By Councillor David Simpson, Merton Council (Conservative, Hillside ward)
I find it quite extraordinary that it has taken Labour two years to announce a cleaner streets and anti-chewing gum policy.
When the Conservatives ran Merton Council, as the cabinet member for the environment I put money into an extended campaign to clean up our streets and regularly had the enforcement team out in high visibility jackets firstly warning people and then issuing on the spot fines the following week.
Sadly Labour didn’t continue where we left off after the 2010 election.
The consequence is there for all to see: dirtier streets and more complaints from residents.
Labour's policy is nothing new but it is nevertheless welcome news that they have at last seen the sense of picking up a previous Conservative policy.
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