Former Labour Mayor of Rochdale defects to Lib Dems citing 'in-fighting' and splits

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A former Labour mayor of Rochdale has defected to the Liberal Democrats. Councillor Mohammed Zaman confirmed his decision to cross the floor citing ‘in-fighting’ and splits within Labour ranks for his departure.

It means the Lib Dems now have four members on the council. The move comes after Coun Zaman was deselected as a candidate for Milkstone and Deeplish ward at this year’s ‘all out elections’.

His ward colleagues - former leader Coun Allen Brett and Coun Sameena Zaheer - have also been replaced, meaning Labour will field a completely new slate in May, when all 60 council seats are up for grabs. READ MORE : Rochdale Tories to give to Ukraine cause after accepting payment from millionaire linked to Russia and Putin ‘cronies’ Coun Zaman said: “I have made the decision to leave the Labour party because of the amount of infighting and partisan factions that have emerged in the past few years.

I have always put my community first and Labour just seem to act in their own interests." The veteran Labour party member said his treatment by the regional executive had been ‘just as poor, with no logic or loyalty to long service’. “The Liberal Democrats have always acted with dignity and integrity and I look forward to joining my new group colleagues on council,” he added.