LABOUR’S support for York’s new Community Stadium has always been based on securing facilities for community use. The Conservatives oppose the plans and the Liberal Democrats failed to deliver during their eight years in council control.

York has been talking about this project for more than ten years. It was in 2002 that former Conservative Councillor Douglas Craig, as chairman of York City Football Club, said the club would have to move after selling out the club and supporters.

In July 2003, the Liberal Democrats, who at the time ran the council, pledged a move to Huntington. Despite their 2007 local election manifesto saying they would deliver a new stadium by May 2011, the Liberal Democrats did little.

This led to The Press headline “Professional sport in York facing oblivion” a month before I was elected as leader of the Labour opposition in April 2010.

Before the 2011 local elections, Labour promised to deliver a community stadium.

Since winning that election we have in our short time in control received outline planning permission, secured funding and have now appointed the winning bidder to build and run the stadium (York community stadium plan unveiled — building to start next spring, 27 August).

I’m proud Labour is delivering a new community stadium — which now also includes a swimming pool to replace Waterworld — fit for the 21st century. Labour is managing to do what Liberal Democrats couldn’t and Conservatives wouldn’t.

Councillor James Alexander, Labour Leader, City of York Council.