We challenge Barnet’s three Conservative MPs publicly to oppose Conservative Barnet Borough Council’s scheme to dismantle the borough’s library service through their draconian cuts package, with closures, sell-offs and reductions in size.

These damaging plans strike at the heart of our communities across our borough. The Conservative council’s bogus libraries consultation offers a ‘choice’ only between one cuts package and another. It does not give the one option, which residents have told us they overwhelmingly want to see, to leave the library service alone.

We have heard many comments from residents, such as: “Coming to the library as a family is the highlight of our week”, and “I access the internet for research and job applications here; if my library closes where else will I go?”

Will Barnet’s Conservative MPs join us in campaigning against these cuts to such vital and valued local public services, given that their votes in parliament have taken the axe to local government funding? And what is the future for libraries under George Osborne’s plans to reduce local government spending by 41 per cent by 2020? If Barnet’s Conservative MPs do not support local people, but instead support the destruction of Barnet’s library service through their inaction and silence, then residents will draw their own conclusions at the general election next May as to who stands up for them and who ignores their wishes.

Andrew Dismore (London Assembly Member and Labour Candidate for Hendon), Sarah Sackman (Labour candidate for Finchley and Golders Green) and Cllr Amy Trevethan (Labour candidate for Chipping Barnet)