Huge Lib Dem row as Ali is kicked off Cabinet

A huge row has broken out in the Rochdale Liberal Democrat Party after Central Ward councillor Zulfiqar Ali was uncerimoniously kicked off the Council Cabinet at yesterday's (Saturday 3 May) internal elections.

Councillor Ali was facing defeat in the local election to his Labour rival Dalaat Ali and to swing the vote back in his favour made great play of his ability to influence the council due to his cabinet position. Rochdale MP Paul Rowen was out canvassing in the ward telling people just that and is going to lose a great deal of credibility as a result.

It is known that Council Leader Alan Taylor wanted Councillor Ali off the cabinet and despite pleas by other senior Lib Dems, who are privately furious with the decision, he influenced enough of his colleagues to ensure that Heywood councillor Doreen Brophy Lee was voted in place of Councillor Ali.

Labour councillor Ibrar Khan said: "Councillor Ali fought a very hard campaign to regain his seat and this was based on shameless exaggerations from start to finish. He put out leaflets calling himself 'the hardest working man in Rochdale' and claimed he was responsible for bringing millions of pounds of Housing Market Renewal money to Rochdale. Councillor Ali has no influence in government whatsoever and it is now clear that he has a very limited influence even within his own party.

"My sympathies go out to the voters that were duped by Councillor Ali into believing they were voting for a man who has influence."

All other cabinet members remain the same.

Date article online: 04/05/2008