Labour’s Cllr Jeremy Newmark demands new PM comes clean on video boasts that he took money from deprived urban areas like Cowley Hill in Borehamwood

Hertsmere’s Labour & Cooperative Group Leader Cllr Jeremy Newmark has today written to the new Prime Minister to demand answers, as a leaked video reveals Rishi Sunak boasting to Tory activists that he had taken funding from ‘urban deprived areas’ in order to give more cash to places like Tunbridge Wells. How much did he take, why does he think Tunbridge Wells is more important, will he return the money – and will he apologise.

In the letter Cllr Newmark writes,

“As you know, your Conservative party has crashed the British economy – and the whole country is set to pay the price for years to come. After twelve years of failure, Hertsmere needs you to finally deliver for our area – but I’m afraid the signs aren’t good.

“When campaigning for the Conservative leadership you told Tory activists you had undone old funding formulas to take vital support from ‘deprived areas’ in order to give it to well off areas like Tunbridge Wells. I am writing to ask you to come clean with the people of Borehamwood, part of our Borough that includes areas that rank in the top ten per cent on national indices of multiple deprivation.”

“Politics isn’t a game Rishi. When you tell Tory activists that you have short changed deprived communities in areas like ours so richer parts of the country can have more, you are hitting the people of Borehamwood hard. That’s care for our older family members, support for our kids, our bins being collected and roads repaired. It might not mean anything to you, but these things matter to us.”

Responding to the comments cited by Cllr Newmark in his letter, former Conservative Party Chair (sacked yesterday), Jake Berry MP said,

“In public Rishi Sunak claims he wants to level up the North, but here, he boasts about trying to funnel vital investment away from deprived areas? He says one thing and does another – from putting up taxes to trying to block funding for our armed forces and now levelling up…”

Background:

The Leaked Video:

Rishi Sunak told an audience of Conservative Party Members that he had diverted money from deprived urban areas to reroute to areas like affluent Tunbridge Wells.  See the leaked video clip here:

https://twitter.com/PickardJE/status/1584901315536343043

Deprivation in Borehamwood:

Parts of Borehamwood’s Cowley Hill Ward rank among the top 10 per cent most deprived areas in the country and highest in the county, according to the latest ‘Indices of Multiple Deprivation’ (IMD) data.

The letter in full:

Dear Prime Minister,

Congratulations on becoming the third Prime Minister in a disastrous seven weeks for our country. As you know, your Conservative party has crashed the British economy – and the whole country is set to pay the price for years to come. After twelve years of failure, Hertsmere needs you to finally deliver for our area – but I’m afraid the signs aren’t good.

When campaigning for the Conservative leadership you told Tory activists you had undone old funding formulas to take vital support from ‘deprived areas’ in order to give it to well off areas like Tunbridge Wells. I am writing to ask you to come clean with the people of Borehamwood:

· How much support have you taken from deprived communities in Borehamwood?

· Why do you think areas like Tunbridge Wells are more deserving than Borehamwood?

· Will you now return that money – so we can begin to repair some of the services and support obliterated by your disastrous record of low growth and cuts?

· Will you apologise to the people of Borehamwood?

Politics isn’t a game Rishi. When you tell Tory activists that you have short changed deprived communities in areas like ours so richer parts of the country can have more, you are hitting the people of  Borehamwood hard. That’s care for our older family members, support for our kids, our bins being collected and roads repaired. It might not mean anything to you, but these things matter to us.

I look forward to your answers – and your apology.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Jeremy Newmark
Leader, Labour & Cooperative Group
Hertsmere Borough Council