Over the last few days, I have been calling on people on their doorsteps to discuss the
elections.
Obviously, a major topic is the
shameful situation regarding MP's expenses. Like most people I believe that
this has now got out of hand. Whether we believe that MPs are not paid
enough and need to supplement their income from cheating expense, or whether
we think that this be a valid way of ensuring that our representatives
should be allowed to claim ever last penny they can from our taxes, this has
now been seen to be A BAD THING.
You and I are not allowed to
do this, and indeed we wouldn't be so casual, crass or inept as to try to
justify such cheating. One gentleman on the doorstep yesterday summed up his
feelings. The normal man in the street, currently facing hard times because
of the current economic climate, would immediately be sacked from their job
(if it still existed) and might even be faced with prosecution if they tried
to defraud their employers in such a way. Why should the "honourable
gentlemen" be allowed to to do it? And why should they be allowed to get
away with it by simply saying "sorry"?
SORRY is not good enough.
However, I'm delighted to
report that on the doorsteps of my division the people who matter have not
been taken into the trap of thinking that every politician should be tarred
with that brush. Whilst one or two have taken the opportunity to discuss
this with me, a greater number have reflected on the work I have done over
the last four years (and before when it comes to schools) and have assured
me that they know I don't have a second residence in Stafford, and that I
don't get any of the expenses that MPs do! - Nor should I!
On my part, I have been able
to reassure them that we are fighting to keep the Council Tax down. I have
been able to point to this year's budget where we "embarrassed" the Labour
Party into holding down the tax increase to 2.45%, and our pledge to HOLD it
to a maximum 2% from now, if we gain power at the County. I have been able
to point to my ability to make grants from my LMIS for the last four years,
and to talk about the future when we will make more money available locally.
I have been able to agree
that the roads need attention and to point to our manifesto pledge which
will spend £30million on fixing (not patching) the roads, roads in Anslow,
roads in Rolleston, roads in Draycott, roads in many rural division where
the Labour leadership has ignored the problems and blamed "lack of money". I
have also been able to point to things like "no right turn in Union Street",
like "no left turn" into Horninglow Road" and other farces where I have
fought the Labour County Councillor publicly in the Burton Mail and on Radio
Derby.
I have taken the opportunity
to point out that I have policies for action at the County and that neither
UKIP nor Lib-Dem have and that even if they made some up, they wouldn't have
any chance of putting them into action because they won't win the power at
County.
Remember when casting your vote -
A vote for UKIP is a vote for Labour
UKIP have no local policies - their party exists only to remove the UK from Europe at national level.
So voting or them locally is complete waste of a vote.
A vote for Lib-Dem is a vote for Labour
The Liberal Democrats currently have only 2 seats at county - and for the last four years they've wasted them.
A vote for Labour is a vote for NO CHANGE
Only the Conservatives have the chance (with your help) to make a difference by gaining control at County Hall.
Log on to our Staffordshire Conservatives website to read our manifesto.
Click here to proceed to the rest of the site.
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