Rochdale Libdemology: Scraping the Fetid Barrel of Bad Behaviour and Poor Taste

STOP PRESS (added friday evening) - a sixth councillor of a previously Lib Dem flavour has boldly gone where so few Lib Dems have been before - principle and self-respect - and resigned from the Lib Dem group. Amazingly this is one of the crimper Cllr Greg Couzens's own team. Councillor Todd. As pictured below. A seventh councillor - who I would personally not touch with a proverbial is apparently negotiating for a "free" to Labour. There may be more.

STOP PRESS (added Saturday 8.00) Lib Dem Group and currently Council Leader Irene Davidson is now reported to be dealing with cancer rather than a merely "routine" kidney removal as the rebel Lib Dem cabal led by society crimper Gregory "no holds barred" Couzens attempted to give her the heave-ho. Not as nice as they make out these Lib Dems, are they?

So far the Manchester Lib Dem group have only lost one councillor to independence - Kenny Dobson (ring name "Dobby Dulux" in reference to his bright colour choices in boxing apparrel) - and they have been putting a brave face on the collossal loss of this veteran fighter and inveterate grafter. Are more to follow? Will there be a "Didsbury Declaration for Self Preservation"?

STOP PRESS (Sunday 22:43) Word is second de-selection may in fact be to allow the Old Etonian former Conservative defector William Hobhouse a clearer run at re-election, rather than to boost Angela Coric.

FIVE - count 'em - Rochdale Lib Dems are resigned to life in the self-imposed cold following a tumultuous meeting on Wednesday evening (17 November). Rochdale online has some of the details HERE. What Cyril Smith's favourite digital organ does not report:

Cllr Naim Mahmood and Councillor Doreen Brophy-Lee have been de-selected to create possibly safe seats - but who knows given national meltdown in Liberal democrat fortunes;

These are earmarked for the disgraceful former MP Paul "Banana" Rowen and for the former councillor Angela Coric who was herself only recently ousted in her very own night of the long knives;

Councillors Flynn, Flynn and Davison (Castleton, above celebrating) have around a half century of service to the people of Castleton in Liberal and Lib Dem colours. Pat Flynn alone has 30 years and has never seen the like of the current feral worms fighting over a corpse;

Charming hairdresser about town Cllr Greg Couzens, a rival along with expenses and contrived rent rascal Rowen to welly boot comedian manager Cllr Dale "Cricket" Mulgrew for the parliamentary candidacy, took the opportunity of Leader Irene Davidson's unfortunate confinement in the very poorly ward at the Infirmary, for a kidney removal and tests, to propose and lose a vote of no confidence in the poor woman's leadership;

Having lost five group members he may feel able to stage another night of the long twinkling scissors in a few weeks time.

Here's a taste of the situation - as reported by Rochdale Online _ from Cllr Pat Lynch, seen above with the Lynch mob hubby Ted and colleague Peter Davison (no relation):

Councillor Pat Flynn added: “I am dismayed with the broken promises, especially by the deputy prime minister in relation to university tuition fees.
“I am dismayed by the local leadership and I don’t like the direction the Lib Dems are going in.
“I was quite upset last night but I feel happy about my decision now.”
Councillor Pat Flynn said she understands there are more Liberal Democrat councillors who are considering resigning.
“As you can imagine it was quite a bitter meeting,” said Pat Flynn, “I will now sit as an independent Councillor. I have always said my first concern is Castleton – not the Liberal Democrats.”

The disgraceful would be demon barber Greg Couzens (rear) is pictured below with two of his models - Councillors Clegg and Todd (no relation) - loyal to the slithering parsel-tongued crimper. For the moment at least.

Even without the often drunken Heywood slimeball David Hennigan - sacked by Paul Rowen over one intoxicating embarrassment too many - now working for John Leech and Manchester Lib Dems with an immediate visible effect on their by-election fortunes and horrid nastiness - Rochdale Lib Dems are capable of quite extraordinary chaotic lifestyles and self-destructive behaviour. Watch this space.