Southport Conservative Councillor Sir Ron Watson has challenged the Labour Leader of Sefton, Councillor Ian Maher, to say whether or not there are any Conservative Councillors who can be described as “a bunch of scum, homophobic, racist, misogynistic, absolute vile, banana republic, pieces of scum”
Sir Ron said this extraordinary description of Conservatives was made by the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner MP.
Sir Ron said “I have never in my lifetime ever read such a series of insulting comments but if the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party represents the views of her Members we have reached a very sorry state in politics.
I have had the opportunity to work with literally hundreds of Councillors over many years from all Political Parties and I think it is true to say that on so many occasions we share similar aims and objectives but we can disagree quite fundamentally with how the issues are to be resolved through policy and in what priority.
The discussions that take place are often constructive but Councillor Maher has a responsibility to let the public know whether he believes that any of the current Conservative Councillors deserve to be referred to in the manner adopted by Labour’s Deputy Leader.
His response will enable the public to make their own judgement on what has been said and for which there has been no indication of regret and even the statement from Ms Rayner that in making the comments she “held back a little”.
