Liverpool City Council: Labour rebels form independent group

Liverpool City Council is controlled by Labour

Five councillors who were suspended by Liverpool City Council's ruling Labour group for voting against its budget plans are forming an independent party.

They were among seven councillors who in March said they could not support "brutal" cuts and the introduction of garden waste collection charges.

The five rebels are joining three other former Labour councillors in forming an opposition group.

The budget was approved in February as the council tried to make £34m savings.

Mayor Joanne Anderson, who previously said she had a duty to set a legal and balanced budget, has expressed her disappointment at the resignations.

"The Labour Party is always disappointed when members choose to leave the party, but my focus is on the people of the city and delivering the services they deserve," the city mayor said.

"For 12 years the Tory government have cut Liverpool's money by 65% - £465m. This means taking difficult decisions but always trying to protect the most vulnerable."

'Pressure'

The suspended Labour councillors said they were frustrated about a lack of communication from party bosses following their suspension last month.

The five said no explanation had been received before their self-imposed deadline for resigning the Labour whip.

Rebels Alison Clarke, Joanne Calvert, Alan Gibbons, Rona Heron and Alfie Hincks are now joining forces with three other councillors who had previously left the Labour party.

Sam Gorst, Sarah Morton and former Lord Mayor Anna Rothery also voted against the budget.

Of the two other councillors who were suspended in March, George Knibb has also left the Labour Party, while Lindsey Melia has quit as a councillor.

'Conscience'

Warbreck councillor Mr Gibbons said: "The people of Liverpool can't afford another cuts budget.

"I don't think any of us wanted to be in this position. We all started in the Labour Party, inspired by the vision of a mass member-led democratic socialist movement. Those are still our values."

Mr Hincks, who represents the Everton ward, told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I voted with my conscience. Sadly the leadership of this council are just not listening. It is an opportunity to form a group to start putting pressure on the council to start listening."

Ms Rothery, councillor for Princes Park, said rising costs were "bringing people to their knees" and the group will "fight for what is fair and right for our city [during] unprecedented times".

The new group leaves Labour with 60 seats out of 90 on the city council and 12 independents, the same as the Liberal Democrat group.

While council elections are due to be held across much of England on 5 May, Liverpool City Council is not up for re-election.

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