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General Election 2010 - Ellesmere Port & Neston - Candidates Statements
| Published: 29th April 2010 18:57 |
The General Election will take place on Thursday 6th May.
Unlike many areas throughout the UK, there are no local council elections taking place on the same day in the CH64 area. You will therefore be voting solely for the candidate you would like to see representing the area in Parliament after the Election.
The following candidates are standing for election:
Aspinall, Denise - Liberal Democrat
Crocker, Henry - UKIP
Miller, Andrew - Labour
Penketh, Stuart - Conservative
Starkey, Jonathan - Independent
We approached each of the five candidates standing for election in Ellesmere Port & Neston and invited them to submit a statement of up to 400 words explaining why they think you should vote for them. These statements are reproduced (unedited) below in alphabetical order of the candidate's surname.
ASPINALL, Denise
Liberal Democrat
All individuals have the right to live in a fair and free society and in a society which champions the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals.
As a Liberal Democrat I believe that power should be distributed fairly among people. Our manifesto has clearly outlined 4 priorities which we believe will change Britain for the better. They are: fair taxes that put money back into your pocket, a fair chance for every child, a fair future by creating jobs by making Britain greener and we have promised you a fair deal by cleaning up politics.
These 4 steps to a fairer Britain will redistribute power of a different kind, each will change Britain for the better. This election can and must be a turning point for Britain - we need to be honest about the failures that caused the problems we now face, and set a clear, hopeful course for a different, better future.
I am proud to have been selected to represent the Liberal Democrats in Ellesmere Port and Neston. We all know that the constituency of Ellesmere Port and Neston is diverse and that there are issues to be addressed across the constituency - unemployment, empty shops, a lack of parking and affordable housing to name a few. I know that for too long Neston has had to play second fiddle to Ellesmere Port. Neston is a market town in its own right and I intend to represent your interests on a par with those of Ellesmere Port.
Having worked in the planning department of the 'old' Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council I have a good understanding of the need for 'joined up' thinking in tackling some of the problems we face here. Too often local people have been excluded from any real involvement in the decisions which directly affect them yet a strong community can only flourish if local people are encouraged and empowered to come together to meet local needs. I believe that for too long central government decision making has governed our lives and indeed ignored the wishes of local people, local decisions should be taken at the local level!
I believe it really is time for a change, both Labour and Conservatives have had many, many, years to get it right yet they have still failed us. I intend to redress that failure, with your support, as your elected MP.
CROCKER, Henry
UK Independence
My wife and I have lived in Neston for over 35 years. I play the viola in 2 local orchestras and am a vice-president of Liverpool Harriers.
Before I retired I was a ships' agent and handled ships in Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, Avonmouth, Southampton and Falmouth. During my years as a ships' agent I realised how much customs documentation increased when we joined the Common Market.
I am not a professional politician, I was just an ordinary working person who voted for a minor party if they looked interesting hecause I did not trust any of the three main parties. They all went back on their election promises. They seemed to do whatever the EU asked them to do.
At one by-election I happened to go past a meeting held by the UK Independence Party (UKIP). I wondered who the UKIP was so went to the meeting to find out. I was quite surprised. Here was a party that was echoing just what I wanted to hear so I joined them and have been with them since 1997.
To the general public the UKIP is the party that wants to leave the EU but to do that they must have some policies to put in place when we leave the EU and indeed UKIP do have a bigger, down-to-earth, common sense manifesto (EMPOWERING THE PEOPLE) with more policies than the other parties.
UKIP must have these policies in place because the object of leaving the EU is so that our elected MPs at Westminster can once again govern this country.
UKIP have a wide range of policies covering: The Economy, Tax, Budget, Regulation, Jobs, Enterprise and Skills, Immigration and Asylum, Law and Order, Defence, Healthcare and the NHS, Education and Training, Pensions, Welfare and Social Security, Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Energy and the Environment, Transport, Housing and Planning, The Constitution and How We Are Governed, Culture and Restoring Britishness, Food, Fishing, Farming and The Countryside.
A vote for me and for UKIP is a vote for REAL CHANGE and a vote for the REAL OPPOSITION. If you wish you can download the Manifesto from www.ukip.org.
MILLER, Andrew
Labour
Under a Labour Government we've seen the biggest public investment programme for many years especially in health, education, police, and railways and so on. Winter fuel allowance, tax credits, bus passes and the minimum wage have benefited many of our most disadvantaged. When the Neston Sure Start centre was opened, a few said "Neston doesn't need this"; I now hear many voices saying how beneficial it has been.
Neston has a lot of residents who work in our local universities both in Liverpool and Chester and of course locally at Leahurst and Ness Gardens, where investment in scientific research has grown under Labour. This is vital to the nation's future - educating the next generation as well as investing in tomorrow's jobs.
I have had the privilege of representing you in Parliament for the last 18 years and during that time have addressed literally thousands of cases for people in the CH64 area. But the election, is not just about the past, it is about the future and over the next few days I will be asking voters to continue to trust me to take Ellesmere Port and Neston forward and create a future that is fair for all. If you want to look at Labour's national manifesto, it can be seen at www.labour.org.uk/ . If however you want to ask about my priorities for CH64, here are a few of them:
- Continue to press for the high school to be included in the Building Schools for the Future programme as many of the buildings desperately need replacing.
- Protect Neston Sure Start.
- Work with the police and community to address the small pockets of anti-social behaviour.
- Work with the voluntary sector to build on the success of CH64 Inc.
- Press for the upgrading of sports facilities at the recreation centre.
- Press for improved public transport including the electrification of the Wrexham-Bidston line.
At a national level clearly there has to be a focus on the economic recovery, but it cannot be at the cost of front line public services especially health, education, elderly care, and police. But I also want to see us continue to support those in greatest need in developing countries and to maintain our commitments towards a greener economy. Finally, I want to see the ban on hunting with dogs maintained!
PENKETH, Stuart
Conservative
Britain can't go on like this, we cannot continue with cycles of boom and bust, we cannot continue with the largest deficit in Western Europe, we cannot afford another 5 years of Labour. Ellesmere Port and Neston, like the nation at large needs change urgently. I believe the change we need can only be delivered by the Conservative Party. Here in our constituency we have seen town centres devastated by Labour's botched town planning, undermining our local small businesses and once thriving markets. Local communities have been devastated by cuts in front line services, whether this is post office closures or police men forced to sit behind desks instead of on our streets.
I will work tirelessly for the people and businesses in our local areas, speaking up for Ellesmere Port and Neston, championing our area and its people in Parliament. We have some fantastic places in our constituency, however the individual character of our once thriving villages and towns are being eroded; this must stop. I will work to ensure the character of our villages and towns, such as Neston, are preserved and that they keep their individual identity.
It is about putting people first, empowering our local communities to do things for themselves, to have the services they want, to have the services they deserve. I speak to hundreds of people who feel trapped by red tape and bureaucracy - this must change. We will encourage and support local businesses by cutting regulation, lowering rates of corporation tax, and scrapping Labour's planned National Insurance Contribution rise, which is nothing more than a tax on jobs.
People mustn't be trapped by falling social mobility; it is about improving standards across the board, especially in our schools and colleges. I will work to improve standards of both education and discipline in our schools, giving our teachers and head teachers the powers they need to tackle disruptive pupils and to challenge our brightest pupils. We must also encourage and support vocational courses, such as those offered at Neston High School, as the skills learnt are vital to many of the industries that we have here in Ellesmere Port and Neston.
The time has come for change, positive change, change that will improve and benefit the lives of the people in our constituency. It is only with the Conservatives that we can get the change we so desperately need.
STARKEY, Jonathan
Independent
A local Candidate, I choose to live, work and play in the Constituency. The reality is that as an Independent I have no party whip freeing me to vote for things I believe will help our Constituency and against those which won't. In a hung Parliament I could be the one vote the Government needs to pass a bill, putting me at the heart of Government and in an influential position. My support can never be taken for granted by the other Parties. I realise that an MP can not just represent one issue so I list below the top six policies I will work towards. More policies and information can be seen on my website www.jonathanstarkey.co.uk.
Health I support the NHS and its original intention, ‘Care at the point of need'.
Law & Order Remember who pays the bill and stop giving criminals more rights than the victims.
Employment Make it simpler to employ and be employed to create real incentives to achieve a better work life balance.
Defence With no clear policy, let's bring our soldiers back from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Education Reduce Government interference to free teachers to do their jobs.
Tax Spread the burden more evenly. Reduce the complexity to negate the need for middle men.
I do not believe in waste and will try to keep you informed without the need of hugely expensive leaflets paid for by Government money (YOUR TAXES)
As a businessman myself, I am well aware of how the current economic climate is hitting us all. Our Constituency desperately needs a representative with some ‘life experience' to appreciate its needs and help ‘jump start' a recovery to the once vibrant area it was.
I believe our current political system needs a radical overhaul and a return to politics for the benefit of the people not, as it seems to me, for the benefit of the politicians. We need an MP who is prepared to stand up for Ellesmere Port and Neston and not vote as a Party directs.
I have pledged that if elected, I will donate 10% of my Parliamentary income to local charities and employ no family members.
If elected, I will be your representative in Westminster, not Westminster's party representative in Ellesmere Port and Neston. It is about time this Constituency re-established the slogan of the Borough - The place to live, work and play!
Voting help
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 6 May. If you are on the electoral register you should be sent a polling card telling you where to vote. You do not need this card to vote, but it does contain useful information.
For any questions about the electoral register, or to view a map of Polling Stations in the CH64 area, visit the Cheshire West and Chester website here.
This site is not promoting any individual candidate or party. The AboutMyArea local site editor approached all the candidates nominated in the ward and asked them to submit a 400 word statement. All were approached equally and given the same deadline. The text of all statements is reproduced as submitted by the candidate or their agent and AboutMyArea is not responsible for the content of the candidate statements. For further information please contact the site editor.
Related content:
'Question Time' event in Neston
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Comments
,Its nice to see also that every candidate responded.
DaveyJsome of them clearly know neston better than others but hats off to one of them for noticing that neston has come off worse to ellesmere port in the past so they will get my vote this year
Scott MoreinAspinall, Denise - Liberal Democrat. 7/10. Knows the area, acknowledges Neston overlooked.
Crocker, Henry – UKIP. 6.5/10. Local, life experience, obviously enthusiastic and intelligent. The EU does indeed cost a lot, but is no more intrusive and demeaning than the Labour government of recent years.
Miller, Andrew – Labour. 2/10. Well, he did respond but only to trot out party denials and omitted to acknowledge the mistakes and the losses both material and human. Time for change indeed.
Penketh, Stuart. 6/10. Some of the right noises, but a little bit party political for me, and would have scored higher had additional local policing and visible justice been a focus rather than more for schools and teachers.
Starkey, Jonathan: 7.5/10. Good on him for having a go, and not giving a hoot for party politics. Fair stance on issues.
The scores so far then:
Starkey, Jonathan: 7.5
Aspinall, Denise: 7
Crocker, Henry: 6.5
Penketh, Stuart: 6
Miller, Andrew: 2
Based purely on these statements, how would you score each out of 10?
merrymac,Aspinall, Denise - Liberal Democrats - I feel she is genuine in what she says, she worked in EP&NBC for some time and clearly knows the area, particularly recognising people in Neston have felt let down in the past compared to Ellesmere Port so 8/10
Crocker, Henry – UKIP - Local chap which is good but I am not seeing much mention of local issues in his statement which is such as shame, and its a bit party political broadcast for me so 5.5/10
Miller, Andrew - Labour - I had to contact him once and got no reply. I don't think we have been well represented in previous years, particularly in Neston, and we need fresh blood so 3/10
Penketh, Stuart - Conservatives - Far too much of a party polictical broadcast for me but my biggest issue is he lives in Bolton which is a fair distance from Neston so I don't believe he knows the area at all well. If the conservatives want a chance in this area then they need to find someone who knows what we need and is a lot more local so 2/10
Starkey, Jonathan: - Independent - Good to see an independant and like Scott says its good to see someone who is not just reading out the usual party lines but this election I think we need a party with backing so 6/10
Aspinall, Denise: 8
Starkey, Jonathan: 6
Crocker, Henry: 5.5
Miller, Andrew: 3
Penketh, Stuart: 2
Just my opinion, nothing more.
Scott MoreinAspinall, Denise: 15
Starkey, Jonathan: 13.5
Crocker, Henry: 12
Penketh, Stuart: 8
Miller, Andrew: 5
Based purely on the above statements, how would you score each out of 10?
DaveyJdenise 8. because she seems to know exactkly what problems we have in neston and spotted that we come 2nd to the port in the past we need a change and she seems the best of the bunch
jonathan 3. he is local but hasnt said a thing about neston
henry 3. didnt mention neston much either and why no picture
stuart 5. at least he mentions neston but sorry but his message sounds like it was written by cameron and i dont know what social mobility means
andrew 1. his message is ok but he has been the mp for 18 years and is now saying he wants to tackle anti social behavuior you have had 18 years mate and i have had more vandal problems and less nighttime police in the last few years than ever before so move over we need someone who will really do what they say
its just what i think and sorry if i offend anyone
Scott MoreinAspinall, Denise (Lib Dem): 23
Starkey, Jonathan: (Ind.) 16.5
Crocker, Henry: (UKIP) 15
Penketh, Stuart: (Con.)13
Miller, Andrew: (Lab) 6
Based purely on the above statements, how would you score each out of 10?
Size 9'sAspinall, Denise – 6
Starkey, Jonathan - 7
Crocker, Henry - 5
Penketh, Stuart - 3
Miller, Andrew - 0.
Paul TSo baring all that in mind I'll score them:
D Aspinall 5
H Crocker 2
A Miller 5
S Penketh 4
J Starkey 4
a bit indecisive but then maybe oneo f them will convince me more at the Question Time event?
,Aspinall, Denise: (Lib Dem): 34
Starkey, Jonathan: (Ind.): 27.5
Crocker, Henry: (UKIP): 22
Penketh, Stuart: (Con.): 20
Miller, Andrew: (Lab): 11
Based purely on the above statements, how would you score each out of 10?
**Scores:
Aspinall, Denise (Lib Dem) 6 / 10. Relatively local and knows the area. Not impressed with commitment to greater liberality in a society where some members need more control and direction.
Starkey, Jonathan: (Ind.) 7 / 10. I admire the attempt. Independents have traditionally provided better support on local issues.
Crocker, Henry: (UKIP) 5 / 10. Seems genuine enough, and had he not been standing as UKIP, would have scored higher.
Penketh, Stuart: (Con.) 4 / 10. I would rather an elected official have the benefit of significant work and life experience before parliament.
Miller, Andrew: (Lab) 0 / 10. Usual weasel words. Hard to ignore track record of denying the existence of Anti-social behaviour in Neston, arguing against the need for local policing out of hours, and being the party that gave the UK all night binge drinking, unnecessary death and injury of young soldiers, near national bankruptcy, and more death & illness in hospitals because of MRSA and Clostridium difficile than road traffic.
Neston Voice NThe above has named his latest campaign leaflet ‘Neston Voice’ which as many of you will know is the name of a non-profit organisation based in Neston established in January 2008. During 2008 & 2009, Neston Voice achieved a great deal in improving communication within the community, and there are plans in place to recommence and build on this in the near future.
Neston Voice has no political affiliation and is not connected in any way with Andrew Miller, the Labour party, or any other political organisation.
It is a shame Mr. Miller and his promoters do not have the imagination to come up with something of their own, and it disappointing they risk politicising the efforts of Neston Voice, an organisation set up to inform Neston residents of local community issues.
For those interested, a copy of the constitution is available in pdf format on request.
We cannot stop anyone legally from using the words ‘Neston’ & ‘Voice’, but we think most would agree had Mr. Miller and his promoters had any ability or imagination they could have done better. Ideally, an apology would be welcome, but based on Mr. Miller’s track record, we shall be waiting a long time for one.
For the avoidance of doubt, Neston Voice does not support or promote any political organisation.
nestonvoice@googlemail.com
andy wandy wDenise Aspinall (Lib Dem) 7/10 Seemed to know neston issues and mentioned them in her statement
Henry Crocker (UKIP) 2/10 Neston resident but no mention of Neston issues
Andrew Miller (Lab) 10/10 Virtually all statement was about Neston issues including sports centre,high school and electrification of train line
Stuart Penketh (Con) 0/10 Nothing really said about Neston(does he know how to get here)
Jonathon Starkey(Ind) 0/10 Nothing on Neston
Scott MoreinAspinall, Denise: (Lib Dem): 47
Starkey, Jonathan: (Ind.): 34.5
Crocker, Henry: (UKIP): 29
Penketh, Stuart: (Con.): 24
Miller, Andrew: (Lab): 21*
(Methinks former Labour EPNBC councillor Andy was being a little bit biased as no candidate has merited a 10 thus far, but all scores are valid.)
Based purely on the above statements, how would you score each out of 10?
**A minor point but in the interests of fairness. I think I am right in stating Stuart Penketh is the only candidate to have attended one of the Police 'Community Action Meetings' in Neston, I think it was the one in early 2009, so he does know where Neston is.
andy wfair point i am a little bit biased but we were asked to make a judgement on the statements given above which a lot of people obviously haven't
TonyDenise Aspinall – does address Neston issues,albeit hand in hand with what the Port may want. But if her personal experience of Neston is limited to the planning dept of EPNBC that is not necessarily a positive in the eyes of many! Score 4
Henry Crocker – seems genuine but no mention of Neston other than his place of residence (which i suppose is more than the rest of them) so for that I will Score 1.
Andrew Miller – knows Neston issues but then so he should after so long as MP for the town. Not happy with Labour in general but Mr Miller at least recognises what matters locally. Tricky to score but will go for a score of 6.
Stuart Penketh – is he old enough to vote never mind stand??? Having said that, this statement is far too much like an old-style classic statement as part of a shoot-out between the two main parties. Disappointing that a young candidate couldnt bring something fresh to the table. Not impressed. Score 1
Jonathan Starkey – Seems genuine too. Like the idea of someone being able to sway the vote but not sure if that is really the case – does anyone else know about that sort of thing? That aside, he has a touch of the Penkeths about him with sounding like our saviour, and not enough specifics about neston. But I do like the sound of some of his policies. Score 6.
I actually feel vaguelly depressed after reading all these in such detail. It would be great if there was someone with real passion about the Neston area to represent it. But I suppose the boundaries mean that whoever it was would have to be as passionate about the Port as about Neston. Tall order.
Katie RobsonDaveyJthats not a little bit bias mate thats just totally one sided after all if he has done such a good job for the past 18 years for neston why are normal people who were not part of the labour team scoring him so badly !
,Worse still Andrew Miller's first Pledge in his mailshot is "Local Jobs and Investment" yet his own leaflets, and all the labour party correspondance, are printed by a company in Essex (SS15 6TR). In total from Labour we have recieved 100 pages of colour printing, 10 x postage costs to the same address, and nothing printed locally. At a time when all the parties are supposedly boasting their green credentials and talking about cost cutting this is disgraceful.
In comparison we have both received a 1 page letter from Conservative Party HQ, but again printed in Essex (RM9 6BF).
From the Liberal Democrats we have recieved a single double sided A4 campaign leaflet that has been hand delivered and was printed in Birkenghead (CH41 6LZ). Its a shame they didn't use a Neston or Ellesmere Port printing company, but its a lot more local than the other parties and delived by hand saved postage costs.
Apologies if that sounded like an anti-labour Rant. I have voted Labour my whole life but waste like this in these frugal times has really annoyed me.
,After 8 sets of scores then, scoring each candidate out of 10, the scores so far are:
Aspinall, Denise: (Lib Dem): 51
Starkey, Jonathan: (Ind.): 40.5
Crocker, Henry: (UKIP): 30
Miller, Andrew: (Lab): 27
Penketh, Stuart: (Con.): 25
Based purely on the above statements, how would you score each out of 10?
pandoraDenise Aspinall. Seems to claim that she knows Neston because she worked in the planning department. Lib Dem website says she started her nursing career in 1982 so presume she must mean before then. Things have changed in the last 28 years!!! Not seen her around the constituency and only one leaflet. 2/10
Henry Crocker. Haven't seen any literature from him and he seems to be a bit under the radar in terms of publicity. 1/10
Andrew Miller. 18 years on and we are in so much debt that I fear for the future. Never seem to see him around the constituency unless there is a photo in it or an election coming up. 3/10
Stuart Penketh. Statement seemed all cliches as if he had been told what to say by HQ. He is only about 28 and seems very young to me and I wonder if he has the experience to understand some of life's problems. One website is claiming he has made some racist remarks on his blog. 4/10
Jonathan Starkey. I like the idea of an Independent and he is a local man and therefore should know the problems in greater depth. His policies seem well thought out to me and I like his pledges. The only one who I feel has an understanding of some of the problems of the small businessman. In reply to the comment before, if you check his election leaflet he did have it printed in Ellesmere Port. My choice. 8/10
,Aspinall, Denise: (Lib Dem): 53
Starkey, Jonathan: (Ind.): 48.5
Crocker, Henry: (UKIP): 31
Miller, Andrew: (Lab): 30
Penketh, Stuart: (Con.): 29
Based purely on the above statements, how would you score each out of 10?
It would be great to get a lot more visitors to this site to add their opinion & scores here.
,Unfortunately we haven't received a leaflet from Jonathan Starkey or Henry Crocker hence I couldn't comment on their use of local printing so thanks for confirming this re: Jonathan using a local Ellesmere Port printer.
To some it may seem trivial, but using local firms during an election campaign goes some small way to supporting local business and should be recognied. In the same way stating your first pledge as "Local Jobs and Investment" then having your leaflets printed in Essex is a big own goal in my very humble opinion!
andy wScott MoreinCandidates attending will be Andrew Miller (Labour), Stuart Penketh (Conservative) and Jonathan Starkey (Independent.)
Secondly, thanks to “ ” for keeping the scores up to date.
Thirdly, it now transpires I cannot attend the hustings either so will rely on Carrie’s newsgathering skills to enlighten me. If you can make it, I heartily encourage you to go.
Finally, I refer to the exchange between Davey J & Andy W. Ultimately, what is said here doesn’t matter, but we must at least attempt to be fair. In reply to Andy W, those who scored Andrew Miller ‘0’ did not score any other candidate 10 either, and they did give reasons for their scores, so given your stated reasons for the scores you awarded, we can remove then from our ‘mini’ poll.
So, after 8 (not 9) sets of scores, the amended scores (in order) are:
Starkey, Jonathan: (Ind.): 48.5
Aspinall, Denise: (Lib Dem): 46
Crocker, Henry: (UKIP): 29
Penketh, Stuart: (Con.): 29
Miller, Andrew: (Lab): 20
Based purely on the above statements, how would you score each out of 10?
,I am a bit concerned now that the 'hustings' won't now be a fair event with one of the main parties missing, but still all credit to Carrie and all involved for arranging it.
Incidentally this morning I recieved yet more correspondance from Labour through the door so that now makes 16, (yes 16 !!!) direct mailings all sent through the post and all printed in Esssex.
Well at least Labour is keeping our postmen employed if nothing else, but its gone from campaigning to desperation now. I await tomorrow's deluge of junk mail destined for the recycle bin !
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