WHILE we welcome any publicity for the excellent work of the Lads and Girls Club, I resent David Cameron's cynical attempt to spin his political philosophy on to the people of Bolton through this valued community resource.
This was yet another opportunity to spout his ill conceived ethos of "social responsibility" that explains how he believes the state (your council) crowds out the good work of the voluntary sector. The Lads and Girls Club deserves more respect than to be treated as a political football.
In this "sound bite", Cameron's Conservatives believe they have found a new, more socially acceptable rhetoric for rolling back the work of the Government and thus allowing charities and the third sector to prosper - nothing could be further from the truth.
In reality, the Lads and Girls Club would not be able to fulfil the many important duties it carries out if it was not for the council's partnership in providing the financial support it does to the tune of £300,000.
The dividing line in the forthcoming elections is between a Labour party that believes in an enabling Government that works in partnership with the voluntary sector, and a Conservative party that would roll back the state and simply expect charities and the voluntary sector to step in without the necessary resources to fulfil the needs of the community.
Cameron's Conservatives plan £21 bn of cuts to the public sector which would ultimately mean cuts to the funding we provide organisations like the Lads and Girls Club.
We respect The Lads and Girls Club as a vital community resource and one which we shall continue to invest in.
Moreover, we promise the Labour Group on Bolton Council will fight to ensure we continue to invest in the voluntary sector - to allow it to develop and deliver important services that enhance the social fabric of our communities.
Frank White, Executive Member for Community Cohesion
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