Bere Regis Constituency Results for the 2010 General Election

Before the General Election our seat, Dorset Mid & Poole North, was held by the Liberal Democrats with a majority of 5,482. In this Election, the Liberal Democrats saw their majority reduced to 269 (a 6.3% swing from LD to CON). For a BBC analysis of this result click here. For results for our Seat from 1885 onwards click here.

Candidate	Party	Votes	%	+/- %
Annette Brooke	Liberal Democrats	21,100	45.1	-4.9
Nick King	Conservative	20,831	44.5	+7.7
Darren Brown	Labour	2,748	5.9	-4.2
Dave Evans	UK Ind. Party	2,109	4.5	+1.4

Majority	269
Turnout	46,788

What were the candidates like?

On 10th April we sent a request to the candidates of the 4 Parties contesting this seat. We asked them to provide us with 1,000 words about why Bere Regis residents should vote for them & what they would do for the Village.

You can read their responses below -

The Liberal Democrats

Annette Brooke

It has been a great honour and a privilege to represent Bere Regis as your Member of Parliament for nearly nine years. Over this time I have met many residents and dealt with individual and community issues. I have been thoroughly engaged with your community by distributing regular Parliamentary Report Backs, attending Parish Council Meetings, holding street surgeries and other regular surgeries accessible for you, attending events in the village whenever possible and visiting the school on many occasions.

I have particularly valued working with the Parish Council on issues ranging from chasing up Dorset County Council for action on highways concerns to supporting your local doctor's practice. I am particularly pleased to see the crossing in place outside the school having supported the school governors and all involved in achieving this road safety measure.

I offer myself as your Liberal Democrat candidate as somebody who has been tried and tested at local and national level where my experience has been very wide ranging.

I have lived in the constituency for over 35 years and in Broadstone for over 30 years. My husband, Mike, and I have brought up our family in this beautiful area and we are now proud grandparents. Mike and I are both former teachers. Our two grown up daughters have both moved back to Poole and we are a very close knit family.

Family values are very important to me as are the many children's issues I have been engaged with at parliamentary level. My particular interests include child protection and special educational needs. I am proud that I have had the opportunity to support families and children in developing countries through my interest in micro finance.

This election comes at a critical time. Our Parliamentary system has been rocked by recent events in Parliament and we are emerging from the most severe economic depression since the 1930's. On the former, Liberal Democrats proposals for political reform are only now being acknowledged by the other parties but why did they wait so long and can you trust them to implement them? Vince Cable was predicting the current credit crunch long before others woke up and he is seen as the most trusted politician to deal with the problems.

The outcome of the election is uncertain but I believe that the Liberal Democrats have a pivotal role to play in the future. A strong presence in Parliament will provide checks and balances on policies which might be implemented. Surely all parties working together for the country is vital - as undoubtedly tough times lie ahead of us as the economic crisis is finally tackled. The economy and how we tackle the problems is a crucial issue in this election. As an economist myself I am only too aware that false promises must not be made to the electorate.

A fair taxation policy is important to me; my Party proposes raising the tax threshold to £10,000, this policy is fully costed and is paid for by cutting tax reliefs, closing tax loopholes that benefit the wealthiest and a 1% levy on properties over £2m. Obviously, I want to see more investment in education to make sure all our children achieve basic standards and we propose a pupil premium which would invest £2.5 billion into schools. This money will be targeted at schools taking on children who need more help, but will benefit every child in every school. The cash can be used to cut class sizes, provide one-to-one tuition, catch-up classes or in anyway the school wishes, ensuring every child gets the individual attention they need.

Thirdly I want to see investment in the green economy. The Liberal Democrats are the first party to aim for a ‘Zero Carbon Britain’ with a green recovery and transformation plan to take us out of the recession by creating 100,000 new, sustainable jobs and reducing our carbon pollution. We must be investing in renewable energy, better public transport and ensuring that we commit the public sector to cutting emissions immediately by signing up to the 1010 campaign to set a very public sector example.

Cleaning up politics is a matter that has gone to the very heart of this election campaign. The Liberal Democrats were the first party to call for the electorate to have the right to sack corrupt MPs. We would introduce a ‘recall’ system in which a small percentage of constituents could force a by-election for any MP suspended for wrongdoing. My Party would also introduce a statutory register of lobbyists, and change the Ministerial Code so that ministers and officials are forbidden from meeting MPs on issues where the MP is paid to lobby.

I want to see a better deal for pensioners, the issue of paying for social care tackled on a cross party basis - it shouldn't be a political football, I want to see more policemen on the beat, I want to see less central government interference in our health and education systems and money used to best effect with far less bureaucracy. I also want to see strong Border controls and most important of all our troops properly resourced. This election should be about choosing a candidate who can take up the issues to Parliament that matter to you.

For this reason I pledge:

I will continue to

Put local people first. Be there to help, listen to your concerns and stand up for our community.
Have an office in the constituency open at least 5 days a week.
Hold regular surgeries in easily accessible places.
Ask you to complete a survey about what matters to you and report back on what I am doing.

Make sure your voice is heard - locally and at Westminster.
Fight for fair taxes.
Campaign for better police and education funding
Use my experience to make sure that this area has a strong voice in Parliament.
Meet regularly with local service providers like the police, health services and residents’ groups.

Be open and honest about all expenses incurred in representing you.
Publish details on my personal website.
Answer questions you may have about them promptly.

I cannot go into all policy areas in detail in this article but please do not hesitate to contact me throughout this period on 01202 658 629.

If you want to know more about Annette you can contact her via the following -

Telephone - 01202 658 629

Website - www.annettebrooke.org.uk

The Conservatives

Nick King

Local businessman Nick King was chosen to fight the seat of Mid Dorset and North Poole from a field of many dozens of candidates by local Conservatives in November 2006.

Nick was born in Cambridge and was brought up in North Devon where he attended the local state schools.

He chose a career as a surveyor and worked in Devon and Wiltshire before moving to Hampshire to start his own business in 1991.

Nick has lived locally for 15 years, having moved to Dorset in 1995.

Nick’s family has run its own businesses for seven generations and Nick followed this trend by starting his own company at the age of 25. Dealing in employee relocation, Nick steered this company to the top of the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 and to win the Virgin Customer Services Award within eight years.

Nick left his relocation business in 2003 and now co-owns cabaret restaurants and has his own property management company in Bournemouth.

Nick has used his business experience and problem solving abilities in his political career, having been elected to Bournemouth Council in 2005. He used this to its best effect in leading the combined campaign by local councils and action groups against the proposed development of the Green Belt in 2008 and 2009.

Outside of business, Nick has used his skills to great effect in raising money for local charities. In recent years he has raised many thousands of pounds for local charities including Cancer Research UK, Tenovus, Julia’s House, Bournemouth Heart Club, and PATCH.

Nick is an active member of the local community, supporting many local events and fundraising efforts. He is a Governor of Poole Hospital and a Member of Dorset Police Authority. He supports local community associations, twinning activities and charities.

Nick pledges honesty and integrity throughout his campaign to become MP. He says, “I firmly believe that no one enters politics to do harm. If the opposition does something praiseworthy, then I will give credit for it. If I am lucky enough to be elected, I will work with and for everyone in the constituency, regardless of their political views. The other parties are my opponents, not my enemies.”

Nick’s top six priorities for our area are:

1. Fair Funding from Central Government
So many of the improvements our area needs depend upon getting fair funding from the Government

2. No Green Belt Development
Local people should decide where, what style and how much development takes place

3. Improve our local roads
Upgrade the A31, complete the dual carriageway from Ferndown to Bere Regis, improve the A35 and build bypasses for Bere Regis and Sandford.

4. A vision for public transport
Support ambitious plans for public transport – a light rail or tram system linking Poole, Wimborne, Ferndown & Bournemouth Airport

5. Treating older people fairly
Older people deserve a fair deal from Government. Pensions, Age Discrimination and Social Care are all priorities for Nick.

6. Support Sustainable Communities
Support the development of affordable housing and employment opportunities in our local villages, fight to maintain local shops, pubs and post offices.

His other interests include:

Making older people a priority
Older people have been treated terribly by this Government. Nick has experienced ageism in the NHS at first hand and will make it his priority to fight for equal treatment for all.

Equitable Life
Nick backs the fight by Equitable Life policy holders for full and fair compensation.

Council Tax
We will introduce a two year freeze in Council Tax.

English Votes for English Issues
Nick believes only those MPs whose constituents are effected by a law should be able to vote on it. Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish MPs should not be able to vote in those debates where the issue is dealt with by the devolved governments.

Better Funding for Education
If Dorset received funding equivalent to the national average the proposed changes to school in Purbeck would not be necessary. Nick would fight for a fair deal in education funding and has already obtained David Cameron’s agreement that the formula deciding this will be reviewed and changed.

Fighting for the Green Belt
Nick led opposition to Green Belt developments in around Bournemouth and Poole. He’s determined to ensure there should be no large scale development of the Green Belt, rather we should look again at brown field sites for smaller developments of affordable housing for local people.

Better, more responsive policing
Dorset Police are amongst the least well funded in the Country. Nick will fight for better funding and less bureaucracy, enabling the police to put more men on the beat and concentrate more on anti social behaviour.

Night Flights
Nick opposes any increase in night flights from Bournemouth Airport over North Poole. He’ll press for flights to be diverted over the New Forest and won’t let the airport pull the wool over his eyes!

If you want to know more about Nick you can contact him via the following -

Telephone - 07771 727 402

Website - www.nick4mdnp.com

The Labour Party

Darren Brown

I was born in Poole in the early 1970s and have lived here in Dorset and worked locally for both the public and private sector for 20 years. I was educated in local state schools in Poole and studied pure sciences at the local Bournemouth and Poole College to A' level. I then undertook undergraduate studies and worked day release from Winfrith. Graduation in 1992 form Bournemouth University was a proud moment and it now feels like just the first step in an interesting and varied journey.

I am married and live in Poole. We have one child and he is still at school, which is run by the local authority. My family have been in Dorset for six generations at least. I have friends and family working on the farm and relatives who are farm owners in the county. I work in the constituency and over Dorset in the rural and industrial boundary, employed in the water industry providing a public health role.

I have always felt it was my duty to represent the interests of my contemporaries and I. I have participated as an active workplace representative at a local, national and European level. Working in partnership with companies and Trade Unions as an elected rep. A role which was as diverse and challenging as you can imagine. Negotiating on such seemingly contrary interests certainly tests your understanding of the concept of persuasive and purposeful compromise.

Nowadays I'm a Labour Party member and have had a number of voluntary party positions locally. As district secretary I have had contact with members over many years outside of the immediate local party.

My commitment is to reflect the real situation as people present their difficulties and ambitions, and endeavour to represent a balanced stance, understanding it is a requirement to take on board conflicting interests, with the goal of finding a fair and suitable outcome for all parties in the longer term.

The balance of conservation, progress, technology and the unique identity of local culture is what the role requires and will promise to make it the quality the people of the area will remember of their MP from the new parliament if I am elected. I want to be the advocate of the area who local groups in the communities want to invite along as their champion. I don't want to be the MP they feel they have to stand on parade and speak with only for mere formality's sake.

I do not shy from intractable dilemmas. It's that quality that has carried this far and I'd like to put it to some futher good use.

My interest outside of work, family life and politics is a passion for music and I have played in bands and written music for over 25 years -playing at events over the county and beyond.

I wonder what the next chapter will be and hope on 6th May for some of my abilites to be put into service & greater demand . . . . . .

If you want to know more about Darren you can contact him via the following -

Telephone - 07505 784 924

Website - www.poole-labour.co.uk

The UK Independence Party

Dave Evans

I am Dave Evans, 62 years old, married with 2 children. I have lived in Dorset for 40 years having first taken a job at Plessy as a graduate. Unlike todays career politicians and wannabee candidates I have had real and varied work experience , having worked for Dorset Police ,Sowester Marine and currently for a small family manufacturing company. I only became interested in politics when, like many other people I lost most of my pension. New Labour has thrown private pensions and savers to the wolves and millions are facing retirement ruin.

You are being inundated with election promises but we all know from experience that once they have your vote the party will be over. What they are not telling you is that since the Lisbon Treaty came into force you may be voting on May 6th but your real government is in Brussels. Any so called British government will consist of 2nd rate managers for our masters in Brussels. So it does not really matter if Dave, Gordon or Nick gets your vote because that won’t change a thing.

Village life such as that in Bere Regis is being eroded , as the young experience problems of staying in the community because of lack of affordable social housing and access to jobs . The incoming unemployed immigrants favourably compete with the few available jobs and the situation escalates , resulting in increased travel to what work is available on already congested poorly maintained roads . Add the cost of petrol , the wear and tear on cars and the economical burden takes its toll. Small local industries are the life blood , but are being handicapped through red tape and health and safety extreme issues . There is of course the lack of financial assistance owing to the banking debacle . The Government is pitiful in its help because of restrictions imposed by the EU , our scandalous waste of money through reckless decisions during the recession and the 45 million a day burden to the EU coffers. It’s no wonder we’re bankrupt and bordering on being a third world economy . The Taxpayers Alliance, a non-political organisation estimates the true cost to the UK as £120 billion a year!

Facilities for social recreation for the young is an important issue as the devil makes work for idle hands and the temptation for alcohol and drugs for those bored becomes too much . There is no easy immediate solution and it will take time and Democracy , where everyone deserves to be heard and their concerns aired and fairly discussed , is fading fast . We are forced to abide by the ever increasing regulations imposed on us by the EU affecting all aspects of our life , such as the closure of post offices , and the Human Rights act , favouring the criminal over the victim it seems.

How can policing regain the support of the community when the motorist is constantly persecuted .

It takes a village like Bere Regis to begin a revolution that will reverberate across the nation . The rural communities and villages across Dorset are under threat like never before . Slowly but surely their character is being changed by piecemeal development which in so many cases go against local objections . If you feel powerless to stop this then you’d be right , why is this happening ?

The South West Regional Development Agency and its ugly sister , the South West UK Brussels Office are quangos that have EU connections which bypass local democracy and provide a spearhead for EU policy to be implemented locally .

We are being forced to build over half a million homes in the South West because of EU open borders and there’s nothing that you , I or our impotent politicians can do about this.

The only solution to these issues which so damage our daily life is to vote UKIP because none of the other parties are willing to concede to the fact that we need to leave the EU.

There is a meeting organised by UKIP between 10am -12pm on Saturday 24th April at Bere Regis Scout Hut. Anyone can pop in and meet me, the Mid Dorset & North Poole UKIP candidate and my team and have an informal chat.

Thanks.

If you want to know more about Dave you can contact him via the following -

Telephone - 01202 602 856

Website - www.westbournemouthukip.com/main.htm