No confidence in Council Leader

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 18th Oct 2004

"Councillors in Bradford have lost confidence in the ability or willingness of the Leader of Bradford Council to command the support of a majority of Councillors" says Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, Leader of the Liberal Democrats.

She has tabled an amendment calling for a vote of no confidence in the Conservative Leader of the Council following decisions made by just six Conservatives that ignore the wishes of the majority of Councillors. In a speech to a meeting of the full Council tomorrow Councillor Sunderland is expected to say:

"We believe that it is arrogant to dismiss the aspirations, thought and ideas of an entire group of people just because their votes are not essential. We believe that the Leader of the Council should command the support of a majority of Councillors in order to have the respect and confidence of the Council, its officers and most importantly the electorate.

"It is clear that the leader of Council does not have the support of a majority of Councillors or any willingness to attempt to gain that support.

"This is dangerous and will have serious implications for many people, in particular the weak and vulnerable but also those people seeking to live, work and invest in the district."

Councillor Sunderland will be asking fellow Councillors to join with her and support a vote of no confidence in the Leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Margaret Eaton's ability or willingness to command the support of a majority of Councillors.