DO we realise what is going on in our community? Here is a cross section taken from a news paper I read.

The NHS and care for the elderly is in crisis, school budgets to be cut; 3.7 million kids in the UK living in poverty.

Cuts in police funding with 20,000 fewer bobbies and pressures forcing resignations. Prisons bursting at the seams and mental health issues rocketing.

Ordinary workers’ wages stagnating and many small businesses facing rate rises.

At the full Cheshire West and Chester Council budget meeting the Labour-controlled council pushed through next year’s budget but not before defeating alternative Conservative proposals.

Remember the PM trumpeting her intention to tackle inequality, increase social mobility and to improve the lot for all those hard working families who are just about managing?

The CWAC Conservative councillors tabled half a dozen budget amendments to reduce the budget by approximately £3 million.

These included not implementing the local living wage to council workers and pegging the lowest rate at £7.50 an hour.

So there you have it, the Conservative mantra in a nutshell; live on £7.50 an hour, take or leave it.

And where are the Conservatives?

17 points ahead in the opinion polls.

Wake up.

Cllr Sam Naylor Northwich