Further proof, if needed, that the Lib Dems are a collection of free-spending socialist nutjobs.
In the depths of the worst recession in post war times, the Lib Dem controlled London Borough of Sutton have pushed through the building of a 'Life Centre' to teach kids the fundamentals of righteousness.
Cost? £8.5m, a mere 10% of council tax receipts.
Highlights of this 'Signature Project' to accord with the 'Vision' that councillors have are:
- An "experiental" eco-garden and citizen zone
- Warnings on safety and alcohol
- The principles and benefits of recycling
- A visual depiction of a "rapidly growing landfill site"
- To highlight the hidden dangers of social networking sites
- A TV presenter explaining domestic hazards as the TV appears to burst into flames
Yes, it's the world's first nannying theme park.
No consultations were held for local residents, and when opposition councillors attempted debate, they were denied information until 20 minutes before the meeting that approved the project. In fact, the builders had already been commissioned before the meeting that was to approve their being employed and contracts already signed. A no vote would have incurred financial penalties for delay of the building work which was to begin the next morning.
Local democracy in action, eh?
It may not surprise you to learn that as well as spunking £8.5m up the wall for a project that requires, just to break even, all kids within an hour's drive to turn up every year for the next decade, Sutton council also lost £5.5m in Icelandic banks, and spend £600k per annum on spin doctors.
Still, it's something new, isn't it?
Not really, as a local councillor explains on his blog.
Yes, but we'll be getting spanking new community facilities won't we? - Undoubtedly; a new library that is smaller than the one that it is replacing, youth facilities to replace the youth club that was flattened to make way for the centre, a climbing wall that is more expensive that privately-run "Craggy Island" at Oaks Park and the multimedia area to teach citizenship at three times the price of the existing facilities at nearby Sutton Junior Tennis Centre. Even Vince Cable has been to Sutton to tell us that we are in the middle of the worst recession since Sean Connery found a few hairs on his pillow. However, we seem to be splashing out residents' cash whilst they are cutting back for fear of losing their jobs.
Sutton's Lib Dem councillors seem to be blissfully unaware of a recession. As long as the righteous Gods of environment, healthism, safety, and politically correct terminology are assuaged, who gives a fuck about taxpayers' cash?
After all, there's an endless supply of that, whatever the state of the economy.
