Tories’ ‘All About Bins’ Headline is ‘Shocking’ Lib Dems Claim

Published on: 3 Apr, 2019
Updated on: 3 Apr, 2019

Guildford Liberal Democrats’ parliamentary spokesperson Zoe Franklin has spoken out in response to a Conservative party newsletter that dismisses residents’ concerns about the local impact of Brexit as a factor in the local elections.

The Conservative Newsletter “Guildford Times”

The election campaign newsletter, delivered across Guildford, leads with the story “Local Elections – All About Bins, Not Brexit”. Ms Franklin, a former borough councillor, said she had been shown the leaflet by angry and upset local residents and commented: “It is shocking that the Conservatives have so little regard for the very real concerns of local residents about the impact Brexit is having on their day to day lives.

Zoe Franklin

“I regularly have conversations with local people who tell me how Brexit is damaging businesses and putting jobs and local services at risk. I have been told how multi-national families are living in limbo, not knowing whether EU family members can stay in the UK long term and, if they can, whether they will have the same rights as family, friends and neighbours.

“What is even more upsetting is the horrible stories of EU residents living here in Guildford who have abuse shouted at them and no longer feel safe or welcome in the town they call home.

“So, I cannot agree that the local elections are simply ‘all about bins’. As a nation, the Conservative party’s blind commitment to Brexit is causing fundamental damage to our society and economy. People have the right to pass comment on that when casting their vote on May 2nd.

“Of course 2nd May is also about people making their voices heard about local issues. I fully endorse the manifesto that our candidates for the borough elections are standing on. It makes it abundantly clear that we have a real plan for every aspect of life here in Guildford. From bins to Brexit, housing to homeless, the environment and everything in between the people of Guildford can be assured that by voting on May 2nd that they will be making a positive choice to demand better for our borough.”

Bob Hughes

But Bob Hughes the chairman of the Guildford Conservative Association, who is understood to be standing as a candidate in Shalford, disagreed and defended the newsletter: “Guildford residents will read beyond the headline. Guildford Borough Council has robust finances, good reserves and diverse income streams that don’t rely on government funding or a single income source.

“A Conservative Guildford council will continue to invest in Guildford’s economy and  concentrate on making sure your bins are collected, helping the homeless in our town, providing meals on wheels, building the houses that Guildford needs, becoming carbon-neutral, regenerating and improving the town and improving travel by rail, bus and by car.

“Leaving the EU is not straightforward. To plan for a potential no-deal exit, Guildford is working with the county [council], central government, our university, Surrey Police and the Royal Surrey County Hospital to ensure we can keep services running and support vulnerable residents.”

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