We accept Peterborough MP, Paul Bristow, wants to continue to be our MP. He'd miss the free food and photo opportunities. But is lying to you to do so acceptable?
Does the end justify the means?
He is claiming that Labour will introduce a congestion charge into Peterborough if we were in power here. He even writes the cost.
As the leader of the Labour group, I'm writing to tell you two things:
What he has written is nothing short of a lie. The man elected to represent us is lying to you. It's scaremongering. Nothing else. How do I know this?
Because I've been a Dogsthorpe ward councillor for over five years, the leader for six months and written our manifesto for four years.
He is lying about congestion charge in Peterborough
In that time, never once have we even talked about introducing a congestion charge in Peterborough.
Never once.
And we have no intentions of doing so.
We aren't London or a metropolitan city. A congestion charge just won't work here. But the Tories are making out we support 15-minute cities which are supposed to restrict your movement outside the area where you live. It's another nonsense but any port in their desperation to say anything to cling to power.
We are the Labour Party. We want you to be able to get a doctor's appointment – like we all used to be able to do.
We want everyone to be able to afford a basic weekly shop and pay utility bills without thinking about it – like we used to do.
We want you to be able to shop, work and travel in complete safety because there are more bobbies on the beat – like there used to be.
We want to see cleaner streets, create valued and valuable jobs so everyone can pay their way, spend money in local shops and bars – like we used to do.
Not fair to even consider it
What we are not going to do is charge hard pressed families and business even more to come into your city to live, work and spend money in it. It just isn't fair or common sense, to even consider it.
There is a General Election next year.
Please ask yourself two questions:
Do you want to be represented by an MP who lies to you and gets himself thrown out of the House of Commons?
Or do you want to vote for a man who exudes stature, dignity, and gravitas, who will pay for his own food in restaurants and will be supported by a Labour group who will help him achieve all of the above – for you?
I've written it before in my Thursday PT column. I'll write it again here.
It is time for change, locally and nationally.
Please comment. Please share.
And please ask those councillors who have shown the courage to leave the Tory party in Peterborough as to why they chose to leave, choosing to put ordinary Peterborough people before party self-interest. And why they are likely to support a Labour candidate over an MP willing to lie to you.
Ask questions of those elected to represent you. You pay our wages.
Please don't fall for lies.
Cllr Dennis Jones has been a Dogsthorpe ward councillor for over five years, the leader for six months and written the local party’s manifesto for four years.
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