All,

The poll says:

Conservatives 40% (down 3%)
Liberal Democrats 25% (up 4%)
Labour 22% (down 4%)

(if there were a General Election).

The Telegraph goes on to say:

Nick Clegg’s party has emerged relatively well from the MPs’ expenses scandal.

The latest poll will worry local Conservatives who have seen support slipping away over the MPs’ expenses scandal in recent weeks.

Regards,

Philip

All,

I promise to mention the fact that there’s an election coming up on June 4th soon, but in yet another bid to have a blog which mentions more interesting things, I simply reprint a press release from the excellent Transition Shipston group - which will also appear in next month’s Forum.

Regards,

Philip

“The first public meeting of Transition Shipston and the Surrounding Area which was attended by around 30 people discussed how we can make the town and surrounding villages more self-reliant so that the community can become more resilient in the face of future food and energy “shocks”.

Of major interest to the meeting was increasing the amount of food produced locally.

One suggestion was to start a Community Supported Agriculture scheme similar to Canalside near Leamington where a farmer has rented out 7 acres of his land to members of the local community who all take part in the growing and share the produce. Other ideas included community gardens / orchards and a School Farm.

Re-invigorating the local economy is a primary aim of Transition Town initiatives in other parts of the country. Supermarkets it was suggested were a threat to the continuing health of local shops. The meeting heard that some towns have issued local currencies to encourage local shopping.

The meeting discussed ways of reducing energy consumption by encouraging more energy efficiency in the home and it was suggested that local energy advisers are needed. Schools are able to get grants for sustainable energy such as solar panels and wind generators to cut down on their fuel bills.”

The Transition group is now looking for land or unused gardens that can be used for community food growing and sharing. If you have land or know of suitable land contact: transitionshipston@googlemail.com or phone 07973 846605. 

Web: http://transitionshipston.blogspot.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=104035097941

All,

Today Nick Clegg today set out a plan to restore trust in the political process by putting power back in to the hands of the people.

The plan sets out radical reforms which can be achieved within 100 days including the ability for constituents to sack their MPs, overhauling MPs’ expenses, abolishing the House of Lords and electoral reform.

Nick Clegg said that Parliament should not break for its summer recess until the constitutional crisis is resolved.

Nick said:

“The expenses scandal is only the tip of the iceberg. Our whole political system is broken and in need of radical reform to give power back to people and make Britain fairer.

“This opportunity to create a different kind of politics must be seized before momentum is lost.

“MPs should be stopped from leaving for their summer holidays until this crisis has been sorted out, and every nook and cranny of our political system reformed.”

The plan ‘100 Days to Save Democracy: Changing Politics for Good’ can be downloaded here.

If you want to see a real change in British politics, sign the petition at www.takebackpower.org.

Regards,

Philip

All,

At the Town Council meeting tonight Alan Noyce was re-elected Mayor and Simon Welch his Deputy. As one of the three candidates in the Deputy Mayor election may I be the first person to say that the best candidate won. As Alan’s proposer for Mayor, his experience will be much needed over the next year.

Regards,

Philip

All,

I get regular questions asking what Liberal Democrat policy is. I’ve uploaded a handy pocket guide to Lib Dem policy here, so click on the link for a good read!

Regards,

Philip

All,

If you hurry you can make the Town Crier competition at 2pm!

Regards,

Philip

All,

Just a quick reminder - the Wool Fair is on tomorrow between 10am and 4:30pm. Many of the shops have got their displays sorted, and I’ve just seen that the Town Square has been shut to traffic (so aim for the Telegraph Street car park if you’re out tonight!).

I’m looking forward to the Town Crier competition……

Regards,

Philip

All,

The County Council has published the list of all councillors and the allowences and expences they received last year.

Shockingly, it shows that the current Conservative County Councillor for Shipston is the third highest recipient of our council tax money - £26,104.04!

I believe strongly that at a time of economic hardship for many in our current economic climate, and with recent rises in council tax, that this level of payment is obscene.  He has even received an additional £5,699 from the District Council in allowances as he also a District Councillor!

If elected on June 4th, I promise that I will publish all of my expenses claims here and in Focus.

Liberal Democrats have recently proposed savings in allowances and expenses for District and County Councillors.  On the District Council, Liberal Democrats proposed moves that intended to restrict the level of earnings of councillors who sit on outside bodies and also reduce the mileage rates paid.  This was opposed by the Conservatives.

It is time that Conservatives started recognising the realities of both public service and the economic situation.

Regards,

Philip

The full list of District Council expenses can be seen here.  County Council allowances can be seen here.

All,

Jerry Roodhouse, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on the County Council, has been provided with the recent expense claims by councillors, by Party:

I think the figures speak for themselves, but I’ll return to the thorny subject of what councillors can get from our council tax tomorrow.

Regards,

Philip

All,

Those of you who haven’t yet seen my first election leaflet can find it in the Focus archive.

Sorry that the newspaper isn’t yet up - the file’s a little too large for my server. I’ll try and sort it out soon. If you’d like to help with delivering the Liberal Democrat election material, please get in touch!

Regards,

Philip

All,

A service for Angela Noyce will take place on Tuesday at St. Edmunds at 11:45am. I understand that there are to be no flowers, but donations to a charity.

Regards,

Philip

All,

Sorry if you’ve not seen me out and about as much over the past week, and the lack of updates on this site. I have not personally been campaigning following the recent sad event, and will not be restarting until Wednesday. I can still be contacted using the usual means.

Regards,

Philip

All,

As many of you will know by now Angela passed away on Saturday morning. The entire Town Council and all that knew her are saddened by her passing, and we will miss her energy and commitment to the Town.

On a personal note, I looked up to Angela as a role model for how a councillor should be, and I hope that I will bear her example in mind both on the Council and in life. My thoughts are with her husband and family at this time.

Philip

All,

Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has been having a series of meetings with members of the public around the country for some time. Perhaps uniquely he does not know who’ll actually turn up or what the questions will be in advance.

Liberal Democrats want to answer real questions from real people, and although I can’t really go to Nick’s lengths - please feel free to contact me using my details on the right.

If you’d like to see a video, please click below.

Regards,

Philip

All,

I’ve uploaded a copy of the Liberal Democrat Economic Recovery Plan here. Unlike this discredited Labour Government, and the Conservatives who have no clear policies on what they would do with the British economy, Vince Cable has led the way during this recession. Our policies are clear, costed and supported by many independent observers - please read them if you’d like to know what our commitments are.

Summary of the Plan

1. Massive investment programme to create jobs and help the environment
2. Cut taxes for struggling families so they have more money in their pockets
3. Keep people in their homes, so they don’t need to fear unfair repossessions
4. Lower energy bills so people can afford to heat their homes
5. Action to help people who lose their jobs or have debt problems
6. Ensure government-owned banks are run in the public interest to help keep businesses afloat
7. Reform banking and the City so this can never happen again
8. Action to deliver future economic stability
9. International action to reinvigorate global trade
10. New priorities for Government – cut waste and invest in education and families

Regards,

Philip

All,

Lib Dem campaigners are keeping up the pressure on Gordon Brown to do the right thing for the Gurkhas. For many years, Brown and the Labour Government have treated retired Gurkha soldiers in a dreadful fashion. Some Gurkhas have even been deported by the Government they served.

Following the successful Lib Dem vote in Parliament, Mr Brown should, at last, allow retired Gurkha soldiers to remain in the UK.

Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg said, “The Lib Dems are proud to have backed the Gurkhas in their campaign.” “If someone is willing to die for our country, they should be allowed to live in our country.” “Gordon Brown must now abide by the will of Parliament and treat Gurkhas with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

If you want to support the Liberal Democrat campaign, click on this link.

Regards,

Philip

All,

More publicity for non political things - Transition Shipston now have a facebook group. Members of facebook can see it here, and all are welcome to join.

It’s a bit empty at the moment, but more information will be there soon.

Regards,

Philip

All,

The Liberal Democrats have a clear and concise manifesto for these elections which can be read here.

If you would like to talk to me about our policies, or what we want for the Shipston area, including villages such as Brailes, Long Compton and Stretton, then please contact me at any time.

My mobile number is 07595 362637.

Regards,

Philip

All,

Just as a bit of advertising for a good cause:

I’ll be there, hope to see as many of you as possible.

Philip

All,

I’ve been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Shipston Division of the County Council on Thursday June 4th.

Many of you will know me from my time on the Town Council, and from the regular Focus leaflets we deliver in Shipston itself. Those in the villages such as Brailes, Long Compton and Stretton that help to make up the Division will have seen our recent special Focus, detailing Liberal Democrat policies and how our councils under Conservative rule have let us down.

I’ll be updating this site every couple of days between now and the election, so please visit regularly to see what I’m standing for, and to read what I’ve had to say in the past.

If you want to contact me, you can do so using the link on the left, dropping by, or ringing or emailing me at any time.

Regards,

Philip