A change of leader not enough to rescue failing Tories says Lib Dems

10.05.04pm GMT Mon 23rd Jan 2006

"This Tory Administration has proved itself weak, ineffective and incompetent" - Cllr Tony Woods

Cllr Tony Woods, Leader of the Opposition Liberal Democrat Group on Northampton Borough Council, reacted to the news of the resignation of Conservative Council Leader, Phil Larratt by saying "This Tory Administration has proved itself weak, ineffective and incompetent. Changing their leader will not change this. Since taking power two and a half years ago the Tories have singularly failed to grapple with the key decisions facing the Council. On the really difficult issues of improving a poor and failing Council they have had to rely on the support and active engagement of the opposition parties. Without that support the Borough Council would be in much greater problems today - and our situation is still far from secure.

"Whether it was plans for the Market Square, the cancelling of St Crispin's Street Fair or, more recently, the debacle over the development of Sixfields, the Conservatives have been unable to provide any clear direction. Cllr Larratt's cabinet colleagues seem unable to accept their responsibility for these actions. Stabbing Phil Larratt in the back while he was on holiday will not solve their troubles

"Phil Larratt has always seemed to me to be a decent man with the interests of Northampton at heart. But his leadership on the Sixfields issue has been truly disastrous and put the Borough Council at a very severe risk - he is now paying the price of his poor judgement. Personally, I wish him well.

It is now important that the Conservatives pull themselves together and demonstrate they should remain in charge at The Guildhall. Otherwise they are just 're-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic' and badly letting the people of Northampton down."

Lib Dem Deputy Leader Cllr Brendan Glynane said, "Lib Dems will continue to work constructively with whoever leads the Conservative group in making sure that the Council's fragile recovery process proceeds for the good of the town."