Dear Sir, It has been about four years since we had a similar letter in the Newton News, our local paper. In a letter week ending 9th December 2016 Miss K. Beetham begged people to join the Labour Party. Does she know that long term Labour councillor members have resigned from Durham County Council – people that have been in the Party for over 45 years? I would suggest to Miss Beetham that before the ink is dry on her membership card she finds out what happened to the two young members of the Labour Party elected onto Great Aycliffe Town Council at the last election. One spent more time in France with his job, so he could not attend meetings, while the other could not have time off work to attend meetings.
They both had to resign meaning A Bye-Election costing more money from the rate payers. Since the coalition put the brakes on Labour’s out of control spending in 2010 there have been 500,000 jobs losses and cuts to the services, such as meals-onwheels, parks and libraries, also care homes. Tough though it is, that was the right thing to do, WE couldn’t go on spending money we don’t have. But it’s completely wrong that tax payers and the people who depend on local services suffer, while the councillors who make the cuts carry on pocketing their own allowances as if nothing has changed.
They behave as if it’s their right to grab as much of our money as they can. And when Peers claim thousands of pounds, despite not speaking or even voting, it is no wonder people think politicians are only in it for what they can get. And can I say that I was in the Labour party, but left some years ago. I attended all branch and group meetings and took notice as to how the Labour Party has given this great country of ours more problems than we wanted. Taking us to war – 375 soldiers lost their lives, and many lost limbs. We went into the common market that has cost this country of ours a fortune, now the people have voted to come out, but it appears the Labour party are going against the people’s vote, why? I am waiting for which way our MP votes if the EU goes to Parliament vote. He should remember he was voted in by the people to do what they want and have voted for and that is to come out of the EU! If not, at the next election, he could be on the dole.
Miss K. Beetham, said that the Labour Party is a way forward, based on honesty, equality, and fairness, then why is the Party losing long serving members? Because of all the cut backs that do not need to happen it is only Labour councillors voting! They are not supporting the community and what the people want. Not one of our Labour councillor’s spoke up to support TA staff so where is the honesty and fairness in that? It seems to me as long as they are pocketing the Tax Payers money, and keeping the Labour Group happy, it just does not matter about real people.
Mrs M Tomlin
