Vince Cable, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has warned that Manchester must be careful not to fall back into a one-party state.
In 2014, Manchester returned a full slate of Labour councillors meaning the city had no opposition. It remained that way until 2016 when former MP John Leech stormed to victory with 53% of the vote. For the past two years, he has served as the city’s one-man opposition.
But now just days before voters head to the polls, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable has warned that it would be “dangerous” for Manchester to fall back into a “one-party state.”
He said: “John Leech has been a powerful and effective opposition – his tireless work and fierce passion for equality makes me endlessly proud to lead this party.
“Thanks to John, failing after failing from Manchester Council have been exposed. Everything from a complete lack of affordable housing and rejecting desperate Syrian child refugees to shocking 60% pay rises for senior staff and the misuse of public money.
“But John needs more Liberal Democrat colleagues to continue holding Manchester Council to account, it is not healthy for any council to have no opposition.
“It would be dangerous for Manchester to fall back into a one-party state under the false pretence that Labour is working for them. Voters in Manchester should use their three votes for the Liberal Democrats to get the opposition this great city so desperately needs.”
