Lib Dems’ high rating from Finance Watchdog
T
he Institute for
Fiscal Studies
(IFS) has said
the Liberal
Democrats are the
most transparent
party when it comes
to public spending
plans.
It also said that the
Conservatives give a
"misleading impression"
while Labour give
"disappointingly little"
information on
borrowing and do not
provide enough funding
for the NHS.
Liberal Democrats will fund
38,000 more GPs !
One of the main items of planned Lib Dem spending
scrutinised by the Institute for Fiscal Studies will have
been the Party’s proposed spending on the National
Health Service,
We’re Getting serious
About Mental Health
A vital aspect of the Liberal Democrat NHS funding
pledge is that it could pay for 38,000 more GPs - a move
that would double England's GP workforce
Finding more primary school places
T
here is a capacity issue in
our primary schools. This
is largely due to the new
housing developments and so will
only increase over the next decade.
O
ne in four of us
experience mental health
problems at some point
in our lives. But for too long
this issue has been neglected
by the NHS.
Dr Peter Hirst is pleased to report that
the Lib Dem Health Minister Norman
Lamb has now ensured that £400 million
is available - so people with mental
health problems get the right support
early on, such as talking or psychological
therapies. Also official waiting time
targets have been introduced - so people
will know for the first time when they
can expect treatment.
Peter reported the following comment
from Norman Lamb: "It's great news
that the Lib Dems are able to introduce
the first-ever waiting time targets for
mental health services, but there is more
to do to ensure the essential changes
needed in mental health care actually
happen.
“Lib Dem future plans are to invest half
a billion pounds extra per year to
improve mental health care in the next
Parliament. That would be within our
wider commitment to increase investment
in the NHS, paid for, in part, by
trimming some of the tax-breaks from the
richest people in society."
If a radical solution is not found,
such as a new school, there will be a
continual piecemeal approach with temporary
classrooms, shared
classrooms and
larger class sizes,
something the
Liberal Democrats
have fought to
eradicate for
decades.
Cllr DenisMurphy
says:”Lib Dems in
Government have
already tackled the
issues of free school
meals for 4-7 year
olds, healthier
meals for all pupils and the Pupil
Premium to help pay for the
education of the poorest pupils.
“Now we must tackle the issue of
overcrowded classrooms - we
cannot afford for our children to be
taught in unsatisfactory
environments.”
HELP Will you help the Lib Dems to win the
elections by displaying a poster at your house?
If so, please contact Dr Hirst’s Election HQ on
01477 532186 or [email protected]
Published & promoted by E Foster Clark on behalf of P Hirst, R Hemsley & D Murphy(Liberal Democrats), all at 29 Bank View, Goostrey CW4 8PB . Printed by Lymetrees 34 Banks Lane, Stockport SK1 4JT
Remember, there are TWO different types of election on May 7th
Support the local team which works
For our next MP:
for our area:
Dr Peter Hirst
ticks all the boxes
As a retired Hospital doctor, Dr Peter Hirst is Committed to
maintaining a top class, fully funded National Health
Service.
As a local parent, Dr Peter Hirst believes that spending on
our schools must be protected from cuts.
As the ONLY candidate from the three main parties who
ACTUALLY LIVES HERE IN CONGLETON
CONSTITUENCY, Dr Hirst not only KNOWS about the
local problems affecting our area, HE SHARES THEM!
HEMSLEY Robert
P
P HIRST Peter
P
MURPHY Denis
AND HE’S THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO
CAN BEAT THE CONSERVATIVES HERE
IN CONGLETON
HIRST Peter
x
x
x
x
A record of action …
… A promise of more
The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we
seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no one
shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.
FOCUS
Election Final Edition
Report on the General Election campaign
& the local election in Congleton West Ward
General Election - report on Lib Dem vs Tory
battle here in Congleton Constituency
More & more
voters switch
to Dr Hirst as
race gets tight
‘Keep up the good work’ residents tell Robert, Peter & Denis
A
Moderate Conservative voters who want
to stop a very right-wing coalition of
UKIP and Tories being formed are saying
they prefer the Lib Dems being in
government to having UKIP sitting at the
Cabinet table.
Meanwhile,
many Labour
voters are saying
they will vote
tactically for the
Lib Dems
because their
own Party has no
chance of
winning here in
Congleton.
A
s Peter Hirst and his local Lib Dem colleagues, Cllr Denis Murphy
and Robert Hemsley campaign locally during the election, many
residents are thanking them for the all year round service and action
which they provide to the community - including the regular FOCUS
newsletters.
Lib Dem £800 tax cut success
very popular with local people
The Lib Dem policy in Government of
cutting taxes for lower and middle
income taxpayers has proved very
popular when Peter Hirst
and his supporters have been
talking to local people.
Dr Peter Hirst
Keep up the
Doctor
Peter
Hirst
s polling day draws near, more and more
local residents are saying they’re switching
their votes to the main challenger here in
Congleton, Dr Peter Hirst.
Moderate Tories opposed to UKIP
coalition are joined by tactical Labour
voters who know Labour can’t win
Local elction news
The Lib Dems have lifted the
personal income tax
threshold to £10,600 which
has taken more than 3 million people out of income tax
altogether and delivered a tax
cut of more than £800 for
millions on low and middle
income taxpayers.
Lib Dems block shock Tory
plan to privatise Motorways
The last 12 months have seen Liberal Democrat pressure bring major
benefits for our area. Last autumn, local Lib Dem leader Rod Fletcher
persuaded the Tory Council to drop their plans to axe our household waste
site. Then, earlier this year, the petition organised by Peter and Denis
helped to ensure that parking remains free for the first four hours at
Congleton Memorial Hospital for patients and visitors.
Town traffic congestion - Lib Demss demand action
D
enis, Robert and Peter are
becoming increasingly
concerned about the
congestion around the town,
especially between West Heath
roundabout and the ambulance
station.
● Peter Hirst commented: “The
new business park has not helped.
It must be hell living along Rood
Hill. I am not convinced that even
with the link road, the situation
will be much better”.
● Denis Murphy added: “ A
radical solution needs to be
implemented - with access to the
business parks only from the new
road. Also, there should be a
weight restriction between the
two roundabouts - except for
access. A direct link from the link
road to Mountbatten Way should
be explored.”
● Robert Hemsley warned of
worse to come: “If the Tories win
the General Election with an
overall majority, we would see
the motorways privatised and
charges introduced. That would
force more and more traffic from
the M6 onto Congleton’s roads”
I
t's been revealed that the Lib Dems in government blocked Conservative
plans to privatise our motorways - including the M6 - and key A-Roads,
which would have meant £120 charges for local road users
Shocking papers show plans to charge stop these Conservative plans - which
local people £120 just to use the M6
would be likely to hit the least well off
and other motorways and trunk roads in charges.
- or be forced to use unsuitable minor
roads through our towns and villages. Prospective MP, Dr Hirst comments: “
The Conservative plans are still on the
This will mean that roads will be
shelf waiting to come off if they get
busier and more congested in our
back into power. On May 7you can
towns and villages.
stop them. Vote Lib Dem to stop the
Thankfully, Lib Dem Transport
Conservatives charging you £120 to use
motorways and key A Roads.”
Minister Norman Baker was there to
Local people say thanks for
saving waste sites
M
any local residents have
thanked the Lib Dems, after
Cheshire East Lib Dem
Councillors Leader Rod Fletcher
persuaded the Tory Council not to carry
out their threat to close up to SIX of the
borough’s NINE recycling sites - such as
Congleton (photo), Alsager, Arclid and
Middlewich.
The closures could have left local people
with long trips to their nearest remaining
site.
Rod Fletcher commented: “It was
regrettable that Liberal Democrats
received NO support from either Labour or Independent Councillors
when opposing the closure of these sites. Far too often, we are a lone
voice, speaking up in the Council for ordinary people.”