EXCLUSIVE

by Neil Millard

neil.millard@essnmedia.co.uk

Labour has been accused of dirty tricks in the run-up to tomorrow's (Thursday's) Waddon by-election.

As part of its campaign the party is claiming the Tory council has a secret plan to build an incinerator at its Factory Lane recycling site.

But the Tories have firmly denied the claim, and are accusing Labour of scare-mongering to boost its votes.

Labour leader Tony Newman is defiant in his claim, however, ahead of what could be a tight election.

"What I'm saying is the Tories need to stop lying and come clean," he said.

Tory Phil Thomas, who is the council's cabinet member for environment and highways, is outraged at Labour's allegation.

He said: "Basically what they are trying to do is frighten the electorate by scare-mongering and unfortunately a number of elderly people have rung us asking if this is true.

"They are desperate. We would not consider building an incinerator.

"As long as you have a Conservative council you won't have an incinerator in Croydon."

Croydon is a member of the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP) made up of Kingston, Merton and Sutton councils.

They team up on waste issues and Mr Newman claims an SLWP document indicates the Factory Lane site is being seriously considered for an incinerator.

Cllr Thomas, though, doubts the site is even big enough for an incinerator.

Green party spokesman Shasha Khan has backed the Tories in the row.

He said: "We are not for one minute defending the Conservative council's approach because they along with Merton, Sutton and Kingston councils may opt for an incinerator.

"But what Labour have done is taken a quote completely out of context in order to win last minute votes.

"It's disgraceful behaviour and those involved should be thoroughly ashamed. This form of politics is outdated and needs to come to an end."

However, in the run-up to the election the Tories have come under fire themselves over their tactics.

Last week they were accused of courting voters unfairly with a well-timed announcement of £7 million of funding being made available for a new Waddon swimming pool.

Some cynics question whether this is ever likely to come to fruition.