“Time for Labour to look in the mirror” say Lib Dem Leader

The Lib Dems have accused Labour’s motion of patting themselves on the back despite a disastrous first year for the Starmer Government. Their amendment called out the Labour Government and past Labour administrations for their impact on Liverpool’s poor financial situation.

The Lib Dem amendment highlighted multiple ways that they argue Labour has failed Liverpool and its residents – including the cuts to winter fuel payments, Labour’s job tax, and the £2 million cut to the Household Support Fund payment for Liverpool.

Cllr Carl Cashman, Leader of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats, said:

“Once again Labour aren’t happy with the uncomfortable reality that they are the party of an unpopular government that is making life harder for people in this city once again. This whole motion is a massive pat on the back for the Labour Government but if they were honest...

“I’ve never shied away from the mistakes of the coalition – the Liberal Democrats learned from that, we went back to our communities and rebuilt the trust. Within a year, Labour have burnt so many bridges – they’ve let down pensioners with the Winter Fuel U-turn, WASPI women over their compensation, disabled people over the changes to PIP and Universal Credit, refusing to scrap the disastrous two-child benefit cap. Not to mention the way that Labour have failed Liverpool directly – the AstraZeneca deal collapsing, £2 million cut to the Household Support Fund and the circumstances that led to the Caller report.

“Starmer has faced rebellion after rebellion – yet Liverpool Labour are unwilling to call him and his government out. They can’t hold their hands up and admit they’ve got things wrong or that they are unhappy with the direction the Government is taking. They’d much rather blame the Lib Dems – it’s time for Labour councillors to look in the mirror and see this government for what it is and how it’s failing our city."