Two more Southport Councillors quit the Lib Dems and go independent

Two more Southport Councillors quit the Lib Dems and go independent.

Two more Liberal Democrat councillors in Southport have become independents, joining former Deputy Leader Councillor Tony Dawson in that situation. Political party leaders throughout the Borough have been notified that Norwood Ward Councillors Bill and Marianne Welsh are no longer members of the Sefton MBC Lib Dem group.

Sefton Council now has nine councillors who are outside the main political groups – that means there are presently more Independents than Conservatives on the council. No other metropolitan council in England has so many independents – until 2014 Sefton had none at all – and Sefton is the only Met council’ in the land where the Tories are only the fourth biggest group. Suspended Southport Councillor David Barton, who is presently independent, hopes to rejoin the Conservatives when his present court case in Liverpool is concluded but there are big questions as to whether he would be re-admitted as the official Conservatives have attacked him publicly on several occasions.

Councillor Tony Dawson says:

“Bill and Marianne Welsh are the ‘go to’ councillors for getting things done in the High Park and Blowick area and I believe Marianne’s work on the Fire Authority has been recognised by officers and members of other parties alike. Like me, I don’t think they’ve changed their politics in any way. There have just been actions by certain individuals which have perhaps not been dealt with particularly well with fairly predictable conclusions.”.

“All major political parties are broad churches and people have to be prepared to work with those with whom they disagree on certain issues. But there are always going to be serious problems if a party with ‘Liberal’ in it’s name is felt to be allowing illiberality.”

“Like myself, both Councillors Welsh have suffered significant health issues and both have a considerable time left to serve in their present terms of office. As I have said before, the key task for councillors of all colours in Southport is to work constructively for the best interests of the town and its people.”