Manchester Labour welcomes Cllr. back to the Labour Party.  Councillor Chohan  has defected from the Lib Dems because he  is disillusioned  with weak Lib Dem polices  on drugs and crime.  Cllr. Chohan   said:
"The Liberal Democrats are soft on drugs and crime  and are too busy fighting each other rather than thinking about the local area.  I look forward to being part  of Manchester's  successful Labour Team. I am convince that Manchester Labours policies are the best for Manchester."

Cllr. Chohan was welcomed by the Labour Leader Richard Leese:
" I am pleased to welcome our 62nd  Labour  councillor in Manchester . We spend a lot of time persuading people that Manchester Labour is in the best interest of Manchester people .   Cllr. Chohan has come to the view that for the voters of Manchester and Longsight , Labour is the clearest and most effective voice on the Council".

Cllr. Chohan becomes the second Labour Councillor in Longsight, joining existing Councillor Maryam Khan.  At  the May elections Labour's  Luthfur Rahman will be hoping to take the third  seat for Labour.

Luthfur said:

" I am delighted that Abid as joined Labour  and I  look forward to working with him. He is  joining  a  first class, hard working  team who are not afraid to speak up for Longsight. We are on the side of Longsight people".  

Labour Cllr Maryam Khan said:
" We are building a solid Labour base in Longsight. The Lib  Dems are  split  by  internal squabbles and have forgotten about Longsight and the people around here.  I am pleased that Abid Chohan as taken the correct action and joined Labour".  

Lib Dems in Manchester are in turmoil. They  took a body blow in January  following  the defection of Cllr  Faraz Bhatti to the Tory Party .  This latest loss leaves them weak,  beleaguered   and  at  rock bottom . The divided Lib Dems on Manchester Council, torn apart by internal bickering and infighting, will have to face the electorate in May with the prospect of yet another  massive rejection by Manchester voters.

Manchester Labour has 62 seats on the council Lib Dems 32 ,Tories 1 ,Greens 1 .