Read on Twitter
Just in case you thought you had the measure of the Labour Party here in Bury, they’re currently sharing a screenshot of a cabinet minister visiting Bury to talk about protecting Gigg Lane as a community asset as an example of a “daily fail” https://twitter.com/BuryLabour/status/1388143174351208448
Thread time.
Welcome to my unending frustration of the past 18 months.
At any time, the Council could have stepped in and used their own funding on Gigg, as they have done with other property investments. They didn't. We first proposed this in 2019: https://twitter.com/jtahoyle/status/1171725301350567938
Welcome to my unending frustration of the past 18 months.
At any time, the Council could have stepped in and used their own funding on Gigg, as they have done with other property investments. They didn't. We first proposed this in 2019: https://twitter.com/jtahoyle/status/1171725301350567938
Then they had the opportunity to bid for up to £20m of funding in Bury North from the Levelling Up Fund.
Last time I heard, they'd bid for £10m for Bury Market and were leaving the other £10m on the table. This could have also been used for Gigg: https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/19254199.james-daly-bury-north-mp-bury-fc-much-part-footballing-heritage-big-six/
Last time I heard, they'd bid for £10m for Bury Market and were leaving the other £10m on the table. This could have also been used for Gigg: https://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/19254199.james-daly-bury-north-mp-bury-fc-much-part-footballing-heritage-big-six/
There's then the Community Ownership Fund announced in the Budget, which could *also* be used to buy Gigg Lane.
Our stance on that was even backed by Andy Burnham: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/tory-mps-community-ownership-bid-19958772
Our stance on that was even backed by Andy Burnham: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/tory-mps-community-ownership-bid-19958772
Gigg Lane's an incredibly sacred place to me. Bury FC is my first love. And I try to not mix politics and football.
But the fact of the matter is that so many people, myself included, have tried so very hard over the course of years now to get the Council to help.
Nothing.
But the fact of the matter is that so many people, myself included, have tried so very hard over the course of years now to get the Council to help.
Nothing.
And then you get a cabinet minister - whose department runs the Levelling Up Fund and the Community Ownership Fund! - to come and visit the site and get his backing. Rather than being welcomed, it's used as *an attack on the MP who arranged it*.
What on earth is going on?
What on earth is going on?
So yes, absolutely, this has become political. But it just shouldn't be. It's common sense policy that even Andy Burnham supports! I don't understand it one iota.
What I do know from hours upon hours of conversations is that @JamesDalyMP gets it. 100%. I don't say that lightly.
What I do know from hours upon hours of conversations is that @JamesDalyMP gets it. 100%. I don't say that lightly.
On Gigg Lane, I'm a Bury fan first. I always have been, and I always will be. But there comes a point where you have to stop hoping others will do the right thing and make a loud and passionate case for change.
We have the options here. We just need someone willing to use them.
We have the options here. We just need someone willing to use them.
