Stockport Liberal Democrats

Stockport Council’s Liberal Democrat Group have announced with sadness and regret that Cllr Aron Thornley has today resigned from the Party. It is understood that Cllr Thornley, who represents Marple South and High Lane Ward, is to pursue a job opportunity that is apparently incompatible with his continued membership.

Speaking after meeting with Cllr Thornley this afternoon, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Mark Hunter said: “We are surprised and disappointed by his personal decision to quit, but it is up to Cllr Thornley to explain his change of mind and his reasons to the people who have just re-elected him as part of the Liberal Democrat Team”.

Liberal Democrats had a very good set of results in this year’s all-out local elections, taking 30 of the 63 seats on Stockport Council, leaving them just short of overall control of the council, with the Tories wiped out and Labour falling back slightly. There are now three other Groups, holding the three seats in one ward each.

Speaking after the results, Cllr Mark Hunter, current Leader of the Council and Leader of the Lib Dems at Stockport Town Hall, said: “Nobody can deny that this was a very good set of election results for the Liberal Democrats. We have made yet more gains and consolidated our position as the largest single party on Stockport Council.

“We have yet to have the necessary discussions with the other Groups but, whilst we take nothing for granted, I am optimistic that we will have the support we need to continue in administration and that I will be elected once again as Leader of the Council. This should be resolved in the coming days, ahead of the Annual Council meeting towards the end of this month.”

Liberal Democrats say they are ‘cautiously optimistic’ about their prospects of success as they head into the final stretch of the local election campaign. With Polling Day on May 4th firmly in sight, Stockport Lib Dems say their campaign to retain control at the Town Hall is going well and their activists are getting a good reception on doorsteps across the borough. According to local Lib Dem leader Mark Hunter, their positive message and ambitious plans for the future are being well received by local residents.

“I think, from the evidence of talking to many voters, that there is a general recognition that Stockport really is buzzing once again and a place where people really want to be. With a well-run, forward thinking Lib Dem-led Council, focussed on partnership and progress, there are no limits to what we can achieve. Of course, there are many challenges – not least the cost-of-living crisis – but the Lib Dems are united and determined to face those tough decisions and take Stockport forward. The transformation of our town centre is just the single, most obvious, example of how we are making our borough an even better place to live and work”.

Local election experts agree that the Conservatives are likely to struggle again this year and, with only a handful of councillors left on Stockport Council whilst not fielding a full slate of candidates for the first time in years, they could even be wiped out on May 4th. Meanwhile, Stockport Labour is split from top to bottom as the hard left increases its hold and more moderate members and supporters are driven away. No less than four former Labour cabinet members, including the current leader and deputy, are quitting in May, leaving a considerable leadership void.

Following intensive discussions with central government over the past month, Greater Manchester has now agreed a Trailblazer devolution deal. The deal will give our city region even more control over local services including transport and post-16 education and will also provide funding to help build on previously developed land (“brownfield sites”), helping us to protect our valuable green belt and other open spaces.

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council and of the Lib Dems at Stockport Town Hall, said: “Decisions that will make a difference to the lives of local people can now be made more locally, which is welcome news and gives Stockport and Greater Manchester more control of what happens in our region. Giving local leaders the power and influence to make important decisions like this in areas they know best, will ensure local people are at the heart of this agenda.

“This aligns with a core Liberal Democrat belief – that decisions should be taken as close as possible to those affected by them. Whilst we would have liked to have seen even more powers and funding devolved from central government to our region, this is definitely a move in the right direction. The Trailblazer deal has cross-party support at a Greater Manchester level and we will continue to work closely with our colleagues to seek further devolution deals in the future.”

In line with this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, the Stockport Lib Dems are embracing equity.

Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day, Cllr Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member with responsibility for equalities, said: “Equality means everyone should be treated the same way, regardless of need or any other individual difference. This year’s theme for International Women’s Day “Embracing Equity” on the other hand, means everyone should be supported with what they need to succeed recognising different needs, background, disabilities and circumstances. We need to break down the barriers and ensure all women who need extra support are given a helping hand.

“On International Women’s Day, Stockport Council are hosting a series of panel events with female leaders across the council to discuss their experiences and answer questions about what it’s like to be a female leader here. We’re keen to encourage everyone and are supporting the superb Stockport Women and Girls Network’s conference on Friday as part of the important week-long schedule of events.”

Cllr Wendy Meikle, Deputy Leader of the Council and of the Lib Dems at Stockport Town Hall, added: “It is imperative that we all promote equity by calling out gender stereotypes, challenging discrimination and bias, and working towards inclusion.

“Stockport Council benefits from having a strong group of female leaders among our senior management team as well as in senior positions among the elected members, and it is a great place for ambitious women to come and work. But there is always more we can and must do to ensure women are given opportunities to progress across all levels of the organisation.”

On 1st March Stockport Council launched a Spring Clean campaign to tidy up the borough over the next eight weeks and will lead clean-up events across the borough.

Speaking after the launch Cllr Mark Roberts, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “I’m delighted that the Liberal Democrats are taking action to clean up our borough and restore some civic pride with the launch of Stockport Spring Clean. Action will be happening all across the borough, working with local residents and organisations to tackle those areas which need attention.

“Staff volunteers have already told me what a positive impact just ten minutes of volunteering in their lunch break has made on their sense of well-being. I would encourage everyone to get involved in helping to tidy up their area. It is a useful reminder of how valuable our greenspace is, and reclaiming areas for public use by cleaning them up benefits us all.

Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member with responsibilities including street cleaning and our parks and open spaces, added: “Thank you to those people who already litter pick or are already part of a Friends Group and to those that highlight issues by reporting them to the council via the website. We hope that you will all notice the impact that this spring campaign will have on the areas that are not already being supported in this way.

“This campaign is in addition to our routine programme of street and open space cleaning undertaken by the council, aiming to get everywhere looking clean and tidy ahead of summer.”