Glossy magazine loses its shine

A magazine to be distributed to 12,000 Saddleworth homes by the Liberal-Democrats is under fire because it was printed in London.

The eight-page, full colour publication, Saddleworth Today, bills itself as the magazine for Saddleworth on its front cover and says it is “a local champion” for the area.

But Saddleworth parish councillor Ken Hulme, said: “I find it astonishing the Liberal-Democrats are paying to have their news sheet for Saddleworth printed in London.

“We have enough printers in Saddleworth and the surrounding area who could do the work.

“They should be supporting local jobs and businesses not exporting them to London.

“And what about the carbon footprint, not very environmentally friendly is it?”

He claimed: “Lib-Dem councillors have to give up 10 per cent of their expenses and allowances to their party to pay for this type of publication.

“This coming financial year it is anticipated councillors’ expenses and allowances will amount to £950,000. Ten per cent of that buys a lot of newsprint.

“This is party politics paid for out of our council tax — the least they could do is spend the money in the borough and help the local economy.”

Mike Rooke, secretary of the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents Association, said: “Our organisation does not get involved in party politics — but we do have an underlying belief in local jobs for local people.”

Writing in the magazine, Elwyn Watkins, the Lib-Dems prospective parliamentary candidate for Saddleworth and Oldham East, says issues including policing, health services and planning should be decided locally.

And in a series of statements, he says: “Saddleworth people should have more power to decide Saddleworth matters. I want to give something back to local families.”

Mr Watkins was not available for comment but a Oldham Liberal Democrat party spokesman admitted the magazine had been printed in London but refused to reveal costs.

He would not say if any approaches had been made to local printing firms but added: “We currently do not have any printers in Saddleworth on our approved list.

“We would be very interested to hear from printers in Saddleworth who might wish to be considered for this kind of work.”