Lancaster Debate

I was astonished by the views expressed by Clive Grunshaw(the Labour candidate) at the above debate.First he admitted that Gordon Brown had made mistakes,(you can say that again)and then he went on to state he was against all Nuclear weapons.He was against the Trident programme,this beggars belief when you consider that it is a major part of the Labour Manifesto.I stated that if you were the official party candidate,you stood on its manifesto.Not Mr.Grunshaw who it would seem,says what he wants people to hear.

10% Tax Break

10% Tax Break
This was introduced to help Lower paid workers.
Let me explain how it worked.

After your tax allowance,say of £4000 you now pay 20% on the rest of your earnings.
With the 10% tax break the first £2000 after your allowance was taxed at 10%.
So say you earn £15000 per year which is common in Fleetwood and Lancaster.
Now you pay 20% Tax after your 4000 allownce,which is £2200 tax.
Under the 10% tax break system if you earned the same £15000.
After your £4000 tax allowance you only paid 10% on the next £2000.which is £200,and 20% on the rest you paid only £2000.
So you were £200 worse off.
Only when you earn £17000.do you become equal.

This affects all workers who earn under £17000 per year and this must include a lot of workers in Fleetwood and Lancaster It is another example of this Labour Government hitting low paid familieas

pensions

Pensions.

In the budget the chancellor announced details of a 2.5% increase in the Old age Pension.
What he didn’t say was the increase only applied to the Basic element of the pension.
Let me explain.

The pension is composed of 3 elements.
1) Basic
2) Additional
3) Graduated.
Whilst the basic part was increased by 2.5% the other parts were not.
The overall increase was actually 1.3%,

There was no increase in Tax allowance and build in 3% for inflation and Pensioners were actually much worse off.

Years ago, Lord Turner was asked to do a review of the state pension.
He concluded amongst other things, that the pension should be linked to earnings.

This has still not been implemented and now (it must be election year) Gordon Brown is saying that it will come in 2012.

Why should pensioners have to wait so long?

This link to earnings by the way was abolished by the Thatcher Government.

The chancellor also announced in the budget that the winter fuel allowance would continue for this year.

What happens after this?

Are they going to abolish WINTER?
Is it not time that we recognised the contribution that the elderly have given to this country by their dedication and hard work in bringing up families, fighting wars and generally improving the lives of others for the future.

Economy

Economy

Have you noticed everytime Gordon Brown talks about the economy or the recession he quotes the Global picture? It’s as if he had nothing to do with the UK recession.
Wrong.
It was he who did not control the banks properly and allowed them to take big risks for the sake of lining their own pockets.
R.B.S.recently announced 5+ billion profit, they also stated they were going to give bonuses of 1.3 Billion, and this was sanctioned by this the Chancellor!
Can we trust this lot to handle the economy in the future?
The 10% tax break debacle cost us 2.5 Billion to sort out for a year.
Selling Gold at its lowest price cost Billions.
The handling of the Bank crisis cost Billions.
We will have to pay all this money back, so

General election

Well we are off.My leaflets should be distributed in about 10 days if all goes well.Then you can have a good read and contact me.

Pensions

What a load of drivel from this Labour Government,stating that old age pensions will rise this year by 2.5%.I have been inundated with calls stating to the contrary.As most people know the state pension is made up of various components.
Basic state.
Graduated and other elements.
Only the basic has gone up by 2.5% The rest have Not increased at all.It means for the average pension has increased by only 1.3%from an already low base.Just another con from this so called Labour Govt.

Introduction

After careful consideration and much consultation with my friends and family, I have decided to stand for the forthcoming General Election as the Independent Prospective Candidate for Fleetwood and Lancaster. This decision was an easy decision to make looking at the unimpressive calibre of candidates that you the voter had to choose from.

It seems many of you, like myself are disillusioned with the main parties and is it any wonder

· Labour have done little to improve the lives of ordinary citizens especially pensioners. Increases in line with wages has still not happened after 13 years.

· The abolition of the 10% tax break for people earning under £17 thousand pounds a year. This would include most workers in Fleetwood, who are losing out with this Labour Government.

· Tories, not knowing or sure what they will do. Cameron offers us sound bites but no real plan on how to get the economy going again.

· Liberals, easy to make promises when they know they will never gain power and so will never have to implement them...

· Common sense tells us there has to be tax hikes and cut backs to pay for the massive debt that this Government has got us into but not one of the main parties will tell us from where they are coming. That is not until after the election, when it will be to late.

· Scandals such as the MP’s expenses, whereby you the tax payer were conned. I pledge never to claim a second home mortgage allowance.

40% of the electorate don’t bother to vote at all because they feel it is a wasted vote. People still want to use their hard won vote, but have become more and more disillusioned. You will not have a wasted vote with me.

We have all seen the statements made by other candidates who claim to be working hard for Fleetwood and Lancaster, my philosophy is, less talk more action “what have you actually done for Fleetwood and Lancaster in the time you have already spent representing the voters?” Here are a number of issues I believe to be vital to the security of Fleetwood and Lancaster and to which I have also played a vital role in driving forward.

Economy

The economy of a town is the most important way to make it a success, and the basis of a successful economy are jobs. I have worked tirelessly to secure jobs for Fleetwood.

Growth

Whilst serving on the County Council I was appointed a Director of Lancashire County Developments ltd. (the economic arm of the County Council) I was instrumental in setting up the meeting which led to the feasibility study for the new fish park in Fleetwood. Without this new fish park, over 600 jobs would have been at risk. Now the future will be secured and possible growth as well.

I also sat on the task group (alluded to by another candidate) at Wyre Borough Council looking at ways to secure jobs for local people.

Defence

I cut my teeth in the political arena in securing better sea defences for Fleetwood after 1977 floods and continue to work tirelessly in this area.

Heritage

It was I that drove and secured the future of Fleetwood Museum, the history and heritage of our beloved town is important and is highly valued amongst its residents.

Safety

It was I who lobbied for the first Women’s Refuge to be opened in Fleetwood and Wyre.

So when you ask me what I have done for Fleetwood I can answer with confidence, that what I have done for Fleetwood is what the people of Fleetwood needed and wanted.

I believe with my past experience and commitment I am the best candidate on view and ask the people who have supported me in the past, to do so again

Keith Riley, Independent Candidate for Lancaster and Fleetwood