Just weeks before crucial elections the Labour party in Andover has already given up the fight.
In the by-election for the vacant Anna ward borough council seat they haven’t bothered to nominate a candidate, leaving the election a three way contest between the Lib Dem candidate Tony Evans, a Tory and a UKIP candidate. This follows previous poor performances by Andover Labour in the 2009 county elections they came 4th with just 6% of votes cast and in the 2007 borough elections when they fielded just 5 candidates for 15 seats and gained less that 10% of the vote.
This poor performance confirms what we have all known for years that a vote for the Labour party in Andover and Test Valley is a wasted vote. In Andover voters have a simple choice - the current Tory administration or the Liberal Democrats.
The Labour party’s position is even more questionable when you consider that Labour party members, including their parliamentary candidate are standing under a “non political” banner for the Andover town (parish) council. Far better to be honest about your political allegiences and let the electorate decide whether you are fit for office. Perhaps they already know what would happen if they stood under a Labour banner.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Tory school policy condemned
Lib Dem ppc for NW Hampshire Tom McCann has condemned the Tories’ proposals for “free schools” as unworkable and anti-democratic.
The Tory proposals, leaked last week, would allow anyone to set up a school and take control of schools away from local authorities and hand it over to centralised control from Westminster. The plan is copied from a similar system tried but unproven in Sweden.
The proposals have been rejected as unworkable and too expensive by not only the government but also Tory county councils such as Kent and Hampshire. Andover county councillor and Hampshire education spokesman David Kirk said “choice is something we’d all dearly love to be able to offer, but choice costs.”
Tom believes control of schools should rest with local people through their elected councils. “It is not something to be privatised and handed out at the whim of a government minister” he said. “This shows the Conservatives commitment to localism to be a sham. A vote for them is a vote to replace Labour centralisation with Tory centralisation. Even their own party activists don’t trust them.”
The Tory proposals, leaked last week, would allow anyone to set up a school and take control of schools away from local authorities and hand it over to centralised control from Westminster. The plan is copied from a similar system tried but unproven in Sweden.
The proposals have been rejected as unworkable and too expensive by not only the government but also Tory county councils such as Kent and Hampshire. Andover county councillor and Hampshire education spokesman David Kirk said “choice is something we’d all dearly love to be able to offer, but choice costs.”
Tom believes control of schools should rest with local people through their elected councils. “It is not something to be privatised and handed out at the whim of a government minister” he said. “This shows the Conservatives commitment to localism to be a sham. A vote for them is a vote to replace Labour centralisation with Tory centralisation. Even their own party activists don’t trust them.”
Tories must come clean on tax
North West Hampshire’s MP Sir George Young has let the cat out of the bag about the tax status of the Tory party’s biggest donor, Lord Ashcroft. For months debate has raged over whether Ashcroft actually lives in the UK and pays tax, or is a “non-dom” - not domiciled in the UK for tax purposes. If he doesn’t pay tax then he is barred from funding the Tory party and the millions he has poured into their campaigns would have to be repaid.
When quizzed about this on BBC’s Newsnight Sir George said “He is in the same position as a number of Labour peers who are non-domiciled and who fund the Labour party.” In other words he doesn’t pay the full rate of UK tax.
The Conservatives, who have previously opposed changes to the law which would have forced parliamentarians to end their status as non-doms, are now desperately trying to play down the fresh confusion over Ashcroft. Meanwhile Ashcroft’s company Bearcroft Corporate Services is under investigation by the Electoral Commission following complaints that he has used it to circumvent the rules on funding political parties.
Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Tom McCann commented “Ashcroft’s dubious tax position must be clarified. Ten years ago, when he was given a peerage, he promised to come clean and pay tax. He still hasn’t done so and he and the Tory party are hiding his true status. This makes a mockery of David Cameron’s claim to be a reformer in favour of cleaning up politics.”
Hear for yourself what Sir George said at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8506284.stm
And read more of the story at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/feb/09/lord-ashcroft-conservatives-tax
When quizzed about this on BBC’s Newsnight Sir George said “He is in the same position as a number of Labour peers who are non-domiciled and who fund the Labour party.” In other words he doesn’t pay the full rate of UK tax.
The Conservatives, who have previously opposed changes to the law which would have forced parliamentarians to end their status as non-doms, are now desperately trying to play down the fresh confusion over Ashcroft. Meanwhile Ashcroft’s company Bearcroft Corporate Services is under investigation by the Electoral Commission following complaints that he has used it to circumvent the rules on funding political parties.
Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Tom McCann commented “Ashcroft’s dubious tax position must be clarified. Ten years ago, when he was given a peerage, he promised to come clean and pay tax. He still hasn’t done so and he and the Tory party are hiding his true status. This makes a mockery of David Cameron’s claim to be a reformer in favour of cleaning up politics.”
Hear for yourself what Sir George said at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8506284.stm
And read more of the story at
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/feb/09/lord-ashcroft-conservatives-tax
Lib Dems back 10:10 campaign
Test Valley’s Liberal Democrats are calling on the borough council to sign up to the 10:10 campaign to cut carbon emissions by 10% in 2010.The motion submitted by Cllr Mark Cooper of Romsey and seconded by Cllr Len Gates of Andover highlights the success of the campaign and calls on Test Valley to join other Hampshire councils in actively supporting the 10:10 campaign.
Cllr Gates hopes the motion will get the support of all councillors. “Global warming is a far more serious threat to us and out future than anything else we have seen. It isn’t going to go away and it needs positive action to tackle it” he said. “This action is best taken at a local level and local councils have a major role to play. We can make a difference and we have a duty to do so.”
Cllr Gates hopes the motion will get the support of all councillors. “Global warming is a far more serious threat to us and out future than anything else we have seen. It isn’t going to go away and it needs positive action to tackle it” he said. “This action is best taken at a local level and local councils have a major role to play. We can make a difference and we have a duty to do so.”
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Tories refuse to support twinings workers
Test Valley’s conservative councillors have rejected calls to back Twinings workers in their battle to save jobs in Andover. At Thursday’s council meeting they voted unanimously against a motion calling for them and the two local MPs to back the campaigners.
The motion proposed by Andover councillors Len Gates and Rod Bailey called on Test Valley’s MPs to support a parliamentary motion calling on Twinings to reverse their decision on redundancies and maintain full production at Andover.
In a sometimes angry debate, successive conservatives claimed it was not their responsibility to intervene and refused to back the workers calls for a review of the proposals. Instead they committed themselves to the company’s proposals and pledged the council to help find alternative work for those employees discarded by Twinings.
Speaking after the debate Cllr Gates said “I am disappointed the conservative group, like their MP, have chosen to ignore these calls for help. It raises doubts about their commitment to protecting jobs and securing real economic growth in Andover.”
The motion proposed by Andover councillors Len Gates and Rod Bailey called on Test Valley’s MPs to support a parliamentary motion calling on Twinings to reverse their decision on redundancies and maintain full production at Andover.
In a sometimes angry debate, successive conservatives claimed it was not their responsibility to intervene and refused to back the workers calls for a review of the proposals. Instead they committed themselves to the company’s proposals and pledged the council to help find alternative work for those employees discarded by Twinings.
Speaking after the debate Cllr Gates said “I am disappointed the conservative group, like their MP, have chosen to ignore these calls for help. It raises doubts about their commitment to protecting jobs and securing real economic growth in Andover.”
Bus routes deferred
Campaigners have expressed disappointment that Test Valley Borough Council will not be debating changes to local bus routes at its January meeting. A motion submitted by Andover councillors Len Gates and Mike McGarry calling for a review of the changes and the subsidy given by Hampshire County Council will be deferred to the council’s Overview and Scrutiny committee for consideration.
Commenting on the decision Cllr Gates said “It is a pity we will net be able to discuss the proposals now. I would now expect the committee to look at this and report back to full council as soon as possible. The county council must accept Andover is a growing town and needs an adequate public bus network. Not everyone has access to cars; many residents rely on the buses. We should be encouraging everyone to reduce CO2 emissions by using cars less and buses more and yet the county is sanctioning by its actions a reduction in bus services.”
Councillors will still discuss the matter at the Andover Forum on 25th January when Cllr Rod Bailey has called for a report on the proposals to be presented.
Commenting on the decision Cllr Gates said “It is a pity we will net be able to discuss the proposals now. I would now expect the committee to look at this and report back to full council as soon as possible. The county council must accept Andover is a growing town and needs an adequate public bus network. Not everyone has access to cars; many residents rely on the buses. We should be encouraging everyone to reduce CO2 emissions by using cars less and buses more and yet the county is sanctioning by its actions a reduction in bus services.”
Councillors will still discuss the matter at the Andover Forum on 25th January when Cllr Rod Bailey has called for a report on the proposals to be presented.
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Tom McCann backs Litter Campaign
During a tour of Andover to meet local community activists Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Tom McCann met anti-litter campaigner Manuela Wahnon.
Tom and Manuela discussed her Attitude of Gratitude to clean up Andover and the rest of Test Valley. Manuela’s philosophy is simple “we’ve always got something to be grateful for in our lives, so with that in mind, obviously don't drop litter, but if you pick up one piece of litter a day you can make the world you live in a better place. “
Tom praised her hard work, funded entirely from her own limited resources, as an example of how individuals can and do make a difference to their communities. “As a Liberal Democrat I believe in empowering communities to take responsibility for their surroundings. Manuela is a shining example to all of us”
Tom will be joining Manuela and other Andover residents on a litter pick sometime in the New Year.
Full details of Manuela’s campaign can be found at http://www.attitudeofgratitude.co.uk/
Tom and Manuela discussed her Attitude of Gratitude to clean up Andover and the rest of Test Valley. Manuela’s philosophy is simple “we’ve always got something to be grateful for in our lives, so with that in mind, obviously don't drop litter, but if you pick up one piece of litter a day you can make the world you live in a better place. “
Tom praised her hard work, funded entirely from her own limited resources, as an example of how individuals can and do make a difference to their communities. “As a Liberal Democrat I believe in empowering communities to take responsibility for their surroundings. Manuela is a shining example to all of us”
Tom will be joining Manuela and other Andover residents on a litter pick sometime in the New Year.
Full details of Manuela’s campaign can be found at http://www.attitudeofgratitude.co.uk/
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