Statement on Ralph Hall

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 6th Apr 2002

Liberal Democrat Borough Group Leader Michael Headley has said that he is suprised that Ralph Hall has decided to leave the Liberal Democrats and join the Conservatives.

Ralph Hall stated yesterday that his membership of the Liberal Democrats had lapsed and that he had decided to join the Conservative Group on the Borough Council. He had not been selected as a Liberal Democrat Candidate for the May elections.

Michael said:

"I am surprised that anyone would choose to join the Tories at present."

In Bedford they are a split, 3rd party - They've got through 3 leaders in the last 2 years alone. This year through their poor management of Bedfordshire County Council they have pushed up the Council Tax by 9.9%."

"He added:"

"I assume, that to be fair to the electorate in his ward he will be resigning his Conuty Council seat to fight it again as Tory."