Welcome to Blackburn Labour Party’s website. Here you can find out more about Jack Straw’s re-election campaign, and information on our local election campaign. Why not check out our blog, and tell us what your priorities are.

Tories reject Labour Highways investment plans

Blackburn’s Conservative led coalition has rejected Labour’s proposals to put extra investment in the borough’s highways to tackle worsening road surfaces.   Many residents have complained that Blackburn and Darwen’s roads are in the worst condition they have been for years after the icy conditions were aggravated by the Council’s failure to stock up on grit early enough.

At this week’s annual council finance meeting Labour’s Dave Harling proposed spending £750,000 extra on emergency highway work from the Council’s swollen reserves.  He was opposed by Tory Finance Chief Colin Rigby and the Conservative/Lib Dem group which appears to be stock piling money for a ‘rainy day’.

As you can see we’ve been out photographing some examples around Blackburn. Check out our other pothole photographs on Flickr and let us know if you have seen worse (we’re sure you will have)!

Lively discussions at open-air meeting in Blackburn town centre on February 13th

There was a large crowd gathered on King William Street at the weekend as Jack Straw returned for his regular open-air question and answer session.

Why not read Jack’s blog?

Labour victory in Queen’s Park

The Labour party scored a fantastic victory in the 4th February Queen’s Park by-election, polling over 50% of the total vote.  Conservatives had high hopes in this by-election but finished in a poor third place with just 174 votes.

The by-election was caused by the long term absence of former Liberal Democrat Councillor, Yusuf Sidat and the public voted with their feet and rejected the Lib Dem candidate emphatically.

There was a great cheer in the Town Hall from Labour supporters when the result was announced and Conservative Party leader, Michael Lee looked particulary disappointed.

The result was as follows:-

Mustafa Desai (Labour Party) – 638
Imtiaz Patel (Liberal Democrat) – 366
Asghar Ali (Conservatives) – 174
Turnout – 29%

Labour to stick to weekly bin collections

Blackburn with Darwen Labour group has reaffirmed its pledge to maintain the weekly bin collection scheme should the party regain control of the council in May’s local elections. In addition to this the Labour group has criticised the Tory led coalition for its cuts to the refuse collection service and the number of street sweepers. Over the last few weeks we have seen bins left uncollected and overflowing in the back streets of the town. Labour’s regeneration spokesman Cllr Andy Kay said, “The borough was never in such a state when Labour ran the council. It has become clear that the cuts made by the coalition have put too much pressure on the refuse teams.”