Double dealing
On the one hand, Michael Foster claims to have no need to sign any election pledge that I have invited other candidates to sign, but on the other hand I am being asked by residents whether it is true what Labour are saying…and then the lie follows.
It is a confusing state of affairs.
Labour, and Michael Foster's strategy at this forthcoming election is to scare the electorate. "Better the devil you know" they say. They are actively encouraging our neighbours to believe what they know are lies.
But I have news for you. You cannot fool all the people all of the time. The trouble with claiming the great success of this Labour Government in this town, is what I call anectdotal evidence. Voters will be presented with the wonderful statistics of the continued upward trend of success, (tractor production is up again Comrade,) and down of crime, and then they will look around them.
They will see the high-level unemployment and the low level of educational achievement. We can all see the beautiful new buildings that have emerged, and we can also see that so many of the new offices are empty.
They can see what damage the new licensing laws have done, by witnessing Hastings late at night with the drunken groups lurching around town.
I want a future with Hastings and Rye, where our progress really is upwards – not just appearing to be so by selective statistics. We need a town that has less violence, less anxiety about danger in the community, more decisions made locally (such as in planning) and where our NHS is protected. The Conservatives Shadow Health Minister has pledged to increase spending year on year. We need that with an aging population. Ours is the only party to have made this pledge.
So if my pledge is to be ignored, I will have to hope. Hope that Labour's Michael Foster dares to tell the truth, and does not flinch from the hustings ahead. Labour's record is abysmal. The Tory plans are full of change and hope.
That will be the choice for voters at the next General Election.
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Weather for St Leonards-on-Sea
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
