"Labour in total meltdown" say Dundee LibDems

12.24.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 26th Aug 2006

Sir Menzies Campbell welcomes 37 Labour defectors to the LibDems

News that 37 Labour Party members in Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett's constituency have quit the party and joined to the Liberal Democrats in protest at her handling of the Middle East crisis has led to Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Saturday 26th August) to make clear that New Labour is in "total meltdown."

In Beckett's constituency, the defectors include Mohammed Rawail Peeno, a Labour Party ward chairman, and Masood Akhta, an ex-city and county councillor.

Mr Peeno said, 'We could not remain in the Labour Party after their mishandling of the Lebanon crisis.'

Sir Menzies Campbell, Liberal Democrat Leader, said, "The Liberal Democrats were the first and only major party to call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

"These defections in the Foreign Secretary's own seat are significant. The government's position on the Middle East and Iraq shows just how out of touch it is with many in its party and the majority of the general public."

Locally, Dundee LibDem party secretary Michael Charlton said, "Its clear Labour is in meltdown. No-one trusts Blair & Beckett's foreign policy. The future is with the Liberal Democrats."

Related Links:

40 party members in Beckett protest - Guardian.

Mass Labour defection to Liberal Democrats in Margaret Beckett's constituency.