Keighley needs to be master of its own destiny

I accept her assertion money spent on these events are good investments in tourism and business vitality. But I do not accept toilet closures in places like Haworth and East Morton, which have been shown do not save any real money and are politically motivated.

But I’d like to clarify some statements made by Coun Hinchcliffe. It is undeniable central government is severely cutting back on funds to Bradford and Keighley, and this is having a devastating effect on services provided locally.

Following the 2010 general election, a brave new world of coalition politics was announced and one of their promises was to destroy the deficit within five years. After LibDems reneged on coalition deal policies many times and Conservatives made excuses about the economy to put austerity on the backburner, we will fast approach May next year with the deficit well over half what it was when unelected Gordon Brown was going for broke, literally. Now we have a broken coalition.

However, I reject the claim local authority funding is somehow unfairly favouring southern wealthier councils. When Labour was in office, they massively over-funded city metropolitan councils like Bradford and underfunded rural councils like Skipton and Craven, so they could barely afford service provision for poorer people in rural areas. Funding is now more equitable than it was, but funds have been decimated in all areas and it has gone too far.

While I am sure Coun Hinchcliffe and Bradford Council are doing their best for Keighley and investing in its future, I still believe Keighley, Bingley and Ilkley would do better to break away from Bradford Council and form its own council so we can determine our own future. This is the only way to defy central government and secure this area’s tremendous tourist potential for the future, and to challenge the Government to return funds for the very real needs of Bradford residents.

LEO ROBINSON Northern

Tea Party

Keighley