Colchester Labour Party has unveiled its manifesto for the Colchester Borough Council elections to be held on 1 May.  The document entitled ‘Regaining the Plot’ reveals a radical agenda for the Borough of Colchester in tune with the wishes of the vast majority of local residents set against the policies pursued by the Conservative administration of the last few years.  It has themes of social and environmental justice running through it together with a stated desire for the local authority to focus on improving front-line services and tackling anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Tim Young, Leader of the Labour Group, commented when launching the manifesto:

“I believe when local people see our radical and responsible manifesto they will agree that we have listened to their needs and have set out a programme for the future which will improve Colchester and restore some direction to our great and historic Borough.  The Tories have truly lost the plot in recent years with their concentration on expensive, unwanted and grandiose schemes like the VAF.  They are even making a mess of the much-needed Community Stadium project.  Labour’s programme, based on our core values and principles of social justice, equality and fairness, would bring Colchester Borough Council back to its residents and their stated requirements.  The Council needs to concentrate on improving front line services like keeping the streets clean, picking up the rubbish, increasing recycling levels, reducing pollution and congestion, tackling anti-social behaviour and providing more affordable housing for local people and their families.”

“The Tories deserve to lose their overall majority of just two seats and I am confident that we will make gains at their expense on 1 May as well as holding on to the two seats we are defending.  Our manifesto shows sound financial planning as well as being more environmentally responsible than the Green Party and more liberal than the Liberal Democrats while maintaining Labour’s unique position as the People’s Party.  We have a programme that is attractive to many people in the Borough and is worthy of support.  We would be interested in talking to other parties after the elections who share our values if no Party has an overall majority.”

Cllr Young added, “The news that the BNP is fielding a candidate in Colchester for the first time is an unwanted and unwelcome distraction in these elections.  Their bigoted and racist agenda is alien to the tolerant nature of Colchester residents and their extreme and divisive policies should be soundly beaten in Highwoods.”

To view the manifesto in full please follow this link:-