David Morris has launched a broadside attack on Labour’s ‘Seaside Resort’ MPs as the Government announced a £10 million cut to tourism funding.

Mr Morris, the Conservative’s choice for Parliament, questioned the accountability and credibility of Labour’s coastal resort MPs, accusing their Government of hypocrisy, double standards and spin.

In a recent Westminster Hall debate about economic regeneration, the calls from both Morecambe and Blackpool’s Labour MPs for more investment in tourism and infrastructure in coastal towns to attract business, were recorded.

However, within a week, the Labour Minister for Culture Media and Sport, James Purnell MP, announced that funding for VisitBritain would be cut by £10 million by 2010-2011 - from £55.1 million to just £45.8 million.

Davd Morris, who in previous elections was the Parliamentary Candidate in Blackpool and Tenby, said “I’ve heard lip service from Labour’s seaside MPs towards tourism for the better part of this decade. I have read their rehashed diatribe with no results other than job losses and further decline year on year”.

“This is a body blow to every hotel and guest house owner and an affront to the local economy here in Morecambe. By cutting this funding it cripples the entrepreneurial skills of our local tourism operators.”

Mr Morris, who has spoken with authority at a recent Conservative coastal resort initiative panel, believes that entrepreneurs should be aided in business by local Politicians. Government should not impede their endeavours and a proactive stance for local tourism with results must be adopted by the elected representatives to make a change.

David Morris the Tory Parliamentary Spokesman visited Carnforth Railway Station to see for himself the missed opportunity of re-establishing a west coast main line link to Carnforth Station.

David gained the views and opinions of the Carnforth Railway Trust members who are perplexed to the reasons why this has not happened as a matter of course.

David said, “Tourism plays a significant role in the local and district economy and it defies belief that Carnforth, having the heritage and status as a major national rail junction linking north, south and the east that this key strategic station has not been re established on the west coast rail line.

“I am led to understand that the mainline train stops in Carnforth for 20 minutes in the morning and the evening, so why can’t it accept and drop off passengers?”

David acknowledged the dedication and hard work of the Carnforth Railway Trust in recreating and maintaining the station. He pledged his total support in making their dream of Carnforth becoming a mainline station a reality, should he become the area’s next Member of Parliament.

David added: “I have written to the Chief Executive of Virgin trains requesting a meeting and a feasibility study into this proposal and I have informed the Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Theresa Villiers MP who is looking into this matter.”

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This news item was originally dated the 7th of September 2007 but was added to our website on the date shown above.