Southport's Liberal Democrat Party has been roundly criticised for double-standards and simply "copying" their opponents.

It follows a series of communications from the Lib-Dems that have left local observers bemused. One is a leaflet released by the Lib-Dem candidate in Norwood, Peter Blake, which claims that his party secured the return of 30-minute parking to Southport.

This is despite Sefton Council Leader Ian Maher making clear at the time in both the council chamber and local media reports that the decision was down to strong representations from Southport Labour and also Southport BID.

Critics say that not content with trying to grab the limelight for a decision they were not part of, local Lib-Dems have also aped the Labour Party slogan of "paying more for less".

Labour uses the slogan to describe the cuts the Lib-Dems and Tories implemented along with Theresa May's government then forcing local authorities across the country to raise council tax if they want extra funds. Local Lib-Dems, however, have tried to suggest it is a willing choice by Sefton Council, something strongly denied by the controlling Labour group.

Liz Savage, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Southport, described it as "low-resolution copying" and said it revealed local Lib-Dem limitations:

" They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but given the pressures on local councils across the country, it is just Lib-Dem spin to claim this is a Sefton problem. Councils of all political colours have been forced to do this across the country.

It's also rather desperate for Lib-Dems to be claiming successes they were simply not part of. It shows just how bereft of actual achievements in the town they are after all these years that they try to steal credit that belongs to others. It also reveals how far they are prepared to go to mislead local residents.

Ian Maher made it crystal clear at the time of the decision that he'd been persuaded by the representations made by myself, Mhairi Doyle our Norwood candidate and our Kew candidate, Janis Blackburne, plus also Southport BID. It's nothing to do with the Lib-Dems and is a shameless fabrication by them to claim otherwise."

Other local critics have also noted that after the last few years of attacking Labour and Conservatives for fielding parliamentary candidates from outside the town, the Lib-Dems have just decided to do exactly the same.

Liz Savage explains:

" They've made repeated attacks about my living in Tarleton despite the fact my work is here and yet they have now selected someone from further afield which they blithely try to pass off as "nearby"?! It does raise a wry smile but I think people are starting to see through local Lib-Dem hypocrisy."



Photo caption... The Lib-Dem leaflet wrongly claiming they achieved the parking decision success.

Photo caption... Mhairi Doyle, Liz Savage and Janis Blackburne who helped achieve the parking decision.

I don't know about anyone else but I'm getting heartily sick and tired of local politicos constantly slagging each other off and engaging in yah boo electioneering.
Tell us what you're going to do rather than the constant tittle tattle focusing on their opponents perceived shortcomings - it's tedious.

If they're to turn people off politics then they're going the right way about it!

get rid of party politics and do what is best for the town/country

Yada yada yada.... he said, she said.... And surprise, surprise, the Labour leader of the Council adjudicated that it was his Labour chums what done it.... Pathetic bunch.

Originally Posted by gazaprop

I don't know about anyone else but I'm getting heartily sick and tired of local politicos constantly slagging each other off and engaging in yah boo electioneering.
Tell us what you're going to do rather than the constant tittle tattle focusing on their opponents perceived shortcomings - it's tedious.

If they're to turn people off politics then they're going the right way about it!

So Labour are just supposed to let the Lib-Dems get away with a complete lie? And it does say what they've done... they got the return of 30-minute parking. They can do a lot more too if they get some councillors elected.

Originally Posted by dav

Yada yada yada.... he said, she said.... And surprise, surprise, the Labour leader of the Council adjudicated that it was his Labour chums what done it.... Pathetic bunch.

So the guy who knows best why they made the decision (and gives credit not just to Southport Labour but Southport BID also) somehow should be discounted in your Tory view Dav? Pathetic comment from you more like.

Originally Posted by gazaprop

I don't know about anyone else but I'm getting heartily sick and tired of local politicos constantly slagging each other off and engaging in yah boo electioneering.
Tell us what you're going to do rather than the constant tittle tattle focusing on their opponents perceived shortcomings - it's tedious.

If they're to turn people off politics then they're going the right way about it!

Well said :)

Originally Posted by Gwhizz

So the guy who knows best why they made the decision (and gives credit not just to Southport Labour but Southport BID also) somehow should be discounted in your Tory view Dav? Pathetic comment from you more like.

So the guy who knows best why they made the decision, was also the guy that removed the 30min parking in the first place, and under pressure from his lackey's and SouthportBID decided to re-instate it.

Watch the road there, Labour doing a u-turn......

I wonder how much financial damage was done to the shop keepers by removing it??

Originally Posted by Gwhizz

So Labour are just supposed to let the Lib-Dems get away with a complete lie? And it does say what they've done... they got the return of 30-minute parking. They can do a lot more too if they get some councillors elected.

I suppose they, and you, could take their ball home - coz it's theirs - and they can - so there!

Better still - not come in when their Mam calls them for their tea - honestly - some people!

What's the picture of ? The poison dwarf and two cohorts ?

Originally Posted by Lancashire Mike

What's the picture of ? The poison dwarf and two cohorts ?

Hubble bubble toil and trouble...

Originally Posted by Tentill4

So the guy who knows best why they made the decision, was also the guy that removed the 30min parking in the first place, and under pressure from his lackey's and SouthportBID decided to re-instate it.

Watch the road there, Labour doing a u-turn......

I wonder how much financial damage was done to the shop keepers by removing it??

You do realise that they can't be his lackeys if they put him under pressure? But hey, making sense not usually your forte so why start now?

Aren’t we normally in “purdah” by now, seems to be a lot of politically motivated race to the bottoms published. The “local” candidate from the libs is spectacularly amusing though, wonder if tony will snub him too as he did with their former leader.

Complete waste of time "local Politics" in my humble opinion. Nothing in my 58 odd years on this planet have I ever said "Well Done my local Councillor"

Like a fart in a spacesuit bloody useless.

No doubt some Qlocal Wag will come back with utter bilge to disagree!

Originally Posted by gazaprop

I don't know about anyone else but I'm getting heartily sick and tired of local politicos constantly slagging each other off and engaging in yah boo electioneering.
Tell us what you're going to do rather than the constant tittle tattle focusing on their opponents perceived shortcomings - it's tedious.

If they're to turn people off politics then they're going the right way about it!

100% agree with you.