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Political heavyweights clash in war of words
12/ 7/2005
A WAR of words has broken out between MP Paul Rowen and his successor as council leader, Councillor Allen Brett.
Councillor Brett has called the Liberal Democrat Rochdale representative a 'part-time MP - no-show councillor' and has accused him of breaking a promise to constituents and fellow councillors.
He has accused Mr Rowen of being a 'Revolving Door MP' who 'avoids council duties, but collects his full allowances'.
The Labour leader made the comments after Councillor Rowen missed a meeting of the strategic partnership committee, which was deciding which private company the council should join forces with.
Councillor Brett said: "He had asked to remain as chairman of the committee and guaranteed he would attend all meetings. But with only a few hours' notice he withdrew, giving very little time for a replacement to be found.
"Does Paul have no faith in his Lib Dems to run the council or does he feel they have no quality candidates to contest his council seat? I'm not saying he should resign as MP or from the council, but he should at least make the effort to attend council meetings."
Mr Rowen said: "This is a real cheek coming from Paypacket Brett. He is deputy leader of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, as well as leader of the council, so I would ask whether he was able to do both.
"I couldn't attend the strategic partnership committee because I was at an important strategic health authority meeting in London, where the future of hospital services in Rochdale was being discussed.
"Briefings were held separately for Liberal Democrat and Labour MPs, but I didn't know this until the last minute.
"The people of Rochdale would expect their MP to be at that meeting. I have every confidence in my fellow councillors and I will not continue as councillor as well as being MP.
"But I'm not going to force a by-election and I won't say when I'm going to leave, because the Liberal Democrats are concentrating on getting rid of the ugly sisters, this discredited alliance between Labour and the Conservatives."
Councillor Ian Duckworth, the Conservative group leader, said: "The Liberal Democrats are refusing to take part in any of the hard decision making, so they can then point to us and say everything is our fault.
"We're working with Labour because the Liberal Democrats have abdicated their responsibilities. They are not putting forward any policies so they are not providing a credible opposition."
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
14/07/2005 at 14:45
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The man is a total opportunist. How many Labour voters would think or dream about voting Labour if they knew it would mean putting a Tory in charge of Rochdale's finance? (oh yes, and give Allan Brett a cabinet salary and the power which has eluded him in 30 years in local politics)
18/07/2005 at 15:34