Control of Stockport council hangs on a knife edge after three councillors defected from the ruling Liberal Democrats.
They decided to quit over their opposition to the Conservative-Lib Dem government's cuts.
Another three defections would see the Lib Dems lose control of the council – and the Labour opposition says that looks increasingly likely.
“At this time there are three definite, but another three Liberal Democrats have made contact with us,” said a senior Labour insider.
Lib Dem transport chief David White left first, followed by councillors Roy Driver and Ann Graham.
All three have applied to join the Labour party but will sit as Independents.
Coun Driver said their move could be a sign of things to come.
“I won’t mention any names but some may decide to follow our move,” he said. “I think there are quite a lot of people within the group who don’t feel that they want to be in a mark-two version of the Tory party.
“That’s not what I signed up for.
“We are extremely disappointed with the coalition government and the way they are implementing the Tory-led cuts in public expenditure.
“It is working out worse than we expected in terms of the budget cuts.
“We have been thinking about this for a while – it’s not an on-the-spot decision.”
Neither Coun White or Coun Graham were available for comment.
Stockport is the second Lib Dem council in Greater Manchester to see defections since the coalition took power last May.
Rochdale council was thrown into disarray in November when six Lib Dems resigned, leaving Labour in control.
But Stockport council leader Dave Goddard dismissed rumours of a repeat on his patch.
“I’m confident there will be no more defections from the Liberal Democrat group,” he said.
“I’m happy to stand on our platform in May and we’ll see what happens.”
Stockport council has to find £19m in savings by March. So far it has announced £15m of cuts.
Proposals include axing one third of lollipop ladies, closing all remaining public toilets and not planting flowers.
Labour group leader Andy Verdeille said: “I hope more Lib Dem councillors will seriously question just how much they are prepared to support.”
Control of Stockport council hangs in the balance after defections
February 03, 2011
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The Lib Debs got my vote in hte council elections, I'll just vote Tory next time. We can see the mess of a Labour administration in other boroughs and just look at their record nationally.
And another major council (almost certainly) falls to Labour.
And, when the coalition cuts are fully implemented, the Tories will claim 'It's all the fault of Labour councils'...
Hell mend all those that voted for the 'parcel of rogues' that is the coalition.
As a resident of Stockport for over 30 years and a business owner in the town i am convinced SMBC is run by amatuers.
Look at other local areas that have have multi million pound regenerations such as Ashton U Lyne in Tameside whilst Stockport stands still from significant under investment to its infrastructure.
The roads are full of pot holes for the over congested motorists to dodge, roads allways gritted to late and a rubbish collection service that is exactly that - Rubbish !
Now we face people urinating outdoors in public and no flowers in the flower beds or hanging baskets in the town and villages across the borough. Stockport is allready a sorry site and there appears to be worst to come !!!
My business will stay in Stockport but the house is on the market ! A huge thank you to the current council leader and those before you for selling this once great place to live so short !!
How can a councillor defect from one party or another? Its a bit like a blue defecting to United. Irrespective of a teams performance the fans remain loyal.
I think todays 'tut' should go to these councillors.
Proposals also include major cuts to children's services, particularly those with disabilities and social needs.
If you judge a society by how it treats its most vulnerable members, the Coalition Government (and, by extension, SMBC) should be ashamed of themselves for cutting cutting cutting at the services and support of the most vulnerable while retaining unecessary things.
Some at SMBC are working hard to try and get young people into jobs with training. We have had information about Apprenticeships and Apprenticeship Week Events for the first time ever! At least all parties seem to agree on this!
Great to hear spendthrift leftie councillors squealing now they haven't got as much of our....sorry, China and Japan's (to name but two) money to borrow and spend, nor put up our council taxes by twice the rate of inflation. Get in the real world Labourites/deficit deniers, we either make the cuts now and start reducing our horrific debt or we carry on spending and wait for the day when the IMF does it for us - and they would not mess about with the paltry cuts the coalition are imposing. So, be good boys and get rid of your Smoking Inspectors, Bin Inspectors, Equality and Diversity Departments, 5-a-Day Healthy Eatiing Co-Ordinators etc etc etc rather than spitefully cutting essential services
Ann Graham? She's like Bobby Vee's bubber ball, bouncing all over the place, bouncing from NuLabour to the LibDems and back to NuLabour Lite. Bouncy, bouncy.....bouncy, bouncy, I keep bouncing back to you.
They should not be allowed to defect. Resign and let there be elections for new councillors - some who might get something good done for Stockport.
wasn't David White a Labour councillor before when they were in opposition, then switched to Lib - Dem when they were in opposition and has now switched back to Labour now they are back in opposition?
what is it with this fella?
So politicians at all levels will sell their own principles (and their own grannies) to stay in power.
Contemptible.
It is indeed gratifying to see that their are still some Lib Dems with principles and values prepared to do the honourable thing.
Also cut the number of councillors to 2 per ward as Oldham council are about to do
Very odd, the would not have to be cuts if the Labour party had not made such a horrific mess of managing the countries finances why would anyone want to join them or vote for them ? Come election time they need to get some 'Door slammed in the face' training to get use to it as that is exactly what they will get if they knock on my door.
Lib Dems with some shred of honour. Good.
Stockport is badly in need of a new council - the lib dems have had power here for too long and are just plain complacent when it comes to the needs of the public who voted for them in the first place!
come the revolution
Stockport council has been badly run for many years you only have to look at the centre to see how poor it is and as for the Grand Central development it's really awful.
The council's enthusiasm for "city" staus beggars belief and whilst it seems they are happy to waste what money they have on this foolish idea they cut public toilets and essential services.
And as a matter of interest the town logo appears on Stockport County FC shirts are residents paying to sponsor this club and if so why when we are cutting services to vulnerable people?