May election countdown: Interview with Wirral LibDem leader Councillor Simon Holbrook

Apr 20 2011 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

LIBERAL Democrat leader Simon Holbrook says he’s “not worried” about criticism at national level influencing Wirral’s local vote because he believes his party have “a good story to tell”.

The deputy leader of Wirral Council, who mirrored Parliamentary party leader, Nick Clegg by going into joint administration with the Conservatives last May, says he is “optimistic” about the upcoming poll, adding “it’s certainly not damage limitation”.

Conceding the party is “under pressure in some seats”, Simon Holbrook accused former coalition partners Labour of “dishonesty” and “opportunism”, by criticising spending cuts whilst offering “no credible alternative council budget”.

Simon Holbrook said: “I have been a councillor for 12 years and that has never happened before.”

The Lib Dems spent three years in joint administration with Labour, described as “a positive relationship” by Cllr Holbrook.

But he says there is a “different atmosphere” to the Tory partnership, which he characterises as “more of a dialogue and less of a negotiation”.

And while some may accuse the Lib Dems of jumping into bed with any party that provides a platform for power, Simon Holbrook disagrees.

He said: “I think it shows we can work successfully with other parties, where we have differences to overcome, in the best interests of local people.”