Lib Dem accused of Falmer fudge

6:32am Wednesday 2nd May 2007

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A councillor representing the leading opponents to Brighton and Hove Albion's Falmer Stadium has been telling voters on the doorsteps the party is not against the plans.

Lewes residents have complained of being misled by a councillor canvassing for re-election about the Liberal Democrats' position on the development.

Lewes Bridge councillor Jim Daly told Lewes Albion fans who challenged him on his party's opposition to Falmer that the Lib Dems are not against the stadium - just the way it was decided.

If this were true it would represent a huge U-turn for the party, which has fought the stadium development at every stage of the planning process.

The Seagulls Party, made up of Albion supporters targeting Lib Dem wards in Lewes, said the canvassing showed the ruling party is "running scared".

An Albion fan and Lewes resident, who did not want to be named, opened the door to Coun Daly last week. He told The Argus: "I was pretty shocked, as someone who has followed the saga for years and has read every scrap of news about it. I have never heard of any policy change by the Lewes Liberal Democrats."

Coun Daly was asked to clarify his position by The Argus. He said: "Our opposition was not against the stadium, it was against John Prescott telling people he could build where he liked and how he liked.

Provided Ruth Kelly does everything properly, whatever she says we'll go along with it."

Seagulls Party election candidate Roz South is standing against Coun Daly in the Lewes Bridge ward on May 3. She said: "It is astounding. If he felt that he should have spoken up at the time. The silence in the council chambers when members had the opportunity to speak was astonishing.

"It strikes me that somebody's running scared."

Her colleague Ed Bassford, who is standing in the Ouse Valley and Ringmer ward, said: "It's a bit rich.

It does suit them to fudge it at the moment."

The official Lib Dem line remains that the party is against the stadium.

Coun David Neighbour, the council's cabinet member for planning, is fighting for the East Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs ward. He said: "We're against the building of any major construction on an area of outstanding natural beauty."

What do you think about Councillor Jim Daly's comments? Leave your thoughts below.