All,

The latest Liberal Democrat Focus for Shipston on Stour can be found here.

The main story this month is, not surprisingly, about the Draft Core Strategy - which may mean 250 more homes and a foodstore coming to Shipston.  Please use the slip on the Focus to let us know what you think.

As ever - please remember that Focus is delivered by local volunteers (and is paid for by local members, not the council), so apologies if you don’t get it for a few days.  If you can help deliver future leaflets - please let me know!

Regards,

Philip

All,

 The latest Focus is currently being delivered and can be download here.  As usual it contains lots of information about what your local Liberal Democrat District Councillor, Richard Cheney, has been up to - and news from the Liberal Democrats in the area.

Apologies if you have not received your copy yet - please remember it is delivered by local volunteers.  If you can deliver future Focus leaflets to your street or area, please give me a ring and let me know!

 Regards,

 Philip

 All,

Shipston Liberal Democrats had their Annual General Meeting tonight at Clark House.  Richard Cheney was elected as Chairman, Myself as Secretary and Maurice Ribbans as Treasurer.  For the first time we elected an Honorary President, Sheila Ribbans, in recognition of her many years of dedication to the Liberal Democrats, and more importantly the residents of Shipston and Ilmington.

If you would like to know more about what we get up to, or get involved with politics locally - contact me.

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I was reminded this morning that my site’s graph was now a little out of date, so I’ve updated it (see right).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

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,

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,

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,

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,

Richard Cheney, one of the District Councillors for Shipston on Stour, has joined the 21st century (his words, not mine!) and has his own website. You can see it here. He hopes to be able to use it to keep you informed about his activities as your District Councillor, and to give people more ways of contacting him. Enjoy!

All the best,

Philip

All,

The latest Shipston Lib Dem Focus has been uploaded here.

As you know, it is delivered (and paid for) by local members and supporters, so you should be seeing your copy delivered to your house over the next couple of weeks.

This month’s issue has articles about the response so far to our supermarket survey, the Conservatives’ refusal to lower council tax and support a ‘one stop shop’ in Shipston and Richard Cheney letting us know about some of the work he’s been doing.

Please feel free to read it - and above all, let us know what you think. ‘Focus’ is part of the Liberal Democrat promise to let you know what we’re up to all year round - and we need your views to make it meaningful.

If you would like to comment - you can click here and it will take you to a response box, or use my contact details on the right.

Regards,

Philip

So what does a Councillor get up to at the weekends you may ask? Or possibly not, not even my friends wonder about it that much.

If you’ve got this far, you may want to know - so here is a typical weekend morning.

District Councillor Richard Cheney and I met mid morning for a meeting with one of his constituents. Following that both of us went to join a group of volunteers finishing the delivery of our latest Focus leaflet, including delivering areas where we had not taken enough leaflets with us last time (and there’s a comment about this on the Shipston Blog)! That took a couple of hours, and following that Richard and I were out taking photographs. Unlike the normal holiday snaps you might be taking on the first sunny (and warmish) day of the year - these were ones of problems around the town that have been reported to Richard and he has taken up. I’ve included a couple below for those that are interested:

Richard outside of the old workhouse, a possible site for more affordable housing

Richard by an overgrown hedge on Darlingscote Road

Uneven footpath by the Telegraph Street car park

Now you know some of what we get up to, feel free to contact any of us using the links on the left and we will do our best to help.

Regards.

Philip

All,

Now that the weather has improved, local volunteers are delivering the latest Liberal Democrat Focus. If you’ve not received yours yet, I’ve uploaded it to the Focus Archive

If you have any comments or suggestions, would like to join the Liberal Democrats or deliver Focus, then please contact me.

Philip

All,

Richard Cheney and the Liberal Democrats on the District Council are opposing the Conservatives’ proposed Council Tax increase. Here is a statement from the group:

“The 4.9% increase in the District Council’s Council Tax proposed by the Conservatives is totally
unacceptable, say local Liberal Democrats, who have promised to do all they can to get the increase
reduced.

Cllr Hazel Wright, Leader of the Lib Dems on the District Council, said, ‘it’s outrageous that the
Conservatives are even thinking about this sort of rise at a time when many people are hard pressed
financially and when inflation is dropping rapidly.

The Conservatives should not try to take advantage of the fact there are no District Council elections this
year. We are looking at ways in which we can keep the Council tax rise down and we are also working
with our colleagues on the County Council, who are equally determined not to allow rises at this level’.”

Philip

This year is Shipston’s third chance to go to the polls in three years!  Following the District Council elections after the past two years, it’s the turn of the County Council and the European Elections on June 4th.

Four years ago the Liberal Democrats came second, but only a few votes separated the Conservatives and our candidate at the time, the now newly elected District Councillor Richard Cheney.  A third candidate stood, but as you can see from my new bar chart -it really will be a straight choice between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives this time.

 Philip

Many of you will already have your copy of the October 2008 Focus - but if not, you can click on the Focus Archive and read it online.

Shipston Liberal Democrats regularly publish Focus to keep local residents in touch with what their local councillors are doing, and to give you the opportunity to let us know your views.  If you want to contact us about anything - our contact details are on the left, or you can click here.

Focus is not paid for out of your council taxes, but by local members and supporters.

Philip

Shipston and District Liberal Democrats are holding our yearly quiz evening on Friday 12th September at 7:30pm at Newbold on Stour Village Hall.

Tickets are £6.50 each (including supper) and a bar will be available.  Telephone 01608 682669 for further details and a ticket.

You don’t have to be a Lib Dem to come along and have a great time!