Emma Lewell MP: Stanley’s Stomp was very best of our community coming together for something that matters

It is important that everyone is aware of the facts regarding what was, and is, being proposed

In February, councillors approved a review of Children’s Day Care Provision to meet a projected saving.

I am not a councillor, so wasn’t involved in this meeting, and I wasn’t able to comment or cast a vote on the proposals. MPs are not decision-makers at borough council, only councillors are.

I found out about these proposals at the same time the public did, when they were leaked online.

In May, when a different administration – in this case, The Reform Party – became the ruling party on the council, it had the right to consider any proposals and change them.

They did not cancel the Children’s Day Care review. The leader of the council posted online that the cuts had been implemented and could not be undone. They had not. South Tyneside Council contradicted him, saying that no decision on the matter had been made. Yet, staff are receiving redundancy forecasts and Reform councillors are claiming that they can’t get involved as a review is ongoing. They can and should be getting involved if they care about these services.

It’s ludicrous for anyone to suggest I was never critical of the previous Labour-led council. Public record shows that I have and will always, regardless of Party affiliations, call out anyone or any group that acts in a way to cause detriment, damage or harm to my constituents. It was wrong of the previous administration to support a review, and it is wrong of this one to be ploughing ahead with cuts that they have the power to stop.

I ask people to be like those at the Stomp last weekend, united, working together around a cause that matters so much to our community. That’s what the children, families and staff deserve and that is where my energy will always be.