Opposition MP Selwyn Figueras has declared that the Commonwealth car park electoral pledge was a “cynical and fraudulent electoral gimmick” which has now turned into a “U-turn” by the GSLP/Liberals.

In a statement the GSD notes the repeated assurances by the Chief Minister, in Parliament and outside it, that the Government will meet every single one of its manifesto commitments during the next four year term.

According to the Opposition these assurances are “hollow when at the same time the Government has cynically announced” that it will not be proceeding with one of the centrepieces of their manifesto – the underground car park at Commonwealth Parade.

 Mr Figueras said: “People will recall that this occupied nine A4 sides at the centre of the GSLP manifesto including a picture of a 4X4 vehicle entering the underground parking with the sign ‘Free Parking for Residents’.

“The reality was, as we repeatedly stated during the General Election, that a GSLP Government would see little change out of £50m if it chose to proceed with an underground car park at that location and it is inconceivable that this was not known to the GSLP at the time.

“Nonetheless, in what must rank as one of the most cynical and fraudulent manifesto commitments ever, they chose to plough ahead and make a promise they knew they would not keep.

He added: “Despite the Chief Minister’s assurances to the contrary, we believe this pattern will be repeated on other important commitments because it will simply not be possible, as they well know, to meet so many individually targeted promises to so many people. That is precisely why they have focused so much energy trying to deceive the electorate on the state of public finances.”