Slough Liberal Democrats pledge to be 'effective opposition'

With 14 seats up for grabs on May 6, the local Lib Dems have launched their manifesto pledges, labelled “Building a healthier, fairer, safer, sustainable Slough”.

One of their promises is to be an ‘effective opposition’ to Labour and hold them to account in areas of mismanagement in examples they given such as the High Street, the children’s services, the A4 bus lane, and more.

They claim the Lib Dems are the ones to hold Labour to account over the Conservatives.

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They also pledge to collaborate with both the Conservatives and Labour when needed and promote alternative ideas.

Mathew Taylor, chair of the Slough Lib Dems and standing for Cippenham Meadows, said: “The Labour Party already has so many councillors it will control Slough Council whatever happens in May’s elections.

“So, it is important to elect some Lib Dem councillors who will highlight key issues and promote both collaboration and alternative ideas where needed. Even from Opposition, Lib Dem councillors can make a difference in Slough.”

Other key points include:

• Encourage developers to include social and key-worker housing under shared ownership schemes.
• Reverse Labour’s cuts to Slough’s network of youth clubs across the town.
• Better fund and join-up NHS and social care policies; and a higher priority for mental health services.
• Tackle climate change and improve air quality in Slough.
• Build safer communities by promoting Neighbourhood Watch and cooperation between police, local authorities and communities including to tackle knife crime through a collaborative multi-agency approach.

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The council’s current political make-up is 34 Labour, four Conservatives, and three Independent.

Currently, there are no serving Lib Dem councillors in Slough Borough Council.