‘THEY SHOULD HANG THEIR HEADS IN SHAME’: Havering Leader Launches Blistering Attack On Conservatives
In response to today’s Havering Conservative’s article in the Havering Daily.
Cllr. Keith Prince AM, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“It is disappointing, but sadly not surprising, to see the Conservatives attempt to turn a moment of civic pride for Havering into an opportunity for cheap political point-scoring.
“Let me be absolutely clear about the £2.7 million being referred to. This is money held in reserves from Government grant funding specifically provided to support refugees. It is not general Council funding that can simply be diverted to libraries, roads or other local services. To suggest otherwise is misleading our residents.
“The repairs to the Town Hall flagpoles were funded privately by Reform UK and cost Havering taxpayers nothing. We took a practical step to restore the Union Flag, the Cross of St George and the Havering Borough Flag to their rightful place above our Town Hall.
“The Union Flag briefly appearing upside down was the result of the manufacturer attaching the toggle used to raise the flag at the bottom rather than the top. As soon as this was identified, the flag was replaced and is now flying correctly. I will also be taking this matter up directly with the flag-makers.
“Restoring the flags is about civic pride, but nobody seriously believes it is the only priority of this administration. The suggestion that we cannot restore our flags while simultaneously tackling the serious challenges facing Havering is frankly risible.
“After years of the Conservatives, then the Havering Residents’ Association (HRA) and Labour running Havering, we inherited significant challenges that cannot be solved overnight. We have been in office for fewer than 100 days.
“Nevertheless, we have already published our First 100 Days Plan, setting out the foundations for change and the development of Havering 2040. Later this year, we will publish that long-term vision for the Borough, something previous administrations lacked the inclination or the bravery to deliver.
‘On the issue of the libraries, may I point out that the Conservatives in Opposition played a significant role in their closure. When presented with a vote, twice, to keep them open, they couldn’t even be bothered to show up leading to the motion to save the libraries being lost through a casting vote from the then Mayor. I will take no lessons from the Tories regarding the libraries. They should hang their heads in shame.
“Residents deserve serious leadership focused on delivering change, not opposition politicians trying to manufacture outrage over which way a flag was briefly flown.
“We make no apology for being proud of our Borough, proud of our Country and proud to see our National and Borough flags flying once again in their rightful place above Havering Town Hall.
“The Conservatives are entitled to make constructive criticism, but they should bear in mind that many of the challenges we face today are due to their failings.”
Cllr. Keith Prince AM, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“It is disappointing, but sadly not surprising, to see the Conservatives attempt to turn a moment of civic pride for Havering into an opportunity for cheap political point-scoring.
“Let me be absolutely clear about the £2.7 million being referred to. This is money held in reserves from Government grant funding specifically provided to support refugees. It is not general Council funding that can simply be diverted to libraries, roads or other local services. To suggest otherwise is misleading our residents.
“The repairs to the Town Hall flagpoles were funded privately by Reform UK and cost Havering taxpayers nothing. We took a practical step to restore the Union Flag, the Cross of St George and the Havering Borough Flag to their rightful place above our Town Hall.
“The Union Flag briefly appearing upside down was the result of the manufacturer attaching the toggle used to raise the flag at the bottom rather than the top. As soon as this was identified, the flag was replaced and is now flying correctly. I will also be taking this matter up directly with the flag-makers.
“Restoring the flags is about civic pride, but nobody seriously believes it is the only priority of this administration. The suggestion that we cannot restore our flags while simultaneously tackling the serious challenges facing Havering is frankly risible.
“After years of the Conservatives, then the Havering Residents’ Association (HRA) and Labour running Havering, we inherited significant challenges that cannot be solved overnight. We have been in office for fewer than 100 days.
“Nevertheless, we have already published our First 100 Days Plan, setting out the foundations for change and the development of Havering 2040. Later this year, we will publish that long-term vision for the Borough, something previous administrations lacked the inclination or the bravery to deliver.
‘On the issue of the libraries, may I point out that the Conservatives in Opposition played a significant role in their closure. When presented with a vote, twice, to keep them open, they couldn’t even be bothered to show up leading to the motion to save the libraries being lost through a casting vote from the then Mayor. I will take no lessons from the Tories regarding the libraries. They should hang their heads in shame.
“Residents deserve serious leadership focused on delivering change, not opposition politicians trying to manufacture outrage over which way a flag was briefly flown.
“We make no apology for being proud of our Borough, proud of our Country and proud to see our National and Borough flags flying once again in their rightful place above Havering Town Hall.
“The Conservatives are entitled to make constructive criticism, but they should bear in mind that many of the challenges we face today are due to their failings.”
“Havering Deserves Better Than Symbolism Politics” Say Local Conservatives
News From Havering Conservatives. This week Havering celebrated raising the Union Jack above the town hall. It comes as Reform’s first major achievement since taking control of the council months ago. The flags were taken down and moved to flagpoles on the lawn outside the town hall due to critical repairs to the roof under…
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