Speaking after the latest revelations about Labour in-fighting were published by the Manchester Evening News, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council and of the Liberal Democrats at Stockport Town Hall, said: “We have known for some time that an un-civil war is raging within the Labour Group. I believe members of the public will be disappointed to know that Labour locally is fighting more among themselves than fighting for their residents’ needs, especially at a time of unprecedented financial challenges. I am sure they will also be dismayed to hear of references to ‘safe Labour seats’ and being taken for granted as the hard left decides who represents each ward, leaving voters to have no say.
“I am personally saddened to see that well respected members of the Labour Group, including the current Leader, her Deputy and at least one former Cabinet member, have chosen to quit at the elections next May. Others, we know, are already looking beyond Stockport for their political future rather than focussing on those who have elected them here.
“This means voters have no idea who will be running that Group next year, currently the second largest on Stockport Council behind the Liberal Democrats. Previously loyal Labour voters may choose to make a different choice in future when they see just how divided the Labour Party is locally.”