Reform trading future of the planet for party political interests says Labour

Labour has slammed West Northants Reform administration for trading the future of the planet for its short term party political interests.

And it called for Reform to reconsider its decision to scrap the net zero climate change targets previously set by West Northants Council.

Speaking at a council meeting in Towcester, Labour Group Leader Cllr Sally Keeble criticised Reform for:

• Using “Back of a fag packet” financial calculations instead of real figures.

• Ignoring clear evidence of success of the West Northants strategy

• Failing to produce any any alternative strategy to achieve the legal net zero 2050 target

• Failing to consult the public

  
  

“West Northants strategy was producing results. Instead of building on the success, Reform has trashed it,” she said. “Reform has sacrificed the future of the planet for their short term party political interests.”

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Cllr Bob Purser, the Labour Group’s Deputy Leader, said that Reform needed to show leadership and policy coherence.

He said the policy was driven by Reform’s national interests. “We need local leadership, and local policies serving local interests.”

Cllr Keeble moved that the decision to scrap the councils net zero target should be referred back to Cabinet for further consideration: “The reasons being the need for an evidence-based, costed strategy with milestones to achieve the 2050 goal of net zero, to combine engagement with external partners in the public sector, businesses and communities. “

The motion was lost 5- 4.

The meeting of the Place and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee was called to decide whether the July decision by the Reform dominated WNC should be referred back to the cabinet for further consideration.