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  Letter to the press - Stagecoach bus timetables consultation.
  
  Dear Editor,
  Mr Elphicke’s comments on the axing of some village bus services reached even higher heights of hypocrisy than usual. He, and his KCC Councillor colleague Nigel Collor, wring their hands at the ‘appalling, inexcusable and unjustifiable’ reductions, yet make no mention of the reasons why the cuts are being imposed by Stagecoach.
  
  The cuts in services are caused by the direct actions of Conservative policies in Westminster. Every year they have cut the budgets of KCC. KCC have to pass these cuts on in the form of reductions in services.
  
  The subsidy to loss-making rural bus services this year has been reduced by 13%. Mr Elphicke is right about one thing. The 2 week consultation period is a joke. Call me a cynic but it was never intended to be serious. My guess is the new timetables are already printed.
  
  The Labour Party, led by Mr Corbyn, has been saying for years that austerity politics do not work, and cuts have consequences. Mr Elphicke wants strong borders but cuts the Border Force; Mr Elphicke wants us to feel safe and secure but cuts the Police Force; Mr Elphiche wants rural bus services to continue but cuts the subsidy.
  
  The public are starting to see through this facade of puffery. If Mr Elphicke had an ounce of honesty he would admit that it is time to rethink his ‘cuts have no effects’ party line.
  
  Privatisation has not worked so it is time to take back into public ownership services like public transport. The public want it and Labour will do it.
  
  The choice is clear. If you want good public services chose a Party that values and funds them - Labour.
  
  Simon Bannister
  Labour Councillor for Buckland

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