CITY STATUS FOR PRESTON

That this House notes with concern the recent comments of Preston Borough Council leader Peter Rankin, who said 'being a member of this authority has been, quite frankly, an embarrassment. This council is a laughing stock far and wide. And all this at a time when we have applied for city status, or should I say circus status'; and calls upon the Home Secretary to ignore the actions of Labour and Liberal councillors, who occasioned these damaging remarks, when considering the excellent case put forward by the people of Preston, assisted by their council officers, honourable Members and the Lancashire Evening Post for the town to be given city status.