10/09/2009

Tory Councils Leading The Way: Osborne

Much can be learned from English Tory-led councils, the Shadow Chancellor has said.

George Osborne suggested his party's control of local authorities could influence the administration of a possible Conservative government at Westminster.

He said Conservative run councils' budgeting and funding issues are similar to those being experienced at the heart of central government.

Mr Osborne said Tories have proved they are capable "rooting out waste and cutting costs" at a grass roots level.

Speaking a gathering of Conservative councillors, the Shadow Chancellor said he backed the sharing of services between authorities.

"I want the Conservative Party to learn from what local Conservative councils are doing right now, as they are dealing with many of the constraints that we may face very soon," he said.

Mr Osborne claimed Tory councils have already overcome funding obstacles, likely to posed major challenges at Westminster.

He said the authorities have "got on with doing it".

"When it comes to rooting out waste and cutting costs, or improving services through innovative new policies, Conservative councils are showing it can be done," said the Shadow Chancellor.

However, former Labour cabinet member Denis MacShane warned the Tories off returning to a "crude cut and slash" approach to spending seen in the 1980s.

(PR/GK)

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