Lib Dems confirm they will vote with Labour to remove Greens from Sheffield council leadership tomorrow
“We support the removal of Green councillors from leadership positions, but that does not mean we will be joining Labour in administration”
Sheffield Liberal Democrats have confirmed they back the removal of Green councillors from leadership positions after they refused to reject their "Zionism is Racism" motion.
The Lib Dem group also confirmed they will not join Labour in an administration because of fundamental disagreements, including over the Local Plan - a blueprint for future development which controversially proposes the release of more than 800 acres of the Steel City's green belt.
It is expected councillors will get an opportunity to vote for or against a minority Labour administration at a full council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday 3 November).
The Labour leader of Sheffield City Council, Fran Belbin, announced her intention to propose the minority administration over the weekend, splitting with the Greens and aligning with 11 other local authorities across the country where there are power sharing agreements in place.
This came after Prime Minister Andy Burnham condemned the motion as antisemitic last month.
With 26 councillors out of 84, Labour need the other parties to vote with them to pass their proposal to end the joint administration with the Greens that has been in place since May.
Sheffield Liberal Democrats confirmed they support the removal of Green Party councillors from leadership positions on Sheffield City Council after they did not reject the national Green Party's controversial policy.
The Lib Dems say the "Zionism is Racism" motion has been "widely condemned as antisemitic."
If all 22 Liberal Democrats vote with Labour tomorrow, they will have a majority and the mandate to end the current leadership.
Councillor Martin Smith, leader of the Liberal Democrat group said: “Labour and the Green Party have got themselves into a serious mess, and the people of Sheffield deserve better."
“We support the removal of Green councillors from leadership positions, but that does not mean we will be joining Labour in administration. We have many disagreements on policy with Labour including our opposition to the Local Plan."
“However, we will continue to act as a responsible opposition, supporting decisions that are in the interests of Sheffield and holding the administration to account when they get things wrong.”
After the May local elections, the Sheffield Lib Dem groups announced to social media they would not join the administration in part because Reform UK being the only opposition "would be a disaster."
If the motion passes, the opposition could comprise of 58 councillors out of 84, which could slow down decision making among elected members.
Normal council services are not expected to be affected.