All,

It’s been a busier than usual month for Shipston on Stour’s Town Councillors. Apart from the usual full council meeting, there has been a strategy and review of the working groups meeting, and we will also (hopefully) be signing off the accounts later this month. On top of that, there will also have been two meetings of the Mayo Road Trustees (all of the Town Councillors are automatically Trustees).

What with my job, it doesn’t seem like I’ve been home much!

Regards,

Philip

All,

Many of you know I work for the NHS in Gloucestershire. Today was Cirencester Hospital’s Fete - and rather stupidly I volunteered for the stocks, and got very wet on what was a lovely day! At times there were quite a lot of staff, and assorted children queuing up to drench me……

A lot of money was raised for the League of Friends, who support the hospital - but my thanks go to the Mayor, Alan Noyce, and District Councillor Richard Cheney who generously gave donations at the surgery this morning.

One last one for your enjoyment!

Regards,

Philip

All,

As usual, the surgery is taking place this morning between 10am and noon at Clark House. The Mayor is there, as is District Councillor Richard Cheney, and I will be joining in from 11am.

Regards,

Philip

PS - If you’re in or near Cirencester this afternoon, pop along to the hospital. The annual fete is on from 2pm, and at 2:30 and 3:30 I will be found in stocks having very wet sponges thrown at me. It’s all in a good cause, and one of the few occasions you get to throw things at an NHS manager and get away with it! I’ll have photos up on here later.

Martin Turner, the local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman, and Stratford Liberal Democrats celebrate gaining two seats from the Conservatives at last Thursday’s County Council elections.

Regards,

Philip

All,

I was reminded this morning that my site’s graph was now a little out of date, so I’ve updated it (see right).

As the graph shows, the Liberal Democrats in the Stratford on Avon constituency remain well placed to beat the Conservatives at the next General Election - with the results from this week’s County Council results putting us in a strong second place. If enough Greens and Labour supporters voted tactically, John Maples would no longer be our MP.

Embarrassingly for Labour, they came a poor fourth across the constituency, with the Greens easily outstripping their vote.

Regards,

Philip

All,

I’d like to start off by congratulating Councillor Chris Saint, who successfully defended the Shipston Division for the Conservatives. The Division - which includes many of Shipston’s surrounding villages, was always going to be a tough one for the Liberal Democrats to win, and so it proved - although we believe we did well in the Town itself.

I’d also like to thanks all those members and supporters who delivered Focus, put up posters or just generally helped the campaign. Without you we would not have done as well as we did.

Regardless of whether you voted for me, Chris or either of the minor Parties I’d also like to thank those who went out to vote. Turnout was relatively high (just under 50%) - and it is important that people get out to decide what kind of administration they want, even at a local level.

I’ve given up counting how many Labour Ministers have resigned this week - but I’m guessing we will all be back to the ballot boxes for a General Election soon enough!

To end on a positive note, Liberal Democrats took the former Conservative seats of Wellesbourne, Studley, and two seats in Stratford South, whilst losing Alcester and Kineton - a net gain of two councillors.

Once again - thanks to everyone involved (and I’d better get on writing the next Focus - when we promise to keep in touch, we mean it!).

Regards,

Philip

All,

The electioneering has come to an end, and all that counts today are your votes.

There is one message I want to get across before you get to the ballot box. At the last election it was neck and neck between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives, the Greens came a distant third and the Labour Party didn’t stand. At the last District Council election in Shipston, Labour polled just 64 votes.

The Conservatives offer increased council tax, reduction in services and a failure to adopt green policies for Warwickshire. The Liberal Democrats offer regular contact through Focus leaflets and this website, efficient spending of your taxes and services that meet the needs of Shipston and the surrounding villages now and for the future.

Whichever Party you decide to vote for, remember to get out to vote today. It is important that local people vote for the services and policies they want for Shipston, Brailes, Long Compton and the other villages that go to make up the division.

Regards,

Philip

All,

You can see the latest Liberal Democrat Focus here.

Remember, the race in Shipston and the surrounding villages is between Philip Vial and the Conservatives.

Regards,

Philip

All,

I’ve been maintaining (well, tidying up really) the site tonight and Vince Cable’s economic recovery plan can now be found here.

Our policy documents can now all be found in the Liberal Democrat downloads section, and, as ever, editions of Focus can be found in the Focus archive section.

I’ve also spent some time in the Local information section - so check out the new contacts.

Regards,

Philip

Something more interesting (I promise) later in the day.

The graph on the right hand side of this page says a lot. At the last election the Greens came a distant third, almost 2000 votes behind the Liberal Democrat candidate.

Since then, the Conservatives on the District Council have abolished the Council’s Environment and Climate Change Panel. In Shipston it is clear that the only person who can realistically oppose the Conservative short-sighted attitude to environmental issues is Philip Vial.

The Labour Party didn’t stand last time, but in the last election in Shipston the Labour candidate received just 64 votes.

If you would like a progressive councillor for Shipston and the surrounding villages, Philip Vial is the only person who can beat the discredited Conservatives.