Lib Dem gesture besmirches office of Mayor

Date published: 14/05/2008

Rochdale Liberal Democrats besmirched the office of Mayor tonight with the sort of gesture one would expect they had left behind in the school playground.

In what should be condemned by people of all political persuasion and non, the Lib Dems boycotted the Mayor Making Ceremony turning what is a non-political office into a political battleground; it is only to be hoped that this time next year when the Lib Dems take their turn in the Mayoral Office that Labour resist the temptation to return the Lib Dems childish stupidity.

The empty Lib Dem seats as Robin Parker was invested as Mayor were a sad indictment of what is wrong with local politics in Rochdale Borough.

Regardless of the Lib Dem antipathy to Robin Parker, retiring Mayor, Lib Dem Councillor, Peter Evans and his wife, and Mayoress, Helen deserved their colleagues support, as did the new deputy Mayor and Mayoress, Lib Dem Councillor Keith Swift and his wife June.

New Labour Group Leader Councillor Colin Lambert said the unprecedented Lib Dem decision "devalued the seat of the Mayor" and amounted to nothing more than "pathetic political posturing and childish point scoring".

He added: "What I am most concerned about is the damage the Lib Dems seem intent on inflicting to the Mayor's post. This is a non-political, ceremonial position that is intended to benefit the town and its people. But the Lib Dems are trying to contaminate this position with smears and innuendo."

Council Leader Alan Taylor was unrepentant and said: “We’ve no regrets about treating Robin Parker in this way. We gave the Labour Group ample opportunity to reflect on this and they refused.

"We respect the position as Mayor and the right of a political party to select their Mayor. The individual who they selected is not our choice and we’ll be selecting the right opportunity to undermine his authority. I would formally encourage any organisation to think twice before inviting him to any function.”