The General Election
5th May 2005
Who could you have voted for?
Our seat, Dorset Mid & Poole North, was held by the Liberal Democrats with a very slim majority of 384. It was no. 8 on the Conservative Seat Targets list so this was a very important battleground for both parties. If you would like to know more about the different policies of the main parties click here.
What were the candidates like?
On 18th April we sent a request to the candidates of the 4 main parties contesting this seat; Liberal Democrat, Conservatives, Labour & The UK Independence Party. We asked them to provide us with around 1,000 words about why Bere Regis residents should vote for them.
Have a look at their responses below -
The Liberal Democrats
Annette Brooke MP
It has been an enormous honour and privilege to serve as your MP since June 2001. I have enjoyed making contact with villagers from Bere Regis over the past four years and I have kept in close contact with the Parish Council throughout. With your support, I will continue campaigning for more resources for our local health services, for our schools and for more police.
We all depend upon these services. I want all our children to get the best possible education. We need a health service that we can all rely upon. We need to feel safe and secure in our homes and out on the streets. The police must have more officers.
Mike and I have lived in our constituency for over 30 years and will continue to live locally. Our daughters, Caroline and Eleanor, both attended local schools before going on to university. Fortunately, at that time we were not faced with student tuition fees. Even then it was a very expensive time for us. I firmly believe that all student tuition fees should be scrapped. Young people should not be encouraged to build up huge debts. Many young people in our area cannot find affordable housing - we have to address this issue.
My parents lived in the constituency for many years but sadly died some time ago. My father, particularly, needed a great deal of care and I was very grateful for all the help and support that we received. At the end of the day he still had to sell his home to pay for care.
Pensioners have suffered from massive increases in council tax. This unfair tax should be scrapped and replaced with a local income tax based on ability to pay – 84% of pensioners would be better off. The Liberal Democrats are committed to increasing the basic pension and to providing free personal care for the elderly and for the disabled.
Liberal Democrats have long had very strong environmental policies. We are committed to putting climate change and sustainability at the heart of policy making. Without such a commitment, we risk damaging the environment beyond repair.
I am very proud of my party’s stance on the war in Iraq. We opposed the government’s decision to invade Iraq without a second UN resolution, and we challenged the intelligence, the legality, and the rationale of such an invasion without international agreement. Since then only the Liberal Democrats have continued to question, and re-question the government on this decision. We have always wanted to ensure that our troops are fully supported and equipped. Of course, we welcome the democratic elections that took place in Iraq at the end of January; however we feel that a clear exit strategy should be in place so that the Iraqi people do not feel that they are under continued occupation.
As many of you will know, I was a councillor in our constituency for 17 years and was Mayor of Poole 1997-1998. I now also have the experience of being a very active MP here in the constituency and at Westminster. I very much wish to build upon my achievements and I hope that you will return me for a second term.
My fight to win this constituency is not against other parties – it is for our area and for everyone who lives here.
If you want to know more about Annette you can contact her via the following -
Telephone - 01202 693 555
Email - annette@middorsetlibdems.org.uk
Website - www.annettebrooke.org.uk
The Conservatives
Simon Hayes
I went to school in Dorset and have strong family links across Dorset, spending a great deal of my childhood in the county; learning to sail in Poole Harbour. I now live in Creekmoor.
I have served the public as a local government councillor since 1987, holding elected office as a County Councillor, District Councillor and Town Councillor. I was Leader of the New Forest District Council from 1999 to 2003, before standing down on selection as parliamentary candidate for Mid Dorset and North Poole. As a Councillor, I have held lead portfolios with responsibility for Health, Social Services, Law and Order and policy development. I have extensive experience in local government matters that relates directly to central government responsibilities.
I became Chairman of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police Authority 2000 after successfully fulfilling a number of crucial performance management and strategic roles within the authority.
I have been a governor of both secondary and juniors schools. I support the continued existence of faith-based schools across the constituency.
For me, politics is about people: about making life better for everyone. I stand at this election in support of the family, and for security and decency across all society.
As a society, we must strengthen law and order, with more police on our streets and less ‘political correctness’. We should put the victim first, with tougher sentences for criminals alongside meaningful rehabilitation. It is also right to help older people through better pensions, the health care they need, and by ensuring their personal safety at home and in the community. Perhaps though, above all, society should support the family by greater recognition of the importance of parenting and family life.
It is important to understand the concerns, aspirations and views of those living in the Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency. I share the view that this government is neglecting our community in terms of funding for the police, schools and hospitals.
The problem of binge drinking is causing concern amongst people of all ages and I am campaigning for action to stop this irresponsible behaviour and the provision of alcohol to underage children.
Getting rid of our rubbish is an increasing problem and I support local Councils attempts to explore new ways of waste disposal and recycling.
I want to work to help our farmers who have been badly hit in recent years and preserve our rural way of life.
I will support the case for both a Bere Regis and Sandford by-pass. The pressure and danger that increased traffic brings to these two communities demands that government funds these projects. A Conservative government would make money available for such schemes and I will fight to ensure that both are properly funded and quickly.
I believe at this election there is a clear choice: four more years of Mr Blair or a new direction with the Conservatives who will act on the things that matter to people – more police officers, cleaner hospitals, school discipline, lower taxes and controlled immigration.
Another four years of Labour will see further integration into Europe Union, loss of British sovereignty; more central government control over our local affairs and a continued increase in taxes leading to more British jobs going abroad and higher unemployment. Law and order, already out of control in many parts of the country will continue to rise, leading to social breakdown and community degeneration.
As your MP and your voice in Westminster, I will fight to see social change in this country, family values restored to the heart of our society. Respect for the older generation and education for the younger to equip them for life, not just work.
If you want to get to know more, you can contact Simon via the following -
Telephone - 01202 739 922
Email - simon@votehayes.com
Website - www.votehayes.com
The Labour Party
Phil Murray
Philip Murray is a 51 year old father of three children. As an author of eight personal development books, and a number of self help audio programmes, he feels well suited to represent you in an effective manner.
“I am keen on seeking equality of opportunity for everyone, in all aspects of life. When solving problems I always look for the solution that is best for most people, taking environment and circumstances into consideration. Rather than preach to you about all the things I claim that I can deliver to you better than other candidates, I prefer to state the foundations on which all of my decisions are based, which is what I have done.”
Philip was the Labour candidate in the 2004 Alderney by-election for Poole Borough Council.
“I learnt a great deal about this area during the Alderney campaign, and spoke to many people about issues that concerned them. The Mid Dorset and North Poole constituency is geographically large and varied in nature. The rural aspects are as important to me as are the more urban areas.”
The non profit making Positive Attitude Club was started by Philip in 1993, which helps people to see the benefits of thinking and acting positively.
“My pledge is that if elected, I will serve you fairly and honestly!”
Britain is working. Don’t let the Tories wreck it again.
By 2008 …
No one will wait more than 18 weeks for NHS treatment in England.
Every community in the country will have its own
dedicated neighbourhood policing team.VOTE LABOUR AND MAINTAIN OUR PROGRESS!
We aim to educate every teenager to the limit of their ability.
We have firm commitment to a rising minimum wage.
Six years since Labour first introduced the National Minimum Wage there is much to celebrate – delivering a pay rise year on year for over a million of the lowest paid workers while maintaining economic stability and
THE LONGEST PERIOD OF SUSTAINED GROWTH IN 200 YEARS.Philip Murray says …
We have delivered a strong downward trend in asylum claims, which remain at the second lowest level since 1997, showing that Labour is taking the necessary tough action to protect our borders, to stop abuse of the asylum system and illegal immigration, while allowing those who seek refuge from war and persecution to get our protection.Britain is working. Don’t let the Lib Dems interfere.
“We face a big choice in this election – whether we continue moving forward, or go back to a failed Tory past of sky high mortgage rates, boom and bust and recession. I say we should stay with Labour!
In both 1997 and 2001, Labour made pledges to the British people – on hospitals, schools, the economy and crime. All of those pledges have been kept – and the evidence can be seen all around us.
Labour has been working hard to make our streets safer. We now have more police on the beat, as well as new community support officers. And with tough new legislation to tackle anti-social behaviour, Labour is tackling the scourge of teen gangs and under-age drinking.”
If you want to know more about Philip you can contact him via the following -
Telephone - 01202 672950
Email - philmurray.pac@talk21.com
Website - www.poole.labour.co.uk
The UK Independence Party
Avril King
"I was born and brought up in Poole. My parents were never very adventurous even after they acquired a car so our furthest boundaries were Bloxworth at bluebell time, then a stop in Bere Regis and the Drax Arms, (a bottle of lemonade and a packet of crisps outside for my sister and me), so that for years I really believed it was Beer Regis!
For a while in the 80s I lived in Milborne St Andrew and again stopped at the Drax for a small sherry (inside this time)on my way home.
Bere Regis is a classic example of the type of community that the UK Independence Party is striving to conserve. It has all the elements of the Dorset village of Hardy’s time, yet it has moved seamlessly into the 21st Century and avoided the “quaint” tag.
An especially effective Parish Council, close to the daily concerns of the village, is able, with the help of the District Councillor, to make representations to Purbeck District Council.
To my mind, these two democratic bodies are well placed to decide what is good for Bere Regis and its environs. For example, they know the housing needed for their constituents and what the infrastructure will support. Most important, if the villagers aren’t happy the councillors can soon be replaced.
I am vehemently against Regional Planning Strategies which see whole areas as computer models to be rendered cost-effective with absolutely no concern for the human beings living there or the businesses which already thrive there.
Given the EU’s policy for 20% renewable energy (mainly wind), within 15 years, how long do you think it will be before the visual and aural pollution of wind turbines blight deepest Dorset?
Regional politics are faceless, impersonal and, when regional organizations are unelected - undemocratic.
One of the reasons I joined the UKIP – more of which later, so be warned - was its determination to keep politics local. We should know who is claiming to speak on our behalf; what is being said in our name; and whether what is said is reflecting the consensus of the electorate.
Secrecy has no place in local politics. Responsibility and accountability do.
One of my personal wishes is to see the return of Police Houses to villages and housing estates.
When youths from other areas come to congregate in your village for no other reason than that they have nothing else to do, even though they may not actually commit crimes, they do create a nuisance, in terms of litter and noise.
A village policeman (better not use the word constable or bobby – too “Little Englander”), living in the community, especially in these days of instant communication, could be an effective deterrent. If there was just one in every village there would be 24 hour cover, since when one in, say, Bere Regis was off-duty, then one in Winterborne Kingston could take over. There would be no need to call in a panda car from Winfrith or wherever, hurtling across country at dangerous speed, to arrive just too late to apprehend the offender but, never mind, here is a crime number for your insurance and are you sure you didn’t kick his backside before he ran away?
For the police to make appointments to visit a village and publicise these on a public notice board is tantamount to your telling the burglar "there is no-one home Friday nights, come on over"!
The European Court of Human Rights appears to have more concern for the sub-human than for the real thing. As a naturally law-abiding nation, we are being – there is no other term for it – oppressed. Afraid to stand up for what we have earned, saved for, treasured; yet forced to pay some kind of extra levy to those who take these things from us.
The UK Independence Party’s message is so simple that we are decried as being naïve reactionaries, paranoid even!
Let me be blunt.
We believe that the British people, who developed legal procedures that have been copied all over the free world; who have championed the poor and oppressed; who have fought for freedom and democracy for ourselves, for the greater part of continental Europe and a large part of the rest of the world; whose every village has a war memorial to commemorate their brave men and women who died in that fight; have earned the right to our way of life. We have been proven as a nation which needs no lessons from faceless bureaucrats on human rights, animal rights, judicial procedures or anything else. We have always conducted our own affairs with the Commonwealth and the wider world on a basis of dignity and trust. Only since we started playing by EU rules have these criteria begun to fade from the national psyche. We must get them back before it is too late. I am not standing as candidate for UKIP in this Election for power, glory or money. I am just committed to my country above any party. No-one else has listened to the quiet, law-abiding, tax-paying majority; no-one else represents OUR views or gives us a choice on this fundamental issue.
With 70% of our laws already being made in Brussels, and all three mainstream parties committed to European Union, do you honestly believe that even the UKIP option of withdrawal will still be available in 5 years?
That is why I ask the people of our own, much-blessed Dorset, to vote for the only party which holds precisely the same values as you - and me, your candidate for the UK Independence Party. Thank you."
If you want to know more about Avril you can contact her via the following -
Telephone - 07803 394 266
Email - avrilking@ntlworld.com
Website - www.ukipdorset.org
© Bere Regis Village Website 2005 - Site by Chola Design
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