Sheffield Liberal Democrats have launched their manifesto for the 2014 local elections with a campaign to save sixteen threatened libraries.
Under plans agreed by Labour-run Sheffield City Council as many as sixteen community libraries could close across the city.
The proposals have proved controversial for Labour leaders of the Council who have faced criticism for wasting millions of pounds on high-paid consultants, office makeovers and political pet projects, like the Park Hill development.
Liberal Democrats are also campaigning to over-turn Labour’s anti-business policies and create new jobs in Sheffield by, for example, supporting Ikea to locate in Sheffield.
The three themes of the Liberal Democrat manifesto are:
- Stronger Economy – Working alongside local businesses to help create more jobs in Sheffield;
- Fairer Society – Protecting important services like libraries and helping children and young people get the best start in life;
- Enabling Everyone to Get on in Life – Cutting back on Town Hall waste and keeping costs low for local taxpayers.
Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, Leader of the Liberal Democrat on Sheffield City Council, said:
“Everyone knows the Council faces challenges but local people have been clear that closing libraries is not the right way forward. Yet instead of listening to local people, Labour’s town hall bosses continue to waste money on their priorities at a time when every penny counts.
“Liberal Democrats have a full slate of excellent candidates across the city. At local elections on May 22nd Sheffielders will have a clear choice between hard working Liberal Democrat campaigners who have led the fight to protect libraries and Labour politicians, who seem more interested in protecting their pet projects and office makeovers.
“We also need to make sure that Sheffield sees the benefits of a stronger national economy. By supporting developments, like the much-delayed Ikea, we can help bring more funds into the city, which can help protect the services that matter most.”