Cabinet meeting is last ditch publicity stunt - Woods

12.00.00am GMT Thu 18th Feb 2010

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Carol Woods has described today's Cabinet meeting in Durham as a "last-ditch publicity stunt" that was aimed more at improving Labour's election chances than improving the region.

Carol said, "I would welcome the Government visit if I thought it was anything other than a last ditch publicity stunt. It shows the contempt that New Labour has for local people when, having neglected this area for 13 years, they feel they can show up at the last minute and woo the voters. It's the political equivalent of buying a bunch of flowers from a garage forecourt when you've forgotten the wedding anniversary.

"Shockingly, this meeting is described as an opportunity to learn about the problems facing the North East. You have to ask why our Government is not already aware of the problems we face, not least because they are the cause of many of them.

"Our MP has, rather embarrassingly, talked of this meeting as "amazing and historic". I'm sure the people of Durham would be more amazed if this Government actually did something to solve the huge problems we have of rising unemployment and cuts to our police force.

"With just two months to go until the General Election, today's meeting amounts to little more than electioneering at the expense of the taxpayer, with no lasting benefit for Durham.

"By this evening, the ministers will all be on the train back home to London and the people of Durham will still be left picking up the pieces of this failed Labour Government."