The Prime Minister slammed Harrow Borough Council for not protecting front line services.
Hundreds of Conservative Party members called out messages of support as Prime Minister David Cameron visited the Dhamecha Lohana Centre, in Brember Road, South Harrow, this morning.
See a video of the speech below.
In a rallying speech to mark two months until May’s election, the leader – who was introduced by Harrow West candidate Hannah David – said a constituency like Harrow “could make the difference” at the General Election in May.
During the public talk, the Prime Minister cited achievements since 2010 including £26 million in tax cuts along with making three million of the lowest-paid people exempt from paying income tax.
The visit comes just over a week after Harrow Council pushed through its budget, with leader Cllr David Perry blaming cuts of £83 million on the Conservative-led coalition government.
Speaking to the Harrow Times, Mr Cameron said: “I just don’t accept that. The figures are that actually Harrow Council spent less than their budget last year, its budget for 2014/5 was actually higher than what it had been for the previous year, and also I think if you look at the reserves position for the council, over the past four years the reserves have increased, so they do have reserves available.
“I think what’s happening here is that the council is not being as efficient as it should, its not making savings in the way that it should, its not using the reserves like it could.
“All council should try to keep frontline services going, and most councils are managing to do that.
“Harrow I think gets something like £700 above the national average per home in the borough, so I don’t believe that cuts to front line services in the way they are doing them are necessary.”
Speaking about councillors voting to increase their allowances while making cuts to services, he added: “I think it is sensible to demonstrate restraint in these issues. I mean, in Parliament, which I am responsible for, we have cut ministers' pay by five per cent and froze it for the Parliament.
“Now obviously, allowances are different to pay, I accept that, but at a time of difficult decisions, councillors should have regard to these things.”
Mrs David also spoke to the Harrow Times during the visit, and said: “The Labour administration have made their decisions. They’ve done a ‘take part’ consultation and there have been many responses, many petitions particularly on the closures of the libraries. Are they listening to those?”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel