South East Cheshire How will we vote after Ann Winterton has gone? Latest poll shows it's between Tories and Lib Dems. See Page 4. Tory 51% NewsDistributed in Alsager, , HolmesExtra Chapel, , Lib Dem Sandbach and the villages of Congleton Constituency Labour 37% 12% Published & promoted by P.Hirst on behalf of Congleton Constituency Liberal Democrats at 33 Rushton Drive, Middlewich, Cheshire, CW10 0NJ. Printed by Harmsworth Printing Ltd., 17 Brest Road, Derriford Business Park, Plymouth PL6 5AA. CAR PARKING CHARGES - Cheshire Local people tell Council ‘NO’ to charges East Council accused of putting the for shoppers’ parking ..... ‘CON’ into public CONsultation! FREE OUR CAR PARKS he Conservative-controlled TCheshire East Council has been PAY & DISPLAY - Will it be the local accused of conning local residents with the recent public ‘consultations’ shops who really pay the price ? on proposals to make motorists pay to use local car parks. The Tories are Would-be local Liberal Democrat MP Dr Peter Hirst is pictured below on a tour of local car slammed for going ahead with parks. He believes local shops will bear the brunt of Council’s decision to charging - despite the fact that they charge for all parking. Dr Hirst fears motorists will seek out free parking in superstores had discovered from the so-called elsewhere when the charges come in. ‘consultation’ that local people were Dr Peter Hirst at Sandbach strongly opposed to their plans. Common Car Park And ALL council taxpayers Middlewich councillor Keith Bagnall said will pay for these 2 car “The Tories carried out several public consultations and were told, in no uncertain parks - they’ll run at a loss! terms, that car park charges would be an economic disaster for small shops and in many cases cause real problems for parents taking their children to school. What did the Tories do with all this feedback? THEY COMPLETELY IGNORED IT. Car park charges are going ahead anyhow.” Holmes Chapel Councillor Nick Guthrie added “These changes are being imposed in a standard, uniform way - regardless of what damage they may do to local shops Holmes Chapel Car Park already suffering from the recession.” behind the Librrary Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Congleton Dr Peter Hirst added his belief Alsager Fairview that short-stay parking on shoppers’ car Car Park parks should be free. Dr Hirst also pointed out that bringing in charges at some of the council’s car parks would actually result in the council losing money. He quoted the example of Seabank car park in Middlewich which only has 22 spaces. “It was proven beyond doubt that it would actually COST more money - with the installation and maintenance of meters etc - than it could ever generate from charges!“ said Dr Hirst. Why are we short- changing our troops?

obody can put a price on the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces but recent Noperations in Afghanistan and Iraq MEETING COSTS have revealed the disparity between what we The costs of the Lib Dem proposal would be expect of our soldiers and how they are around £400million... just one percent of the rewarded. MOD budget. Currently, there is one desk We can’t reward our lions with peanuts! jockey for every two servicemen. That ratio should be reduced. The Defence budget Liberal Democrats say we must act NOW to and Department itself are in such chaos that restore the military covenant between our forces the next Strategic Defence Review will have to make tough choices. Now is the chance and the people. to ensure pay levels are not compromised ‘As a fundamental part of this,’ says Nick further. Therefore savings can be achieved Clegg, “we would put service personnel and their through a headcount reduction in MOD staff welfare at the heart of defence policy. of around ten per cent (10,000): by rationalising procurement practices in the We will ensure that no soldier, sailor or airman MOD; reducing nonessential staff such as goes into danger on less basic pay than a new communications (currently almost 1000, the recruit to the police or fire service.” equivalent of a whole infantry battalion!); He said there is widespread dissatisfaction over through natural wastage over the course of pay among the lower ranks. This has a dreadful Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg the next Parliament; and realignment of impact on morale and retention. priorities of the Strategic Defence and the meets the troops in Afghanistan Security Review. ‘We will find the money to pay for this from inside the MoD. It’s ridiculous that we have one civilian for every man or woman in uniform and almost 1000 people working in Ayo Gurkhali! communications alone. Major reform is The increases for privates necessary to reduce costs within the department. and lance corporals could LIB DEMS joined forces with Those savings should go to where they are be met from the cost of actress Joanna Lumley to campaign really necessary, to the people prepared to make one Euro fighter, which for the rights of Gurkhas to settle in the ultimate sacrifice. would pay a battalion of Britain. VICTORY FOR What our troops say 400 privates for a Liberal Democrat MPs had the backing decade; the budget over- of Conservative and rebel Labour MPs THE GURKHAS! Almost half are unhappy with their pay when they defeated Gordon Brown’s (around 40 per cent). 60 per cent of lower ranks run on new navy Government on the issue in the House destroyers would cover in the Royal Marines are dissatisfied compared .of Commons with only 20 per cent of officers. Two out of the increase for five years; three other ranks believe the X factor is as would the £340m loan inadequate compensation for service lifestyle, to sustain ailing aircraft Gurkha soldiers who had fought for working conditions and expectations. Britain were being denied the right to live here by the Labour Government - despite having risked their lives in NICK CLEGG’S PROPOSALS service. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg A fully-trained private would receive an average basic hourly wage of had long supported Joanna Lumley’s £9.44 from current £6.74 per hour (£430 per week, an extra £115 a week). Campaign for Gurkha soldiers to settle in the UK. The average pay across the ranks of Private and Lance Corporal would rise to around £25,000. After the Government was An average basic hourly wage of £10.40 an hour from current £8.80 per defeated, Joanna Lumley led the hour amounting to (£480 per week, an extra £73 a week.) celebrations outside Westminster with the traditional Gurkha cry of Other NCOs would receive pay rises of £23 per week (around £1000 per AYO GURKHALI! year depending on rank) : Local Liberal Democrat Lowest paid personnel would receive an increase of £6000 - putting them on prospective parliamentary £22,680 and an equal footing with a development level firefighter or a new candidate Dr Peter Hirst entrant police constable. An average annual pay increase of over £3000 for said:“People here in Congleton privates and lance corporals, and around £1000 for higher NCO ranks. We would Constituency recognise this is a make increases to junior officers’ pay to offset differentials with lower ranks. matter of honouring our Allowances would remain the same as they now are. obligations to these brave people.” Fire Control HQ: Alarm over Our Council Spent cost of move to Warrington ! £13,000 on Tory Alsager Liberal Democrat Councillor Rod Fletcher - a member of Cheshire Fire Authority - and Dr Peter Hirst are both extremely concerned about the long period of time being taken over the Conference stall. Government’s changeover of Fire Control Centres from nearby mongst the money which the new Cheshire East Council has already spent on attending conferences is a controversial Winsford to a new North West Control Centre in Warrington. Apayment to the Conservative Party conference of over £13,000 They are particularly worried about the ever-increasing costs of to have a Council display stall at the Tories’ recent national party the project - which could hit local council taxpayers hard. conference. This long drawn-out transfer - which has Questions have been been ordered by the Government - is not asked because no other now scheduled for completion until 2012. party conference was Meanwhile, the national Lib Dem attended by Cheshire East spokesperson on the Local Government Council. Fire Services Committee, Cllr Paul Shannon, has persuaded councillors of all Dr Peter Hirst commented : parties to support a Lib Dem proposal “If Council bosses really calling on the Government to abandon wanted to promote Cheshire this nationwide project which closes local East, you’d think they control centres and transfers powers to would have gone to the Dr Peter Hirst at our local Fire regional centres. other parties conferences as A stay at the luxury Mottram Hall Control Centre in Winsford. The The Lib Dems nationally share Rod well. I wonder how many Hotel near Prestbury. This was the Government want to close this Fletcher and Peter Hirst’s belief that the local council tax payers prize in the virtual golf competition at the centre and move operations to project is taking too long and costs are support our Council Tax Cheshire East Council’s stall at the Warrington. spiralling out of control. being spent in this way?” recent Conservative conference. Latest local news Alsager Lib Dem Councillor Church Lawton School has But Cheshire East Council Derek Hough, delighted at the successful NO Children want to know if you’d like to skate park and play area improvements in NO Teachers be a Governor of the school Milton Park, is now helping to submit a NO Headteacher which they’ve closed! bid to fund the sunken garden work. ike many residents of Church Lawton, the when they heard that a Church Lawton resident had Congleton Town Lib Dem Liberal Democrats were very angry when the recently received an invitation from Cheshire East Councillor Jeanne Whitehurst is fully LTory bosses at Cheshire County Council and its Council to become a Governor of the School! supporting the drive to achieve successor Cheshire East Council tried to close Church sustainability in the town. This includes Lawton School. Lib Dem prospective MP for the area, Dr Peter Hirst has expressed his astonishment at the chain of events in Church the town's first food and drink festival Alas the fight to save the School was lost and the Lawton. “It was bad enough to close the School in the first this year - which celebrated locally Council had their way and closed it. place,” said Dr Hirst, “but to rub salt in the wounds in this grown food. way makes you worry whether Cheshire East Council bosses Imagine then the shock of the local Liberal Democrats are really in control of their own affairs!” Lib Dem Councillor Bill Scragg has got Cheshire East Council to cut Local MEP leads environment fight back the overgrown hedge at the end of Abbey Road near to the junction of hris Davies, Liberal Democrat Member of Voted one of the most hard-working MEPs Elworth Road in Elworth. the European Parliament (MEP), has been promoted to a top EU job. is appointment comes after Chris was voted Holmes Chapel Councillors C one of the most hard working MEPs in Europe. Nick Guthrie and David Savage have The North West MEP has been appointed as the H been helping with a survey intro the coordinator (team leader) and spokesperson for the condition of local roads, pavements, This recognition came from both the European Voice verges, trees, etc. European Liberal (ALDE) group on the influential newspaper for being a “star performer” and the pan- Environmental Committee at the European Parliament. European trade organisation EURELECTRIC for his Middlewich Councillor Keith Mr Davies will now lead the 84-member Liberal work on new green Carbon Capture and Storage Bagnall has long called for a new technology. Democrat group’s team on the committee over the next Health Centre for Middewich and is 5 years. delighted that this is now to be provided on land near the High School. This gives the North West a seat at the top levels of European decision making on climate change, Sandbach & Odd Rode Lib protecting our natural environment and ensuring that Dem Councillor Elsie Alcock reports the EU creates new jobs and takes the green road out that a Children’s Centre is now to be of the recession. provided at Sandbach Primary School – which she helped to save from closure. Chris Davies said, “Threats to our environment don’t stop at national borders. The EU is a powerful force for Lib Dem Councillor Deborah improving the quality of our environment across the Darnes is pushing for Cheshire East North West, the UK and the continent.” Council to become a Fair Trade Council. Following pressure by Lib Dem “I am humbled by the support of my colleagues from Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies is a leading Councillor Andrew Wood, a bus stop Liberal Democrat parties across the whole of Europe climate change campaigner. is to be provided on Crewe Road in for me to take forward this exciting work.” Wheelock. As Ann Winterton Local Lib Dem contacts Constituency Chair leaves the stage... Cllr Keith Bagnall Tel: 07710 807922 REALREAL HELPHELP keith.bagnall@governance- WHO WILL solutions.co.uk Parliamentary Spokesman Cllr Peter Hirst BE OUR Tel: 01606 737108 RIGHT NOW [email protected] NEXT MP? Alsager Area Lib Dem £700 Tax Cut Cllr Rod Fletcher State of the parties in Tel: 01270 874578 Congleton Constituency [email protected] It’s between Tories for local residents. Cllr Derek Hough & Lib Dems Tel; 01270 875144 The Liberal Democrat’s [email protected] Tory Shadow Chancellor of the Congleton Town Area Lib Exchequer announced Cllr Jeanne Whitehurst 51% Dem Tel: 01260 280892 plans to cut taxes for [email protected] 37% every worker in Britain Holmes Chapel/ by £700. Goostrey/Cranage Area Labour 12% Under the plans nobody The Lib Dem’s Shadow Chancellor Cllr Nick Guthrie Share of vote for 3 main parties across Congleton would pay tax on the first Tel: 01477 549958 Constituency in most recent election for Cheshire of the Exchequer with local Lib [email protected] East Council - May 2008 Dem Dr Peter Hirst. £10,000 they earned. Cllr David Savage Following the news that The move would put money A recent opinion poll shows Tel: 01477 537464 Congleton Constituency’s Tory straight back into the pockets a`majority of voters across [email protected] MP Ann Winterton is standing of East Cheshire residents, at Parties would prefer Vince Middlewich Area down at the General Election, Cable’ as the country’s next Cllr Keith Bagnall speculation has been mounting a time when they need it most. It would be funded by Chancellor instead of either Tel: 07710 807922 as to how many votes the new Labour’s Alistair Darling or the keith.bagnall@governance- Conservative candidate will poll closing tax loopholes, abused Tories’ George Osborne. solutions.co.uk in her place. by the super-rich and multi- Cllr Peter Hirst national companies. Wasted opportunity. Tel: 01606 737108 The main interest centres on the [email protected] behaviour of those voters who Billions of pounds have been Lib Dems want the Sandbach East & Odd Rode were not natural Conservatives Government to cut taxes to wasted on the 2.5% VAT cut - Cllr Elsie Alcock but who still voted for Mrs help local families and which has done nothing to create jobs. Tel: 01270 766238 Winterton. The big question is pensioners who are struggling [email protected] who they will decide to support during the recession. Lib Dems would spend this on Cllr Knud Moller this time in her absence. building new homes and public Tel: 01782 518074 Congleton Constituency’s transport, to get Britain [email protected] working. Current local would be Lib Dem MP Dr Sandbach Town Peter Hirst said "The only Dr Peter Hirst said, "What Tory MP Lady Cllr Andrew Wood Ann Winterton. people that seem to have been people need is money back in Tel: 01270 760725 She was backed helped by the Labour their pockets, that's why I'm [email protected] backing Vince Cables’ Lib Dem by many non- Government are the bankers Cllr Patrick Darnes Conservative campaign for real tax cuts right Tel: 01270 764681 that created this mess in the away." voters in past first place." [email protected] elections. How will the Tories fare without her this time? The recent local elections across Congleton Constituency I would like to display a poster at election time show that the Conservatives are I would like to deliver a few leaflets in my area vulnerable to a 7% swing to I would like to vote by post their main rivals, the Liberal I would like to join the Liberal Democrats Democrats. Meanwhile, Labour I would like to donate to the campaign: £50 £25 £10 trail badly in third place on just (Please make all cheques payable to CCLD) 12%. I usually vote Lib Dem The Liberal Democrats’ would- Please return to Peter Hirst, be MP, Middlewich Councillor NAME: Dr Peter Hirst, is hoping to ADDRESS: 33 Rushton Drive, build on his party’s solid level TEL: Middlewich, Cheshire, of support in the Constituency EMAIL: and give the people of CW10 0NJ. Congleton a real alternative to Peter Hirst and authorised volunteers may use the information you provide to contact you about issues you may find of interest. vote for. Some of these contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us.