Labour leaders have expressed their sadness that at the Borough Council meeting on Tuesday the LibDems voted against Reading making another bid for city status, a proposal from Labour Leader Jo Lovelock designed to improve Reading’s standing, help attract inward investment, and bring more jobs to the town.

She has already had letters of support from a number of local businesses and is expecting to get sponsorship for the bid, so there will not be use of Council taxpayers’ money. 

Labour candidate for Reading East, Anneliese Dodds, says: "Reading deserves representatives, both at local and national level, who are prepared to speak up for the town.

I am fed up with politicians who run our town down and are constantly negative about it.

Here we have yet another example, with the Lib Dem council group (including two parliamentary candidates) apparently unable to support a move which would recognise Reading's crucial strategic economic role in the Thames Valley, and support inward investment.”

And Labour candidate for Reading West, Naz Sarkar, added: “It is one of the roles of a local MP to back campaigns that will boost their community, and I am shocked that the new LibDem candidate for Reading West spoke and voted against making the bid.   

She obviously can’t rise above petty politics and put the interests of the town first.”