NORWICH BY-ELECTION – IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE!

The Conservatives’ victory over Labour in the Norwich North by-election has shown that it is time for change across the UK. Stockport Conservatives, who helped in this by-election, have hailed the great victory in Norwich North.

The by-election result sends a strong message to Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling on their economic record and the debt crisis they have plunged this country into, and on the Government’s mishandling of MPs’ expenses.  

Conservative candidate Chloe Smith was elected on a swing of 16.5%. If this swing was repeated at the general election, the Conservatives would comfortably regain Stockport from Labour. The Liberal Democrats were a distant third.  It shows that people who have been let down by Labour are switching to the Conservatives – not to them.

Stephen said, “Well done to Chloe who I know will be a first class representative. This result shows that it is the Conservatives’ agenda – honesty on public spending, targeted help to get us through the recession – that is setting the pace in British politics now. It’s clear we now need a general election to give everyone the chance to vote for this change including here in Stockport.”

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST TO STOCKPORT COUNCIL

Prospective MP for Stockport Stephen Holland has written to Stockport Council to chase up his Freedom Information Act request as more than 20 days have now lapsed since the request was first submitted.

On 1 June 2009 Stephen Holland wrote to Stockport Council to ask for the following details under the Freedom of Information Act in respect of the last 5 municipal years:

• The names of the Executive Councillors and their Portfolios.
• A breakdown of allowances paid by the Council to each of them.
• Details of any costs paid by the Council to each of them.
• Details of the costs of any overseas trips paid by the Council to each of them.
• The percentage increase in council tax for each of the last 5 municipal years.

Stephen said, “Under the Conservatives, this information will be readily available. It is important that Stockport’s council taxpayers can see how their money is being spent by their local Council. I look forward to receiving this information.”

SAVE STOCKPORT’S POST OFFICES FROM FURTHER CLOSURES

Local Conservatives have started a petition to save Stockport’s remaining Post Offices. Post Offices are the lifeblood of any community – and yet over 4,000 have been shut under Labour with plans to close a further 2,500 by 2009.

In Stockport constituency (based on the boundaries at the next general election), there are now only 9 Post Offices remaining open.

Prospective Conservative MP Stephen Holland said, “The Post Office is a vital community institution. It is the hub of the local community, particularly for the elderly.

“Thanks to Labour’s closures, communities across Stockport have lost their Post Offices. Please call into your local Post Office and sign our petition to keep Stockport’s remaining Post Offices open.”

STOCKPORT COLLEGE – FROZEN BUILDING PROJECT

Prospective Stockport MP Stephen Holland has expressed deep concern at the news that Labour Ministers have now given the go-ahead to a mere 13 of the 144 frozen college building projects.

Stephen said, “After almost a year of delay, 131 colleges building projects, including Stockport College, still have not got the go-ahead. Stockport’s parents and students will rightly be very disappointed by this latest announcement.

“Further education colleges have been plunged into financial turmoil and teaching plans disrupted. This is yet more proof that the Labour Government is failing to deliver and can’t be trusted with taxpayers’ money. Stockport deserves better.”

STEPHEN HOLLAND’S EXPENSES PLEDGE TO THE PEOPLE OF STOCKPORT

Stephen Holland has set out his expenses pledge to the people of Stockport if he is elected as their MP.

Stephen said, “People have been furious about the excessive and unacceptable claims made by some of the representatives we send to the House of Commons. They are right to be so.

“I have set out my expenses pledge because if elected, I want to be held to account by the people I hope to represent.  I already have a solid track record of holding public office and never claiming for expenses both as an elected representative and as a member of various voluntary community groups. As a councillor I have never claimed for travel expenses as some councillors do.”

Please click here to see Stephen’s Expenses Pledge:

http://www.stephenholland.org.uk/expenses