|
|
31/03/08 : Labour launches its Manifesto
Reading Labour Party’s Manifesto for the 2008 Reading Borough Council was launched at the Civic Centre today, together with a “mini-manifesto” pledge for older people.
Joining Councillors and candidates to launch the Manifesto was James Purnell MP, Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, who spoke of the increase in Winter Fuel Allowance in the budget and, with many pensioners also present, challenged the uncaring policies of Tories on Wokingham and West Berkshire towards elderly people.
Introducing the Reading Manifesto, Labour – Ambitious for you, your family and for Reading, Leader of the Labour Group Cllr. David Sutton said: “Reading is a better place with Labour, but we are not complacent. There’s always more to be done, and we work week in week out to improve the town and improve your life and the life of your family. This is the first Manifesto published by any political party for the 2008 elections, it is one built on real achievements in the past but brimming also with ambition for the future, and we hope it has your support”.
Labour’s key priorities highlighted in the Manifesto are to:
Make sure crime in Reading goes on falling - with the increased number of police officers and PCSO’s, the development of neighbourhood policing, and strong action on drugs, anti-social behaviour, street drinking and graffiti.
Make sure every child gets the best possible start in life, with a strong network of children’s centres, good schools, and good training opportunities.
Develop more affordable housing – to rent and to buy – giving people a chance to have a decent home at a price they can afford.
Make sure older people and the disabled receive the help they need, and don’t suffer the cruel cuts that have been imposed by our Tory neighbours.
Make sure Reading benefits to the full from the £664Million we have won for revamping Reading Station, one of the biggest investments in public transport in the country.
Work with John Madejski on developing the land between the station and Friar Street, and on the next phase of Chatham Place, continuing the transformation of Reading town centre.
Work to overcome the resistance of Oxfordshire Tories to a third Thames Bridge. Building a third bridge, the Oxford Road relief road and other improvements we believe would cut by half the 155,000 cars that drive through the town centre every day.
Deliver a new, larger, state of the art, theatre to replace the ageing Hexagon and a modern, improved central library, as part of regenerating the civic centre area.
Promote access to sport for all, with the Sport Reading partnership helping Reading children participate in 5 hours of sport and exercise a week.
Reduce Reading Council’s carbon emissions by at least 10% by 2012 and become one of the leading Councils in carbon reduction and leading the fight against climate change.
Visit our News Archive
|
|
|
Download our manifesto by clicking this link
|
|
|
