Clause 67
Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill [Lords]
11:45 am
Rosie Winterton (Minister of State (Yorkshire and the Humber), Department for Communities and Local Government; Doncaster Central, Labour)
That is a glaring example of the Lib-Dems sitting on the fence. They do not want to make a decision. The official Opposition are at least saying that they do not believe in the idea of any kind of regional intervention. That fits their overall strategy, which is that nothing can be done during these difficult economic times, that public intervention is not the right approach, and that we should sit back and let things take their course; they have no idea of the key role of Government and local government in ensuring a good, well-thought out strategy for the future or of what it could do for the economy.
The traditional position that the Conservatives have adopted is a return to the free-market economics that let people down in previous economically difficult times. The Liberal Democrats simply cannot make up their minds. I hope that the Committee will support the amendment, as it is incredibly important to the country’s future.