My Manifesto

Campaigner Common Sense Passionate Radical

MANIFESTO – Working to win the seat

Campaigner: I am a hard working campaigner, who has challenged the Liberal Democrats for their opportunist politics, who promise all to everyone and deliver little. However, how would I challenge the supremacy of the Lib Dems and Tories in the constituency? Initially I would:
1) Write to all members introducing myself, working with the constituency to set about the campaign strategy.
2) Extensively define the weaknesses of the opposition policies and speak about the difference Labour has made to the country.
3) Introduce myself to the local media – print, internet, radio and TV, and re-write http://www.paulbell.org/ to be the campaign website. Introduce the idea of issue politics rather than the normal party politics.
4) Visit or telephone every Labour voter – past and present, introducing myself and outlining what I stand for.
5) Set about meeting as many constituents as I can, and include visits to the local community groups, nursing homes and promote postal voting.
6) Gather information on mobile phone numbers and e-mail addresses to use the most up to date canvassing methods.

Common Sense: I see that too often in life common sense is lacking. However, it is also clear that the Labour Party is the party of common sense. We are members of a party which is the only one which can deliver on a free and public NHS; full employment and opportunity for all. There are times when we feel frustrated by certain policies or where the government could have gone further. But there were times when the Conservative government was going too far – destroying our manufacturing industry, putting people out of work and making ordinary people poorer while the rich got richer. I pledge to use my common sense in politics for the needs of my constituents and always remember how different our country is now to the days of the last government.

Passionate: I am a passionate believer in social democracy. The Labour Party led the way through the 20th Century in advocating for social change on an unparalleled level. The new century is asking more demanding questions of our party. The future will not just be about terrorism and the consequences of the Iraq war, but also the ever reaching “market” over community politics. I am a passionate believer in local democracy where local communities take control of their own lives through participation, action and co-operation. Local government is vital in this process.

Radical: I am by nature a social reformer. I see the Labour Party as the only party which can deliver on social democracy. Much has been done to protect the NHS and extend opportunity to all rather than the few. We must celebrate our successes, but work towards even greater achievements of developing social democracy, or as it used to known as – socialism. The third Labour term of government will be a rewarding challenge. Let’s work together to further change our society to one of equality and freedom.