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New party pledges to put Darwen first
1:20pm Saturday 3rd March 2007
Comments (8)A BUSINESSMAN who ran against Jack Straw in the last election has set up a new party to represent the interests of Darwen.
And it is believed that For Darwen could have a councillor as early as next week, with at least one councillor ready to defect.
Founder member Tony Melia said he quit the LibDem party because so many people were fed up with what Labour-controlled Blackburn with Darwen Council was doing.
But leader of the council's Tory opposition, Colin Rigby, said Mr Melia's party risked dividing the LibDem vote and could let other parties in through the back door.
LibDem leader Coun David Foster was not available for comment but prominent LibDem Coun Roy Davies said the party was not worried about For Darwen.
Mr Melia, who owns Genesis Plumbing and Electrical, Duckworth Street, Darwen, said the party would take people of all political persuasions and hoped to get a town council set up to deal with Darwen's affairs.
Mr Melia, 46, intends to stand in the local elections for the Sunnyhurst ward.
He lives in the ward at Woodside Bank, off Tockholes Road.
He said: "My heart has always been with Darwen. National politics is influencing local politics and it should not be like that.
"I want a party that represents the town. I don't feel we are listened to by the ruling group in Blackburn."
He said there was a lot of ill feeling about the way issues like the proposed £34million Academy, £9million leisure centre, and traffic management had been handled.
Mr Melia is married to Blackburn College teacher Maria, 42, and they have three children aged 14, 11, and eight.
Council leader Kate Hollern said: "I am pleased he has recognised LibDems are ineffective in Darwen."
She said the LibDems had not properly taken part in consultation on schemes like the Leisure Centre.
Mr Melia helped the Lib Dems lift their share of the vote in Blackburn in the 2005 General Election from 8.1 per cent to 17.6 per cent.
He said he had not abandoned LibDem principles but did not think they had a place in local politics.
Your Say YourLancashire Telegraph
LC, Darwen says...
11:10am Wed 14 Mar 07
Councillor Michael Johnson, Lower Darwen says...
2:06pm Wed 14 Mar 07
LC wrote:LC it is plainly obvious that you are yet another arm chair voter, or are you a Lib Dem that is upset that this power craving hypocrite who financed the party for the last two elections and pays for the party office ect,ect,ect. Or have you jumped on your soap box because people who support Darwen are sick of politics such as my self.The party has not has a meeting yet but it is holding a meeting to night at Darwen FC 7.00pm you are invited. It will be attended by a lot of power craving Darwen people who also do not want politics in council so you might feel a little out of place. What is a non Darwen Ward? One that is decided on by Blackburn or one that is split by Post code BB3 (Darwen) or is it the fact that it is inside the Darwen Boundry! No not the Bridge the one that says Darwen. The last thing i have to ask is are you For Darwen or do you not like any one who stands up for the town, May be a little bit of Blackburn in you i think. Lastly if you want to make personall remarks about Tony or I please have the guts to ask us to our faces what we are doing and you will get a reply. I will be more than happy to meet you and answer any question you want.
another attempt to get into a position of power, when will people see this Man as what he is, a power craving hypocrite. I feel quite sure this party will not last too long! Isaw 'the party' on a night out not too long ago, Tony and his cronies, including the new for darwen councillor (who represents a non-Darwen ward. They didn't look too friendly, a mismatch made in heaven. I think we'll see him back in the LibDem fold before too long. Please people, think on, his main ally is a former far right councillor, surely that says a lot!
Tony Melia, Darwen says...
2:25pm Wed 14 Mar 07
Tony Melia, Darwen says...
2:27pm Wed 14 Mar 07
LC we are told stands for Labour Councillors, need i say any more!!!
radical Leftist, Darwen says...
4:38pm Thu 15 Mar 07
LC, Darwen says...
7:17pm Mon 19 Mar 07
Paul, Lytham St Annes says...
10:33pm Mon 21 May 07
NEW PARTY: Tony Melia
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David Wild, Darwen says...
1:58pm Mon 5 Mar 07