ON the eve of the 'all-out' local elections across the borough, opposition groups are out to break through the Labour dominance at Wigan Council.
With every seat up for grabs at the election on Thursday, May 4, prospective councillors say that they will offer "change", a "fresh start", and an alternative to the "same old tired Labour Wigan centric policies".
Pointing to policies where they have worked alongside the council to deliver improvements in the community, opposition groups also expressed their concern at the "lack of investment in outer-lying towns".
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Currently holding 61 out of 75 seats across the council, the local Labour Party underlined the projects that they have been successful in bringing to the borough.
Referencing projects such as the construction of Leigh Youth Hub, Pennington Flash developments, and town centre improvements, Labour councillors say they are “proud” of what they have achieved across Leigh constituency wards.
Here is what each of the main political groups has to say ahead of the local elections:
Labour
“Labour is proud of what we have achieved for the people of Leigh across all wards in the constituency. Locally we will continue to support residents by delivering the lowest council tax in Greater Manchester and in any metropolitan borough in England.
“We pledge to invest in our social housing stock and provide a real living wage for care workers. We are proud of the youth schemes we have generated such as the Leigh Youth Hub and will assist young people through investments in apprenticeships, and graduate schemes. We are also keen advocates of the WASPI women campaigns.
“Furthermore, our councillors are working hard for Leigh town centre. Since February 2022, councillors have pulled an action plan together and have highlighted 130 actions to improve [the] appearance of benches and bins, and working with partners like GMP to reduce crime. We [also] aim to increase trade in our town by offering free car parking in council-owned car parks at weekends.
“We are the Party that connects and engages with people via community and neighbourhood groups, we undertake numerous community litter picks and get involved in local projects, and of course we are on the doors all year round. Our conversations with residents are invaluable to really know and understand local key issues.
“We also recognise the importance of greenspaces and developing our local parks, such as the Pennington Flash investment. We are proud of the £92K uplift in Firs Park and even smaller parks like Crankwood. Councillors pledge to maintain parks and invest in them to raise the standards with new signs and play equipment.
“We've also helped to set up a group dedicated to improving our green spaces, planting an orchard at Jubilee Park, and installing new hedgerows and habitat, supporting future funded improvements to green spaces around Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley.”
The party continued to state how they have supported residents through the cost of living crisis by providing warm hubs across the borough, and helping people through the “Here for You’ council scheme.
The development of arts and culture was also mentioned as a success by the party, as well as the continuation of lesiure hubs such as Howe Bridge Leisure Centre and Leigh Leisure Centre.
The party statement concluded: “Overall, we have delivered for residents and local areas, but we want to do so much more, and we can only do that by retaining our Labour seats and winning other areas in the Leigh constituency and surrounding areas.
“Local people have their chance to continue to put their trust in us by placing 3 votes for Labour in their respective ward on Thursday 4th May 2023.”
Conservatives
“The Conservatives offer Leigh a fresh start after 50 years of Labour dominance. Local residents have repeatedly expressed concern about the decline of our town during that time, and reversing that decline is our main priority.
“Our proudest achievement locally have been stopping the HS2 rail line that would have caused such damage to Lowton and Golborne without providing any local benefit for residents.
“At the same time, the Conservative Government has provided £15 million towards reopening Golborne Station, which will provide a massive benefit to that part of our community.
“The Conservatives are campaigning to complete the Atherleigh Way Bypass to reduce congestion and help local commuters and businesses, secure a new railway station for Leigh at Kenyon Junction, and deliver a successful Levelling Up fund bid of £20 million by working with our local MP James Grundy to deliver much needed regeneration in Leigh town centre, as well as in the long term, 'Lexit', or the restoration of an independent council for Leigh.
“Local elections are always challenging in Wigan borough, but in the Leigh Constituency we are hopeful of holding our three seats in Lowton East and picking up several more wards at the Leigh end of the borough. We hope we can gain the support of local residents for our agenda of positive change.”
The Independent Network
“We have worked hard day in, day out to improve our estates, town centres and the quality of life for residents by being tough on anti-social behaviour and criminality.
“We offer dedication to the resident's needs, not [to] a political party. Over the last few years we have submitted various motions which have resulted in numerous schemes such as the ‘Our Town’ scheme, a revised litter strategy, and by working with the council and police ‘Operation Bluefin’ was introduced by highlighting the issues with ASB.
“We have [also] worked with buisness and seen an upturn in our night time economy but we now need our daytime economy to be just as vibrant.
“Our concern is the blatant lack of investment in the outer-lying towns such as Atherton. We will work with all no matter of political allegiance to get the investment that is desperately needed to boost our local economy and reduce unemployment and ASB.
“We hope that residents can see what can be done by electing an Independent Network Candidate, rather than the same old tired Labour Wigan centric policies.
“We need passionate local people in the chamber who will actually be your voice in the Chamber and on scrutiny committees and I hope the electorate can be confident and vote for your independent Network candidates who will work for you, not a political party.”
Leigh & Atherton Independents
“At Leigh & Atherton Independents we offer the people of Leigh & Atherton Change. Instead of 3 line whips of national parties on local issues, we will offer a clear voice for the Community, not a national party.
“We are proud of the community work we have done over the last few years including the residents we have supported. Stepping in to help residents with mould, damp and general issues. The feedback we have received is that residents have felt ignored.
“While we don't have Councillors yet, our primary concerns are the lack of action by the Council and Councillors, the sheer lack of transparency, and the ad-hoc nature this brings.
“We should never be confident of success. We believe we need to work to earn the trust of the electorate. Once gained we must work even harder to maintain it."
Liberal Democrats
“The Liberal Democrats provide an alternative choice for electors who want to see an effective opposition to the stagnation of Wigan under the Labour administration.
“Liberal Democrat Councillors are committed to serve the community they represent and will report back regularly on their activities to local residents.
“Recent years have seen a steady growth in the Party's vote in Local and Parliamentary elections here.
“Once elected Liberal Democrat Councillors will seek to hold the new administration to account and ensure a just and equitable spread to resources across the borough.”
Local elections take place in each ward of the borough tomorrow (Thursday, May 4), from 7am to 10pm. Results will be announced the following day.
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