Meet the Voters 13th+14th Feb 2010

Liz, Steve and I will be out campaigning this weekend and hope that you might be able to join us!

We will be meeting this Saturday 13th at 11am at frankwell carpark by the suspension bridge.

On Sunday 14th we will be  out meeting the  lovely voters campaigning from 11am meeting at the Onslow pub car park gains park.

We would be delighted if you were able to spare an hour or two. Please do text Jon on 07800 589 074 if you can make it!

Thanks

- Jon Tandy

Tories are going soft on crime

“Tories are going soft on crime” says Jon Tandy as crime in West Mercia falls by 6% “These figures show that Labour’s tough action is working in YOUR area.”

Figures released today (Thursday Jan 21st) show that crime across the West Mercia Police area, covering Shrewsbury, has fallen by 6%. Across the country, crime has fallen by 8%, with burglary, robbery and violence all down this quarter.

This welcome drop, which will be welcomed by people across West Mercia, is the latest indication that Labour’s tough line and investment in frontline services is making our communities safer.

Labour’s Jon Tandy PPC said: “Today’s crime figures chime with the unemployment figures earlier this week. Just
as Labour’s investment has helped keep people in work through the recession, investment in policing and communities is helping make people safer in their homes and on the streets of Shrewsbury.

“Though every crime committed is terrible for the victim, and every job lost a personal tragedy, the evidence clearly shows that Labour investment is working, both on crime and the economy.

“It’s also clearer than ever that the Tories would be a disaster for both, choking off recovery with their irresponsible economic plans and opposing tough action on crime and anti-social behaviour.”
I know from recent debates in Shropshire Council that local Tories are fixated on future cuts in services no matter what the consequences for local residents in terms of our local quality of life.

“Today’s figures show that the crimes the public care most about are falling across the county with burglary, robbery and violence all down this quarter and overall police recorded crime reduced by six per cent.
“I’m very pleased to see that confidence in the police is increasing and the number of people worried about high levels of antisocial behaviour has fallen to 15 per cent – the lowest on record. The British Crime Survey also shows and the risk of being a victim is at its lowest point ever.

“The fall in crime across the West Midlands region shows the difference that can be made when we work together to tackle crime and is a testament to the effort and commitment shown by police and crime reduction partners around the region.”

Instead of the local Tories regularly knocking the Police, they should thank them for their part in these real concrete improvements, and support them as we seek to drive local crime down still further.

Open letter to the people of Shrewsbury & Atcham

Dear Resident

I am writing to you personally to introduce myself as your Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Shrewsbury & Atcham.

I am proud to have been born in Shrewsbury, I was educated in the town and I have been lucky enough to have always worked in Shrewsbury. However each day hundreds of residents have to travel out of Shrewsbury to find work at an acceptable salary, because of the lack of jobs in our area.

Hundreds more of our young people have to travel to access higher education services because of the lack of university provision in Shrewsbury.

In my opinion it is the duty of an MP to vigorously promote their constituent’s interests in these areas. Only by fighting for a high skill, high wage economy can we produce the local employment and education opportunities that local residents deserve.

Voters of Shrewsbury at the next General Election have a very difficult decision to make. National issues hog the news but a local MP has very little real power to influence them.

Local issues however, are where the right choice of MP can make a difference to your family’s prosperity. If you want a person to fight for you and who will put Shrewsbury first by trying to get better paid jobs in Shrewsbury, it is vital to elect the right MP.

You cannot afford an MP who is not 100% committed to these aims.

You do not have a choice if you do not vote. To help make sure that your voice is heard;  I enclose a postal vote application form for your convenience.

Yours sincerely

Jon Tandy

Printed promoted and published by Liz Parsons, on behalf of Jon Tandy, both of The Morris Hall, Bellstone, Shrewsbury SY1 1JB

Shrewsbury Lib Dems-Parliamentary History

Local residents with an interest in the political history of Shrewsbury may be interested to know the last Liberal MP to be elected here was called Joseph Sunlight. His term of office only lasted around 10 months, from December 1923 until October 1924. He is best remembered for introducing a Private Member’s Bill on the standardisation of bricks.

Of far more relevance to us in Shrewsbury & Atcham, is to analyse the Lib Dem’s performance in recent local General Elections, and see what trends are revealed. Since 1979 the highest vote the Lib Dems have managed was in 1987 when they polled a total of 16,963 votes. It is worth noting during the same period that the lowest vote recorded by the Tories was 18,674, in 2001. Thus the Lib Dems in Shrewsbury & Atcham have since 1979 been unable to acheive a vote even remotely close to the Tories lowest total vote!

By contrast in 2001 the Labour vote totalled 22,253 as they beat the Tories for the second time and won the seat.

The next time a Lib Dem tells you they are the only party who can beat the Tories in Shrewsbury, ask them to explain exactly how that claim stacks up against the actual votes cast in actual elections here.

Good news 66,100 people in shropshire get extra cold weather payments

Jon Tandy Labour parliamentary candidate today told vulnerable families in Shrewsbury not to worry about turning up the heat as the Government pays out millions in Cold Weather Payments.

Around £200 million in payments has been racked up so far this winter, with just over £70 million of this over the cold New Year’s weekend.

Cllr Jon Tandy said; “As the cold weather continues, I don’t want vulnerable people to feel left in the cold. I especially want the elderly to know that extra help is on the way.

“There are two ways we are helping this winter – with Winter Fuel payments of £250 or £400 for the over 80s, and 66,100 people in our area getting the increased Cold Weather Payments of £25.

“The payments are automatic so everyone entitled will get them and should not worry about turning up their heating.”

Nine new weather stations were introduced this year in a bid to provide a more accurate assessment for those affected.

As well as the Cold Weather payments, over 12.3 million older people will benefit from Winter Fuel payments, totalling about £2.7bn.

Jon Tandy Labour parliamentary candidate today told vulnerable families in Shrewsbury not to worry about turning up the heat as the Government pays out millions in Cold Weather Payments.

Around £200 million in payments has been racked up so far this winter, with just over £70 million of this over the cold New Year’s weekend.

Cllr Jon Tandy said; “As the cold weather continues, I don’t want vulnerable people to feel left in the cold. I especially want the elderly to know that extra help is on the way. “There are two ways we are helping this winter – with Winter Fuel payments of £250 or £400 for the over 80s, and 66,100 people in our area getting the increased Cold Weather Payments of £25.

“The payments are automatic so everyone entitled will get them and should not worry about turning up their heating.”

Nine new weather stations were introduced this year in a bid to provide a more accurate assessment for those affected.

As well as the Cold Weather payments, over 12.3 million older people will benefit from Winter Fuel payments, totalling about £2.7bn.

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