“SHOW US THE MONEY” – THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD OPENS ITS BOOKS

Local residents have a right to know the true level of public spending in Warrington.

By: Paul Campbell

This week I called for Gordon Brown to stop dragging his feet over a new law which requires the Government to tell us how much taxpayers’ money is spent in Warrington and in every other part of the country. The Sustainable Communities Act 2007, was introduced by a Conservative MP. It could help fix Britain’s broken politics – by giving local people the power to decide how their cash is spent in their area.

More and more taxpayers’ money is being spent by unelected quangos. A new report published on 26 October by the Taxpayers’ Alliance has revealed that quangos now spend an astonishing £90 billion a year – equivalent to £3,640 a year for every household across Warrington.

But Labour Ministers have been trying to water down the new law. They initially only wanted to publish spending by councils and NHS Primary Care Trusts – facts already in the public domain. Further information will only be “developed over time”. Warrington North's Labour MP Helen Jones voted against any such openness in the Commons. Conservatives are calling for greater openness and accountability, and are pledging to:

Require Warrington council to publish online figures for all expenditure on goods and services over £500, as is already being piloted by Windsor and Maidenhead Council.

It’s time for the Government to show us the money – and tell Warrington's residents how much of their money is actually spent in our area. Gordon Brown wants to stop local people finding out that they get a raw deal from his Government, and conceal that his unelected quangocrats spend almost £4,000 a year per household in Warrington with little or no say for local people. Local communities deserve a far greater say on how their money is spent. It’s time for change, and only Conservatives will open up the books and give power back to local people.

Tags: NHS General Finance Paul Campbell

Promoted by Councillor Keith Bland on behalf of Warrington North Conservatives both at 1 Charnock Road Culcheth Warrington WA3 5SH Tel: 01925 766641