Wirral Lib-Dem councillors continue to criticise party

May 19 2009 Liverpool Daily Post

TWO Lib-Dems found themselves in the unusual position of being applauded by Conservatives last night at a meeting of Wirral Council.

Cllrs Pat Williams and Phil Gilchrist – both “dissidents” over Wirral Council’s controversial library closure plans – found they had been removed from their positions as representatives on outside bodies. It was widely seen as a response by the party leadership to their refusal to toe the party line on the closures – and their outspoken criticism.

Cllr Williams launched a stinging attack on her party, and referring to the defection by Seacombe councillor Denis Knowles from Labour to the Conservatives, said: “Cllr Knowles made some comments about Labour, and I feel I have been treated equally badly by the Liberal Democrat group.”

She said: “It hurts me very much.”

Both councillors had also abstained on a vote which would have given the Conservative group control of the council, and were later praised by Tory leader Jeff Green.