Lib Dem Success Vs Tory Failure
The Liberal Democrats are ambitious for Milton Keynes, and have successfully invested for the long term future of Milton Keynes. Unfortunately the local Conservatives have a short term view which risks MK's future, with the Tory run Northamptonshire County Council being an example of what could happen under them.
The WRP, an Example of Lib Dem Success for MK!
Under the Liberal Democrat run council in MK (2002 - 2011) an example of our party having ambitious plans for MK was the 2007 "Milton Keynes Waste Development Plan Document 2007 - 2026", which included plans for the Waste Recovery Park in Old Wolverton. To see the documents go here: https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policy/waste-development-plan-document
The plans started in 2007 which led to the completion of the Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park in 2018 show that the Liberal Democrats are forward looking and ambitious. Black sack waste is seperated, some going for recycling or reuse, and much of the rest is used to create energy. While other councils use 'incineration', Liberal Democrats refused to increase emissions in MK, so pushed for another method which would release energy while not polluting the environment. After this very little waste from MK needs to be buried in landfill.
Another sign of the Liberal Democrat ambition for MK is that the plant was planned large enough so neighboring councils could pay MK to dispose of some of their waste in a more environmentally friendly way, with 'profit' being made to protect services in Milton Keynes, while still being cheaper for those councils than burying their waste in landfill!
Money saved for the MK council tax payer, while also helping the environment in MK and more widely - a win win for MK by the MK Lib Dems!
Conservative Failure
While some assume the Conservatives are good at running things, their record in neighbouring MK show this isn't the case.
A telling example of Conservative failure is the bankruptcy of Northamptonshire County council in 2018, a council that had been run by the Conservatives for decades. There are many things which contributed to the section 114 notice once the size of the their overspend was clear, but it is noteworthy that the Conservative council spent £53m on council offices. See more here: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/feb/11/northamptonshire-county-council-effective-bankruptcy-tories-cuts
After the bankruptcy of Northamptonshire following a £53m spend on offices there by their party, MK Conservatives then have the cheek to attack MK Council for spending £11m on council offices which will help save money for MK in the long run! The investment in MK was in part to increase the number of staff who could work in the Civic Offices, so other offices could be vacated, which will create savings for the council! However a disclaimer - just like in MK, the office investment in Northamptonshire County Council was intended to save money in the long run. They still managed to bankrupt Northamptonshire County Council however leading to services being slashed, and in MK fail to tell the whole story about the MK Council investment in office space to save money in the long run!
In addition to attacking investments which will save money in MK in the long run, in the 2018 and 2019 local elections, the MK Conservatives attacked the operational reserves being maintained by MK Council, arguing they weren't necessary. However their lack of judgement has been shown as these MK Council reserves have been vital during the pandemic, allowing MK Council to do extra to support care homes in MK when there were PPE shortages, while having fewer concerns about going bankrupt like some Conservative councils!
Lib Dem Success vs Tory Failure
The Liberal Democrats have a record of success in MK, fighting for the long term future, from strategic investments over a decade ago which are now helping our area, to defending a balanced budget. The Conservatives however have no real ambition, shown by a key line of attack in this election being on an investment which will save money in MK in the long run, while in 2018 and 2019 demanding that essential reserves be used for their election promises, reserves which have been vital during the pandemic.
This election, vote for your local Liberal Democrat candidate to elect someone who will fight for the future of MK!