Last Wednesday 66 of your councillors voted on the budget. The truth is simple and irrefutable: 34 Conservative councillors voted to spend more money on our kids, on social care and on road repairs.
34 Conservative councillors voted to spend more on improving street lighting, on repairing vandalised play areas, on a greatly enhanced concessionary fare scheme, on new clean-up initiatives and on improved leisure facilities. In this we were alone — no Labour, LibDem or Independent councillors voted in favour of a budget which will do much to enhance the quality of life in Medway.
Although as the election approaches you will have to ask them directly why they do not support spending more on schools and social care, the conclusion is clear. Petty party politics are more important to Labour and LibDem councillors than improving Medway!
During the debate Labour accused the Conservatives of "squandering" government money over the last three years. We have apparently "squandered" £87 million of government funding.
This is an interesting perspective, but it immediately reveals two undeniable facts. Firstly that Labour in Medway will support the national government even when it is plainly working to undermine Medway, and secondly it reveals the depth of government underfunding of services in Medway over the years.
Let‘s take a look at where that £87 million has gone, and answer the charge of "squandering".
Since May 2000 when the Conservatives formed the administration in Medway we have "squandered" over £400 million on education. Another £100 million has been "squandered" on social care.
But the squandering does not end there: over £120 million of capital has apparently been squandered across Medway. Then there is the money apparently squandered on improving roads and pavements and lighting.
Money has apparently been squandered on a new £13 million waste contract, and on community safety, including the new Community Safety Warden scheme. The list of achievements is huge, and the extent of government underfunding vast.
Over the last three years we have worked long and tirelessly to overturn the damage done by Labour incompetence, and this against a backcloth of the good old Lib/Lab pact uniting to stop us at every opportunity.
Last Wednesday‘s vote was decisive and revealing. For improving Medway — 34 Conservatives. Against improving Medway — an alliance of 32 Labour, LibDems and Independents.