to disappoint them.

“We had issues with the Liberal Democrats locally and nationally.

“It just didn’t pan out the way we thought it would.”

Councillor Todd continued: “My Dad was a Labour man all his life and to be honest I only joined the Liberal Democrats because when I first started living in Greave I did some volunteer work and got £3.8m for the estate and I worked closely with Norman Smith.

“It is not about politics, it is about the people, I am here for the people.”

Councillor Todd concluded: “I joined Labour because it is the only sensible option.”

The Leader of the Labour group, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: “Barbara was a Labour party member for years before she joined the Lib Dems. She has had various conversations over the years about re-joining Labour.”

Councillor Lambert said he made it clear when the seven Councillors left the Liberal Democrats that he wouldn’t accept any of them straight away and they had to vote and support Labour over a 6 month period.

“She’s done that,” he added, “And, I’m quite happy with that.”