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| Part of a recent Lib Dem leaflet |
(See 'Bryce Lodge a spot the blot success story' posted on Dec 18th last year)
Six months later and the Liberal Democrats are claiming credit for this.
Horsham Labour raised the matter of the crumbling Bryce Lodge last year and pressed for the land to be used for affordable housing. In December the county council agreed to sell the derelict site to a housing association.
What a surprise then, or perhaps no real surprise from such a discredited bunch of political chancers, that we read in a Lib Dem leaflet now that "after months of pressure from Lib Dem county councillors......"
This is simply untrue: when we challenged the Lib Dem county councillor for Horsham Park about the current state of Bryce Lodge, her response was just that "local Lib Dems are keeping an eye on it". They must have good eyesight, as one of them was already living in Hastings by then!
There is a whole lot of difference between 'keeping an eye on', and 'applying months of pressure.'
Horsham Labour party knows about applying pressure and has gained, as a result of its consistent campaigning for affordable housing, up to an additional £7.25million from the developer Berkeley Homes.
While we were campaigning for more affordable homes for local people the Lib Dems were squabbling amongst themselves trying to agree where the bus stops should be positioned and the allotments placed on the new development West of Horsham.
Where were the Lib Dems when the Tories axed the holiday playschemes and what are they doing to retain our local youth clubs? The very same Lib Dem county councillor who was keeping a watchful eye on the crumbling and dilapidated Bryce Lodge, is quoted in the County Times as having said she 'is grateful that we are only seeing proposals for 2 closures across the district'
When Labour saves Horsham youth clubs keep a watchful eye on the next Lib Dem leaflet that drops through your letter box claiming the credit for it.
And when it comes to 'months of pressure', remember what Horsham Labour party has been doing, despite having no representation on the local councils:
- Speaking at planning meetings
- Handing in petitions
- Lobbying the secretary of state
- Publicising Horsham council's failure to provide affordable housing
- Meeting with Horsham council members and officers
- Being vindicated by Shelter and Saxon Weald
- Warning tenants of Tory plans to reduce their rights