The future of Radcliffe is more important than Labour/Tory political squabbles.

I have now almost completed my first 90 days as a councillor. As a resident of Radcliffe for over 20 years, being elected to represent the local community is one of my proudest achievements; it is an honour and a privilege. My motivation for standing for council was simple: to fight for Racliffe’s future.

This is what is important — not party political squabbles.

So it was heartening to see a former Tory candidate for Radcliffe West, Mr Bernard Slingsby (letter August 27, 2009) agreeing in part with my views on the town’s future. Mr Slingsby’s passion for Radcliffe is clear and is something we share.

Mr Slingsby did question whether my ‘conversion’ to the viewpoint that Radcliffe should have more autonomy was genuine. I passionately believe that Radcliffe’s destiny should be in the hands of Radcliffe people and business owners. Why should they (as local council tax and business rate payers) be dictated to by Bury Town Hall? What have they done for us recently?

At a time when the standing of politicians is at an all time low (and deservedly so) I think it is time for local representatives to abandon the ‘old’ politics of attacking the other parties for the sake of it and work together to help improve the lives of our constituents. Isn’t that what we are here for?

In her letter of August 27, Cllr Wiseman stated that she was planning an ‘action day’ to help with gardening, painting and other jobs at the Boys and Girls Club in Withins Avenue. She has invited people who want to get involved to contact her. I think this is a brilliant idea and I will certainly be in attendance and I would encourage other people to do the same.

Cllr Wiseman is right: ‘Actions speak louder than words’. Now more than ever Radcliffe needs its politicians to stand up and be counted and demonstrate the courage of their convictions.

Cllr Wiseman’s states “We acknowledge that children are our future”. Despite this the Tories have closed Radcliffe Riverside School which I have previously written about. The Tories are also cutting £200,000 from the Bury Youth Service budget. This will decimate the services provided by the youth centre in Coronation Road Radcliffe and kill off any hope of the continuing development of a service run by Bury Council at the King George’s building of Outwood Road.

Over the summer I have visited these two venues and was delighted to see so many young people engaging in constructive activities in a safe and healthy environment. I asked these young people what they would be doing if the youth service was no longer available. The answer was simple – they would be on Radcliffe’s street corners in large groups. This is not fair on them and not in the best interests of our community.

So Cllr Wiseman I ask this of you — follow your convictions and move into a new era of politics. Join me in fighting your Tory Council’s decisions to close Radcliffe Riverside School and cut the budget for the Youth Service.

Fighting against your own council will take courage; but that is what leadership requires.

It has already been shown that if we campaign hard enough we can overturn absurd decisions such the Tory Council’s proposals to switch off the street lights in Radcliffe; We fought and we won on this issue and let common sense rule the day.

Maybe I am being naïve as young new councillor that we can work together – but I feel I must try as Radcliffe is far more important than Labour or Tory.

Councillor Rishi Shori Radcliffe West Ward