“Shameless cynicism” from Welsh Lib Dems over rural council cuts
Commenting on an announcement by the Welsh Liberal Democrats that they will vote against the Welsh Government’s budget plans for local councils, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Russell George, said:
“This is pure hypocrisy from the Welsh Lib Dems. Their budget deals with the Welsh Labour Government have devastated rural communities and saddled rural parts of Wales with a terrible deal.
“It’s shameless cynicism for them to claim to stand up for rural Wales by opposing the local government settlement, when their next action will be to dutifully line up to pass Labour’s budget; a budget which not only slashes the rural affairs portfolio, but paves the way for a terrible settlement for Powys.
“It’s clear that the whole formula needs to be reconsidered, to address the inexplicable variance in cuts between local authorities.
“Rural communities have once again been hit disproportionately by this Labour Government and if the Lib Dems are serious about standing up for rural Wales they should join the Welsh Conservatives in voting down the budget.”
