Election Literature and untruths

Whilst I have been writing this blog I have tried to keep this fairly negative, politically, most of the time, but as the election draws closer I find that I have to respond to some of the literature that is being put out around Moordown. Politics can be a dirty game but I do not agree with those thoughts and if you examine the literature that goes out under my name you will rarely find anything objectionable. I prefer to keep to the facts, i.e things that we have achieved in the past 4 years to make Moordown a better and more pleasant place to live. I do admit to sometimes comparing how things were 4 years ago but it is a long time ago and we need to be reminded of that so we continue to work to keep up the standard that we expect. Certain Parties are claiming that: 1. they stopped the increase in the allowances, that is absolutely untrue as it was an across the Council decision and none of the minority parties would have had the strength to do that had the Conservatives not agreed. In fact it was a Conservative initiative in the first place. 2. Right back in 2008 when an independent National body, set the increase of 17% to the Allowances , I was the only Councillor to refuse it for a year. There was no opposition from any of the other Parties. Allowances are a difficult issue, I know, but I do not think the whole subject has been properly explained. If we are to have a proper representation of the public, in the Council, they have to be paid some sort of remuneration. People below retirement age need to earn a living and although they are supposed to have time off for their Council duties, those duties can be so time consuming that an employer cannot afford to keep an employee on. Of course we could always return to the old days when only older wealthy people could stand for Council but would that be a fair representation of the people? At the moment we have Councillors from 20 - 80yrs old and from all walks of life and this gives a good range of experience to the Council. The basic pay for a Councillor, on duty virtually 24/7, although most people are considerate as to what hours they contact Councillors. What other job pays just £9250(before tax and insurance) for those hours, without special additional payments? The Unions would never allow it. 3. My next complaint about literature being put out is the use of dear old Ron Whittaker's name. We have a great deal of respect and genuine affection for Ron, who did sterling work when he represented parts of Moordown some years ago, but he is not standing in Moordown now so it is an irrelevance. If Independent Candidates cannot stand on their own feet, I have to ask are they suitable to be Councillors?. Also if you are an Independant are you a member of a Party? Should you have a Leader? Should that Leader be claiming the Party Leader's allowance of £1800 plus £180 per head per member of the Party? For the last four years I, and my Colleagues, have achieved much in Moordown and have really enjoyed serving the people of Moordown. We like to think we leave it in a far better state than it was when we were elected and hope that you will elect us again as there is still much to do.

Please support our Village Fete on the 29th, let's have a Party.

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