The Labour Government offered it…. Hampshire’s Conservatives were mug enough to accept it…. the fast track route to local government reorganisation (LGR).

Maybe the Conservatives were attracted by the extra year in office without an election, given how unpopular they are, losing many of their members to the Reform party ?

The Conservatives are now bitterly regretting their decision, especially since the Leaders of different Councils could not agree on options for creating new Super Councils. Labour have chosen the most unpopular of options, which involve splitting communities, including the New Forest.

Every step of the way, I and New Forest Lib Dem colleagues, have opposed LGR….. mainly because it doesn’t address the real problem…. inadequate funding of local government as a result of the increasing cost of Adult Social Care and Children’s Services.

It is disappointing in the extreme to find the Conservatives distributing leaflets which blame the Liberal Democrats for what’s happening…. but then they have form when it comes to playing dirty politics. It may even backfire because some of their own supporters know the truth.

I am a supporter of “New Forest Together” and am happy to wear their badge, speak in support at public settings and turn up at campaign events. The underhand Conservative tactics only undermine what is a very successful cross party movement.