Pike Uneasy Over Lab/Lib-Dem Pact to 'Carve-Up' Town's Wards.Burnley's MP, Peter Pike, has expressed his disquiet over his party's proposed 'carve-up' of the town's wards in an effort to defeat the BNP at May's local council elections.Burnley Bravepages' editor, Martin Wingfield, wrote to the MP in the light of persistent rumours that a behind-the-scenes deal was being struck. "We have heard from a reliable source that Burnley Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have agreed to 'carve-up Burnley' in a pact which will see Labour candidates standing down in particular wards to give a clear run to the Lib-Dems in return for reciprocal favours. "This practice is against the spirit of democratic elections and effectively disenfranchises your voters in the wards where you don't stand. I hope you will use your good offices to ensure that a such a 'carve-up' does not take place." Peter Pike wrote back and was clear in his condemnation of the proposed plan, "My views are well known, and I have never done deals in this way." The MP was also keen to distance himself from Burnley's left-wing lunatic fringe and categorically denied attending an ANL meeting in November and expressing his pleasure at being at the gathering. "I refer to being in London as proof that I was not at that meeting." Mr Pike went on. "I am not a supporter of SWP (the organisation behind ANL - Ed.) or any other extreme left Socialist organisations such as those that stood against Labour in the November by-elections under the Socialist Alliance Banner. They are not supporters of the Labour Party." Peter Pike's stance against a would-be Lab/Lib-Dem pact is supported by a senior member of Burnley's Liberal Democrats. The person concerned has asked for anonymity, but wanted to make their views known with regard to any deal, "This is Roger Frost's own personal hobby horse, and there is widespread opposition amongst Burnley Liberal-Democrats to any proposed deal. Feelings are running so high that there might even be maverick Liberal-Democrat candidates standing if wards like Rosehill and Trinity are sacrificed to Labour."
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