26/09/08 - Labour Playing Politics With Plans For Swindon's Future

Labour councillors have been branded 'irresponsible' for defending government plans to build 36,000 new homes in Swindon without providing vital community facilities such as roads and schools.

At last night's meeting of Swindon Borough Council, a Conservative motion called on the government to guarantee that the new houses would be accompanied by adequate infrastructure.

But in a rare 'recorded vote', every Labour councillor at the meeting voted against the motion.  It was passed because of the Conservative majority in the council chamber.

Conservative councillor Dale Heenan (Covingham & Nythe Ward), Chair of the Planning Committee, said, "It's incredibly irresponsible of Labour councillors not to support this motion.

"If the government is allowed to get away with these plans, we could see 36,000 new homes in Swindon in less than 20 years, but not enough roads, schools or other community facilities for all the new residents.

"And remember, this is a government of which Michael Wills, the MP for North Swindon, is a member.  Does he support his council colleagues?  If so, it shows once again how out of touch he is with the community he is supposed to represent.

"This vote sends a clear message that Labour councillors just want to play politics, whereas the Conservatives take seriously our responsibility to plan for Swindon’s future.

"This is why the voters of Swindon have reduced Labour to just a handful of councillors, and why Swindon’s two Labour MPs are quaking at the prospect of a general election, whenever Gordon Brown has the guts to call".