The Lib Dems show their true colours

Posted By: Ibrar Khan
Date Posted: 11/12/2008

I often find it frustrating when I hear people grumble that all politicians are the same. If anything can prove just how wrong this is, then the events of the last few weeks shows just what a difference there is between different political parties.

The Government is doing everything it can to help Britain weather the global financial storm. It’s lowering taxes, helping people keep hold of their homes, renewing its commitment to abolishing child poverty by increasing early tax credits and child benefit, and making the right levels of investment to help bring about a recovery.

These are tough times, but I believe Gordon Brown is the right man to steer us through them.

But, of course, strong leadership needs to be shown not just at a national level but also at a local level. And in Rochdale we are suffering from a crisis of leadership. You only had to look at how the Lib Dems handled the first sign of snow in our Borough to realise they are not up to the task of steering us through difficult times. They forgot to grit the roads, desperately tried to spin their way out of it when no one I know saw a single gritter, and then shut down 90 schools for the day. A clear example of hopeless leadership.

In the same week, people were asking me where is our MP to be found? Then up he popped on television singing a Christmas carol and looking suitably embarrassed. Even worse, he then issued a press release complimenting himself and saying that he is always “game for a laugh”. This is no time for comedy, Paul.

I wonder if the thousands of Council workers in Rochdale that have just had their pay slashed today and are now facing a miserable Christmas as a result of the Lib Dems’ hard-nosed pay and grading review today share our MP’s sense of bonhomie?

I doubt it. The stories I’ve heard are enough to stop anyone in their tracks. Single mothers worrying if they will be able to buy their children presents this Christmas. Families fearing for their futures. Young professionals wondering how they will manage to pay the mortgage.

Make no mistake, this Council had a choice and has embarked on a flawed process that will leave Rochdale workers with one of the worst possible outcomes in the country.

This Government is fighting to safeguard hard working people. But in Rochdale the Lib Dems are punishing valuable public servants, penalising some of the lowest paid workers, unjustly trying to evict council tenants from their homes and failing to deliver decent, good value for money public services.

After years of blowing with the wind and meaning all things to all people, the Lib Dems are now beginning to finally show their true colours. Don’t let people in Rochdale tell you that all politicians are the same. Because they’re not.