Nick Clarke in a recent blogpost said:
"I made the point that whilst I am not an expert on planning I do have the largest democratic mandate, representing all 680,000 people of Cambridgeshire."
Nick isn't directly elected. Nor was Nick leader at the time of the last County Elections in 2009. Therefore he doesn't have a mandate. If Nick held a referendum over Council Tax increases he would have a mandate to increase these taxes. He won't do that. If Nick gets a majority on 2nd May 2013 he may also have a mandate. Until then Nick doesn't have a mandate for anything!
Tuesday 30 April 2013
Monday 29 April 2013
Nick Clarke is due for a fall
I took this (below) from Nick Clarke's blog about how everything is looking rosy. It may well be from his perspective. But that isn't the problem. From what I'm reading Nick is missing the point. For all the achievements Nick has a problem and that are the Council Tax rises. Of course when you are met on the doorstep by the Leader of the County Council you are hardly going tell him to go away. No let him witter on, say goodbye and close the door. Then go and vote UKIP or Lib Dem or even don't go and vote at all.
From his blog looks like he is going to romp home in Fulbourn and the Conservatives will romp home in Cottenham, Histon and Impington. Not long to find out!
Conservative campaign – positive and well received
April 20, 2013
A great day in my division. Lots of leaflets dropped and some great chats. I have been encouraged by the many offers of help and messages of support.
Speaking on the doorstep, unhappiness with national politicians of all parties is raised. When I have explained our local priorities of protecting the vulnerable, helping people live healthy and independent lives and driving the economy they get more engaged.
When I explain what we have been up to over the last two years people can see we are a party of getting things done rather than talking about it.
It’s great to be able to talk about Superfast broadband, the new station in Cambridge, bringing forward the A14 upgrade, the Ely bypass and more. Opposition parties can’t claim any success because they are not able to deliver anything. All they can talk about are promises for the future with not track record.
I have had lots of comments about the Lib Dems. People are confused because they are in coalition in government but want to appose all the time. How can they look both ways, I’m asked? If you know the Lib Dems like I do it’s not just two ways they look they can normally mange half a dozen.
I nipped up to join a canvassing team in Histon later in the day. Great response. Lots of indications that people get the financial problems we face and think we are the party to put it right. Labour is still, rightly, held to blame for the mess we are in. Again lots of confused people not understanding where the Lib Dems sit, in coalition or opposition.
I bumped into David Jenkins, the Lib Dem candidate for Histon. We had a pleasant chat. Apart from being perpetually negative about everything I like David. It must have been a shock to him seeing a dozen Conservatives, one county council leader and an MEP all knocking on doors in his street.
Overall a very positive day.
From his blog looks like he is going to romp home in Fulbourn and the Conservatives will romp home in Cottenham, Histon and Impington. Not long to find out!
Conservative campaign – positive and well received
April 20, 2013
A great day in my division. Lots of leaflets dropped and some great chats. I have been encouraged by the many offers of help and messages of support.
Speaking on the doorstep, unhappiness with national politicians of all parties is raised. When I have explained our local priorities of protecting the vulnerable, helping people live healthy and independent lives and driving the economy they get more engaged.
When I explain what we have been up to over the last two years people can see we are a party of getting things done rather than talking about it.
It’s great to be able to talk about Superfast broadband, the new station in Cambridge, bringing forward the A14 upgrade, the Ely bypass and more. Opposition parties can’t claim any success because they are not able to deliver anything. All they can talk about are promises for the future with not track record.
I have had lots of comments about the Lib Dems. People are confused because they are in coalition in government but want to appose all the time. How can they look both ways, I’m asked? If you know the Lib Dems like I do it’s not just two ways they look they can normally mange half a dozen.
I nipped up to join a canvassing team in Histon later in the day. Great response. Lots of indications that people get the financial problems we face and think we are the party to put it right. Labour is still, rightly, held to blame for the mess we are in. Again lots of confused people not understanding where the Lib Dems sit, in coalition or opposition.
I bumped into David Jenkins, the Lib Dem candidate for Histon. We had a pleasant chat. Apart from being perpetually negative about everything I like David. It must have been a shock to him seeing a dozen Conservatives, one county council leader and an MEP all knocking on doors in his street.
Overall a very positive day.
Sunday 28 April 2013
Reason 8 not to vote Conservative: They aren't Conservatives
At the Conservatives campaign launch for the local elections David Cameron said:
Conservative councils understand it is your money that they spend. Every single pound in your pocket has been hard-earned and Conservative councils are fighting to keep it there.
That's why this year, on an average Band D Bill, Conservative councils continue to charge lower levels of council tax than Labour or Liberal Democrats.
Conservatives in Government have also given councils money to freeze council tax because during these tough times we want to be on the side of hardworking families. On average, this has delivered a 10 per cent real terms cut in council tax - real help with the cost of living. By contrast, under the last Labour Government council tax more than doubled.
David Cameron says Conservatives councils are fighting to keep the pound in our pockets. Obviously except in Cambridgeshire! Where the Conservatives have been upping Council Tax and taking pounds out of our pockets!
David Cameron says: ..during these tough times we want to be on the side of working families - having given money to Councils to freeze Council Tax.
Obviously except in Cambridgeshire! Where the money offered has been rejected by all local authorities.
David Cameron is leader of the Conservative Party. The local Conservative politicians in Cambridgeshire feel they know better and reject Government money towards a Council Tax Freeze. They are only too willing to take money from our pockets to prop up their municipal socialist soviets. Therefore the reason not to vote Conservative in Cambridgeshire is the Conservatives are really socialists!
Conservative councils understand it is your money that they spend. Every single pound in your pocket has been hard-earned and Conservative councils are fighting to keep it there.
That's why this year, on an average Band D Bill, Conservative councils continue to charge lower levels of council tax than Labour or Liberal Democrats.
Conservatives in Government have also given councils money to freeze council tax because during these tough times we want to be on the side of hardworking families. On average, this has delivered a 10 per cent real terms cut in council tax - real help with the cost of living. By contrast, under the last Labour Government council tax more than doubled.
David Cameron says Conservatives councils are fighting to keep the pound in our pockets. Obviously except in Cambridgeshire! Where the Conservatives have been upping Council Tax and taking pounds out of our pockets!
David Cameron says: ..during these tough times we want to be on the side of working families - having given money to Councils to freeze Council Tax.
Obviously except in Cambridgeshire! Where the money offered has been rejected by all local authorities.
David Cameron is leader of the Conservative Party. The local Conservative politicians in Cambridgeshire feel they know better and reject Government money towards a Council Tax Freeze. They are only too willing to take money from our pockets to prop up their municipal socialist soviets. Therefore the reason not to vote Conservative in Cambridgeshire is the Conservatives are really socialists!
Friday 26 April 2013
Reason 7 for not voting Conservative: Democracy Dodging
Councils that are planning to increase council tax without holding a local referendum have been slammed as ‘democracy dodgers’ by Conservative Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles.
Pickles said local authorities should ‘man up’ and ‘be straight with people’. Those planning on circumventing a local poll, by setting their tax increase just below the 2% threshold, could lose out on Whitehall funds next year, he warned.
‘Councils should stop treating residents with contempt,’ Pickles wrote in an article for the Daily Telegraph.
‘Democracy dodgers who try to creep in under the radar, putting up their stealth tax by 1.99% in a bid to avoid our 2% referendum threshold, need a reality check. We will take into consideration anybody cheating their taxpayers. Anybody using loopholes will lose out next year.’
He added that the ‘days of the kneejerk tax and spend hike’ were over. He praised councils that were either freezing or cutting their council tax, including West Sussex, Wolverhampton and Windsor & Maidenhead.
And what are our Local Authorities doing? Council Tax increases, in many cases to the limit, before a referendum needs to be called. Conservative run Local Authorities are Democracy Dodging.
Pickles said local authorities should ‘man up’ and ‘be straight with people’. Those planning on circumventing a local poll, by setting their tax increase just below the 2% threshold, could lose out on Whitehall funds next year, he warned.
‘Councils should stop treating residents with contempt,’ Pickles wrote in an article for the Daily Telegraph.
‘Democracy dodgers who try to creep in under the radar, putting up their stealth tax by 1.99% in a bid to avoid our 2% referendum threshold, need a reality check. We will take into consideration anybody cheating their taxpayers. Anybody using loopholes will lose out next year.’
He added that the ‘days of the kneejerk tax and spend hike’ were over. He praised councils that were either freezing or cutting their council tax, including West Sussex, Wolverhampton and Windsor & Maidenhead.
And what are our Local Authorities doing? Council Tax increases, in many cases to the limit, before a referendum needs to be called. Conservative run Local Authorities are Democracy Dodging.
Thursday 25 April 2013
Reason 6 not to vote Conservative: Local Conservatives can't follow Conservative policy
At the local election campaign launch, David Cameron was speaking in front of the Tories' local election campaign slogan "For Hardworking People".
David Cameron said: "We’re fighting for the pound in your pocket in fact – we’re fighting to keep it there. Because Conservatives get something. It’s your money. Every single pound has been hard-earned - early mornings, late nights, long commutes, time away from the children, hours put in on the factory floor, the shop floor, the hospital ward.
"And then you come home and there, on the door-mat, is the council tax bill. There is a clear moral imperative to keep that tax down.
"That’s why we said to councils of all colours: even when money is tight, we’ll give you this extra cash to freeze council tax."
David Cameron is the Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party. His party gave pledges to freeze council, something which most Conservative run local authorities in Cambridgeshire have simply ignored.
The Conservative Party is campaigning for a Council Tax Freeze, but locally the Conservatives have been upping Council Tax.
David Cameron said: "We’re fighting for the pound in your pocket in fact – we’re fighting to keep it there. Because Conservatives get something. It’s your money. Every single pound has been hard-earned - early mornings, late nights, long commutes, time away from the children, hours put in on the factory floor, the shop floor, the hospital ward.
"And then you come home and there, on the door-mat, is the council tax bill. There is a clear moral imperative to keep that tax down.
"That’s why we said to councils of all colours: even when money is tight, we’ll give you this extra cash to freeze council tax."
David Cameron is the Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party. His party gave pledges to freeze council, something which most Conservative run local authorities in Cambridgeshire have simply ignored.
The Conservative Party is campaigning for a Council Tax Freeze, but locally the Conservatives have been upping Council Tax.
Tuesday 23 April 2013
Reason 5 not to vote Conservative: Muddled Thinking
Martin Curtis is a Conservative County Councillor for North Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire. He is also Cabinet Member for Adult Services. When CCC put up tax by 2.95% for 2012/13 one of the reasons for doing this was a consultation had taken place and therefore:
"A local referendum would cost money to deliver, money that could be spent on services."
To validate this point Martin went on to say:
That last point is an important one, it is not that anyone is scared of listening to local people, rather that we have already consulted as part of our consideration for the current budget proposals. That (statistically valid) consultation showed that there was appetite around the County for a small council tax rise - provided that the money was spent on residents' priorities; we have done this. As an example by investing more in Adult Social Care in order to slow down the reductions and allow us to make the long term savings we need in a much more measured and joined up way, and by investing an extra £90m in roads (which means roads, pavements and cycle paths). Both of these areas were shown to be priorities in our consultation.
That sounds great. The County Council did a consultation of all residents and came up with a council tax rise. Forget the Conservative Manifesto promise of 2 years Council Tax freeze. If the Conservatives lose control of Cambridgeshire County Council on 2nd May 2013 it would be because of muddled thinking.
That is muddled thinking by the Conservatives. To stay in power the Conservatives need votes. These votes are unlikely to come from the opposition. If you are making your supporters unhappy by pushing up Council Tax they won't vote for you and could vote UKIP instead. That is the muddle. Wanting to get re-elected has everything to do with designing policies to garner enough support. With Council Tax increases this policy is designed to alienate the Conservatives core support.
"A local referendum would cost money to deliver, money that could be spent on services."
To validate this point Martin went on to say:
That last point is an important one, it is not that anyone is scared of listening to local people, rather that we have already consulted as part of our consideration for the current budget proposals. That (statistically valid) consultation showed that there was appetite around the County for a small council tax rise - provided that the money was spent on residents' priorities; we have done this. As an example by investing more in Adult Social Care in order to slow down the reductions and allow us to make the long term savings we need in a much more measured and joined up way, and by investing an extra £90m in roads (which means roads, pavements and cycle paths). Both of these areas were shown to be priorities in our consultation.
That sounds great. The County Council did a consultation of all residents and came up with a council tax rise. Forget the Conservative Manifesto promise of 2 years Council Tax freeze. If the Conservatives lose control of Cambridgeshire County Council on 2nd May 2013 it would be because of muddled thinking.
That is muddled thinking by the Conservatives. To stay in power the Conservatives need votes. These votes are unlikely to come from the opposition. If you are making your supporters unhappy by pushing up Council Tax they won't vote for you and could vote UKIP instead. That is the muddle. Wanting to get re-elected has everything to do with designing policies to garner enough support. With Council Tax increases this policy is designed to alienate the Conservatives core support.
Sunday 21 April 2013
The curious cases of Kilian Bourke and Martin Land
The recent resignation of Paris Brown as Youf PCC in Kent due to racist and homophobic tweets, I thought I would take a quick look a two Liberal Democrat candidates with histories of offensive comments.
Cllr Kilian Bourke (Romsey) was hauled up for making homophobic comments back in 2010. News and Crier article here. What was Kilian's reward for making these remarks? He is currently Leader of the Liberal Democrats on CCC.
As for Martin Land (LD Candidate for St Neots Eaton Socon and Eynesbury) his faux pas was to say about the Conservatives:
"that the Tories remain a coalition between the blatantly self-interested, closet racists, and homophobes.."
The Liberal Democrats rewarded Martin Land for these views with continuing to be their Parliamentary Candidate for Huntingdon at the 2010 General Election and he is even standing again at the County elections in May 2013.
Great to know you can smear other people and still be a Liberal Democrat.
Cllr Kilian Bourke (Romsey) was hauled up for making homophobic comments back in 2010. News and Crier article here. What was Kilian's reward for making these remarks? He is currently Leader of the Liberal Democrats on CCC.
As for Martin Land (LD Candidate for St Neots Eaton Socon and Eynesbury) his faux pas was to say about the Conservatives:
"that the Tories remain a coalition between the blatantly self-interested, closet racists, and homophobes.."
The Liberal Democrats rewarded Martin Land for these views with continuing to be their Parliamentary Candidate for Huntingdon at the 2010 General Election and he is even standing again at the County elections in May 2013.
Great to know you can smear other people and still be a Liberal Democrat.
First prediction on who is going to win.
The 2009 County Council elections were held in tandem with the Euro elections. This meant many voters who wouldn't normally vote because the party they support wasn't standing at the County were standing in the Euros.
This led to a fall in the major votes when voting at the Euros. The main losers were the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. The main gainers were UKIP and the BNP (where are they now?).
For 2013, UKIP has got a candidate in many of the seats. This is both dangerous to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
The total number of seats up for election are 69. In 2009, the Conservatives won 42, Liberal Democrats 23, Labour 2, The Greens 1 and UKIP 1. Therefore the Conservatives need 35 seats to have an overall majority. Anything less and the Conservatives will lose to No overall control.
From what I have seen the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are defending the seats they currently hold and are looking to make any advances. Instead of sweeping elections this fight for the County Council is really about the Conservatives hanging on and other parties making small but significant gains.
Lets look at the individual parties:
Conservatives: They need to retain as many seats as they can. Lose 8 seats from their current total and they remain the largest party but not in overall control. Where the Conservatives properly campaign they should still win, though with a much reduced share of the vote. Where they take their support for granted UKIP could do very well.
Liberal Democrats: They are being targeted in Cambridge by a resurgent Labour Party (why of why didn't people get hurt last time!). Where the Liberal Democrats really campaign I expect no set back. Their vote will fall dramatically where there is minimal or no campaigning.
Labour: Targeting Cambridge Divisions because this is a target seat for the General Election. Labour needs to take 10 seats in Cambridge to be doing well. All seats and they have Cambridge sown up.
UKIP: Winning will depend on the number of seats they can gain. Putting a candidate up in most seats is a tactic. Though whether this will payoff is a different matter. UKIP needs to do well. This means they need to get more than a gain in the number of seats. If they do well they need 5 seats. Fantastic is 10 seats. Breakthrough is 15 seats. The trouble with UKIP hype is Nigel Farage over eggs the position.
Independents: There are a few Independents standing mainly in St Neots. The Conservatives could lose seats here.
Conclusion.
This election is hard to call. The Conservatives could really lose control. The Liberal Democrats could hold onto many of their seats and make gains from the Conservatives as the UKIP vote bites.
Labour has to start to take control of Cambridge to be in sight of a General Election win. UKIP could do well but really needs to campaign.
Prediction:
Conservatives: 32 seats
Liberal Democrats: 21
Labour: 8
UKIP: 7
Independents: 3
This would result in a truly hung council with no party or 2 party coalition able to govern. What would be needed would be a grand coalition between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
| Cambridgeshire County Council election, 2009 | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Seats | Gains | Losses | Net gain/loss | Seats % | Votes % | Votes | +/− | ||
| Conservative | 42 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 60.9% | 45.6% | 94,806 | |||
| Liberal Democrat | 23 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 33.3% | 33.7% | 70,030 | |||
| Labour | 2 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 2.9% | 9.1% | 18,824 | |||
| Green | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 1.4% | 4.9% | 10,351 | |||
| UKIP | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 1.4% | 3.3% | 6,780 | |||
| Independent | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 2.2% | 4,672 | |||
| Labour Co-op | 0 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0.0% | 0.7% | 1,409 | |||
| Monster Raving Loony | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.3% | 566 | |||
| Libertarian | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% | 140 | |||
| UK First | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.1% | 117 | |||
This led to a fall in the major votes when voting at the Euros. The main losers were the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. The main gainers were UKIP and the BNP (where are they now?).
For 2013, UKIP has got a candidate in many of the seats. This is both dangerous to the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
The total number of seats up for election are 69. In 2009, the Conservatives won 42, Liberal Democrats 23, Labour 2, The Greens 1 and UKIP 1. Therefore the Conservatives need 35 seats to have an overall majority. Anything less and the Conservatives will lose to No overall control.
From what I have seen the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are defending the seats they currently hold and are looking to make any advances. Instead of sweeping elections this fight for the County Council is really about the Conservatives hanging on and other parties making small but significant gains.
Lets look at the individual parties:
Conservatives: They need to retain as many seats as they can. Lose 8 seats from their current total and they remain the largest party but not in overall control. Where the Conservatives properly campaign they should still win, though with a much reduced share of the vote. Where they take their support for granted UKIP could do very well.
Liberal Democrats: They are being targeted in Cambridge by a resurgent Labour Party (why of why didn't people get hurt last time!). Where the Liberal Democrats really campaign I expect no set back. Their vote will fall dramatically where there is minimal or no campaigning.
Labour: Targeting Cambridge Divisions because this is a target seat for the General Election. Labour needs to take 10 seats in Cambridge to be doing well. All seats and they have Cambridge sown up.
UKIP: Winning will depend on the number of seats they can gain. Putting a candidate up in most seats is a tactic. Though whether this will payoff is a different matter. UKIP needs to do well. This means they need to get more than a gain in the number of seats. If they do well they need 5 seats. Fantastic is 10 seats. Breakthrough is 15 seats. The trouble with UKIP hype is Nigel Farage over eggs the position.
Independents: There are a few Independents standing mainly in St Neots. The Conservatives could lose seats here.
Conclusion.
This election is hard to call. The Conservatives could really lose control. The Liberal Democrats could hold onto many of their seats and make gains from the Conservatives as the UKIP vote bites.
Labour has to start to take control of Cambridge to be in sight of a General Election win. UKIP could do well but really needs to campaign.
Prediction:
Conservatives: 32 seats
Liberal Democrats: 21
Labour: 8
UKIP: 7
Independents: 3
This would result in a truly hung council with no party or 2 party coalition able to govern. What would be needed would be a grand coalition between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.
Saturday 20 April 2013
Interesting election 6: Godmanchester and Huntingdon East
Back in 2009 the Liberal Democrats slipped one in to win a seat here.
In 2013 the field has been enlarged by the addition of 2 UKIP candidates and 2 candidates from the some weird socialist splitter group.
The Conservatives, have two newish candidates with Jeff Dutton and Colin Hyams not re-standing. The Liberal Democrats are campaigning here and could win.
This would show the Liberal Democrats winning here.
| Godmanchester and Huntingdon East electoral division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Liberal Democrat | Graham Wilson | 2,232 | 23.9 | +5.4 | |
| Conservative | Jeffery Dutton | 2,223 | 23.8 | −0.2 | |
| Conservative | Colin Hyams | 2,197 | 23.4 | +1.6 | |
| Liberal Democrat | Michael Shellens | 2,105 | 22.5 | +6.8 | |
| Labour | Ruth Pugh | 327 | 3.5 | −6.5 | |
| Labour | Patrick Kadewere | 272 | 2.9 | −7.1 | |
| Rejected ballots | 59 | 1.2 | {{{change}}} | ||
| Turnout | 4,920 | 43.1 | |||
| Liberal Democrat gain from Conservative | Swing | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
In 2013 the field has been enlarged by the addition of 2 UKIP candidates and 2 candidates from the some weird socialist splitter group.
| Godmanchester and Huntingdon East electoral division (2 seats) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Conservative | Andrew Paul Bish | ||||
| Conservative | Daryl Brown | ||||
| UKIP | Martin Cohen | ||||
| TUSC | Robert Alan Cossey-Mowle | ||||
| Labour | David Mitchel King | ||||
| UKIP | Derek Arthur Norman | ||||
| Labour | Robert Kenneth Pugh | ||||
| Liberal Democrat | Michael Frederick Shellens | ||||
| TUSC | Antony Staples | ||||
| Liberal Democrat | Graham Martin Wilson | ||||
This would show the Liberal Democrats winning here.
Friday 19 April 2013
Interesting Elections 5: Romsey
Kilian Bourke is currently Leader of the Liberal Democrats on the County Council. In 2009 his election was on 34.3% of the vote out of 6 candidates.
In 2013 Kilian is again one out of 6 candidates.
This time he doesn't have an Independent standing against him. But Kilian's vote could be eroded by UKIP, Green, Labour. Labour will be hoping to turnover Kilian who isn't without controversy.
If Labour does overturn Kilian, this decapitation could cause problems with the outcome of this election.
| Romsey electoral division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Liberal Democrat | Kilian Bourke | 829 | 34.3 | −10.7 | |
| Labour | Christine Freeman | 493 | 20.4 | −12.9 | |
| Independent | Thomas Woodcock | 425 | 17.6 | N/A | |
| Green | Philip Richards | 297 | 12.3 | +1.5 | |
| Conservative | Samuel Barker | 270 | 11.2 | +1.5 | |
| UKIP | Marjorie Barr | 96 | 3.9 | +2.7 | |
| Rejected ballots | 9 | 0.4 | |||
| Turnout | 2,418 | 36.9 | |||
| Liberal Democrat hold | Swing | ||||
In 2013 Kilian is again one out of 6 candidates.
| Romsey electoral division[2] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| UKIP | Marjorie Ruth Barr | ||||
| Liberal Democrat | Kilian Bourke | ||||
| Conservative | Andrew James Bower | ||||
| Green | Hywel Francis Taylor Sedgwick-Jell | ||||
| Labour | Martin Smart | ||||
| Cambridge Socialists | Tom Woodcock | ||||
If Labour does overturn Kilian, this decapitation could cause problems with the outcome of this election.
Wednesday 17 April 2013
Interesting Elections 4: Willingham
Shona Johnstone's old seat of Willingham as Ray Manning looks to take over the seat. Cllr Manning already has a job as Leader of South Cambs DC (Council Tax rise= 4.8%).
At the 2009 CC Elections the Conservatives did very well.
Shona had a bit of a problem with being found guilty of criminal damage. This gave her trouble with standing for Police Commissioner. This didn't happen. It will be interesting to see whether the Liberal Democrats can put up a candidate and fight to win this seat. UKIP could also take a load of vote from the Conservatives.
| Willingham electoral division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| UKIP | Martin John Hale | ||||
| Conservative | Ray Manning | ||||
| Labour | Ben Monks | ||||
| Liberal Democrat | Barry John Platt | ||||
| Green | Helen Stocks | ||||
At the 2009 CC Elections the Conservatives did very well.
| Willingham electoral division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Conservative | Shona Johnstone | 1,485 | 56.5 | +9.9 | |
| Liberal Democrat | Rob Falla | 888 | 33.8 | −8.5 | |
| Labour | Charlie Wilson | 185 | 7.0 | N/A | |
| Rejected ballots | 52 | 1.9 | |||
| Turnout | 2,627 | 37.1 | |||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
Tuesday 16 April 2013
Reason 4 not to vote Conservative: Broken promise over Council Tax rises
At the 2010 General Election the Conservatives pledged to freeze Council Tax for 2 years. The Conservatives didn't win and in the coalition agreement this pledge was watered down to 1 year freeze with the possibility of a second year freeze if money could be found. Monet was found!
The County Council Conservatives ignored this pledge and went ahead with Council Tax rises for the County Council and two authorities they nominated councillors too. Namely the Police Authority and the Fire Authority. All three raised Council Tax contrary to the pledge the Conservatives made and contrary to the coalition agreement.
One reason why the County Conservatives took the decision to break the Conservative Party election pledge was they did a consultation. The following reason was stated as to why Council Tax was increased:
"That (statistically valid) consultation showed that there was appetite around the County for a small council tax rise - provided that the money was spent on residents' priorities; we have done this."
The choice was simple either freeze Council Tax, as per the Manifesto/Coalition agreement or say no to Government money and up the tax because of consultation said so. Of course the County Conservatives were only too willing to throw away their commitment to a Council Tax freeze and go on a spend, spend, spend policy.
I feel the Conservatives will rue the day they threw away this national pledge for a Council Tax freeze. If they do lose power it is because they lost support because they raised Council Tax when they should have frozen it. It is all well to do a consultation but the results shouldn't abrogate your pledge. The Conservatives now can't point at other parties and say they will raise Council Tax because they already have!
Reason 5 on not voting Conservative is a broken promise over a Council Tax freeze and therefore Council Tax rises which shouldn't have happened.
The County Council Conservatives ignored this pledge and went ahead with Council Tax rises for the County Council and two authorities they nominated councillors too. Namely the Police Authority and the Fire Authority. All three raised Council Tax contrary to the pledge the Conservatives made and contrary to the coalition agreement.
One reason why the County Conservatives took the decision to break the Conservative Party election pledge was they did a consultation. The following reason was stated as to why Council Tax was increased:
"That (statistically valid) consultation showed that there was appetite around the County for a small council tax rise - provided that the money was spent on residents' priorities; we have done this."
The choice was simple either freeze Council Tax, as per the Manifesto/Coalition agreement or say no to Government money and up the tax because of consultation said so. Of course the County Conservatives were only too willing to throw away their commitment to a Council Tax freeze and go on a spend, spend, spend policy.
I feel the Conservatives will rue the day they threw away this national pledge for a Council Tax freeze. If they do lose power it is because they lost support because they raised Council Tax when they should have frozen it. It is all well to do a consultation but the results shouldn't abrogate your pledge. The Conservatives now can't point at other parties and say they will raise Council Tax because they already have!
Reason 5 on not voting Conservative is a broken promise over a Council Tax freeze and therefore Council Tax rises which shouldn't have happened.
Sunday 14 April 2013
Interesting Election 3: Little Paxton and St Neots North
This division is interesting because the Conservatives are fighting 2 former members and current County Councillors.
At the 2009 election the Conservatives did very well.
And the Conservatives still do very well at the district elections. But there have been some changes. Cllr Ken Churchill had a problem with his sports massage business. Ken was struck off the physiotherapist register for an inappropriate relationship with a 72 year old woman. Ken was thrown out of the County Council Conservative Group but continued to be a Conservative District Councillor because the District Council Conservative Group couldn't get the super majority needed to expel him from their group, though over half did vote to get rid of Ken.
With Ken suspended he could not stand as a Conservative candidate so he and Bob Farrer left the Conservative Groups to set up an Independent (Conservative) Group. With the Liberal Democrats unable to put up two candidates and Labour plus UKIP having to ship in candidates this means this will be a grudge match between the Conservatives (Harty in the County Cabinet + Barry Chapman is currently Town Mayor) and the Independent Conservatives with tainted Churchill and taint free Farrer.
St Neots should be very interesting!
Name of Candidate Home Address
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
APPLETON Marian May Flat 3, Hinton Lodge, St. Neots Road, Eaton Ford, St. Neots.
Conservative Party Candidate
CHAPMAN Barry Stephen
6 Kipling Place, Eaton Ford, St Neots, PE19 7RG
Independent
CHURCHILL Ken 51 Gordon Road, Little Paxton, St Neots, PE19 6NJ
Independent
FARRER Bob 151A Crosshall Road, Eaton Ford, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 7GB
Conservative Party Candidate
HARTY David 10 Sambar Close, St Neots, PE19 8QG
Green Party
LAFIRENZE Melina
27 Queen's Gardens, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 8BY
Labour Party Candidate
LOMAX Jim 2 Windsor Road, Godmanchester, Huntingdon, PE29 2DD
Labour Party Candidate
REES Emlyn Ian 7 The Grove, St. Neots, PE19 1EX
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
SMART Sherrell Lee Hermitage Marina, Earith Bridge, Earith, PE28 3PR
Liberal Democrat
THORPE Gordon Sydney 5 Milton Avenue, Eaton Ford, St Neots, PE19 7LH, Cambs
At the 2009 election the Conservatives did very well.
| Little Paxton and St Neots North electoral division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Conservative | Kenneth Churchill | 2,573 | 29.8 | +5.7 | |
| Conservative | David Harty | 2,451 | 28.4 | +2.4 | |
| Liberal Democrat | Robert Eaton | 1,228 | 14.2 | −3.0 | |
| Liberal Democrat | Gordon Thorpe | 1,052 | 12.2 | −2.3 | |
| Green | Sarah Boulton | 834 | 9.7 | N/A | |
| Labour | Graham Hitchings | 280 | 3.2 | −5.9 | |
| Labour | John Watson | 217 | 2.5 | −6.4 | |
| Rejected ballots | 45 | 0.9 | |||
| Turnout | 4,751 | 38.3 | |||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
With Ken suspended he could not stand as a Conservative candidate so he and Bob Farrer left the Conservative Groups to set up an Independent (Conservative) Group. With the Liberal Democrats unable to put up two candidates and Labour plus UKIP having to ship in candidates this means this will be a grudge match between the Conservatives (Harty in the County Cabinet + Barry Chapman is currently Town Mayor) and the Independent Conservatives with tainted Churchill and taint free Farrer.
St Neots should be very interesting!
Name of Candidate Home Address
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
APPLETON Marian May Flat 3, Hinton Lodge, St. Neots Road, Eaton Ford, St. Neots.
Conservative Party Candidate
CHAPMAN Barry Stephen
6 Kipling Place, Eaton Ford, St Neots, PE19 7RG
Independent
CHURCHILL Ken 51 Gordon Road, Little Paxton, St Neots, PE19 6NJ
Independent
FARRER Bob 151A Crosshall Road, Eaton Ford, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 7GB
Conservative Party Candidate
HARTY David 10 Sambar Close, St Neots, PE19 8QG
Green Party
LAFIRENZE Melina
27 Queen's Gardens, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 8BY
Labour Party Candidate
LOMAX Jim 2 Windsor Road, Godmanchester, Huntingdon, PE29 2DD
Labour Party Candidate
REES Emlyn Ian 7 The Grove, St. Neots, PE19 1EX
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
SMART Sherrell Lee Hermitage Marina, Earith Bridge, Earith, PE28 3PR
Liberal Democrat
THORPE Gordon Sydney 5 Milton Avenue, Eaton Ford, St Neots, PE19 7LH, Cambs
Saturday 13 April 2013
Interesting Elections 2: St Neots Eaton Socon and Eynesbury
This election is turning into a bitter fight between former Liberal Democrats standing as Independents and the Conservatives. At the 2009 elections the 2 seats up for grabs were won by the Conservatives.
At this election the Conservatives gained one seat from the Liberal Democrats who were not far behind. In 2013 the parties have changed. Last year Derek Giles convincingly beat the Conservatives standing as an Independent. Derek and fellow former Liberal Democrat Steven Van De Kerkhove, still a District Councillor for Eynesbury, are fighting Conservatives Roger Harrison (District and Town Councillor and is also Leader of the Town Council) and Adrian Usher (Town Councillor).
From the list of candidates below I cannot see the Liberal Democrats, UKIP, Labour or the Greens doing anything to campaign in this Division. This is a straight Conservative v Independent fight. Harrison and Usher have got to get out and campaign to get elected.
Bob Farrer is also standing as an Independent in the neighbouring division of Little Paxton and St Neots North. Another interesting fight!
Name of Candidate Home Address
Independent
GILES Derek Arthur 6 Stratford Place, Eaton Socon, PE19 8HY
Conservative Party Candidate
HARRISON Roger 55 Bushmead Rd, Eaton Socon, PE19 8GQ
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
HOWARD Dave 81, Howitts Gardens, Eynesbury, St. Neots, PE19 2NS
Labour Party Candidate
HURST Wendy Jean 11 Andrew Rd, Eynesbury, St Neots, PE19 2QE
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
LANCASTER Steve 128 Burstellars, St Ives, PE27 3YN
Liberal Democrat
LAND Martin Graham The Hideaway, 11B St Marys St, Eynesbury, St Neots, PE19 2TA
Labour Party Candidate
O`CONNOR William Francis 23 Chamberlain Way, St. Neots, Cambs., PE19 1RD
Green Party
THOMAS Gareth Robert 11 Eayre Court, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1QZ
Conservative Party Candidate
USHER Adrian Lee "Dentonby", 21 Luke Street, Eynesbury, St. Neots, Cambs, PE19 2TW
Independent
VAN DE KERKHOVE Steven Mark 6 Manor Park, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 1NY
| St Neots Eaton Socon and Eynesbury electoral division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Conservative | Rodney Farrer | 1,699 | 25.6 | +5.7 | |
| Conservative | Catherine Hodgson Hutton | 1,642 | 24.7 | +7.9 | |
| Liberal Democrat | Julia Hayward | 1,443 | 21.7 | +0.9 | |
| Liberal Democrat | Martin Land | 1,305 | 19.7 | +1.9 | |
| Labour | Christine Ellarby | 275 | 4.1 | −9.1 | |
| Labour | William O'Connor | 273 | 4.1 | −7.5 | |
| Rejected ballots | 77 | 2.1 | |||
| Turnout | 3,675 | 31.2 | |||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
| Conservative gain from Liberal Democrat | Swing | ||||
From the list of candidates below I cannot see the Liberal Democrats, UKIP, Labour or the Greens doing anything to campaign in this Division. This is a straight Conservative v Independent fight. Harrison and Usher have got to get out and campaign to get elected.
Bob Farrer is also standing as an Independent in the neighbouring division of Little Paxton and St Neots North. Another interesting fight!
Name of Candidate Home Address
Independent
GILES Derek Arthur 6 Stratford Place, Eaton Socon, PE19 8HY
Conservative Party Candidate
HARRISON Roger 55 Bushmead Rd, Eaton Socon, PE19 8GQ
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
HOWARD Dave 81, Howitts Gardens, Eynesbury, St. Neots, PE19 2NS
Labour Party Candidate
HURST Wendy Jean 11 Andrew Rd, Eynesbury, St Neots, PE19 2QE
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
LANCASTER Steve 128 Burstellars, St Ives, PE27 3YN
Liberal Democrat
LAND Martin Graham The Hideaway, 11B St Marys St, Eynesbury, St Neots, PE19 2TA
Labour Party Candidate
O`CONNOR William Francis 23 Chamberlain Way, St. Neots, Cambs., PE19 1RD
Green Party
THOMAS Gareth Robert 11 Eayre Court, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1QZ
Conservative Party Candidate
USHER Adrian Lee "Dentonby", 21 Luke Street, Eynesbury, St. Neots, Cambs, PE19 2TW
Independent
VAN DE KERKHOVE Steven Mark 6 Manor Park, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 1NY
Friday 12 April 2013
Interesting Elections 1: Warboys and Upwood
In a series of about the Cambridgeshire County Elections I thought I would look at coming and goings at some of the more interesting election battles. Warboys and Upwood is an interesting battle. This is a Conservative seat.
At the 2009 County Council elections the results was the following:
A good Conservative hold with UKIP second.
Victor Lucas having stood down there is now a vacancy which has been taken up by Cllr Jason Ablewhite who is standing as the Conservative candidate. The candidates for May 2013 are:
Name of Candidate Home Address
The Conservative Party Candidate
ABLEWHITE Jason Churchill House, 3 Pettis Rd, St Ives, PE27 6SR
Labour Party Candidate
GODDARD Kevin Roy 20 Worthington Close, Stilton, Peterborough, PE7 3XF
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
TEW Michael Russell 8 High Meadow, Bury, Hunts, PE26 2LD
Liberal Democrat
WILLS Christine Susan 28 The Paddock, Somersham, PE28 3JU
The only candidate to live in the division is Mike Tew standing for UKIP. All the other candidates live outside the division. What makes this an interesting seat is Cllr Ablewhite is currently Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council and is also a Town Councillor on St Ives Town Council. As leader, Cllr Ablewhite, upped Council Tax for HDC for 3.7% this year and upped the Council Tax last year.
The problem for Cllr Ablewhite is he needs to win and needs to win well to be able to stand up and say the electorate are with me on upping Council Tax. If Cllr Ablewhite loses then he will have a far tougher time when he proposes more increases in the years to come as this strategy would have been thrown out by the electorate.
What I do find a bit disconcerting is Cllr Ablewhite's address. Churchill House? Sounds as though he is wrapping himself in the Union Flag to fend off his tax rises. If his house is named after Winston Churchill and not disgraced Ken Churchill (standing as an Independent in St Neots) Cllr Abelwhite should take note of a quote from Winston:
“I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
At the 2009 County Council elections the results was the following:
| Warboys and Upwood electoral division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
| Conservative | Victor Lucas | 1,408 | 49.8 | −5.5 | |
| UKIP | Robert Brown | 803 | 28.4 | N/A | |
| Liberal Democrat | Robert Johnson | 504 | 17.8 | −14.6 | |
| Labour | Margaret Cochrane | 98 | 3.5 | −8.8 | |
| Rejected ballots | 10 | 0.4 | |||
| Turnout | 2,826 | 39.0 | |||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
Victor Lucas having stood down there is now a vacancy which has been taken up by Cllr Jason Ablewhite who is standing as the Conservative candidate. The candidates for May 2013 are:
Name of Candidate Home Address
The Conservative Party Candidate
ABLEWHITE Jason Churchill House, 3 Pettis Rd, St Ives, PE27 6SR
Labour Party Candidate
GODDARD Kevin Roy 20 Worthington Close, Stilton, Peterborough, PE7 3XF
UK Independence Party (UKIP)
TEW Michael Russell 8 High Meadow, Bury, Hunts, PE26 2LD
Liberal Democrat
WILLS Christine Susan 28 The Paddock, Somersham, PE28 3JU
The only candidate to live in the division is Mike Tew standing for UKIP. All the other candidates live outside the division. What makes this an interesting seat is Cllr Ablewhite is currently Leader of Huntingdonshire District Council and is also a Town Councillor on St Ives Town Council. As leader, Cllr Ablewhite, upped Council Tax for HDC for 3.7% this year and upped the Council Tax last year.
The problem for Cllr Ablewhite is he needs to win and needs to win well to be able to stand up and say the electorate are with me on upping Council Tax. If Cllr Ablewhite loses then he will have a far tougher time when he proposes more increases in the years to come as this strategy would have been thrown out by the electorate.
What I do find a bit disconcerting is Cllr Ablewhite's address. Churchill House? Sounds as though he is wrapping himself in the Union Flag to fend off his tax rises. If his house is named after Winston Churchill and not disgraced Ken Churchill (standing as an Independent in St Neots) Cllr Abelwhite should take note of a quote from Winston:
“I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
Thursday 11 April 2013
Reason 3 not to vote Conervative: Less women
The Cambridgeshire Conservatives are looking to make being a County Councillor more male dominated.
Of the 9 Conservative women elected in 2009 5 are re-standing. They are:
Gail Kenney – Sawston
Mandy Smith – Papworth
Laine Kadic - Huntingdon
Samantha Hoy – Wisbech North
Viv McGuire – Sawtry and Ellington
4 are not re-standing and are being replaced by men. They are:
Shona Johnstone – Willingham. Replaced by Ray Manning
Linda Oliver – Bassingbourn. Replaced by Adrian Dent
Catherine Hutton - Eaton Socon and Eynesbury. Replaced by Roger Harrison
Jill Tuck – Waldersley. Replaced by Will Sutton
There is one women replacing a man. Julie Wisson is taking over from Richard West in Buckden and The Offords.
Even if the Conservatives are re-elected in the same seats the Conservatives will have 3 less women.
The other women standing are divided into no hopers and might win.
The six no hopers are:
Anette Karimi - King's Hedges
Sheila Lawlor – Market
Linda Yeatman - Petersfield
Jane King – Brampton and Kimbolton
Madeleine Jackson – Ramsey
Alison Paula Elcox – Gamlingay
The two might wins are:
Anna Bailey – Ely South and West
Lynda Harford – Cottenham
At best the Conservatives maybe one councillor down if they make advances. If the Conservatives have problems they will lose women Councillors hand over fist.
Reason 3 not to vote Conservative less women as Conservative Councillors.
Of the 9 Conservative women elected in 2009 5 are re-standing. They are:
Gail Kenney – Sawston
Mandy Smith – Papworth
Laine Kadic - Huntingdon
Samantha Hoy – Wisbech North
Viv McGuire – Sawtry and Ellington
4 are not re-standing and are being replaced by men. They are:
Shona Johnstone – Willingham. Replaced by Ray Manning
Linda Oliver – Bassingbourn. Replaced by Adrian Dent
Catherine Hutton - Eaton Socon and Eynesbury. Replaced by Roger Harrison
Jill Tuck – Waldersley. Replaced by Will Sutton
There is one women replacing a man. Julie Wisson is taking over from Richard West in Buckden and The Offords.
Even if the Conservatives are re-elected in the same seats the Conservatives will have 3 less women.
The other women standing are divided into no hopers and might win.
The six no hopers are:
Anette Karimi - King's Hedges
Sheila Lawlor – Market
Linda Yeatman - Petersfield
Jane King – Brampton and Kimbolton
Madeleine Jackson – Ramsey
Alison Paula Elcox – Gamlingay
The two might wins are:
Anna Bailey – Ely South and West
Lynda Harford – Cottenham
At best the Conservatives maybe one councillor down if they make advances. If the Conservatives have problems they will lose women Councillors hand over fist.
Reason 3 not to vote Conservative less women as Conservative Councillors.
Tuesday 9 April 2013
The first reason on not to vote Labour
Apart from ####ing up the economy and the country besides, the Labour Party is back to its old ways of whinging about cuts Labour caused and the Coalition has to implement. In the Labour County manifesto for Cambridgeshire it is all about whinging and nothing on how their whinges would be paid for.
Labour is all about whinging and nothing about how to pay for their whinges. Typical Labour. Let the country down and still expect people to fall for the old trick of massive spending without credible ways to pay for this spending.
People who vote Labour are voting to kick their fellow citizens in the teeth and are rewarding failure. That is the selfish amongst us.
Labour is all about whinging and nothing about how to pay for their whinges. Typical Labour. Let the country down and still expect people to fall for the old trick of massive spending without credible ways to pay for this spending.
People who vote Labour are voting to kick their fellow citizens in the teeth and are rewarding failure. That is the selfish amongst us.
Monday 8 April 2013
Maggie Thatcher
To me, Maggie Thatcher was the greatest leader the British had in my lifetime. A conviction politician to the last. Those who came after Maggie just pale into insignificance. An icon of hate for the left. Living diety to the right.
Gone but not forgotten.
Reason 2 not to vote Conservative: 8.3% increase in the Cambs Fire Authority
What has Cambs Fire Authority (CFA) got to do with the County Council elections? The CFA is an appointed authority by Peterborough City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council. PCC appoints 4 members (3 Conservatives - 1 Labour) and CCC appoints 13 members (8 Conservatives, 4 Liberal Democrats and 1 Labour).
Out of 17 members the Conservatives hold 11 seats, Liberal Democrats 4 seats and Labour 2 seats. The Conservatives have a majority of 5 over the other two parties.
The 8.3% increase is therefore a Conservative increase.
The main reason given for this increase was:
The Director of Resources highlighted the importance of the increase in order to safeguard beyond 2014/15 and build some flexibility in the base for the long-term future.
Which means this has nothing to do with the Fire Authority preserving services but everything to do with just increasing Council Tax. Far easier when you are appointed rather than elected to this Authority.
The Chairman (Fred Brown - Conservative) informed the Authority that he had asked the Fire Minister (Brandon Lewis - Conservative - Great Yarmouth) whether this increase could be deferred to another point in time and had been advised that the Authority should take this one year opportunity to build its base.
Eric Pickles (Communities Secretary - Conservative) called on local authorities to freeze council tax whilst an underling is informing local authorities to up their council tax. The Conservatives said any increase over 2% needed to be endorsed by a referendum. Of course this has been watered down by the Conservatives with increases under £5 now not needing a referendum.
The referendum idea was a good idea. The only problem is the councils, and mainly Conservative run Councils, are avoiding this Conservative policy like the plague because they don't want to ask the people who pay just incase we all say NO!
The CFA has upped their portion by 8.3% with the backing of Government which also informs the people it wants the Local Authorities to freeze council tax. Reason 2 not to vote Conservative is an 8.3% increase by the Conservatives.
Out of 17 members the Conservatives hold 11 seats, Liberal Democrats 4 seats and Labour 2 seats. The Conservatives have a majority of 5 over the other two parties.
The 8.3% increase is therefore a Conservative increase.
The main reason given for this increase was:
The Director of Resources highlighted the importance of the increase in order to safeguard beyond 2014/15 and build some flexibility in the base for the long-term future.
Which means this has nothing to do with the Fire Authority preserving services but everything to do with just increasing Council Tax. Far easier when you are appointed rather than elected to this Authority.
The Chairman (Fred Brown - Conservative) informed the Authority that he had asked the Fire Minister (Brandon Lewis - Conservative - Great Yarmouth) whether this increase could be deferred to another point in time and had been advised that the Authority should take this one year opportunity to build its base.
Eric Pickles (Communities Secretary - Conservative) called on local authorities to freeze council tax whilst an underling is informing local authorities to up their council tax. The Conservatives said any increase over 2% needed to be endorsed by a referendum. Of course this has been watered down by the Conservatives with increases under £5 now not needing a referendum.
The referendum idea was a good idea. The only problem is the councils, and mainly Conservative run Councils, are avoiding this Conservative policy like the plague because they don't want to ask the people who pay just incase we all say NO!
The CFA has upped their portion by 8.3% with the backing of Government which also informs the people it wants the Local Authorities to freeze council tax. Reason 2 not to vote Conservative is an 8.3% increase by the Conservatives.
Sunday 7 April 2013
Reason 1 not to vote Conservative: Council Tax increases!
Despite the Government putting some money towards a Council Tax Freeze, Conservative run Local Authorities in Cambridgeshire have gone ahead with Council Tax rises this financial year. A majority did last year!
The following rises went through:
Cambs Council Council (Conservative run) 2% rise
Police (Conservative run) 2% rise
Fire (Conservative run) 8.3% rise
South Cambs DC (Conservative run) 4.3% rise
Fenland DC (Conservative run) 1.7% rise
East Cambs 2%
Huntingdonshire DC (Conservative run) 3.7% rise
Just goes to show that Conservative Councils will tax when they want too.
The following rises went through:
Cambs Council Council (Conservative run) 2% rise
Police (Conservative run) 2% rise
Fire (Conservative run) 8.3% rise
South Cambs DC (Conservative run) 4.3% rise
Fenland DC (Conservative run) 1.7% rise
East Cambs 2%
Huntingdonshire DC (Conservative run) 3.7% rise
Just goes to show that Conservative Councils will tax when they want too.
Wednesday 3 April 2013
I used to vote Tory...
....and now I don't. For decades I voted Conservative from local elections through to General and European Elections. In the last 5 years my faith in the Conservative Party has gone down. Somewhat bruised by the expenses scandal and the idiots amongst the Conservative MPs has really shaken my belief.
I feel David Cameron is the best leader for the Conservative Party. I see no others that could better him. What seems to be happening is the right of the party are kicking away supports so they can blame him for the eventual loss at the next General Election.
The problem is the Conservative Party. It is dying on its feet and needed to get through changes in parliamentary boundaries to get within a margin of able to win an election. To do so they would have had to change the House of Lords into an elected Upper House. Good, nothing wrong in that.
Locally their has been problems. My Conservative run local authorities in Cambridgeshire have now gotten into the habit of upping Council Tax. They can't use the bogey-man of other parties upping Council Tax when many have upped CT themselves.
What of other political parties? Labour simply mad idiots who ****ed this country. Not a chance. Liberal Democrats who are looking more reasonable but are far too left for me. UKIP are a bunch of idiots who are far too right wing for me.
Who to vote for? I don't know and I'm using this blog to explore which party I should vote for in the future
I feel David Cameron is the best leader for the Conservative Party. I see no others that could better him. What seems to be happening is the right of the party are kicking away supports so they can blame him for the eventual loss at the next General Election.
The problem is the Conservative Party. It is dying on its feet and needed to get through changes in parliamentary boundaries to get within a margin of able to win an election. To do so they would have had to change the House of Lords into an elected Upper House. Good, nothing wrong in that.
Locally their has been problems. My Conservative run local authorities in Cambridgeshire have now gotten into the habit of upping Council Tax. They can't use the bogey-man of other parties upping Council Tax when many have upped CT themselves.
What of other political parties? Labour simply mad idiots who ****ed this country. Not a chance. Liberal Democrats who are looking more reasonable but are far too left for me. UKIP are a bunch of idiots who are far too right wing for me.
Who to vote for? I don't know and I'm using this blog to explore which party I should vote for in the future
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