Campaigning alongside Labour's excellent candidates in the local elections I have heard many concerns from local people. They are worried about jobs - with nine people now chasing every job vacancy in Salford. They are fearful about Government cuts, pay freezes and increased VAT. They are angry that young people are losing opportunities because the Conservative-led Government has axed Education Maintenance Allowance and the Future Jobs Fund.
 
The local election results show that these fears are shared by voters across England. Voters are turning to Labour and we gained over eight hundred council seats and won control of over 25 more councils. These results show that people do not support the reckless Conservative policies being supported by the Liberal Democrats. In the general election, people did not vote for changes to the NHS or for swingeing cuts to the budgets of our councils - cuts that will damage the services that our communities need.
 
Labour gained five seats in Salford, sending a powerful message to both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. People fear that the cuts in police budgets and £45 million budget cuts forced onto the council will mean reduced services and lost jobs. People in Salford have shown they do not agree with the cuts the Government have made.
 
Labour in Salford is preserving valued services. Labour-run Salford is now one of only 15% of councils that provide care services for people with moderate needs as well as those with substantial and critical needs. Salford’s Labour Council cares about people and the services that they need.
 
Liberal Democrats and Conservatives in Government should see these results as a wake-up call. They should stop the irresponsible changes to the NHS, give the Police the resources they need to fight crime and scale back the cuts they have forced onto councils.