Labour leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese, condemns ‘immoral’ Liberal Democrats and claims party is ‘dead’

ByJonathan Humphries, Rebecca Pocklington & Ian Silvera

The Labour leader of Manchester City Council condemned ‘immoral’ Liberal Democrats and claimed that the party is 'dead' at tonight’s count.

Sir Richard Leese said that he had no time for the party which he claimed was devoid of morals.

He said: “I think the world would be a better place if there were no Liberal Democrat councillors.

“I have no time for them whatsoever, they have no principles, no morals, no politics nothing and they lie.”

Sir Richard derided Liberal Democrat campaign materials

“I look at their literature and it’s just disgraceful, it’s appalling.”

“I’ve seen stuff today, stuff in Chorlton Park Ward, where they are attacking the existing Labour councillor when none of it is true, it’s just completely made up.

"They put leaflets out saying the Labour council voted against accepting the Pupil Premium, it’s just not true, it never happened. That vote did not occur.”

When asked if there was any way back for the Liberal Democrats, his answer was emphatic: “No they’re dead here, I think they know that.”

“Lib Dems for a number of years managed to gain the protest votes, well they’re not doing that anymore.”

“The protest votes are probably split between the UKIP and Green Party now, at some point the protest vote will coalesce.

"I would guess Manchester is more likely to be Green but that will take time.”

Sir Richard said although he didn’t agree with Conservative policies, he believed they made principled decisions.

He said: “I think the Tories do have principles, they do have politics, I don’t agree with their principles and politics, but I know what they are.”

“I have no faith in them whatsoever but you know what you’re doing with them.”

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