It must be so frustrating for Labour politicians on Medway Council, for no matter how much they complain and issue false press releases there is no hiding the truth that the Conservative administration is quietly getting on with the job of improving Medway.
Last Thursday evening we had what was at times a rowdy council meeting. As usual Labour did their party-piece of trying to stop the Conservatives from doing anything, and then later on complained because not enough is being done!
Let’s take community safety as an example. Anyone who lives in Medway will know that the Labour government is sorely neglecting community safety.
Whether it be lack of police numbers or providing inadequate finance to help pay for the many initiatives which it tries to force on us, Labour has a great deal to answer for come the next general election.
Here in Medway fear of crime remains a key concern for many of our residents. Over the last few years the Conservatives have been adding to the community safety budget, and as part of that have introduced our community safety wardens.
This is a popular and effective initiative, although it will be greatly improved if the government ever gets around to giving additional powers to the wardens so they can be even more effective.
Labour complained that we have not spent enough on community safety, but in each of the last three years have voted against spending anything at all on it! Left to Labour there would be no wardens at all.
Neither would there be CCTV in parts of the towns, or an effective civic warden service. The list is long—Labour has voted against every improvement in Medway for the last three years!
They complained about a supposed cut to the ward improvement fund—which is another Conservative initiative to improve the environment in Medway. Last Thursday we increased the amount of the fund.
The fund was introduced and maintained by the Conservatives. It has proven popular, and has brought real benefits to Medway. The Conservatives have now increased it, and in next year’s budget it will be maintained.
Labour may complain, but under Labour there would be no ward improvement fund at all for they voted against that too.