Tories in Chester accuse Labour council of using red baubles for political propaganda
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Version 0 of 1. While Labour and Conservative politicians have been battling it out in Westminster over changes to tax credits, the parties have been clashing in Chester too. In one of the biggest political scandals to rock Cheshire West and Chester Council in weeks, a Conservative opposition Councillor has accused the Labour administration of deliberately using red baubles in the town centre Christmas decorations as an act of political propaganda. The colour red, synonymous with both socialism and Christmas, has been used in holiday festivities for too long, if you ask Tory group leader Councillor Mike Jones. Cllr Jones, who local media outlets have described as “avid tweeter”, is the leader of the Conservatives at the Northern council, who saw his party lose control of the authority in May this year. Taking to the social network this week, Cllr Jones seemed to suggest that the colour of choice for this year’s baubles in the city, which was the birthplace of Daniel Craig, was an attempt to politicise the holiday spirit. At first it seemed like a joke, some Tory Christmas spirit to lighten the mood. Except that Cllr Jones didn’t seem to think it was funny. “You wouldn’t think it was 1 with the level or arrogance they have displayed so far,” he wrote, is a less than light hearted tone. Fellow Tory councillor Jill Houlbrook soon got involved, assuming this was all “some kind of horrible joke?” to which Cllr Jones responded: “Not from what I have been told.” Reports have suggested that the combining red baubles with the city’s traditional white lights came with a price tag of £4,300. But the Labour controlled council was quick to dispel the rumours. “Following consultation with businesses and residents it become clear that whilst people thought the lights were beautiful and in keeping with Chester’s unique architecture, they wanted something that would make 2015 look different from 2014,” Councillor Brian Clarke told The Independent. “Adding the red baubles - a colour that is synonymous with Christmas - creates this difference but in a managed and cost effective way.” The Independent has reched out to Cllr Jones for a comment. |