Liberal Democrat activist handed top role at Conservative Club

Jan 13 2011 by Janine Yaqoob, Crosby Herald

A LIBERAL Democrat has been installed as chairman of Crosby’s Conservative Club.

Former Molyneux councillor Jack Colbert was voted in to the post unanimously by the board of members despite his political allegiance.

Although he has never been a member of the Conservative Club, it was decided in May last year that Jack would become chairman at the Moor Lance centre.

Jack Colbert, who lives in Seaforth, said: “I’ve been playing snooker at the Conservative Club for more than 10 years now and I haven’t ever been a member.

“I go for the great ale, great snooker and no Conservatives!

“I have never been a member because I would have had to swear my allegiance to the Conservatives, and as a Lib Dem I wouldn’t do that.

“Last year a large number of the Conservative Club members asked me to become chairman because they were in dire straights and on the verge of administration.

“The Conservatives themselves wouldn’t help them.

“I said I’d take up the role as long as I didn’t have to swear allegiance and the members were fine with that. I was voted in unanimously.

“Now the committee have decided to de-affiliate themselves from the Conservatives and this will be confirmed at a meeting on February 23.”

Conservative councillor Martyn Barber has described the announcement as ‘laughable’ and accused Mr Colbert of having double standards.

He said: “He was chairman of Crosby Conservative Club whilst an active Lib Dem councillor, and when they were not in coalition with the Conservative Party.

“The membership form reads quite clearly that you will not do anything by word or deed that is prejudicial to the Conservative Party.

“If Jack has not signed a form like that then he can't be a member, and how on earth can he be the Chairman if he is not a member – it stinks.

“I personally renewed my membership at the club on December 6, 2010 after a Manor Ward Conservative Party meeting.

“The Conservative Club has kindly donated thousands of pounds to the Conservative Party cause over the years and I would like to thank them for that.”

Jack is now looking forward to steering the Conservative Club into a new era which would see it opened up to the community further.

He said: “We are looking at changing the name to Crosby Social Club or Crosby Snooker and Social Club.

“We want to move away from any political party and invite everyone in.

“We are have social nights planned as well as snooker tournaments and quizzes.

“If anyone is interested in joining the club contact 0151 924 1486.”