Blow for Lib Dems as councillor defects oneve of conference

Martin Slack

LIBERAL Democrats in Sheffield suffered a blow yesterday after one of their newest members defected to the city’s Labour group on the eve of the party’s national conference.

Coun Ben Curran, who was elected to represent the Walkley ward last May, crossed the floor of the council chamber after saying he was “disappointed” with the Lib Dems nationally.

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His decision does not change the Liberal Democrats’ position as the largest party on the authority with 41 members, but significantly undermines their grip on power in the city.

Following Coun Curran’s defection, the Labour group has 39 members – meaning that if they grab the support of the authority’s two Green councillors and one independent, they could defeat the ruling group.

Coun Curran said: “This was not an easy decision, but I felt that I had no alternative but to leave the Liberal Democrats and join Labour.

“I was bitterly disappointed with where the party was going nationally with Nick Clegg and I was also left disillusioned with the lack of resistance shown by the Lib Dems locally with all the savage cuts that have hit this city.

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“The disgraceful decision to cancel the Forgemasters loan is a case in point.

“As Sheffield Lib Dem councillors, we were asked to defend what turned out to be a completely unjustifiable decision and it soon transpired that all the reasons in favour of cancelling the loan were just a pack of lies.”

Sheffield Council leader Paul Scriven said: “Obviously this is a personal decision for Ben, but it's clear that the move has been orchestrated given that it is on the eve of our national conference in Liverpool.”