On 26 January, Labour’s Cabinet approved its “A Westminster Welcome” Sanctuary Strategy and action plan to support its bid to become a “Council of Sanctuary.” Cllr Paul Swaddle, Leader of the Conservative Group at Westminster City Council, responded:

Westminster is a compassionate city, but Labour-led Westminster Council are more interested in rhetoric and headlines than the priorities of local people. Their ‘Council of Sanctuary’ strategy, signed off by Labour’s Cabinet, is just another example of a Labour council that is out of touch and prefers virtue signalling to delivering for residents.

At a time when Westminster needs leadership, Labour have failed to deliver. Crime is rising, public realm standards are declining, and millions have been wasted on failed housing contractors and Labour cabinet members’ eye watering, self-awarded pay increases. 

All while the people of Westminster are being asked to pay the price through projected council tax rises of up to 75% over the next four years. 

Westminster Labour must stop grandstanding, get a grip on their managed decline and start governing.

Westminster needs a council that listens. Westminster Conservatives are focused on building a plan that focuses on the day-to-day priorities that local people care about: cracking down on crime, cleaning up our city, restoring value for money, and delivering action instead of rhetoric. 

On 7 May, local people have a choice: more Labour failure and virtue signalling, or a Conservative administration that listens and delivers safe streets, a clean city and real action for Westminster residents.