Halton Council budget; Conservatives keep our word

I have sent the following letter to the local press;

In January, Halton Conservatives made our “pledges for change” to offer local people a real choice in this year’s elections. One of our pledges was to “cut the cost of politics in Halton”.

At the recent Council meeting to agree the Budget, voters got to see the Conservatives keeping our word.

Whilst the Labour Party was proposing significant savings in the social care budget, we were calling for budget savings to be made by changing the way councillors are paid. We made a proposal that would have saved nearly £100,000 a year by halving payments to councillors. We believe that councillors should show leadership when looking for savings in the budget and not let others feel the pain of cuts. We wanted to cut the cost of politics in Halton but our proposal was rejected by Labour councillors, thirty of whom benefit from the payments.

We need to ensure that despite the tough economic times we face, we do not punish the vulnerable in the search for savings in budgets. I am proud that my Conservative Party colleagues on Halton Council are standing up for the most vulnerable in our community and sticking to our promises. We have shown that our “pledges for change” would make a real difference in Halton. That is why we need more Conservative councillors elected in May. We want to give Halton and the country the change it desperately needs. You can help by voting Conservative in May.

Yours sincerely,
Ben Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Halton