Former MP's concerns over spending cuts lead to losses for rural community
Spending cuts will see rural communities lose "a lot of services altogether", unless the Big Society genuinely hands down powers to local level, a Westcountry peer has warned.
Ex-Cornwall Liberal Democrat MP Matthew Taylor, who became Lord Taylor after being introduced to the House of Lords last week, says the countryside can survive deep cuts to public spending.
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Matthew Taylor
But speaking to the Western Morning News for the Saturday Interview, he said: "If the cuts take place without changing the way in which services are delivered in rural communities, a lot of small rural communities will lose a lot of services altogether."
But rural areas, likely to be hit harder than built-up areas if cuts are metered out evenly, can cope if the Government is "serious" about the Big Society and "you allow communities far more freedom of action and empower them in setting policy and unlocking funding".
Lord Taylor is preparing a report, called the Rural Challenge, that will be a companion piece to his influential review on affordable housing in the countryside.
The report is to focus on how to "deliver the Big Society – sustainable communities – in rural areas" in era of less money.
In a wide-ranging interview, Lord Taylor says talk of Lib Dem discontent over its coalition with the Conservatives is exaggerated.
He said: "If the Press are looking for differences of opinion they won't find it hard to find in any political party.
"I don't think much can be read into it at the moment. If Tony Blair and Tony Benn can be in the same political party for several decades... that's a coalition in disguise."
He goes on: "If there's tension I think that's coming from the Conservative right rather than from Liberal Democrats."
8 Comments
by Robert, St.Austell
Tuesday, August 03 2010, 9:45AM
“Thats true David Taylor also never had a good word for South West water and now he is on the board.Talk about Lord hypocrite of St.Austell and Truro”
by David, St Austell
Monday, August 02 2010, 2:17PM
“This is the same Matthew Taylor who could not find a good word to say about the House of Lords. Didn't notice refusing his place on the gravy train though.”
by Robert, St.Austell
Monday, August 02 2010, 11:05AM
“I really fail to see why a 52nd rate former MP such as Taylor is given a seat in the house of lords at all.I speak as one of his former constituents.He sits alongside other nonentities such as "Baroness" Warsi.
The second house should be abolished.”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Sunday, August 01 2010, 3:07PM
“Thought you would like them.
Yesterday I had the opportunity of looking at Daily Telegraph online.
Gerald Warner seems to feel the same way as you do about CP. Gerald's been saying it just as long as me. But as usual, it falls on deaf ears. Have a read Charles...
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/geraldwarner/100032381/david-camerons-big-society-is-a-grotesque-fantasy-inspired-by-leftist-subversive-saul-alinsky/
I know Gerald plays the left/right paradigm, but his heart is in the right place. His article nearly hits the nail on the head. I wonder how long Gerald will stay at the Telegraph for his comments?....
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday afternoon.
Freethinker”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Sunday, August 01 2010, 2:46PM
“:( Hello Jusin,
You're not making it up are you? . Yes they are lovely pictures.
:( And I can feel some tension now.
:) But at least Mark Webber has stuffed Vettel in the Red Bull.”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Sunday, August 01 2010, 1:09PM
“Hello Charles.
Just thought I would share with you this fantastic article I found whilst looking at Flicker News. You'll like this.....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/commonpurpose/sets/72157624601972574/
Some nice photos, don't you think?.
Have a nice day.
Freethinker”
by Charles, Somersetshire
Sunday, August 01 2010, 10:30AM
“:) Steady on your Lordship. . There's no tension here, just the usual plain speaking about that European 'Elephant' in the room that keeps blocking all the light and distorting all logical thought about immigration.
As David Cameron prepares to open our doors to Turkey, all our commonwealth cousins, particularly the English speaking ones from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and America are now being 'squeezed'. . I'll bet it makes everyone really proud to be British. . They don't need enemies when they've got friends like us.
:) But there's no tension!”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Sunday, August 01 2010, 10:15AM
“:) Steady on your Lordship. . There's no tension here, just the usual plain speaking about that European 'Elephant' in the room, that keeps blocking all the light and distorting all logical thought about immigration.
As David Cameron prepares to open our doors to Turkey Lord Taylor, our Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and American, English speaking cousins are being 'squeezed'. . I'll bet you feel really proud of yourself after keeping Labour in power for all these years. . :) But there's no tension!”