Tories want to divide Newcastle

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 14th Sep 2007

A senior Liberal Democrat has hit out against the Newcastle Conservatives over a leaflet being distributed in Gosforth.

The Conservative 'In Touch' leaflet claims that the "Lib Dem target ward of Denton has had £187,360 more spent in repairs than East Gosforth and High West Jesmond since the Lib Dems took power".

In fact, millions of pounds of investment has been spent in Gosforth in the last three years.

A new multi-million pound Customer Service Centre and library is being built on the site of the former library on Regent Farm Road .

In addition hundreds of thousands of pounds have been spent across Gosforth repairing roads and pavements since 2004 following years of Labour under-investment.

The Lib Dem-run council's new licensing policy also means that Gosforth High Street - a popular local night spot - has been protected from anti-social behaviour.

And the council is also working closely with business to regenerate the High Street.

Ron Beadle, the Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesman for Newcastle North said: "The Tories are claiming that the council spends its money to serve party political interests. This is a lie.

"What is even worse is the attempt to set parts of the city against each other.

"Politics should be about trying to find the common good, not trying to cause divisions between people.

"If the Tories are trying to win their first seat in Newcastle for 15 years then this is not the way to do it.

"The Tories want to see a Newcastle divided. We want Newcastle united."

Denton is in fact a Tory target ward currently held by two Lib Dems and an Independent.

Ron said: "Today I publicly challenge the Tories to tell the people of Denton why they want less spent on their area.

"Under the Lib Dems, Denton 's main shopping area is being regenerated, new homes are being built, the swimming pool is being updated and local schools such as All Saints are being transformed.

"How can the Tories be against this?"