It’s about time Labour had a reality check here: The country is millions of pounds in debt and spiralling into an ever deeper hole.

When the coalition took over Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, they inspected the books and were extremely alarmed at the financial state of various essential services, all of which were frighteningly near the precipice of that hole.

Within weeks, we had quickly created a practical way of dealing with the fearful prospect of bankruptcy.

Consider this: If Shadsworth is seen as such a vital facility, why did Labour neglect the improvements desperately needed when they were in power?

Labour will now revert to their spend-spend-spend policy, securing the blindfold around this already-deprived and diverse area.

In doing so, they will find themselves hanging over that ever-nearing precipice.

The word ‘reality’ has never been in their dictionary of ‘buzz’ words and they need to turn around from that hole, face the facts, and not hide behind the word of ‘power’ to the detriment of Blackburn and Darwen.

Borrowing from Peter to pay Paul never works – there are too many Peters out there.

Coun Konrad Tapp Meadowhead Ward.