At the time of going to press the candidates for Spelthorne were:
Christopher Browne (UKIP)
Mark Chapman (Liberal Democrat)
Paul Couchman (TUSC)
John Gore (Campaign for Independent Politicians)
Kwasi Kwarteng (Conservative)
Grahame Leon-Smith (Independents Federation UK)
Rod Littlewood (Best of a Bad Bunch)
Ian Swinglehurst (Independent)
Adam Tyler-Moore (Labour)
We asked all of the candidates to submit a 200 word contribution. The replies follow to help you to decide who you will vote for.
I believe that it is in the interests of all people of Spelthorne to vote for the UK Independence Party because bit by bit we are losing the right to govern ourselves to the European Union.
It costs the UK £120 billion a year to enforce eu laws and regulations (figures from the Taxpayers Alliance) per year, that is £2.000 for every man woman and child in the UK.
We don’t control immigration from the EU, consequently cheap labour is pushing our own people out of work, with 2.5 million people claiming the dole this is a disgrace.
Also it has recently been discovered that man made global warming ids not scientifically proven but, still our politicians are bent on spending billions on combating “climate change” money that is desperately need to reduce the debt built up by this government.
No Response
I have lived and worked in and around Spelthorne for most of my life. I now live in Ashford with my wife, Helen and her Mother, Dorothy.
I am standing for election as part of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, a national group of trade union leaders and activists who all agree that working class people no longer have any real voice in parliament. All the three mainstream parties are competing as to who will make the biggest cuts in public services, jobs and workers’ wages. I do not believe that ordinary working people, the unemployed, the young, the elderly and disabled people should have to pay for an economic crisis caused by a handful of rich bankers and politicians.
The obscene amounts of our money handed to the banks should have been used to improve public services. Instead, the politicians bailed out the bankers and now tell us we have to pay with years of cuts in livings standards and decimation of our vital local services.
Spelthorne is in danger of becoming a wasteland. We have lost most of our hospital services. We face cuts in bus routes, youth services, day centres and more. Our local fire stations are threatened with closure. They have even started looking at closing local schools. I am proud to have been closely involved with the fantastic campaign by staff, parents and local people to save Shortwood Infant School in Staines. I was also involved in the successful campaign to save Brooklands College in Ashford.
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If elected as an MP I pledge to be a Workers’ MP on a Worker’s Wage – only taking the same salary I am on now and to publish my salary and expense details online – no more careerist politicians!
No Response
I sincerely hope Spelthorne returns a Conservative Member of Parliament because:
Labour has failed the country in its treatment of the economy. We are as indebted as Greece.
The Liberal Democrats wish to abolish Trident, introduce an amnesty for illegal immigrants, and join the euro.
The Conservative party is committed to a cap on immigration, lower business taxes and a smaller state.
People in Spelthorne are independent minded. We don’t want a nanny state, but want a government that will allow us to get on with our lives without harrassment or interference. A Conservative Government will grant this.
No Response
I will represent Spelthorne in Westminster. The candidates from the major parties will represent their parties in Spelthorne- a subtle but very important difference.
We all know the need to reduce our debts- the country has huge debts. The EU costs us about £180 billion a year- pull out and save, not only this but, the costs of EU regulations to business, not to mention the costs of EU immigration. Reduce the numbers of managers in the NHS and reduce the amount of drugs dispensed at one time and save £ millions. Pull out of Afghanistan and not only save lives but £ billions. Repeal the Climate Change Act and save about £20 billion a year –also save our energy bills soaring to around £5,000 in the next decade. Disband the Meteorological Office- they are no longer fit for purpose, and save £200million a year. The list is endless. As one of our most successful retailers says‘every little helps’.
I will bring common sense and honesty into politics and restore the freedom of choice to the people.
If you’re disillusioned with the others, vote for ROD LITTLEWOOD, BEST OF A BAD BUNCH for the Opportunity of REAL Change
In these difficult and testing economic times, we need people with real practical skills, real experience and a proven track record of success to represent us in Parliament.
We don’t need more academics, management consultants or career politicians.
The lead up to an election is effectively a job interview where the Electorate should employ the best candidate to represent the interests of the local economy and, above all, the people who live and work in Spelthorne. Not a political party.
A candidate should be a ‘well rounded’, versatile and experienced individual. rather than a career politicians parachuted into Spelthorne by their respective parties.
You should demand of your candidates,
“what qualifies you, to represent me?”
“Do you have have the necessary and essential practical skills, acumen and experience?”
The Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem candidates range between 31 and 38 years of age. The Labour candidate is the only one I could find of the three main parties, to have ever been a Company Director (source: Creditsafe). Of his three companies, two ceased trading within a short time frame, the remaining company is non-commercial, made up of residents to maintains the building where he lives in London.
I funded my first (in 1997) and second company (in 2000 to take on a partner) from my own pocket and have never borrowed money to finance its activities, which I built from scratch, here, in Staines, where I have lived all my life.
Without a buoyant local economy, we don’t have good local employment prospects.
A strong candidate should understand the whole process of life in Spelthorne, from growing up, to being an employee and a parent. He should understand the challenges an employer faces.
I have run a consulting and project management business for the past 13 years
I am 43 and I have lived in Staines all of my life. My three children attend local state schools and I regularly need to commute to London on Public Transport.
I have been politically active in tackling local issues for over 20 years. Issues such as: Education, Airtrack, opposing a Paedophile Treatment Centre, Commuter Rail Services, Level Crossing Delays, Policing, to name only a few.
I am already acutely aware of the issues we face in Spelthorne, now and in the future.
Visit me at: www.swinglehurst.org
No Response