UPDATE Today (Monday, 26 April) I sent a letter to the Conservative candidate for Harborough asking him to address my concerns about David Cameron’s comments and implications for our region. You can read the letter here.

Labour has today slammed an admission by Tory leader David Cameron that the government would play a smaller role in supporting the East Midlands under a Conservative government.

During an interview on Friday evening with the BBC’s Jeremy Paxman, the Tory leader claimed that investment in the regions was unsustainable and public spending was ‘far too big’ in the areas of the country that need the most support. But he refused to say exactly where the axe would fall.

Labour’s Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson, said:

“Last week, David Cameron said that the government had “run out of money” and that’s why we need a “big society”. In other words, the government’s out of it and “society” should make do without government by its side. His interview with Jeremy Paxman gave us a further glimpse of a Tory future. Those regions outside the south east would have to make do with less government support and investment.

“Let’s be clear what this means. Scrapping the business-led Regional Development Agencies that bring investment and jobs to the regions. Scrapping Labour’s innovation and venture capital funds working in the regions. Scaling back the regional skills programmes.

“David Cameron describes all this as “regional stuff” and says it needs to be swept away. So, it’s not just the North East that should beware, as Mr Cameron made clear in his Paxman interview.

“The Tories don’t believe in government support for the regions, just as they think DIY is the future for public services. This is not “big society”, it is a recipe for a divided, fragmented society, fine for those that are already doing well but very threatening for those who need government at their side”.

Commenting on the Tory leader’s admission Phil Hope, Labour’s Regional Minister for the East Midlands, said:

“David Cameron’s interview with Jeremy Paxman has really given us a rare glimpse of honesty from the Conservatives and has shown us just what David Cameron really thinks about the public services we all rely on here in the East Midlands.

”The interview gave us an admission that, if they win the election on 6 May, they would pull support from the East Midlands.

“This latest admission comes on top of the Tories commitment to scrap the help and support Labour has provided for local businesses and our economy through EMDA our Regional Development Agency.

“While Labour has guaranteed to protect frontline investment in our policing, schools, childcare and the NHS the Tories’ plans would damage these vital public services.

“Only by voting Labour can you ensure that the East Midlands isn’t forgotten when it comes to decisions taken in the coming years. The Tories would stand aside and abandon those areas of the country that need government support most.”

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