Labour admit playing politics with buses! (Ipswich Liberal Democrats)

Ipswich Liberal Democrats <info@ipswichlibdems.org.uk>

Labour admit playing politics with buses!

March 2, 2007 3:35 PM

Labour councillor Phil Smart - the chairman of the Ipswich Bus Company - admitted to all the assembled councillors at the Council meeting on 28th February that he had suggested cutting bus routes in Tory wards, even though the bus company has said there is no need for cuts.

For weeks, Labour have falsely claimed that the LibDem & Tory administration of Ipswich Borough were planning to cut bus services. In fact, one of the routes that Cllr Smart and his Labour colleague Cllr Martin Cook had said were going to be cut, route 19, has just been extended to Tuddenham - some cut!

Unfortunately for Cllr Smart he was overheard lobbying for cuts to bus routes in Tory wards. As a result, he was asked to resign as chairman, but has steadfastly refused to do the honourable thing.

The truth is that bus routes have been expanded rather than cut! The Borough is providing additional multi-million finance for the bus company - which is another sign of support for the bus company.

Labour then opposed the Borough's budget which shows an increase in support for bus services in Ipswich from £2 million to £2¼ million. Cllr Richard Atkins, the leader of the LibDem group on the council, who had helped prepare the budget, said "An increase of 9.9% proves we are supporting the bus company - the opposite of what Labour has claimed. They should be ashamed of their scare-mongering and falsehoods. Cllr Smart should resign as chair of the Bus Company and their leader should consider his position."