Time to send a message

FOR many voters in Oldham, this is the first chance since the formation of the national Tory/Lib-Dem coalition to send a message to the Government.

Voters in Oldham East and Saddleworth sent a very clear message in January — enough is enough.

Since taking control of the council in 2008, the Lib-Dems have racked up a dire record which includes the closure of two libraries, the scrapping of the well-used mobile library, the closure of three respite day care centres and the privatisation of home social care.

They spent over £500,000 on refurbishing the civic centre and ordered a new car for the mayor — while cutting transport for vulnerable people.

We know that the council is facing tough decisions following the crippling financial settlement from government, but there are always choices.

When they had the option of reducing councillors’ allowances or introducing car parking charges for disabled people, the Liberals and the Tories chose to hit those most in need and refused to take a cut.

When staff came to the council to protest against cuts, the Lib-Dem and Tory leadership refused to face them, declaring that “waving banners never achieved anything”.

The Government’s attack on services, the police, NHS and education will take Oldham back decades unless we show strong leadership and make decisions in the interests of the people of this borough.

A Labour council will bring forward an emergency budget to reverse some of the most damaging decisions of the Lib-Dem/Tory council.

We will review their disastrous decisions to close respite centres, to introduce disabled car parking charges and countryside centre car-parking charges. We will stop charges to residents’ parking schemes and make savings in non-priority areas such as councillors’ allowances and management.

We will bring forward plans to devolve power and decision-making to your area. We will reintroduce district crests for all our former townships. We are proud of our separate identities and believe in our strength together.

On May 5 you can send a message that enough is enough, and help to kick out this disastrous Lib- Dem/Tory council.