Tottenham Labour to be challenged 'street by street' as Conservatives unveil strategy to 'restore respect' in urban Britain 03/09/04

Conservatives unveil strategy to 'restore respect' in urban Britain

Conservative Parliamentary Candidate William MacDougall pledged this week to put crime and dirty streets on top of the political agenda to challenge and defeat the Labour Party in urban areas.  MacDougall explained "Labour takes its support in Tottenham for granted and badly fails the area; the level of graffiti, vandalism, and abandoned cars in the area is simply unacceptable".

New analysis of crime figures has shown the criminal damage - which includes graffiti and vandalism - has soared by 37 per cent across England and Wales under Labour, while abandoned cars and fly-tipping have rocketed by 38 per cent and 43 per cent respectively in the last two years alone.

Conservatives are to use their growing councillor base across Britain - as the largest party of local government in Britain and holding the chair of the Local Government Association - to take on Labour 'street by street' on crime and urban decay. To promote this strategy, the Party this week
launched 'the Conservative Urban Alliance' - to promote and showcase the work of its urban councillors and candidates.

At the launch in North Tyneside - Stephen Byers' backyard, but now run by a Conservative elected mayor - Rt Hon Theresa May MP, the Shadow Secretary of State tasked by Michael Howard to promote best practice in Conservative councils, remarked, "The Labour Party has neglected and betrayed urban Britain. Violent crime is soaring and environmental offences are out of control. Crimes like vandalism, fly-tipping and abandoned cars are affronts against the whole community, and their effect is under-estimated by Whitehall crime statistics.   According to government research, an incidence of graffiti, vandalism or littering is reported every 5 seconds.

"Environmental crime encourages an atmosphere of lawlessness and adds to the sense of fear of crime for all those who encounter it in. Our society needs more respect, discipline and decent values. We intend to use our base in local government to show how Conservatives can improve quality of life, tackle yob behaviour and restore respect."

Eric Pickles MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Local Government, added; "Conservatives are regaining the trust of those who live in urban centres. As the party of local government, we have taken control of urban councils ranging from Dudley to Trafford, from Great Yarmouth to Solihull, from Swindon to Walsall. Such urban Conservative councils will be adopting the successful policies and best practice from flagship inner-city councils - such as Westminster's Civic Renewal scheme and Wandsworth's Hidden Homes initiative."

Ends.