After the local elections in 2006, when Labour romped home in Greenwich, residents quickly saw the axe fall on essential frontline services across the borough.  Now, a leaked paper prepared for Greenwich Labour leaders has revealed further secret plans for savage cuts to yet more services amounting to £27 million.  The 'caring, sharing' Labour team that makes a big deal of claiming to work for the most vulnerable in society actually plans to attack neighbourhood services, voluntary sector services, social care provision, and to increase leaseholder charges.  No wonder that when asked directly at a recent Council meeting, the Labour Leader was so evasive (even denying previous cuts), and has since refused to even speak to anyone from the Newsshopper.

Everywhere I go in this constituency from Eltham High Street to Middle Park, Shooters Hill to Kidbrooke, people tell me they are feeling squeezed from every direction and now fear they will lose vital services.  In Coldharbour, rumours circulated for ages that the much valued library would be closed until Conservative councillors extracted a promise it would remain open - but for how much longer?  Perhaps it will go the same way as Queen Mary's Hospital and see reduced opening hours?

If Labour retain control of Greenwich Council in 2010, I make this prediction.  The elderly, the young, and those on the lowest incomes will feel the brunt of these plans.  I don't doubt there's waste to be reduced in Greenwich, but first let's look at the million quid spent annually on the self-congratulatory 'newspaper' Greenwich Time.  Not only is it a huge waste of money it also unfairly competes with commercial newspapers and magazines, including SE9 magazine.