Labour Leader Coun. David Scott said his Group were ‘100% behind the project', in response to recent media coverage suggesting there is a lack of commitment coming from the council and political parties. But Coun. Scott said:

"I'm afraid I wasn't contacted for my view on this story but I can understand Jason McGill's frustrations at what seems like slow progress. There is a process to follow but what I'm more concerned about is the political will of the Tories and Lib Dems on this proposal. Everything that is coming out from them is couched in the language of dampening optimism and playing down hope.

"If they were fully behind the Community Stadium and truly believed it was deliverable then they would say so. But that has not been the case".

Labour's leisure spokesperson, Coun. Sonja Crisp, said there was much more than a single sports venue to consider. She commented:

"There are a whole range of possibilities with the proposal for a Community Stadium such as whether there is a swimming pool attached to the site, whether retail and housing form part of any major development masterplan. The University pool is going nowhere fast, while further swimming facilities are needed so the other parties looking at the stadium in isolation is extremely short-sighted.

"Labour is committed to the futures of both of our major football and rugby teams and that future is dependent upon a new stadium with income-generating activities beyond match days. That is why Labour has the will to make this happen, and we challenge the other parties to step up their own levels of commitment.

"If the Tories and Lib Dems are unable to show the degree of enthusiasm needed, then how on earth will businesses believe in investing in any future development site?"

Coun. Crisp added: "Having successful local sports teams is also important in fostering a strong local identity and pride in the city, beyond the obvious benefits to those that attend on match days so this debate should not be simply reduced to those that attend and those that don't".