A LEADING East Lancashire Liberal Democrat has signed a letter protesting over spending cuts.

David Foster, Lib Dem group leader and former deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said it had been ‘an easy decision’ to join 87 other councillors from across the country who are critical of the size, and speed, of the cuts being imposed on councils.

The letter to The Times yesterday comes in the week Blackburn with Darwen Council unveiled plans for £28million spending cuts, including 1,000 job losses.

The letter, also signed by Paul English, who stood against Jack Straw at the last General Election, said: “These cuts will have a massive impact on all council services – including care services – and cannot be done without cuts to the frontline services and making forced redundancies.”

Coun Foster has previously written a joint letter with Tory leader Mike Lee to Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles expressing concern about the cuts.