I have just received Labour’s first pre-election campaign leaflet for Harington Ward, Formby.
I read it with far greater interest than most. Not least because I am the sitting Conservative councillor against whom they are the principal contestants.
So what did I learn?
The simple answer is nothing.
The only ‘local’ article in what should be a LOCAL election about LOCAL issues, was their false claim of taking the lion’s share of credit for the creation of a new heritage and museum space above Woodward’s wine bar.
This project, at its inception, was agreed by all concerned to be a non-political community effort. I know that because I was appointed as the liaison between Formby Parish Council and the Imagine Formby group of volunteers.
When, shortly afterwards, MP Bill Esterson tried to muscle in on the venture, his own Labour supporters told me they were incensed and had instructed him to stop. But now Labour have once more claimed the credit, whereas in fact, the true thanks should go to the years of painstaking record keeping by the Formby Civic Society and their doyen, the late Dr Reg Yorke, who stored most of the artefacts on show in his garage.
Returning to the subject of the Harington leaflet, and what they propose to do for local residents, the residue consists of mention of lots of uncosted Labour national ‘cures’ for the NHS, utility costs and policing.
No more than a fantasy letter to Santa Claus which could have been bundled off the back of a rickety handcart anywhere between John O’ Groats and Land’s End.
