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Manchester's Lib Dems attack supercasino u-turn

2007-08-13 15:22:40

The Liberal Democrats in Manchester have decided to support the city's Labour administration in the fight to build a supercasino.

Simon Ashley, leader of the council's Liberal Democrats, has said he is "fed up" with politicians "with no connection to Manchester" interfering in the city's affairs.

He said that Manchester won the race to build Britain's first supercasino "fair and square" but that the prime minister is "moving the goalposts", reports the Manchester Evening news.

"I am fed up with unelected Lords and national politicians with no connection with Manchester telling us how we should create jobs in our city.

"This is a wider principle than a casino; it's about local councils having the power to run their own affairs without interference."

He also said that the government will have to deliver £265 million of investment to Manchester if the supercasino plans are completely scrapped.

The supercasino project reached an impasse in March when the House of Lords voted against proposals, despite the fact that the elected house voted in favour.