It is very disappointing to see Barbara Keeley MP complaining today that her office expenses are not high enough.
Even under the revised scheme, MPs receive a very generous allowance to provide staff and office space, and it is insulting and wrong for her to whine that her expenses are not high enough, especially with so many local residents struggling in the current economic climate.
Of course, as Deputy Leader of the Commons prior to the election, Ms Keeley would have been one of the key players involved in drawing up the new frameworks, adding hypocrisy to her insulting comments. If she really thought that her expenses were not generous enough, why did she not say so prior to the election?
It has been a terrific honour to be your Conservative Parliamentary candidate for the new Worsley & Eccles South constituency.
I’d like to thank my family, friends and colleagues who have all been extremely supportive, and particularly every single one of the 13555 local residents who came out and voted Conservative on Thursday.
This represents a huge 7.6% swing from Labour to Conservative, and Labour’s majority has been slashed from a notional 10001 to just 4337 – making this seat a genuine marginal for the first time in many decades.
Obviously, I’m disappointed not to win, but I’m really proud of the result we’ve achieved, with limited resources and a small but dedicated campaign team. More than that, we’ve run a positive campaign full of hope, in marked contrast to the Labour Party who have needed to scare their supporters to the ballot box with lies, smears and half-truths about the intentions of the Conservative Party.
I look forward to continuing to serve the people of this area as the ward Councillor for Walkden South. Labour have not listened to local residents, but they have been given one final chance by the electorate. I will continue to speak up for those residents across the local area whose voice needs to be heard.
Gordon Brown has rightly been chastised for the outright lies that Labour have published in their election leaflets across the country, including here in Worsley & Eccles South. It is very sad that the Labour Party have so little positive to say that they have resorted to attempting to scare pensioners and families into voting Labour. That’s not the sort of politics I want to be part of – I won’t shy away from criticism where criticism is due, but the Conservative manifesto paints a positive future for Britain. I hope that local people will choose hope and optimism over the lies, smear and fear peddled by the Labour Party.
So let’s debunk those Labour lies to pensioners in full:
- we will protect Disability Living Allowance for the over 65s and Attendance Allowance for pensioners;
- we will keep the winter fuel allowance;
- we will keep free TV licences for pensioners;
- we will increase the basic state pension;
- we will protect free bus passes for pensioners;
- and we will protect and respect the rights and security of social housing rents.
Confidence in the political system is at an all-time low. The last thing we need is a Government elected on the back of scaring the electorate. It’s time for change. Vote Conservative on Thursday 6th May.
Last night, I had the pleasure of taking part in a hustings debate at Higher Irlam Social Club with my fellow candidates. I’m very grateful to Jackie and her colleagues from Save Our North West Green Belt for organising the debate, which was well attended by local residents.
I’ve done everything I can to support local residents in Irlam, Cadishead and Peel Green to defend the Barton Moss Green Belt from Labour’s bulldozer, and a Conservative Government would hand planning powers back to local communities.
There were also questions about Labour’s appalling decision to close the excellent maternity unit at Salford Royal Hospital; I do not believe that it is too late to reverse that decision and a Conservative Government would allow local people to give maternity services the necessary funding priority to keep Salford Royal maternity unit open.
As well as delivering thousands of leaflets and knocking on hundreds of doors, local residents in Worsley & Eccles South constituency can also keep up with my campaign online.
Obviously this website will be updated regularly, but you can also keep up with my campaign by becoming a supporter on Facebook, or by following me on Twitter.
Everyone knows that the election race in Worsley and Eccles South constituency is close between myself and Gordon Brown’s Labour candidate from Sale.
At the last local elections, Conservatives outpolled Labour across Worsley & Eccles South, and there are no Liberal Democrat Councillors in the entire constituency. Bookies show a close race between Labour and Conservative, with the other parties out of the running.
We have a real opportunity here to elect a local MP who understands the area and will stand up for local people in Westminster. This is my home and I will not let you down. A vote for the Liberal Democrats or any other party will only mean five more years of Gordon Brown – and we can’t afford that.
Only the Conservatives can beat Labour here in Worsley & Eccles South!
As millions of people across the country settle down to watch the first-ever leaders’ debate in a General Election, local residents in Worsley and Eccles South can also enjoy two upcoming debates between the local candidates.
Save Our North West Green Belt are holding a hustings meeting on Thursday 22nd April at Higher Irlam Social Club, starting at 7.30pm.
Churches Together in Boothstown are also organising a hustings, on Friday 30th April at Boothstown Methodist Church, also starting at 7.30pm.
Hope to see you there!
I’m pleased to hear that, thanks to Conservative pressure, Labour’s proposed taxes on cider, on phone lines and on holiday lets have been scrapped as this Parliament comes to an end.
Bizzarely, though, Labour have boasted that they’ll simply reintroduce these taxes if they win the election. Local residents can’t afford five more years of Gordon Brown – yet another reason to vote Conservative at this General Election.
Chamber of Commerce Hustings
I very much count our small and medium-sized businesses as part of the local community, and it was great to have the opportunity to meet with local business owners and answer some of their questions.
A Conservative Government would be able to make a real difference for small businesses, and aspiring business owners, here in Salford. Our proposals for small businesses include: