The new Liberal Democrat council in Norwich has accused the defeated Labour group of running a “dirty tricks campaign” in the run up to last week’s local government elections.
It claimed that Labour members tried to scare voters by using “misinformation” concerning proposals to sell off council homes and put up rents.

Labour councillors told voters that council homes would be transferred and rents put up by 25 per cent under a Liberal Democrat council, the party claimed.

Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Williams said stock transfer was the policy of the Labour government.

“The Liberal Democrats have never even considered this,” he said.

“All we want to do is get the best service and deal for our tenants.”

But Labour countered that the Liberal Democrats had indicated before the election that they would “hive off” Norwich’s 18,000 remaining council houses if they won.

“Now they say they are not going to sell the city’s council housing,” said deputy Labour leader Harry Watson.

“Under the Labour administration 25,000 properties were built in Norwich. Retaining the remaining 18,000 to provide affordable housing is a big part of our service to the city .”

Source

Housing Today