Council leader asks MP Lee Anderson to put 'Ashfield people before politics'
When Mr Anderson got elected, I stood at the Festival Hall, shook his hand and offered to work with him to improve Ashfield – writes Jason Zadrozny - under a year later, I posted a video online, distancing myself from his mudslinging as it had got so bad.
The last year of lockdowns hasn’t been easy and I am proud that we maintained every service – we are delivering investments in parks, building a leisure centre and transforming our towns.
I’m proud to lead a council who have responded magnificently.
However, one of the most challenging things we have had to deal with is the consistently disappointing behaviour of the MP.
Last December, Sutton was awarded £6.2 million via the Future High Streets’ Fund – a bid that your Council worked for two years to secure.
Just weeks before, Mr Anderson demanded the Government Minister’s office scrapped our bid – why?
Concern that the Ashfield Independents would be praised for their work.
Luckily the Minister didn’t listen, and the money was secured.
This didn’t stop the MP claiming credit, much to the shock of council staff and councillors who had really done the work.
The Ashfield Independents fight is for Ashfield, we don’t have time for tit-for-tat, and this must stop.
People need to come together for the good of our communities.
We have always said we will set aside our differences and work with anyone to deliver positive things for our District.
Here is our offer to the MP – let’s draw a line in the sand and join us in putting Ashfield people before politics.
Let’s together make 2021 a much better year.
Lee Anderson’s column can be found here.