Local Government Finance

David Rutley Excerpts

Monday 13th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Pickles]

The hon. Gentleman says, “Oh it’s the banks”. Big Government, with unsustained borrowing, got us into the mess. Labour Members must take their fair share of guilt and blame for that.

[David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con)]

In Macclesfield, we are fortunate to have the wonderful Bollington leisure centre, which is run by the community for the community. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that success story clearly shows what local communities will be able to do under the powers of the Localism Bill?

[Mr Pickles]

My hon. Friend clearly shows what localism can do, and the Localism Bill will ensure that more communities can do that. He will have noticed the scoffing on the Labour Benches about ordinary people banding together to protect a community facility. We have to emphasise that it does not have to be owned by the state to be used by the community. My hon. Friend clearly demonstrates the future; Labour Members demonstrate the past.