Life worse under Brown — claim

A Liberal Democrat councillor launched a stinging attack on Gordon Brown’s first year in office — then blasted local MP Phil Woolas.

Elwyn Watkins, parliamentary spokesman for Oldham East & Saddleworth, said Oldham has failed to benefit from Brown’s first 12 months at No.10.

The Rochdale councillor added: “Gordon Brown has been in office for a year and I am still looking for any significant improvements around here.

“Police cuts and crime levels continue to be a serious issue in Oldham but Brown’s Government has done nothing to tackle the crime and anti-social behaviour which still blights lives.”

Referring to news of post office closures, Mr Watkins said: “MP Phil Woolas, a friend of Gordon Brown and government minister, seems to care more for following the party line than his own constituents.”

Mr Watkins said thousands of residents were being made to pay more council tax and live in overcrowded conditions because of the failure of Labour to build affordable homes.

“As I go around Oldham speaking to residents, I find more and more anger as matters get worse rather than better under Brown,” he said.

However, Mr Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “Mr Watkins’ remarks are ill-informed, ridiculous and publicity-seeking. I’ve always said some post offices will have to close. To suggest otherwise is the politics of King Canute.

“I’d like to know where the Liberal Democrats would take money from to keep up levels of subsidy.”