Simon Danczuk - Letter from Parliament

Simon Danczuk MP

If the Conservative Party’s decision to hold its conference in Manchester was questionable, Tory claims to be the “only true party of labour” are just plain laughable.

George Osborne might have spent the last few months flicking through Labour Party manifestos looking for policy ideas to steal, but that does not make him the friend of hardworking people.

This Government has slashed working tax credits for low and middle income families and let working class communities down with a toothless approach to illegal economic immigration.

Ministers might venture North for the occasional photo opportunity, but I see every week the disastrous impact that Tory policies are having here in Rochdale.

Osborne’s big announcement this week, that local councils will be given the power to cut business rates, shows yet again where this Government's priorities really lie.

This change will reward wealthy council’s like Kensington and Westminster but struggling areas will lose out as they compete with their neighbours in a race to the bottom to cut rates and attract businesses.

Last month, a leaked Home Office document showed just how committed the Tories are to helping their shire heartlands while ignoring areas in genuine need.

Under planned changes to the police funding formula, Greater Manchester Police could see its budget slashed by 23% while police forces in rural areas of the South of England are set for increases of up to 75%.

With the Conservative Party Conference over and Government Ministers heading back to London, urban communities in the North of England have been left to fend for themselves.