Labour Bosses Shouldn't Play Politics With Recycling - Rundle

9.43.37am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 23rd Jan 2007

David Rundle, Deputy Leader of the City Council, has written to the Mail on Labour's partisan response to improved recycling for Oxford:

"Oxford's recycling rate has been so poor for so long, the way that it is now changing may come as a shock.

The rate really is improving - thanks to the support of residents and the hard work of officers.

From a measly 19 per cent last year, the figure is already up to 27 per cent, with two thirds of the city yet to be included in the scheme.

The change is so big it's little short of a revolution.

Of course, that takes some getting used to, and residents have understandable worries.

But a revolution also brings the forces of reaction out of the woodwork and here they are, in the form of the two Johns - John Power and John Tanner. Both should know better.

Ex-Labour councillor John Power has decided he doesn't want a wheelie bin.

Not that he can't cope with it or that it won't fit in his garden - it's just that he doesn't want one.

He's not even giving recycling a chance. As a former Lord Mayor, he should be setting a better example.

Mr Tanner isn't so simple. I suspect that, deep down, he really wants to support the revolution, but he can't just stop himself sounding like he wants it to fail. His problem is that someone else is introducing it.

Most people might think that's a good thing - he's the man who vowed to fine anyone who didn't use a wheelie bin.

Perhaps he should go and visit his old mate, Mr Power.

Mr Tanner should put his ego to one side and start championing the revolution.

After all, he, of all people, should know that the forces of reaction end up on the rubbish heap of history.

DAVID RUNDLE (Councillor) Deputy Leader Liberal Democrats Oxford City Council"