Reader letter: Peterborough Lib Dems miss an open goal

The Lib Dems had the prime opportunity to vote with Labour and the Greens to vote for our imaginative, forward thinking and, despite what the Conservatives say, fully costed alternative budget.

MORE: Peterborough Tories forced to call in absent councillors after budget plans defeated for first time in council’s 20 year history

My thanks and appreciation, on behalf of the Labour Group, to the Greens. Peterborough Green party leader, Julie Howell, recognised that what we are proposing is a major step forward into the future rather than the timid, more of the same but less in return, Tory proposals.

So, why did the Lib Dems miss this open goal? Because whilst they chose to sit on their hands for so long without making their minds up, the Tories, who were three councillors light in their numbers at the first vote, were able to recall two of them to restore their slender majority.

I spoke about the potential for the Labour Group, Greens and Lib Dems to work together and come to a sensible working arrangement that will bring benefit to the city and its residents. It is with great regret the Lib Dems did not ‘carpe diem’ and really seize the moment, if not the day, and work with us. Our alternative amendments included:

1. Supporting small local businesses.

2. Building 3,000 council owned homes over five years.

3. Transforming the city through digital innovation.

4. Improving public transport.

5. Bringing service inhouse to offer better value for money to the taxpayer.

6. Accelerating an exciting climate change programme.

This tells us, the Labour Group, one of two things. Whilst this opportunity was lost and the Lib Dems missed an ‘open goal’, they will, hopefully, learn from their mistake and recognise the benefits of working with us should the Tories lose overall control in the forthcoming elections.

If they do not, then I ask the people of Peterborough, particularly those thinking about voting for the Liberal Democrats, to think about what their indecision at a key moment in time has done for the city.

Everyone recognises that we cannot continue cutting and cutting jobs and services. We have to come out fighting for the people of this city. Even the Conservative government nationally has, finally, recognised this and claim austerity is over. Nationally, you will see money being spent in areas not only the hardest hit by Tory austerity but where voters elected Conservative MPs for the very first time. Not here in Peterborough, sadly. Far from ‘standing up for Peterborough’ as their campaign claimed, the budget for 2020-21 was ‘same old, same old…’

Instead, when the opportunity presented itself, it called for firm, decisive, action and a clear decision to stop cuts to jobs and services and the most vulnerable in our city. The decision the Lib Dems made was to abstain (the political word for ‘do nothing’) when the golden opportunity came to press home our numerical advantage.

I am sorry Julie (and fellow Green councillor, Nicola) that your courage and support was not reciprocated on the night. To the voters of Peterborough, I hope that you will not despair but that you will learn the lesson the Lib Dems may fail to heed. That, at the next opportunity (hopefully in May, Covid-19 permitting) you will vote decisively for Labour and those willing to stand up to the Tories to finally put them out of administration and put Peterborough, its people and its services first.

We came so close. Let’s hope another glorious opportunity is not wasted again through indecision and clear indifference to what the people of Peterborough desperately need, want, and, above all, deserve.

Cllr Shaz Nawaz