CITY OF PRESTON LABOUR PARTY

Despite being the largest party in Preston, Labour has been once more pushed into opposition by the Tory /Lib Dem Coalition as yet another deal is done to secure power for the Tories in Council.

John Collins will continue as Labour Leader and Leader of the Opposition in Preston.  He is joined by Matthew Brown, as Deputy Leader and shadow cabinet post holder for Development.

Also on the shadow cabinet are Martyn Rawlinson, returning to the council after an impressive gain in Fishwick ward, for Resources.  Jack Davenport will be spokesperson on Regeneration, and Veronica Afrin lends her experience to be shadow representative for Community.  Nick Pomfret takes up the post for Environment.

The new Shadow Cabinet will focus on challenging the Tory administration on a number of cuts in services and the reduction in available funds due to Tory budgeting.

Speaking on the new Shadow cabinet, Labour Group Leader John Collins said ‘It is disappointing that once more Preston Council is under the grip of the Tory/Lib Dem coalition.  However, we will be providing strong opposition to their policies of cuts in services.  I’m glad to be joined by such a dynamic and experienced Shadow Cabinet.’

Matthew Brown, Deputy Leader also commented saying ‘We showed that Labour has the policies for a radical, but realistic agenda in Preston.  The Tories and Lib Dems are all about spin, but they can’t hide the fact that they have cut services for families and squandered millions of pounds of taxpayer’s money over the past few years. They are a Coalition of Cuts’