Telford & Wrekin Council Watch - The Race For The Wrekin

If we are being honest, we have very little choice and the choice we do have has not lived up to the majority of people’s expectations, but again we have seen the usual pre-election promises followed by the post election failure to deliver.

Mp’s who talk about the recession, but in reality, they are safe, a guaranteed high income and are most certainly not under threat of losing their jobs.

No worry about how they are going to pay the gas bill, the phone bill, their children’s next pair of school shoes or the cost of the weekly shop.

If we are being brutally honest, politics has become morally corrupt and there is no real idea of how to sort out the nations problems, but time, effort and money is spent on illegal wars and sorting out other nations problems. I believe we should look after our own first, sort out our own problems, when that is done, assist elsewhere.

This campaign is not about trying to get the nose in the trough, I’ll do it for the wage of a skilled man, this is about doing the right thing, for the right reasons and for the betterment of the Constituency and everyone who live in it.

The lack of social housing and the planning for future generations with house prices being affordable and not kept artificially high.

Regeneration, is not just papering over the cracks, not cramming everyone into one area, but sacrificing green areas building out towards the North East, North West, with the development of communities. Not just building a few expensive houses, but building shops, post offices, doctors, dental surgeries and schools. Create Garden Cities where people want to live and stay whilst having ease of access to facilities. Let’s stop creating the ghetto’s of the future. Rural areas must accept their share of the house build which will stop rural isolation when amenities are built.

Homelessness including the non statutory, with adequate support functions for every case. Including job training, rehabilitation services, support centres with adequate funding for the third sector, who fill a vital gap, save the government millions, but get little true recognition for their efforts and achievements.

Crime and a punishment that fits the crime committed. Re-address the balance of the law so it is in favour of those upholding the law and not those breaking it. No longer can we accept a burglar being able to enter our homes and the owner not being able to defend their property. No longer can we have muggers in the streets getting off lightly, while those injured face assault charges for defending themselves. If there is not enough room in prisons, instead of letting offenders go free, stick in bunk beds and stack them 10 high, let’s make prison a punishment, not a holiday.

Unemployment and the freezing of the minimum wage but allow top earners to receive huge bonuses. More money for the low wage earners, stop the huge bonuses and let the wealthy fork out more.

Youth Support, facilities, activities and training for the future. Let’s raise the aspirations of the young and show that every one of them can be a productive member of our community and concentrate on their skills rather than putting them down at every turn.

Improve the poor and expensive public transport system with more direct bus links to hospitals, district centres, not just concentrating on the town centre.

Real action on the PRH by liaising with Doctors and Nurses who provide the services and can advise on what needs putting right. Not high ranked officials who know nothing about medical issues.

Address the issues of the Town Park and stop the gerry mongering with the boundaries. Let’s have the boundaries put back to their true positions and stop carving it up for the benefit of the private enterprise, whilst the public’s money is used to pay for it. The private sector want to improve, then let them pay for it out of their own pockets and using public land.

Adequate provision for members of the travelling community. They should have access to an area or areas for long and short term stays. It is not acceptable that the travelling community should be expected to live along road sides, on cark parks or other similar areas. The travelling community should have access to areas that are available for use at affordable rental prices. The existing areas we do have are in need of improvement and those residents living in them need as much support as those residents living in houses.

Every MP should have their register of interest and donations given freely available for viewing either at their constituency office, held by the Local Authority or both, so residents can view them at any time.

More support for Senior Citizens. Fuel poverty must be tackled and discounts given on gas and electricity for senior citizens with the discount being given by the supplier and support still being given by the Government, access to housing must be tackled with more bungalows and similar residences being built, greater community support greater support for those senior citizens that are living alone in their own homes.

More Police on the streets by slashing paperwork. Invest in real police, not CSO’s who are nothing more than a professional witness.

The only real involvement residents have in the democratic process is casting a vote. After that, politicians swan off, forgetting what they promised and do just what they want.

Because of the poor attitude of many politicians, the fact that so many promise the earth then fail to deliver is a fundamental part of why so many people fail to cast their vote. At the last general election, 33% of voters didn’t vote and 43% of residents in Telford didn’t vote either.

So many people rightly believe their vote does not count, as the politicians go off and do what they want. The Leader of the Conservative Administration has displayed this to be truth and no longer just a belief.

Things need to change, we all accept that, but it cannot change with a constant stream of promises, actions need to be taken and a product needs to be delivered.

So what do I propose to deliver? Accountability and democracy to the resident and give a greater say and improve communications.

1. I will set up a panel to meet with every Campaign Group and Campaigner in the Borough. Bring them together as one voice, this will prove more effective for all concerned, reduce the time and effort placed into lobbying and each group will become an advisor in their relevant field of expertise. We will meet on a monthly basis to drive forward issues as they affect each community and more often as needed.

2..Divide the Constituency into three smaller areas and have a dedicated representative to serve that area on my behalf. Ultimately, this will improve access to your MP, give an increased response rate to Community issues down to the individual resident, with a guaranteed response to communication within 72 hours, and I do not mean an automated response, I mean a real response to every point raised. Each representative will know my movements and have a direct line to me for emergency cases.

3. MP surgeries will be held on a regular basis at a location within easy reach to your community. No longer can we accept having to travel a long distance to meet an MP, I will travel to your community.

4. When was the last time you saw an MP walking around your community? In general, it is done, but usually as a way of seeking a photo opportunity. You need access, answers to your issues and accountability, this will do just that. I will visit every community on a regular basis, with dates and venues being posted in advance.

5. Meet with local business on a regular basis and give them a seat at monthly meetings. I mean getting down to the real nitty gritty, the small businesses that seem to get left out in the cold and are likely to be the first to see their property sold from under their feet. Let’s set up a real support system that gives real support.

6. I will work to address the issues of homelessness, not just with those groups or charities who offer support, but with homeless people, those that are actually going through it. Afterall, who is better placed to guide you on a failing and difficult system than a person experiencing it. Again they will have a seat at monthly meetings.

7. Meet with local Charities and Community groups on a regular basis and again they will act in an advisory capacity, to ensure that the correct details are put forward on their behalf through the Constituency office.

Access to politics is not about religion or the colour of a person’s skin, it’s about the size of their bank account and if you are perceived to come from the right circle.

Yes, these things do cost. As residents we are taxed at parish Level, Borough Level, National level. Stealth taxes have become a way of life. Yet whilst we have to count every penny we spend, the great majority of MP’s will sail through unscathed. The recession will not affect him. David Cameron has actually said that.

The Parliamentary allowances will be used to drastically improve the route to democracy, not to pay for second mortgages, swanky hotels and new kitchens. These allowances will be claimed and used to improve the democratic process and giving residents a voice.

Why pay someone in London to provide you with a service, when you can get it on your own doorstep. Let’s give the business to local businesses and where possible free advertising.

By implementing these points, we will see a real return to democracy, the involvement of the resident in politics to the highest level and an equal say across the board.

"People are always saying that politics needs something new, people are always saying we need another choice, if you vote the same old way, you will always get what always got"

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3.20 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."