"I would like to wish my fellow candidates every best wish for tomorrow, while we may have disagreements over policy, I hope as we enter the last twenty-four hours of the election we have all been enriched by meeting voters, discussing their concerns and thinking about ways we can bring about the change local people are looking for.
"I know that I have worked hard during the campaign to convince residents of Granges-de-Lings, Greetwell, Nettleham and Riseholme that I share their aspiration for a better tomorrow, that I have the policies that can deliver for them."
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
Eve of Poll
Giles McNeill, Conservative Candidate in the West Lindsey District Council Election being held on Thursday, 1st May 2008, has issued the following statement.
Campaign Diary - Wednesday 30th April 2008
It has been another busy day, meeting local residents, solving problems that have come up and attending the opening of postal ballots at the Guildhall in Gainsborough.
The good news it that I firmly believe I have a good chance tomorrow, every local resident's vote will matter. Consistently local people tell me that they are tired of getting so little from the District Council - their bins emptied and the cemetery grass cut, just isn't enough. It's time for change. A change for the better, a Conservative led council.
The polls open in fourteen and a half hours and I'm now really looking forward to tomorrow's events.
The good news it that I firmly believe I have a good chance tomorrow, every local resident's vote will matter. Consistently local people tell me that they are tired of getting so little from the District Council - their bins emptied and the cemetery grass cut, just isn't enough. It's time for change. A change for the better, a Conservative led council.
The polls open in fourteen and a half hours and I'm now really looking forward to tomorrow's events.
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Campaign Diary - Tuesday 29th April 2008
I have been out this morning in Nettleham meeting local people and canvassing their opinions. It's so great to get such a warm welcome on people's doorsteps.
I have spoken to Noel Robinson at the Highways Department at Lincolnshire County Council and I have been assured that work on the paths of Sudbrooke Lane is scheduled to be complete by the end of summer.
If you have any suggestions or ideas I should follow up please email me: gilesmcneill@hotmail.com
I have spoken to Noel Robinson at the Highways Department at Lincolnshire County Council and I have been assured that work on the paths of Sudbrooke Lane is scheduled to be complete by the end of summer.
If you have any suggestions or ideas I should follow up please email me: gilesmcneill@hotmail.com
Monday, 28 April 2008
Campaign Diary - Monday 28th April 2008
The last crucial days of the campaign are upon us and I feel more invigorated than ever. On the doorstep and in the street people are giving me such a warm reception, telling me how much they want rid of the Labour Government and change at the Guildhall in Gainsborough.
A number of residents who have Malcolm Leaning posters on their property have told me that they are supporting me on May 1st - because they recognise that it's time for change. They have lost faith in Malcolm Leaning, who has served for too long, with not enough achieved.
Malcolm's latest 'Focus' leaflet has a number of items that may mislead local people. Malcolm suggests that 'the Parish, District and County Councils are working together to try and prevent any reoccurance' of the summer floods: It is not entirely clear to me how politicians prevent acts of god - all we can do is support local people when these things happen and try and make decisions which reduce the likelyhood and severity of the effects. I have seen no evidence that the Liberal Democrat controlled West Lindsey District Council have acted to implement any of the recommendations of our expert consultants report. Maybe it has something to do with Malcolm not agreeing with the reports recomendation. He has become a roadblock to securing peoples property against flooding.
The 'Focus' goes into some depth discussing Malcolm's use of Information Communications Technology - but within the article it is suggested the Malcolm is Chair of the Planning Committee. He is not. Cllr. Bernard Theobold is Chairman.
A further article implies that the cost of our policy to abolish the charge for Green Bins will cost £54.50. This is wrong. At the moment the Green Bins are subsidised by the Council, residents who have a green wheelie bin pay £24.50. Our proposals are fully costed. The cut is primarily financed through abolishing the endless administrative task needed to collect the fees each year. The Lib Dems are misleading people; our policy is not to give a free green bin to everyone. It is quite clear that the figures used to support there case are those of when the scheme was first proposed. Is it a surprise that Liberal Democrat David Cotton would say "Free Green Bins would add £54.50 to everybody's council tax bill" - he wants to be re-elected. You simply can not trust a word they say. Many people now have green bins. There is a large number in storage - because the Lib Dem ordered too many - so no costs involved in acquiring more to supply increased demand.
I am leading a positive issues and policy lead campaign. My policies include:
What are the Liberal Democrats offering in this election?
A number of residents who have Malcolm Leaning posters on their property have told me that they are supporting me on May 1st - because they recognise that it's time for change. They have lost faith in Malcolm Leaning, who has served for too long, with not enough achieved.
Malcolm's latest 'Focus' leaflet has a number of items that may mislead local people. Malcolm suggests that 'the Parish, District and County Councils are working together to try and prevent any reoccurance' of the summer floods: It is not entirely clear to me how politicians prevent acts of god - all we can do is support local people when these things happen and try and make decisions which reduce the likelyhood and severity of the effects. I have seen no evidence that the Liberal Democrat controlled West Lindsey District Council have acted to implement any of the recommendations of our expert consultants report. Maybe it has something to do with Malcolm not agreeing with the reports recomendation. He has become a roadblock to securing peoples property against flooding.
The 'Focus' goes into some depth discussing Malcolm's use of Information Communications Technology - but within the article it is suggested the Malcolm is Chair of the Planning Committee. He is not. Cllr. Bernard Theobold is Chairman.
A further article implies that the cost of our policy to abolish the charge for Green Bins will cost £54.50. This is wrong. At the moment the Green Bins are subsidised by the Council, residents who have a green wheelie bin pay £24.50. Our proposals are fully costed. The cut is primarily financed through abolishing the endless administrative task needed to collect the fees each year. The Lib Dems are misleading people; our policy is not to give a free green bin to everyone. It is quite clear that the figures used to support there case are those of when the scheme was first proposed. Is it a surprise that Liberal Democrat David Cotton would say "Free Green Bins would add £54.50 to everybody's council tax bill" - he wants to be re-elected. You simply can not trust a word they say. Many people now have green bins. There is a large number in storage - because the Lib Dem ordered too many - so no costs involved in acquiring more to supply increased demand.
I am leading a positive issues and policy lead campaign. My policies include:
1. Bring back concessonary travel before 9:30am.
2. Abolish £24.50 charge for Green Wheelie Bins.
3. Keep Black Bin Collection Weekly
4. Lobby Central Government to fund the police at a proper level.
5. Continue the Councillor's Initiative Fund and split it between local projects in different communities fairly.
6. Get a fairer deal for local residents of the tax we pay to the District Council being spent in our communities.
7. Oppose the significant development of our villages.
8. Work to make our communities safe and secure.
What are the Liberal Democrats offering in this election?
Lincolnshire Echo Candidate Profile Online
The Lincolnshire Echo has published profiles of candidates standing for election to West Lindsey District Council on Thursday 1st May 2008. Read Giles McNeill's profile, together with other candidates here.
Friday, 25 April 2008
Campaign Diary - Friday 25th April 2008
It has been a busy week. But there is no time to relax. From tomorrow there will be just 127 hours remaining until the polls open, only 142 hours before the polls close and in just 150 hours time we will know whether local residents want change or more of the same.
A reduced version of my election address, which is being delivered to homes as I write, has been published in the Gainsborough Standard. It also contains comments from the numerous other candidates (excepting the UKIP candidate who submitted nothing). What is clear is that only the Conservatives in West Lindsey are putting forward policies that will make a difference to the quality of people's lives.
I had the good fortune to chat to Chris Heaton-Harris MEP earlier this afternoon who wished my colleagues and I luck in the local election on May 1st. Chris is the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Daventry and like West Lindsey they have elections every year. He reports that they have a solid grip on the council which they hope to improve; I will just be grateful if we secure a majority.
Today has also seen the launch of my latest election video. I am very pleased with the result. I hope should local people elect me on May 1st that I will be able to make a regular video blog about my activities on local resident's behalf, I also hope to contribute a regular column in the Nettleham News as a District Councillor and distribute regular 'In Touch' Newsletters twice a year.
A reduced version of my election address, which is being delivered to homes as I write, has been published in the Gainsborough Standard. It also contains comments from the numerous other candidates (excepting the UKIP candidate who submitted nothing). What is clear is that only the Conservatives in West Lindsey are putting forward policies that will make a difference to the quality of people's lives. I had the good fortune to chat to Chris Heaton-Harris MEP earlier this afternoon who wished my colleagues and I luck in the local election on May 1st. Chris is the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Daventry and like West Lindsey they have elections every year. He reports that they have a solid grip on the council which they hope to improve; I will just be grateful if we secure a majority.
Today has also seen the launch of my latest election video. I am very pleased with the result. I hope should local people elect me on May 1st that I will be able to make a regular video blog about my activities on local resident's behalf, I also hope to contribute a regular column in the Nettleham News as a District Councillor and distribute regular 'In Touch' Newsletters twice a year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)