Election View: Our plan for a better Peterborough
Firstly, let’s be thankful that the city of Peterborough gets a chance to take part in local democracy. If Labour had their way, a coalition administration enabled by the Liberal democrats and Peterborough First let’s not forget, they would have cancelled this year’s local elections, writes Councillor John Howard, Conservative Group Press Officer
Local Conservatives fought for the public’s right to have local elections at cabinet meetings, council meetings, and in motions. All we ask from you now is to get out and vote Conservative on May 7th.
Since 2012, Conservatives in Peterborough oversaw £120 million investment into schools, £100 million into roads, and £76 million into an innovative energy and waste plant-a decision that put us years ahead of neighbouring councils. We also pushed for the City’s university working with the combined authority and delivered the Station Quarter project which is now taking shape. We brought back the Great Eastern Run. We championed the initiation of the towns fund projects-money provided by a Conservative government. Under a Labour administration, the council has published a ‘myth busting’ page all about the councils borrowing-perhaps the Labour administration should read their own homework before attacking?
Labour has run the administration for almost 2 years, and in that time, they have let the former TK Maxx building and the Hilton Hotel rot in indecision. It’s a bit rich to publish hysterical videos blaming everyone except the Labour-led administration choosing to sell these two buildings for the worst price at the worst possible time. And yes, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but it shouldn’t change the ability to always make the best decision even in tough circumstances-this hasn’t been done. This extends to the Save Werrington Fields group being isolated from discussions on the final proposals for Werrington Fields. Then to betray the city’s Hindu community by selling the only temple within an hour’s drive, without offering a firm alternative site. And this is the same administration singing about a city of culture? Should we look after our own communities and cultures first?
Vote Conservative if you want: a safer city centre. The combined authority Mayor’s free parking scheme. Responsible economic growth and regeneration. Support for the Mayor’s development corporation. A vision for a city-centre community stadium. More bulky waste collections. A council that looks after its own housing list first and refutes any new asylum house building in the city.
We have a huge year ahead with local government reorganisation, where we will end up with a ‘super council’ that will be a much larger authority than we have now. We need experienced councillors who can guide us through a very challenging period for the council. We have a full list of candidates across the city who are all ready to be your community champions and make a positive contribution to city council business. We have candidates with huge experience who can help us navigate the challenges of reorganisation in candidates like Gul Nuwaz, John Peach and Marco Cereste.
These are local elections for local issues, and we need to remember there are no boats to stop in Peterborough. We also need to remember; we don’t need to get Keir Starmer out-he’s doing a great job of that himself! We should remember Labour wanted to cancel your local elections. Please support your Conservative candidates on May 7th and support our plan for a better Peterborough.