Labour stunt!

Conservatives Condemn Labour Stunt

Conservative Leader Andrew Cumpsty:

“signs of Labour forming a pact with the Lib Dems”

see the Evening Post article

Reading, 25 June 2008:  Reading Borough Conservatives strongly condemn Labour’s handling of a motion at the full council meeting on 24 June.  Under the guise of a motion the Labour group attempted to once again hi-jack a council meeting for their own party political ends.  The Conservatives viewed the motion (No. 15), purporting to highlight key priorities, as a thinly-veiled political manifesto and pointed to the fact that this information had appeared in the local media just a few days previously. 

Conservatives also reacted with amazement when, during the debate, it was revealed that Labour had discussed their ’manifesto’ with the Liberal Democrats.  Conservative leader, Cllr Andrew Cumpsty, said, “The first time I saw the detail of this motion was in the local press. Now it would appear that Labour saw fit to discuss this with the Lib Dems, but not with the Conservatives.  Is this the first sign of a Lib-Lab pact?”

Conservatives are concerned that Labour has failed to recognise the new realities of the political landscape of Reading following Labour’s loss of control in May’s local elections.  Although early discussions between the parties appeared to be fruitful, it has taken less than two months for Labour to revert to their old ways.  Cllr Cumpsty commented, “I can only conclude that Labour is in denial about their loss of power after 23 years.  In May’s local elections the people of Reading showed clearly that want the different political parties to cooperate.  I have been pleased with progress up to this point but I can only conclude that Labour is now showing their contempt for the public by trying this stunt in the first full council meeting.”

During the debate Conservatives questioned continually the process and pointed out that this was simply a ‘wish list’ without costings or proper analysis of alternatives.  Conservatives reacted with disbelief when Labour’s Cllr Ruhemann appeared to suggest that secret documents regarding costings did in fact exist, only to be contradicted by Cllr Lovelock who denied that any costings were attached to the priorities listed in the motion.

Commenting further, Cllr Cumpsty said, “I am not saying that there was anything particularly contentious in the high level sentiments expressed in the motion.  The Conservative group abstained on the motion and questioned the process because we cannot agree to, or commit to, an un-costed wish list.  In reality it is a Labour political manifesto and I am very disappointed with Labour for using council time in this way.  In my opinion it is also unfair on council officers to detain them late into the evening on these political whims!”

See Evening Post Article

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