At the recent County Council meeting the majority Conservative group used a report on procedure to remove the right of Opposition groups to introduce motions for debate, without getting their permission first. Until now minority groups have had the right to introduce motions on any issues of concern and have them debated at the time. Now all decisions on whether to debate any motion have been put in the hands of the Tory majority.
In his latest interview with Rochdale Online, the leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Alan Taylor talks about the first weekend of the smoking ban, the imminent congestion charges to be introduced in Greater Manchester, the job losses at MyTravel and offers an in-depth insight into the regeneration of Rochdale Town Centre.
Commenting on his appointment as Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Housing, Paul Holmes MP said:
A senior Conservative in Southall has defected to the Liberal Democrats, following the imposition of a candidate on the local party by Tory spin doctors. Mr Brij Mohan Gupta, Deputy Chair of Southall Conservatives has joined the Liberal Democrats and backed the Liberal Democrat by-election candidate Nigel Bakhai.
Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell has reshuffled his front bench - promoting some of the party's rising stars. David Laws takes on the children, schools and families brief and Danny Alexander goes to work and pensions. Lembit Opik is moved from Northern Ireland and Wales to become Lib Dem spokesman on business, enterprise and regulatory reform. David Heath becomes Lib Dem spokesman for justice and the Lord Chancellor's office and Susan Kramer replaces Alistair Carmichael at transport. Party President Simon Hughes replaces Mr Heath in shadowing Commons leader Harriet Harman.
Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Wednesday 4th July) urged Dundonians to put forward their views on the problems surrounding the recent Scottish Elections.