Switch to an accessible version of this website which is easier to read. (requires cookies)

Conservatives try to fool people on growth

October 11, 2009 6:47 PM
Originally published by Northampton Liberal Democrats

Joint letter by local Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidates

Affordable HousingConservative MPs and Parliamentary Candidates think they can fool us all on house building targets in the run up to a General Election. Judge them by their party's record not their words.

The Labour Government's creation in 2005 of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) to drive through development was supported by the Conservative Leaders of Northampton, Daventry and South Northamptonshire councils. It was Liberal Democrats in Northampton who said NO.

Before that, in 2003, it was the Conservative councillors who joined with Labour in Northampton to vote down the Lib Dem call on the Council to oppose the housing figures being imposed on the town.

The consequences of both these acts are the plans we are faced with today.

The Conservatives then go on to tell half the truth about their current housing policy. In the introduction to a national Conservative policy paper on housing, David Cameron attacks Labour for building too few homes. The paper says 'the seeds of the next housing bubble have already been planted by Labour's persistently low rates of house building.' The same document admits that we need to 'deliver enough of the homes people want, in the places people want them in order to meet Britain's unmet housing need.' So what is the truth: the local Conservative's version, or their Leader, David Cameron's version? Which version do we trust?

The fact is that much of the proposed new housing is to meet the needs of Northamptonshire's existing population and their offspring, the homes that people will want and need.

Do Conservative Parliamentary Candidates agree with Councillor Curtis' suggestion of cramming people into high rise blocks in our town centre? Is that the kind of housing Conservatives think young families will want and need in the years to come? If not, how do they think they can get the affordable homes of a quality that today's children have a right to expect?

Liberal Democrats believe that Government have got the numbers wrong for Northamptonshire, and that we cannot sustain the housing targets being imposed and they must be challenged. But it is no thanks to local Conservatives that we are where we are now.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Simpson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North constituency

Paul Varnsverry, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton South constituency

Scott Collins, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for South Northamptonshire constituency

John Lathan, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Daventry constituency

What would you like to do next?

  • Subscribe for updates

    Read updates from this website in your desktop or online news reader

    • On a news reader website

      •  
      •  
      •  

      In a desktop news reader or a website not listed above

      •  
    • Example monthly digest email
      •  
      •  
      •  
    • If you submit your contact details, East Midlands Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Join our email list

    • If you submit your contact details, East Midlands Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image

    Follow the party's activity on...

  • Share this page

    Share this page on another website

    Link to this page

    On websites and printed material:
    eastmidslibdems.org.uk/en/article/2009/048572/conservatives-try-to-fool-people-on-growth
    In text messages, Twitter, or reading over the phone:
    libdemeuro.com/a2259

    Email this page to a friend


    • Generate different image
  • Help out or donate

    Help out in your local area

      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
      •  
    • If you submit your contact details, East Midlands Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image
  • Tell us what you think

    Send us your views

    • If you agree, East Midlands Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats, and their elected representatives may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of these contacts at any time by contacting us.


    • Generate different image