Local MP Under Strain

Local Tory MP Michael Howard recently completed twenty years in Parliament. However the celebrations will have been dampened considerably by local and national reports about his future.

There is a feeling across our area that Shepway has been let down by its Tory run Councils and its Member of Parliament in recent years.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman Peter Carroll who has spoken to thousands of people across Shepway in recent years explains, "Many people have told me that they feel our area has been allowed to decline. They are disappointed that our MP has not been able to do more to get a better deal for our area."

"Our MP's record in Parliament is not something local people are proud about. His Conservative Government helped introduce the Poll Tax as well as privatising the railways - look how well that turned out!"

While the Tories were in power, crime rocketed, there were huge cuts in the NHS, schools suffered and the value of the basic state pension fell and fell.

Peter commented, "The Tory record in power was one of shame. Public services like schools, hospitals, Police and public transport were ignored in favour of tax cuts for the richest. No wonder many feel uncomfortable with an MP who played a leading role in that Government."

Experts now predict that the next General Election will be the closest fight local people have ever seen. For many it cannot come quickly enough!