Where are the benefits of voting Labour?

It was stated that, "poverty, poor diet, smoking and lack of education have made people in Park North and Park South the least healthy in Wiltshire", and that, "The Parks top a health deprivation index that also names central Swindon, Penhill and Pinehurst, plus Walcot and Gorse Hill among the ten least healthy areas of the country".

Swindon is the most prosperous town in Wiltshire and yet a substantial number of its population is living in a situation of poverty and deprivation which we would normally expect to see described in a Charles Dickens novel.

While there are many factors that have caused this system of economic apartheid, much of the blame must lie with Swindon Council. These appalling statistics totally substantiate my previous correspondence regarding the lack of priority given to essential services .

Less than two years ago, Swindon Council closed Oakfield School which served Walcot, Park North and Park South. This closure took place despite the overwhelming objections of local residents.

As a consequence the possibility of retaining and improving this facility for the benefit and cohesion of the local community growing up in this area of town was lost forever.

The surroundings (environment) of the Parks area has persistently been damaged by the negative actions of Swindon Council. It has failed to keep the area clean, failed to repair roads and footpaths, failed to cut grass, failed to control weed growth, and closed play areas.

It is noticeable that all of the areas of Swindon that are highlighted as regions of poverty and deprivation are Labour controlled and that for more than 20 years Swindon has been run by a Labour council.

The voters living in these areas must stop and ask themselves what benefits they have got by voting for councillors who have been in power for more than 20 years but have failed miserably to improve the lives of the people they are supposed to represent.

E FELL

Ellington Road

Wroughton