Your Local Labour Candidates for Broughton

A Better Deal for Broughton

There is no doubt what will have the biggest impact on this side of the district in the next four years – the massive expansion planned for Magna Park.

We welcome the new jobs and the economic prosperity they will bring. But there is a danger – the danger that councillors from elsewhere in the district will see the bigger Magna Park as a money pot.

Some might try and spend that money elsewhere in Harborough.

Others will see it as a means of offloading responsibility for everywhere west of Husbands Bosworth.

We in Broughton have needs too - not just employment but affordable housing, more facilities for families and public transport.

What we desperately need is someone willing to stand up and shout for our rights!

Sandra Parkinson is standing in Broughton Ward

Sandra and her family have lived in Broughton Astley for fourteen years.  In 2013 she organised a petition to get traffic calming measures at the junction of Croft Way and Station Road.  Even the County Council agreed - but a subsequent petition about the exact siting let them shelve the project! The situation is only going to get worse with more housing and more traffic.  Sandra says, "I look to the people of Broughton Ward to support me in my bid to get peace of mind on this road safety issue."

Paul Maglione is standing in Sutton Ward

Paul has lived in Broughton Astley since 2012.  He is a workplace representative for Unite and joined the Labour Party because of his concerns over the NHS, zero hour contracts, and the erosion of employment rights.  Paul says, "Harborough District Council must get off its knees and spend some of its windfall from Magna Park on a regular bus service to and from Broughton.  Get cars off the roads and give local residents the chance of local jobs!"

d on this road safety issue.

Broken bus market

Michael Dugher, Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on the Campaign for Better Transport's report on local bus services, said today:

This is more evidence that like with the energy sector, the bus market is broken.  On David Cameron's watch bus fares have risen by 25% - an increase five times faster than wage growth - and big bus companies have been cutting crucial routes that people rely on to maximise their own profits.

The Competition Commission estimated the failure in competition within the bus market costs the taxpayer £305 million each year, but David Cameron has refused to stand up to the bus barons.

Labour is determined to see passenger power by regulating bus services in a better way.  We will act fast and legislate to give cities and county regions greater control over local bus services.  This will result in communities being able to determine routes, set fares and integrate and improve bus services.

Personally, I was with Michael all the way until that bit about counties.  Leicestershire County Council won't even fund rural libraries, so a fat lot they care about rural bus routes.  

I'm afraid many councils have completely failed to use the few powers they still have to face up to service provider cartels.  Another mechanism for breaking up the monopolies urgently needs to be found.  But at least we know Labour will look for one.