05 May 2010

DAVID KIDNEY’S EVE OF POLL MESSAGE – ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

Today, local Labour man, David Kidney tells his campaigners and all potential Labour voters that from start to finish of this election campaign he has remained positive about his and his party’s plans for our County and our country:

“The two biggest themes that have come out in my discussions with Stafford constituents on the doorstep and on the phone are the economy and trust in our politicians and politics.

“You have to understand the hurt and damage that the worst global recession in my lifetime has caused to appreciate why many people are so concerned about immigration and about social security benefits. Hard-working people, who have paid their taxes and are now out of work or fearful for their jobs want to know that our country is fair for them.

“We see now why Labour in government introduced the Australian-style points based system for work visas for people from outside the EU. Now, if there is no skills shortage for a particular job, the UK employer cannot get a work visa for a migrant worker. And when employers say that they need the skills of foreign nationals, remember that Labour has invested heavily in University graduates and apprentices in order to help employers have access to the right skills when they need them.

“We see now why Labour has tightened the rules for lone parents claiming benefits so that those benefits can be reduced if lone parents do not co-operate in getting work that is offered them – work that is tailored to their needs and pays better than their benefits. It is why incapacity claimants are currently being required to attend new assessments of what work they are capable of doing – and then being helped into suitable work. Of course, these policies depend on their being jobs available for them and so it is essential that we secure the recovery and do not put it at risk now with another £6 billions of spending cuts on top of the £15 billion savings that are already planned for this financial year.

“Nationally, Labour has a plan for halving the deficit in the public finances over four years based on a balanced approach – some public spending savings, some higher taxes like the new 50p top rate of tax and the new 50 per cent tax on bankers’ bonuses and additional revenues from growth in the economy.

“Labour’s plan extends to saying that Government will work with wealth-creators in those areas of the economy where we foresee that growth will be strong: advanced manufacturing, low carbon energy, resource efficiency and recycling, the digital and creative industries, pharmaceuticals and life sciences.

“And all the time, Labour, the party that in government has invested in building up strong public services, will protect frontline public services and protect the budgets of the NHS, police and schools.

“As for trust in politicians and politics, electors in Stafford constituency are being asked to choose their representative in parliament. When judging between the candidates I am the only one with a track record of having represented the constituency so people can read the record as well as take into account the promises. They know that I have one of the best attendance records in parliament and that I was not involved in the scandalous practices over MPs’ allowances and expenses. They will recall my work to secure £5 million of regeneration funding for Stafford and my work to save our military base.

“I have a clear vision for our future here in Stafford constituency. One where we invest time and effort in supporting parents and their children in those vital pre-school years. This may be long-term, but it pays off with future citizens in our communities who are well-behaved, responsible and valuable. Where we invest our efforts in promoting our local economy around the strengths we have in the power sector (absolutely invaluable as the whole world starts to go low carbon), in computing sciences and high tech communications and in our green and pleasant land for food and drink, for green tourism and hospitality.

“And just as Labour is promising to create a National Care Service, I am working for “joined up” services locally for the health and social care of our older residents, carers and those who have a disability, a learning difficulty or a chronic condition that is life-restricting.

“I’ve never knocked my opponents in any election in which I’ve stood. This may be a tough fight, with many voters still undecided as to how to cast their votes. But I’m staying positive because I think it’s best for electors, best for our communities and best for our country.”