Bradford Council has come under fire in Parliament over failing to deliver for local people – but instead choosing to focus on international problems.
Shipley MP Philip Davies hit out at the Labour-led administration on the brink of bankruptcy, for prioritising the ongoing situation in Gaza and Israel rather than addressing the dire financial crisis it has “gotten itself into”.
Speaking in Prime Minister’s Questions Mr Davies said: “My constituents know only too well the disaster of living under a Labour-regime. Just before Christmas the Labour run Bradford Council announced they were bankrupt and then spent the first three hours of the subsequent council meeting debating Gaza and Israel rather than the perilous financial situation they were in.
“Will the Prime Minister support my campaign and that of Keighley MP (Robbie Moore) getting our constituencies out of Bradford Council control which is more urgent than ever.”
Mr Davies wants to break away from Bradford and for a smaller local authority to be created covering the two constituencies. He believes it will ensure more money is spent in the areas as cash will be allocated directly to the council to benefit the area and end the current situation whereby both Shipley and Keighley are side-lined and cash pumped into the city’s Labour heartlands.
During the exchange with the Prime Minister, Mr Davies also raised the issue of Bingley Swimming Pool
Mr Davies added: “Will he also make sure that the government deliver a swimming pool in Bingley which is something that was run down and closed down as part of the mismanagement of Bradford Council.”
PM Rishi Sunak said: “He makes an excellent point, whether it is local councils in his area or Nottingham, or indeed Birmingham we see a track record of Labour mismanagement of finances in local areas. We all know when that happens and when Labour is in power, it is working people that pay the price and that is why you (the public) have to stick to our plan.”