The local Tories are making up tales about the Liberal Democrats on the City Council. They claim the Lib Dem councillors always vote with Labour. This is just not true. Liberal Democrat councillors oppose Labour when they disagree with them and vote with Labour when they agree with them. That's called grown up politics, not just opposition for the sake of it.
You can view the Scottish Liberal Democrats' latest TV broadcast by following the link : www.scotlibdems.org.uk/the-first-party-political-broadcast
Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has accused Chancellor Gordon Brown of 'abandoning Rochdale's poorest' by the doubling of the starting rate of income tax rate. This means in real terms that anyone earning less than around £15,000 will pay more in income tax. Cutting the basic rate of income tax and axing the 10p lower tax rate means in reality that many people in Rochdale, where an above the national average percentage of the population earn below £15,000 will be affected.
You know as well as I do that we have a youth-nuisance problem in our town. Whilst most of our youngsters want to enjoy life and allow others to do the same, a tiny handful of our youngsters are choosing to make life an absolute misery for their neighbours. Vandalism, graffiti, litter, verbal abuse, under-age drinking and often far worse.
As someone who teaches politics I am acutely aware of the rough and tumble of the political world. I don't mind being targeted, but I draw the line at my children. Yes, my children are educated outside of the Borough but that is more out of convenience than anything as I teach in the same school. Of course I can't teach in Rochdale as it would bar me from standing for office. I find Councillor Brett to be the worst type of 'politician' I have ever had the misfortune of meeting.
