A new direction for Bury South

Less than two weeks since his last visit David Cameron stopped off in Bury Town Centre yesterday on his way to Bolton.  He spent time going round the indoor market chatting to stall holders, staff and shoppers.  He received a very warm welcome especially from a 6 month old baby who received an unexpected hug although she was rather more fascinated with the tv camera pointing straight at her!  This morning was an early start with a business breakfast hustings at the Midland Hotel kindly hosted by Mansons Finance Group.

Today I had the opportunity to meet with Andrew Lansley Shadow Secretary of State for Health together with my colleague David Nuttall Parliamentary Candidate for Bury North.  Andrew Lansley confirmed during his visit to Bury that under a Conservative Government these vital services would remain open at Fairfield.  Andrew Lansley also took the opportunity to meet with GPs and staff at Blackford House Medical Centre in Unsworth where he was taken on a tour of the Centre and the new extension.

Yesterday I welcomed Grant Shapps, Shadow Housing Minister, to Bury South where he met with Michael Herwald Estate Agent to discuss the issues he sees with the housing market which included a range of topics such as Home Information Packs (HIPs) something that the Conservatives have pledged to scrap; stamp duty and mortgages especially for first time buyers.

Today I spent most of the day in the sunshine at Radcliffe Girls and Boys Club along with a team of volunteers tidying up the grass area to the right of the club and cutting back branches and raking up tree cuttings.  It is amazing to see the difference in the Club since we started work there 9 months ago.  The new roof looks fantastic and more groups are now using the Club following its transformation.  However there is still plenty to do.  I believe the next major project is a new ceiling in the main sports hall.  I shall keep readers updated on developments.

This evening I went along to the celebrations at the Sheridan Suite for Israel’s 62nd birthday.  I understand that over 600 people had visited throughout the evening.  Having been out for a quick meal with my daughter who is 21 today I resisted the very tempting food on offer though!  It was wonderful to see so many young people taking part in the event.

I was delighted to welcome David Cameron to Whitefield on Wednesday evening when he spoke to over 400 people.  Philips High School where I am a Governor was the venue for this large gathering and David spent time meeting the Head Teacher Mr Chris Trees and the Girls’ football team on arrival.  Speaking to those was attended afterwards they were excited about this policies.  Sayeeda Warsi, who is no stranger to Bury South, introduced him and spent time aftewards meeting with the many young people who attended the event.

The Conservative Party have pledged their commitment to the NHS and will increase spending within the NHS every single year.  Yesterday saw the message being delivered in Prestwich where members of my campaign team were out meeting local residents.  One GP I met recently told me that she will be voting purely on which Party she believes will be the best one for the NHS.

I spent today in Prestwich out and about meeting residents listening to their concerns.  Many are Lib Dem voters who have realised that the only way to get rid of Gordon Brown is to vote Conservative and were delighted to give me their support.

The scaremongering is already starting and we are only Day 3 into the election campaign.  Many older people have come up to me over the last few days worried that a Conservative Government will take away their winter fuel allowance, free TV license, free bus pass and cut pensions or pension credit.  The truth is that we will do none of these and not only that we will ensure that these very people who have been let down by Labour will be better off under a Conservative Government.  Let’s look at Labour’s record of helping pensioners – they have raided pensions, turning one of the best private pension systems in Europe into one of the worst; 48,000 people in residential care today have had to sell their homes to pay for care and more than 4 million people could be hit by Brown’s inheritance tax.  The Conservatives plan to raise the basic state pension and restore the link to earnings; end the scandal of elderly people having to sell their home to pay for residential care; a two year Council Tax freeze; more police on the beat, raise the inheritance tax threshold and to make the NHS a  world class service.

Today Gordon Brown called the much awaited General Election for the 6 May.  Now the people of Bury South have a clear choice 5 more years of Gordon Brown of a change of Government and a change to this country.  I have been out and about today meeting people who are pleased that they will now have the chance to make that change.