Cllr Iain Lindley's Diary

I actually managed to cram in two shadow cabinet ministerial visits yesterday. Before dashing off to Manchester to meet George Osborne, I was delighted that we had the chance to welcome Chris Grayling MP, the Shadow Work & Pensions Secretary, to Salford.

This is Chris’s second shadow ministerial visit to Salford in as many years - we showed him around the Lowry and Salford Quays when he was Shadow Transport Secretary - and due to his local connections he has an excellent knowledge of Salford and the surrounding area.

Chris met with Council officers as part of a fact-finding tour for his work and pensions brief, but he was also kind enough to take the time to discuss local issues with Conservative Councillors.

Chris’s visit is the latest in a series of Shadow Ministerial visits to Salford since the New Year. Personally I am delighted that the Conservative Party in Westminster is showing such an interest in the views of local residents here in Salford – a marked contrast to the ignorance and indifference shown by Labour Ministers to communities across the City.