Labour in meltdown?

12.31.13am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Apr 2007

Responding to the news that former Northampton South MP, Tony Clarke, and Cllr Peter Evans, the Labour Group Chief Whip, are standing as independent candidates in Castle Ward. Lib Dem Group Leader, Tony Woods said, "It seems that Labour are split from top to bottom. They clearly cannot be trusted to run a whelk stall, let alone the Borough Council.

"Labour lost heavily in local council elections in 2003 and 2005. All the signs are that they are heading for a further mauling on 3rd May."

Asked if he thought the news of Labour's split increased the probability of the Liberal Democrats winning an overall majority on Northampton Borough Council, Tony Woods replied, "It won't damage our chances. However, we want people to vote Liberal Democrat for positive reasons. We have the best people, the best policies and the commitment to turn the Council and the Town round. That is what is important."

He went on, "I presume Tony Clarke will major on the Sixfields issue - though how he can do this while still the General Manager of the Cobblers is unclear - there is an obvious conflict of interest.

"Liberal Democrats want the club to succeed but we have been clear all along that the Council must follow due process and cannot do any 'sweet-heart' deals. Our message that planning law must be followed has not always been popular, but we will continue to tell the truth. At best others have tried to find shortcuts which ended up being diversions and delays. At worst they have misled the club and the supporters into believing there is a 'quick fix'. The club need certainty. We will provide that as quickly as we can within the constraints put on the Council by planning law."

It is expected that Tony Clarke and Peter Evans will be expelled from the Labour Party for standing against an official Labour candidate. Other leading members of the Labour Party in Northampton may also be expelled for supporting the two rebels.