MP responds to criticism from former Labour colleague over Croft gypsy traveller transit site

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WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols has responded to criticism from a former Labour colleague over proposals for a gypsy traveller transit site at Croft.

Independent Councillor Neil Johnson, who quit the Labour Party over the issue, challenged the Warrington North MP Charlotte to get on board with his campaign to put paid to the proposed gypsy/traveller transit site at the former Kenyon Lane Nurseries site, calling on her to either “stand up or ship out”.

Cllr Johnson, who is now an independent Cllr on both the borough and parish councils, said: “We have heard nothing from our MP since the Council’s secret plan for a gypsy/traveller transit site was revealed. Where is she? She has not been to Culcheth or Croft. She has not spoken face-to-face with a single member of our community.

“She has replied to some residents with an email claiming to have had a conversation with the local authority, telling them that the purchase of the site is no longer going ahead. She has either been lied to, or she is lying. Some people received this email very soon after the Cabinet voted to continue with their plans to buy the land! For the MP to be sending emails telling people the exact opposite is just ridiculous.
“I am now issuing a public invitation via Warrington Worldwide for her to join my campaign. I invite her to meet with myself and local residents on Kenyon Lane and stand publicly in opposition to the transit site proposed by Labour councillors.

“Charlotte Nichols has told people that she is not directly responsible for planning. This is true, but there is no planning application yet. Other MPs have opposed transit sites when they have been suggested for unsuitable locations. She can do the same.
“So Charlotte, will you accept my invitation? Let’s see once and for all which side you are on. You have my email address. Please make contact and let’s work together to stop this ill-considered plan on behalf of all the residents of Culcheth, Glazebury and Croft.
“If I do not hear from her within a week, I will assume that she has rejected my offer and I will report back to residents and Warrington Worldwide readers.
“On something as important as this, our MP cannot be allowed to go into hiding. Instead of posing for photos at beer bottling plants, or chairing committees about video games, it’s time to show that you stand four-square with the community. If you can’t do that, then you should make way for someone who can. It’s time for Charlotte to stand up or ship out.”

In response, Ms Nichols said: “Residents have raised concerns with me about a potential traveller transit site near Kenyon Lane in Croft.
“These are sensitive matters for the community. The Council must be comprehensive and inclusive during the decision-making process.
“I remain in conversation with Warrington Borough Council regarding these specific proposals, and in more general terms on the wider issues caused by a lack of appropriate transit facilities in Warrington.”


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10 Comments

  1. Some of us remember having a real MP, when Helen jones was happy to stand up agaibst council failures,because council tax us one of the biggest bilks we all pay. So clearly MP remit in standing up for us,

    Nichols is not an MP for Warrington. She is the parliamentary wing of GMB and member of spongers and lockdown breakers anonymous, It’s a pity the police were too late to prosecute her for election fraud as they intended,

    She is quite happy to wreck the lives of constituents who have to work, to allow her family to paralyse warrington striking for even more unjustified pay rises. Does she know or care that rail employment is an overpaid benefit scheme paid mostly by the taxpayer she has such contempt for?

    She knows nothing whatsoever or business, yet uses that excuse to jet round the world .

    It is her 3 times fair return pension that should be means tested as she votes to beggar pensioners who actually paid for theirs, unlike her.

    • You are so right about Helen Jones. She was not afraid to call out the local Labour council on matters that adversely affected her constituents, whatever their political inclinations.

    • Well said, totally agree. She should never have been allowed to helicopter in here. She doesn’t care about a town she had never, even heard of before she got elected. Shame on the Labour voters of this town.

  2. Johnson is a liar, and an ignorant nimby, patently doesn’t like travellers and should stand down as he wasn’t elected as an independent.

    Maybe the “journalists” should actually ask him some searching questions as opposed to copying and pasting emails or social media posts.

    Johnson lives nearly 3 miles away from the proposed site, he’s happy to crap on the whole town and should this not go ahead should be held responsible for any future clean up costs of traveller sites. He won’t because his morals are self serving.

    • Nobody likes travellers. They are disrespectful, dirty and given more rights than law abiding citizens who have the misfortune of them rolling up on the nearest car park they fancy. Do you really think that they are going to just visit said traveller site and leave the rest of Warrington alone?

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