All councillors elected in May 2023 should work together to save Slough

"All councillors elected in May 2023 should work together to save Slough. Under a new system all 42 seats on Slough Council will be up for election in May 2023. Therefore, a new council is a chance for the election of some Lib Dem councillors and a new start after the years of failure of Slough Labour councillors running the council so badly." This is the New Year message of hope for Slough from Matthew Taylor, chair of Slough Lib Dems, photographed helping to lead a community litter pick.

Matthew issued this plea: "To help our campaign save Slough through cooperation, please email me on matthew.taylor@sloughlibdems.org.uk"

Matthew explained: "The independent expert reports on Slough Council's debts and overspending show they are worse than almost any other UK council has ever incurred. The figures are mindboggling. These reports said Slough councillors will have to carry on cutting services for years to help pay for the Labour councillors' massive failings, and will have to sell off £600 million of our Council's assets."

"But, unbelievably it gets worse", Mr Taylor said. "Recent reports say that the level of cuts will have to increase from £20million a year to perhaps £26million next year. And the Labour leader of the Council wants the Government to allow him to increase the council tax on Slough residents by more than 5%."

Matthew pointed to election results in May 2022: "Following the failures of Slough's current councillors, the Lib Dems picked up votes and came second to Labour last time in Elliman and Cippenham wards. That was even before many electors realised the full extent of the financial mess, and the range of cuts planned by Labour councillors. The areas covered by those two wards now include some of various new, smaller wards where Lib Dems aim to elect councillors this coming May, especially as the Tories are also unpopular, in their case nationally because of issues such as the damage they are inflicting on both people's living standards and our vital NHS and other public services."

Matthew said: "Slough Lib Dems plan to build on this chance to get some Lib Dems elected to Slough Council and use this position to call for all parties (and independents) on Slough Council to form a joint administration. Working together and using the best ideas and talents of all parties is the only sensible way of tackling the extreme crisis facing Slough. This plan will put the residents of Slough first."