WOLVES LIB DEMS “SPURNED LABOUR ADVANCES”

28-05-2008

Wolverhampton’s Labour leader Roger Lawrence has revealed on The Stirrer Forum that the city’s Liberal Democrats spurned advances to forge a coalition – and did a deal with the Conservatives without hearing what alternatives were on the table.

Technically, Wolverhampton has been in No Overall Control since the elections earlier this month, with the third largest party, the Lib Dems, insisting that they’ll support the ruling Tories on an issue by issue basis.

Although there’s no formal coalition, Conservative leader Neville Patten has described it as an “alliance” (see link here).

In return, the Lib Dems are chairing a number of Council committees.

Given that they hold the balance of power despite having only five seats, the question has been raised on our message board of how hard Labour (who still have the largest number of councillors) tried to get them on board to stay in power.

Roger Lawrence – who until a few weeks ago was the Leader of the Council – suggests that his Liberal Democrat counterpart Mike Heap always planned to do a deal with the Conservatives and led him a merry dance.

"On the day of the count I approached Cllr Heap who said he would not speak to anyone until after a meeting on the Tuesday" writes Lawrence.

"I respected this, though I have reason to believe some negotiations took place.

"On the Wednesday I was informed by the Press that the Lib Dems would speak with both parties and awaited confirmation of this. I had a meeting out of the office in the morning and at lunchtime but my office was staffed all day.

"On my return I made several unsuccessful attempts to contact Cllr Heap finally reaching him at 5.05 to be told that he'd done a deal with the Tories.

"This begs the question as to why the Li Dems are seeking to suggest they had no alternative, when they did not seek one? I suggest they were always going to do a deal with the Tories and are simply seeking to justify themselves.

"The deal is done. Now we must see the consequences. My concern, as always, is for the best governance of our city whatever the circumstances."