Nigel Adams MP is campaign manager for the Conservative candidate, James Hockney, in Barnsley Central.
With the Conservative campaign for the Barnsley Central by-election now well underway, I want to take a look at the impact of Labour on Barnsley. Under Labour’s plans every man, woman and child in Barnsley would owe £22,300 in national debt. Labour took the country to the brink of bankruptcy and you don’t have to look far in Barnsley to see why.
The sad truth is we’re paying £120 million every day just in debt interest. This money is thrown away paying for Labour’s mismanagement of the economy – and it’s the ordinary person who has to pay for it. Barnsley’s Labour controlled council wants to scrap free swimming for families and is blaming the Government cuts, but they could get their own house in order first.
Let’s take a look at what Barnsley Council has spent money on:
- Over £1 million spent on trade union posts wages with 38 full-time union posts at the council in 2009-10.
- It spent £2 million on publicity while council tax was being doubled under Labour.
- £32,500 on a giant ‘art’ clock that no-one can read.
- Barnsley’s chief executive earns £161,000, considerably more than the Prime Minister.
- Over £6,000 spent on village marker stones in 2010.
- More than £300,000 is being paid out on what some would call “non-jobs” including two European Officers, four Diversity Officers and two Climate Change Officers.
Under Labour, the council tax in Barnsley more than doubled, while the Chief Executive of the council enjoyed a pay packet more than that of the Prime Minister’s and spent nearly £2 million on advertising. The Government has provided the funding for every council to freeze council tax for 2011-12. In these tough times the Labour-led Barnsley Council should help families and pensioners by freezing the council tax.
In James Hockney, we have a dedicated candidate who hasn’t just been parachuted in for the by-election. James knows Barnsley, having campaigned there previously, and has a real understanding of the issues and concerns that affect people here in the area. James has experience of running his own small business and knows what it takes to get the local economy moving again - I know he will fight for jobs and investment in Barnsley.
The people of Barnsley have been badly let down by Labour and the previous MP. Let’s draw a line underneath that and focus on what’s best for Barnsley. Ed Miliband refuses to accept that Labour overspent before the boom turned to bust. His message to the British people is simple: vote for me, I’d do it all again.
Barnsley deserves better than Labour, so do what you can to help us hold them to account.
Anyone wishing to assist the campaign should email [email protected]. The campaign centre is situated at The Coach House, Berneslai Close (Off Churchfield), Barnsley, S70 2BQ, which is ten minutes from Barnsley railway station and easily accessible from the M1. Should you not be able to make the trip, you can also email to offer to do telephone canvassing from wherever you happen to be.
