Labour's 'hypocrisy' over action on Travellers camps

7.45.48am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 27th Apr 2004

Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on Northampton Borough Council, Andrew Simpson, has accused the Labour party of hypocrisy in its criticism of the council over lack of action over illegal travellers camps.

"Labour were running the Council up until May last year and despite the Council pledging to tackle this issue going back as far as January 2000 little happened" said Andrew " Now Labour are criticising the new Tory administration for inaction - a case of pure hypocrisy" he continued.

It was as far back as January 2000 when all parties on the Council supported the Liberal Democrats proposal to:

1. The early introduction of designated transit sites for travellers

2. The introduction of legislation to ensure Councils providing such sites are able to secure the rapid relocation of illegal encampments

3. Consultation facilitated by the Borough Council between local business, the Police, the Borough and County Council, the Travellers Liaison Officer and the Travellers themselves with the aim of improving security for businesses in Brackmills and elsewhere.

Yet despite this for the next three years Labour who ran the Council at the time did nothing but prevaricate over the issue. Now they accuse the Tories of similar inaction.

"Every time this has been discussed by the Council it has been the Lib Dems who have put forward positive proposals to solve the issue - neither the Tories or Labour seem able to get to grips with it" said Andrew