Tories Refuse To Accept Community Government

Tories on Bedford Borough Council have refused to support their party leader over calls to increase power to local communities.

At last nights meeting of the New Constitution Task Group Lib Dem Cllr Dave Hodgson called on the council to investigate proposals for area committees in Bedford Borough. This would allow for an increase in power to local communities over decisions that affected their area. However following a proposal from Tory Deputy Leader Tony Hare that the committee ought to "forget the whole thing" these plans have been shelved.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Hodgson said:

"I was amazed to see the Tories completely ignore the proposals of their national leader and deny the people of the Borough the opportunity to have a greater say in the things that go on around them. I specifically pointed out that increasing local democracy was supported by Iain Duncan Smith. Clearly there is great need for Community Government to increase power for the local electorate and allow them a greater influence on local decisions. However once again the Tories think that greater local democracy is unnecessary."

He added:

"The Tory leader claimed there was one ingredient involved in Community Government and that was Trust. It's a shame for the people of the Borough that his own party have failed to have any in him!"