Sefton Conservatives Oppose Pontins Conversion into Prison Camp

Prisoners at Pontins? No Thanks, say Sefton Conservatives

Following suggestions by the Reform UK Justice Spokesperson, Anne Widdecombe, that disused holiday camps could be used to house prisoners, Sefton Conservatives are calling on Reform UK in Southport and Sefton Central to oppose this idea as the Pontins site at Ainsdale could be used for such a scheme.

Mike Prendergast, Conservative Group Leader on Sefton Council, said “The last thing the people of Southport, including Ainsdale, want is to see the currently disused Pontins site turned into some kind of prison camp.

It would be a disaster for the area and would go against everything that local businesses and residents have been trying to do to promote the area as a tourist destination. 

The proposal by Reform UK takes no account of the impact this would have on our area and shows a total lack of understanding of our local economy.

Locally, Reform UK need to distance themselves from this kind of nonsense that would be totally inappropriate for Ainsdale and Southport. Local politics is about listening to local people and engaging with local communities.”

Tony Brough, Conservative councillor for Ainsdale and Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group on Sefton Council, said “Ainsdale is a wonderful area to live and work and many local people are worried about what will happen to the Pontins site. 

What we absolutely don’t want is for it to be turned into some kind of prison camp and Reform UK in Southport and Ainsdale need to make it clear they oppose this idea.”