FIGHTING LABOUR’S BIN TAXES – MY LETTER TO THE STOCKPORT EXPRESS

I read with interest the letter from one of the Stockport Labour Councillors (21 October 2009). 

The recycling system does need to be adapted following the many complaints I regularly receive from Stockport’s residents, particularly those living in terraced houses.

Conservatives have made it clear they will empower residents to instigate referendums on local issues such as this.

Conservatives are also completely opposed to the Labour Government’s bins taxes. Instead of fining people through bin taxes, we believe there should be more incentives given for people to recycle.

STEPHEN HOLLAND

PROSPECTIVE CONSERVATIVE MP FOR STOCKPORT

CAMPAIGNING FOR CHANGE IN EDGELEY & CHEADLE HEATH

Prospective Conservative MP for Stockport Stephen Holland is out and about regularly in Stockport meeting residents and campaigning for change.  This weekend he was in Edgeley & Cheadle Heath where thousands of leaflets were distributed to local residents.

Stephen Holland said, “I enjoy going out with our volunteers because it is vital that representatives get out and about regularly to see firsthand any problems in the area and to speak to local people about their concerns.  We also pay for and deliver our own leaflets at no expense to the Stockport taxpayer.

“This weekend we had a fantastic response from the people of Edgeley & Cheadle Heath. As well as talking to them about Labour’s failures nationally, I was able to draw on my own experience as a councillor and help residents with their concerns over highways issues and planning applications. It is important that residents can get the best out of their local Council.”

LABOUR’S RECESSION PLAN HAS FAILED

The UK economy contracted by 0.4% between July and September meaning that the country is still in recession according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.  This means that UK output has shrunk 5.9% due to the recession and the economy has now been contracting for six consecutive quarters, the longest period since records began.

Prospective Conservative MP for Stockport Stephen Holland said, “This is deeply disappointing news.  Britain is now in the deepest and longest recession in its modern history.  Britain’s economy is still shrinking a full six months after France and Germany started growing.  We now know that Labour’s recession plan has not worked, and this news has destroyed Labour’s claim that Britain was better placed than other countries to weather the storms.  We need a Conservative Government to Get Britain Working again and that change can start in Stockport.”

Stockport’s Labour MP is the Parliamentary Private Secretary of Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling and works closely with him.

Meanwhile new borrowing figures have revealed that £14.8 billion was borrowed in September, the highest September figure on record.  This takes net debt up to £824.8 billion, which is 59% of GDP.

Stephen added, “These record borrowing figures underline the extent of Labour’s debt crisis.  A responsible Government would act immediately to start reducing public spending and bring Britain’s deficit down.”

FIGHTING FOR EDGELEY & CHEADLE HEATH – STEPHEN HOLLAND MEETS THE MANCHESTER AIRPORTS GROUP

Prospective MP for Stockport Stephen Holland met with representatives from the Manchester Airports Group to speak up for the residents of Edgeley & Cheadle Heath and other parts of Stockport living under flight paths as part of the consultation on the draft Noise Action Plan for 2008-2013.

The Manchester Airports Group is the country’s largest UK-owned airport operator.  As well as contributing £3.2 billion to the UK economy and supporting over 130,000 jobs, it is a major contributor to the North West regional economy.

Stephen said, “I very much welcome my meeting with representatives from the Manchester Airports Group.  I was able to find out more about the Group’s work with local communities in Stockport as part of its Community Network and how it tackles noise pollution in residents’ homes.

“I also fed into the consultation process over the Group’s draft Noise Action Plan for 2008 to 2013 on behalf of residents living in Edgeley & Cheadle Heath and other parts of Stockport.  I would like to thank the Group’s representatives for meeting with me.”

STANDING UP FOR STOCKPORT – SITE MEETING WITH NETWORK RAIL

Prospective Conservative MP Stephen Holland joined local residents including the Chairman of Heaton Moor Conservation Area Residents’ Group at a site meeting with Network Rail.

At the meeting Stephen Holland presented Network Rail with a list of areas where residents would like to see replanting along the stretch of rail track in Heaton Moor and Heaton Chapel following the tree-felling that took place earlier this year. The group then walked the stretch of track on both sides to identify the areas that need replanting.

Stephen said, “I welcome our meeting with Network Rail. Residents were able to make their concerns known and show the visual impact of the tree-felling in this conservation area.

“It is important that residents are heard when it comes to their local area. I hope that a compromise can now be reached and that Network Rail will work to a satisfactory outcome for residents living in Heaton Moor and Heaton Chapel.”

READY FOR CHANGE IN STOCKPORT

Under David Cameron we have bold plans to deal with the big problems our country faces.

1. NHS – We will slash wasteful bureaucracy to shift funds from the back office to our doctors and nurses on the frontline.

2. CRIME – We will free the police, probation and prison services to name offenders where necessary and put the rights of law-abiding citizens before the rights of criminals.

3. SCHOOLS – We will install new leadership teams when schools fail to teach the basics properly and have poor discipline.

4. ECONOMY – We will Get Britain Working and deal with Labour’s Jobs Crisis and make the tough decisions that need to be taken to deal with Labour’s Debt Crisis.

5. LOCAL PEOPLE – We will give local people the power to instigate referendums on local issues and the right to veto high council tax rises.

STANDING UP FOR THE PEOPLE OF STOCKPORT – MY LETTER TO THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS

The CBI has now joined the long list of respected organisations which are highlighting the urgent need to get our country’s public finances under control.
 
Earlier this year the British Retail Consortium rightly questioned the Labour Government’s proposal that empty shops in Stockport should be used as art galleries. Conservatives called for more direct support to help Stockport’s shops stay in business in the first place through a National Loan Guarantee Scheme. At the same time I also wrote to Alistair Darling and asked for more help for our savers and pensioners.
 
Given that Stockport’s Labour MP is the parliamentary aide of the Chancellor Alistair Darling, you would think that the people of Stockport would get a better deal from this Government instead of being burdened with a huge debt mountain.
 
Unlike Labour, Conservatives believe in an economy based on savings and ownership rather than an economy built on debt. It is therefore alarming that figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed public sector borrowing jumped to £16.1 billion in August compared with £9.9 billion in August 2008.
 
The people of Stockport are suffering under a Labour Government that has lost its way and a high-spending Lib Dem Council that won’t listen. They deserve better – it’s time for change in Stockport.
 
STEPHEN HOLLAND
Prospective Conservative MP for Stockport

STEPHEN HOLLAND PLEDGES TO “DO HIS BIT” FOR BRITISH ARMED FORCES

Stephen Holland, prospective MP for Stockport, has pledged to do his bit for the British Armed Forces family.

Stephen met with representatives from The Royal British Legion at the recent Conservative Party Conference in Manchester where he was presented with a copy of the Legion’s manifesto for the next general election. The Royal British Legion is the nation’s leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.

The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages MPs to “do their bit” for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

Prospective MP Stephen Holland said, “I was delighted to meet with The Royal British Legion. They have an important role to play in highlighting the needs of the whole Armed Forces family. I have pledged to do my bit and would encourage everyone to do the same by visiting the general election manifesto website – www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk – to find out more.

“We must properly support our Armed Forces in conflict and give them the resources that they need to do their job.”