Tory MP says localism agenda is ‘in tatters’

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

It’s not unusual to hear Labour MPs describe elements of the government’s policy agenda as “in tatters”, yet it’s all very unusual to hear that sort of criticism coming from a Tory MP. That’s how Louise Bagshawe describe the government’s localism agenda today after it was confirmed that a nuclear waste disposal site will be placed in her constituency. Speaking to Radio 4, Bagshawe said:

“I see this as a pre-planned decision by government and I’m afraid it makes me believe there is nothing that local campaigners could have done to have changed the minds in advance.”

She then went on to say:

“It has been established that nuclear waste can be disposed anywhere in the country that the developer sees fit to throw up a site…this leaves the government’s localism agenda in tatters.”

No doubt Bagshawe’s concerns are linked to the size of her majority (which is less than 2,000) but nonetheless this is a remarkable attack on her own government, and another example of the rebellious nature of the 2010 intake.