Keeping thoughts local in elections

DEAR Editor, With the campaigns for May’s local elections now beginning in earnest, it is striking how much the Labour campaign is focused on ‘sending a message to Downing Street.’

It is almost as if they don’t wish us Brummies to focus on the shambolic performance of the Labour-run city council, the budget failings, countless damning external inspection verdicts, internal fighting, uncollected bins and filthy streets.

There are many things I would like to change with government policy but this is a local election – not a general – and the focus should be on Victoria Square not Westminster.

I for one will be voting for someone who can deliver the council services we need locally within the resources and legal framework we currently have and to do so without continuing to embarrass our great city with controversy after controversy whilst continually looking to blame others for their failings.

The UK government will be the same on the