Norwich Tories Slammed Over Newsletter Claims

9.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 24th Jan 2008

Can the Conservatives be trusted?

Newsletters recently distributed by the Conservatives have come under scrutiny over a number of misleading stories.

Norwich residents have been shocked to read some of the claims, and have contacted the local Liberal Democrats with their concerns. We felt we should set the record straight.

1. New Household Waste Collection

A leading story in one Conservative newsletter in Eaton, titled "Alternate Weekly Collections - What A Load of Rubbish?" criticises the new household waste scheme. Despite the fact that Conservative Councillors actually supported and voted in council meetings to introduce the new scheme.

2.Con's Congestion Charging Con

Residents were also surprised to read that the Tories are claiming that Lib Dems support congestion charging in Norwich. This is not true! In fact, the Liberal Democrats put down a policy motion to a recent Council meeting stating that congestion charging would not be supported without a number of strict criteria being met, such as improvements to public transport and exemptions for residents (see previous news story for more info).

There is no current evidence to suggest that Norwich needs congestion charging but a feasibility study into such a charge is being done, by the Conservative controlled Norfolk County Council, at a cost of £500,000. We think that it is right that City Councillors representing people who would be affected by any scheme at least take time to discuss it. The Conservatives and Labour may be happy to leave important decisions to County Councillors from the other side of Norfolk - the Lib Dems will keep speaking out for Norwich residents.

3. It's a Question of Trust

On these two important issues, the Conservatives are deliberately misleading people. Over Alternative Weekly Collections they are saying one thing to Eaton residents and doing another at City Hall. They are also misrepresenting the position of local Lib Dem Councillors on congestion charging. We call on the Tories to think again about trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the electorate.