It has been a great day today. We got the proofs from the printers on the leaflets (limited print run as the finances dictate), but we needed to make some alterations - not least that we can now add that I am endorsed by the Independent Network. News came through this afternoon so I'm really very pleased. I'm not lacking in self-belief, but it's nice to know that someone else believes in you enough to say that yes, you would make a good MP. I want to say thanks to those who wrote me such glowing references as well.
It's nice to know that myself, Paul Edwards, and other Independents here in Cheshire are not just an outpost comprising of a few people standing against the system, but that there is a growing network of Independents across the country.
I've already had a few phone calls from voters eager to find out what I'm all about. I'm glad people are taking me up on the invitation to get in touch at any time. I was also happy to pick up some case work for a Crewe and Nantwich resident today who was unhappy with the way his case had been dealt with in the constituency. Hopefully I can get him a positive outcome, as I never take 'no' for an answer like some other councillors/politicians will if it means they can just close the door on a case.
So I'll be out and about in Crewe hopefully tomorrow with a few leaflets run off my own computer (however I'm having significant technical issues as we speak, so it may be me minus leaflets). It will be our first day of street level campaigning, so will be an opportunity to gauge some reaction from the public. Looking forward to it very much.
Friday 16 April 2010
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Martin Bell OBE records video in support of Independents
Many of you will remember Martin Bell OBE, former Independent MP for not-so-far-away Tatton. He is currently supporting the 2010 General Election Independent PPCs through his work with the Independent Network and he has just released a video and letter to potential Independent voters.
Letter: http://bit.ly/duE9Sv
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR8SBHyEEt0
Whilst on the subject of the Independent Network, I am currently in the process of putting together the necessary documentation to apply for endorsement by this organisation. This will be really important if I can get it, as it is basically a quality mark for Independent Candidates. I will keep you posted!
Letter: http://bit.ly/duE9Sv
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR8SBHyEEt0
Whilst on the subject of the Independent Network, I am currently in the process of putting together the necessary documentation to apply for endorsement by this organisation. This will be really important if I can get it, as it is basically a quality mark for Independent Candidates. I will keep you posted!
When will the Tories leave those billboards alone?
Well, firstly I'd like to wish a Happy Belated Easter to everbody. I'd hoped to catch up with my sadly neglected blog over the weekend but found that as usual I had a truck load of Council work and case work to be doing, and I certainly can't neglect my duties in that respect.
I did travel through Crewe though at the weekend and found myself cringing at the latest Conservative posters I was bombarded with on the way into town. If I was Edward Timpson, I don't know whether I'd be glad of the support, or worried about why the party thinks it needs to defend its territory so desperately.
Anyway, the posters, which feature a picture of Gordon Brown smiling and saying things such as (don't quote me), 'I caused the highest ever youth unemployment...Vote for me.' I can't stand that kind of negative campaigning.
Perhaps I am being slightly hypocritical, since I am also having a go at the opposition, and have criticised the main parties since I declared I would stand.
The difference, I believe, is in the fact that I find those Tory posters incredibly patronising, and they try to pretend that a Conservative government would never have made mistakes in anything like the way Labour has. I mean come on, if history is anything to go by...
If you are going to begin an assault on the opposition, you need to have a leg to stand on. Fortunately, I do. My track record as a Councillor proves it. Yet despite all this, you won't find me trying to make a fool out of anyone by using cheap jokes, especially not the electorate.
I did travel through Crewe though at the weekend and found myself cringing at the latest Conservative posters I was bombarded with on the way into town. If I was Edward Timpson, I don't know whether I'd be glad of the support, or worried about why the party thinks it needs to defend its territory so desperately.
Anyway, the posters, which feature a picture of Gordon Brown smiling and saying things such as (don't quote me), 'I caused the highest ever youth unemployment...Vote for me.' I can't stand that kind of negative campaigning.
Perhaps I am being slightly hypocritical, since I am also having a go at the opposition, and have criticised the main parties since I declared I would stand.
The difference, I believe, is in the fact that I find those Tory posters incredibly patronising, and they try to pretend that a Conservative government would never have made mistakes in anything like the way Labour has. I mean come on, if history is anything to go by...
If you are going to begin an assault on the opposition, you need to have a leg to stand on. Fortunately, I do. My track record as a Councillor proves it. Yet despite all this, you won't find me trying to make a fool out of anyone by using cheap jokes, especially not the electorate.
Sunday 28 March 2010
Facebook | Power to the People - Vote Independent
Facebook Power to the People - Vote Independent
This isn't technically my Facebook page, but it's a group my daughter set up for people to join to show support for a) myself and other Independent colleagues/candidates in Cheshire and b) Independents in general.
Please join and receive information about campaign events and news.
This isn't technically my Facebook page, but it's a group my daughter set up for people to join to show support for a) myself and other Independent colleagues/candidates in Cheshire and b) Independents in general.
Please join and receive information about campaign events and news.
Saturday 27 March 2010
I Need Help
Yes, a few people told me I must need help when they heard I wanted to stand as an Independent , but I think they meant medical help rather than the kind of help I actually need.
I really could do with some more people who are prepared to display posters or lend me support in any other way. Any donations would be very, very welcome indeed. Anyone standing as an Independent has to personally foot the bill of their own campaign, which includes a fee to enter into the running, the production of thousands of leaflets, and anything else needed to run a campaign.
If there are any people out there who believe in democracy and want to support the fight against the current system, please get in touch. And as always, I am keen to talk to anyone else who has any questions or any issues they would like to discuss with me.
I really could do with some more people who are prepared to display posters or lend me support in any other way. Any donations would be very, very welcome indeed. Anyone standing as an Independent has to personally foot the bill of their own campaign, which includes a fee to enter into the running, the production of thousands of leaflets, and anything else needed to run a campaign.
If there are any people out there who believe in democracy and want to support the fight against the current system, please get in touch. And as always, I am keen to talk to anyone else who has any questions or any issues they would like to discuss with me.
Tuesday 23 March 2010
The Bell Principles
Today I had already planned to talk about the Bell Principles - a set of principles first formulated by former Independent MP Martin Bell. However, it seems rather fitting that this latest scandal has broken today, following the Dispatches documentary on parliamentary lobbying last night. What a shame to see yet another disappointment for the British Public, but I am not surprised in the slightest.
Instead of go on about it though, I want to present a more positive view by letting you know about the behavioural guidelines (not policies) that I believe all Independent Candidates should adhere to. They include amongst other things, the Seven Principles of Public Life, which were mentioned on the programme last night. These principles are: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Read the rest of the Bell Principles here:
www.independentnetwork.org.uk/about-us/bell-principles
These are principles I not only promise to adhere to in the future, but have also kept to throughout my whole seven years as a councillor. I tire of the fact that so many politicians pay lip service to codes of conduct, yet in practice play only to their own rules. It undermines the use of codes and principles altogether, so I hope that the Bell Principles can be something fresh and positive that will carry genuine weight.
Instead of go on about it though, I want to present a more positive view by letting you know about the behavioural guidelines (not policies) that I believe all Independent Candidates should adhere to. They include amongst other things, the Seven Principles of Public Life, which were mentioned on the programme last night. These principles are: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. Read the rest of the Bell Principles here:
www.independentnetwork.org.uk/about-us/bell-principles
These are principles I not only promise to adhere to in the future, but have also kept to throughout my whole seven years as a councillor. I tire of the fact that so many politicians pay lip service to codes of conduct, yet in practice play only to their own rules. It undermines the use of codes and principles altogether, so I hope that the Bell Principles can be something fresh and positive that will carry genuine weight.
Monday 22 March 2010
Why I'm standing as an Independent in Crewe & Nantwich
As a Cheshire East Independent councillor, it is out of the question that I'd ever align myself to one of the major parties simply to gain political recognition. I am standing as an Independent during this election because I want to represent the people of Crewe & Nantwich rather than be a puppet for our country’s main party leaders.
When the expenses scandal blew up last year, the public was crying out for reform of the whole political system. However, time has a way of rendering us less angry. I want to remind people that there can still be another way, a different kind of political system that genuinely works for the good of the people. We will never get there unless we begin to take the first steps. Let’s show our disapproval of the two-party system and make a move towards real democracy.
I grew up in Nantwich and lived there until my late twenties, so have a genuine love of the area and people, and still think of it as ‘home’. I truly hope that you will vote for me and give me the job of representing the constituency of Crewe and Nantwich in May.
When the expenses scandal blew up last year, the public was crying out for reform of the whole political system. However, time has a way of rendering us less angry. I want to remind people that there can still be another way, a different kind of political system that genuinely works for the good of the people. We will never get there unless we begin to take the first steps. Let’s show our disapproval of the two-party system and make a move towards real democracy.
I grew up in Nantwich and lived there until my late twenties, so have a genuine love of the area and people, and still think of it as ‘home’. I truly hope that you will vote for me and give me the job of representing the constituency of Crewe and Nantwich in May.
Friday 19 March 2010
How would I serve the people?
Understanding what the people of Crewe and Nantwich want, and acting on it, is my top priority. I would be a representative of the people in the proper sense, as I would never have to bring the way I think and act into line with party policies. During my seven years as a councillor, I have seen too many main party members be unable to vote the way they wanted to on certain issues, because their party whip has intervened.
I aim to be accessible, transparent, and a thorn in the side of the major parties in parliament, as I am not a man to back down in important debates. I have a proven, solid track record for representing the public as an Independent councillor, and for getting results. If you would like to ask me any questions, I welcome all emails and phone calls.
I aim to be accessible, transparent, and a thorn in the side of the major parties in parliament, as I am not a man to back down in important debates. I have a proven, solid track record for representing the public as an Independent councillor, and for getting results. If you would like to ask me any questions, I welcome all emails and phone calls.
Monday 15 March 2010
Demonstrating against unfair car parking charges across Crewe & Nantwich was essential because...
Demonstrating against unfair car parking charges across Crewe & Nantwich was essential because it is a major issue for the people of the area. Neither the Conservative, nor the Liberal Democrat candidates turned up, and people could have been forgiven for thinking that the campaign somehow ‘belonged’ to the Labour party, given that the demonstration started from the USDAW offices. On Saturday 13th March, I wanted to make clear that it is the people’s issue and not a ‘political’ issue.
Cheshire East had previously tried to introduce parking charges in Middlewich as part of its strategy to bring the whole of the borough into line. I was instrumental in getting the plans scrapped. I took the relevant officers to the key sites to make them see how charging on certain car parks would affect key workers in the town and damage businesses. I want to fight for Crewe and Nantwich to be given the same opportunity to put their point across. Although parking charges already exist, they should certainly not be at a higher rate than the rest of Cheshire East, and there should be some element of ‘free time’. This is what Crewe and Nantwich deserve.
Cheshire East had previously tried to introduce parking charges in Middlewich as part of its strategy to bring the whole of the borough into line. I was instrumental in getting the plans scrapped. I took the relevant officers to the key sites to make them see how charging on certain car parks would affect key workers in the town and damage businesses. I want to fight for Crewe and Nantwich to be given the same opportunity to put their point across. Although parking charges already exist, they should certainly not be at a higher rate than the rest of Cheshire East, and there should be some element of ‘free time’. This is what Crewe and Nantwich deserve.
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