Residents in Brigg have been left shocked after learning that the current Labour MP for Brigg and Goole voted in Parliament to support a new law which forces Councils to provide new sites for travellers. As a result of this new legislation, North Lincolnshire's Labour Council has proposed three new traveller sites on Station Road, Brigg.

Prospective MP Andrew Percy has slammed the proposals saying, "This location is totally unacceptable and I am working hard to fight Labour's proposals for three new sites in Brigg. Cllr Nigel Sherwood, myself and Cllr Carl Sherwood (pictured in Brigg) decided that we could not just let Labour slide these proposals through and as such we have started to deliver a leaflet to every house in Brigg informing local people of how they can object to these proposals. As usual, it has been left to the local Conservatives to get out there and tell local people what is going on.

"The site in question is totally inappropriate for this sort of development and we do question why Brigg has been chosen to house three new sites. Although the proposals come from the Labour Council, it is important to remember that they really have very little choice in this matter. Changes introduced by the Government in 2004, supported by our MP, actually require Councils to identify new sites.

"Instead of explaining his decision to support this new legislation, our current Labour MP apparently claims to oppose the proposed sites in Brigg! This is an insult to the intelligence of the residents of Brigg and, just like on Post Office closures, proves that our MP says one thing locally, but does something very differently when at Westminster. This sort of hypocrisy explains why so many people are cynical of politicians.

"Our Labour MP should apologise to the people of Brigg for supporting the very legislation that could result in three new traveller sites in the town at what is a totally inappropriate location.

"Residents at least know that the Conservatives will be honest on this issue and we will continue to oppose the proposal."

Prospective Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy is demanding assurances from our local Hospital Trusts following the release of figures showing that local hospitals have some of the highest call-out rates in the country for pest control.

Figures unearthed by the Conservatives have shown that between January 2006 and April 2008 - 

• The Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospital Trust had to call in pest control on 272 occasions, the 15th highest rate in the coutry.
• The Hull and East Yorkshire Hospital Trust had an even worse record with 898 call-outs, the second highest in England.

Andrew Percy comments. "Labour promised cleaner hospitals but have once again failed to provide the leadership needed to deliver this. Vermin and insects carry disease and spread infection and so we should all be very concerned about these figures.

Whilst I accept that not every infestation can be prevented, the huge disparity nationally clearly shows that some Trusts have a better handle on this than others. Some of the examples found nationally are truly shocking including, maggots in a patients slippers, fleas in a neo-natal unit and store for sterile materials infested with mice!

Hospital Trusts are so burdened with targets that you have to wonder whether they have the time to actually sit down and get the basics right."