Here you will find
- news of my campaigns around Southend West
- links to the policies we need to get Britain working again
- ways to get involved yourself, volunteer here
The great thing about democracy should be that everyone has their say. If there is one thing I would like you to do here, it is to take our residents’ survey.
Southend West is a seat with a strong Liberal tradition. We nearly won here in 1997. Boundary changes and our growing number of local councillors will help us this time around – with your support!
Peter Welch
General election: a big step forwards for Liberal Democrats in Southend West
“Thanks!” is the message from Southend West candidate Peter Welch, after voters gave huge backing for the Liberal Democrats in the General Election.
The Liberal Democrat vote soared by more than 3000 – while the Tory and Labour share of the vote fell back.
Peter said “I’m delighted with our strong showing in Southend West. It is clearer than ever that this is a seat the Liberal Democrats can win. Gaining another council seat made it all the sweeter. So congratulations to Paul Collins in Westborough, to the four Liberal Democrat candidates who held their seats, and the four who came second and increased their vote in the other Southend West wards.”
Liberal Democrats will now be in Government for the first time since the war – and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will be Deputy Prime Minister.
Peter Welch said “this is a great opportunity to start to reform our tax system and to clean up politics. My thanks to the 12816 voters here in Southend West who helped bring this about, and to all the other residents who made it such an enjoyable campaign.”
The Party Political Broadcast people are talking about.
As we knock on doors across Southend West, many people mention this party political broadcast. So here is a chance to see it again
SOUTHEND WEST LIBERAL DEMOCRAT BACKS BETTER BROADBAND SERVICE AND PUBS CAMPAIGN
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Peter Welch, Liberal Democrat candidate for Southend West at the General Election being held on Thursday 06 May 2010, has given his support to a series of policies promoted by Essex FSB (Federation of Small Businesses).
South East Essex FSB Branch Chairman, Terry Taber, said: “Small businesses have a big vote in the forthcoming General Election, here in Essex there are around 80,000 small businesses and potentially 300,000+ voters working in those businesses so their views are important.
“That is why Essex FSB has been organising a series of briefing meetings for key candidates across the county and this week we met with Southend West’s Liberal Democrat candidate Peter Welch.
“It was a very productive meeting and we were pleased with the level of support Peter gave to our policies including our concerns at the lack of investment in road, rail and broadband infrastructure to service the businesses along the Thames Gateway corridor.
Peter Welch said: “As the largest business organisation in the UK the FSB is the voice of small business and I found the briefing meeting useful and informative. When I carried out a survey of local businesses in Southend West early last year, I found that these appreciated the support of the FSB – and I personally appreciate the FSB input.
“Their concerns regarding the poor broadband service in parts of Southend West are ones I share. Small businesses are the economic life blood of many areas of my constituency. They should be able to link to the digital world using fast and reliable connections.
“With HMRC now demanding that tax and vat returns are lodged on line by businesses it is important that this problem is addressed rapidly and suitable investment made.
“I feel particularly strongly about this as I know we have a number of e-commerce and web design businesses in the area. The internet is still a key to growing our local economy.
“The FSB’s campaign to reverse the trend which is seeing seven pubs a day closing is one that I support as a good pub can be the hub of the local community and provide important local services.
“I also share the FSB’s concern that Small Business Rate Relief for businesses in England has to be claimed yet elsewhere in the UK is received automatically and that needs to be corrected.
“Essex FSB put a strong case to me on behalf of small businesses in Southend West and I look forward to working with them throughout this election campaign and beyond.”
Peter Welch backs good community pubs
Peter Welch, Local Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for the Southend West constituency has today committed to:
- Promote the interests of Britain’s pub goers
- Champion well-run community pubs
- Press for reform of beer tie to deliver a fair deal for consumers
These commitments are based on a campaign being run by CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale which is asking all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates whether they are willing to speak up for Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers. CAMRA’s new Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter sets out a series of options for supporting well-run community pubs, local brewers and consumer rights.
Mike Benner, CAMRA’s Chief Executive welcomed Peter Welch’s support for the Charter, saying:
“We are delighted that Peter Welch has promised to work to promote the interests of beer drinkers and pub goers. Well-run pubs make a huge contribution to community life, each of which injects £80,000 into their local economy every year. Amid growing concern over the loss of more than 5 pubs a day, it is now more important than ever to support well-run community pubs, to promote local brewers and to protect the interests of consumers.”
Speaking after signing up to CAMRA’s Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter, Peter Welch said:
“I am proud to be speaking up for community pubs, local brewers and consumers. Well-run pubs are the bedrock of community life – they are part of the solution to the problem of alcohol misuse and not part of the problem. They deserve our support.”
Peter Welch, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for the Southend West constituency, has signed up to the EMAG pledge to help the victims of the Equitable Life scandal.
The pledge reads
“I pledge to the voters of this constituency that if I am elected to
Parliament at the next general election, I will support and vote for proper compensation for victims of the Equitable Life scandal and I will support and vote to set up a swift, simple, transparent and fair payment scheme – independent of government – as recommended by the Parliamentary Ombudsman.”
Vince Cable, the popular Liberal Democrat shadow Chancellor is a longstanding supporter of the Equitable Life victims, and wrote to Liberal Democrat candidates urging them to support the pledge. Peter Welch commented
“ I didn’t need any persuading! I believe the Equitable Life victims have been shabbily treated. I am very pleased to support their campaign. I am only sorry that the case has dragged on for so long that many victims have not lived to see it resolved.”
Peter Welch backs NSPCC campaign to fight cruelty to children
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There is nothing I read in newspapers that tears at my heartstrings more than reports of cruelty to children. The death of children at the hands of people who should love and nurture them affects me more than any other issue. So I am an instinctive supporter of the NSPCC.
The Liberal Democrats produced a child protection paper in 2009, which committed the party to many of the demands of the NSPCC. This included continuing to fund Childline. We have also called for helpline services to be accessible and confidential so people know when and how to report suspected abuse.
I support calls to amend the Home Office’s definition of domestic violence in England to include the impact of domestic violence on children. Indeed, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Children, Schools and Families, Annette Brooke MP, recently tabled EDM 772 which explicitly outlines this issue and calls for the Government to act.
Liberal Democrats have also set out plans for online bullying and abuse to be tackled by using quick-report buttons on social networking sites. I am pleased to see that Facebook are now considering adding such a button.
I believe that the Children’s Commission should be a truly independent position; if it is to receive taxpayer’s funds then it must be given the power and authority to make positive changes for children and challenge the Government and media when children’s causes are being ignored. It is important that the Commissioner works closely with a variety of children’s charities, and is happy to stand up and be heard when they think things are going wrong.
Liberal Democrats are committed to therapeutic services and understand the real difference they can make. We would also adopt the Layard proposals beyond 2011 – ensuring that those that need it have access to appropriate cognitive behavioural therapies. Therapeutic services for young people are one of the most effective ways of ensuring that childhood trauma and abuse does not permanently damage life chances.
Tackling cruelty to children is one of the hardest and most important issues we face. There are no easy answers, but the NSPCC “I stand for Children” campaign sets out some essential steps – that is why I am backing it.
Can you make a difference?
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People who don’t belong to political parties often believe they are huge, well-funded machines. The stories in the press about party funding probably reinforce this.
But in fact parties rely on quite small numbers of volunteers. I haven’t counted the number of people we have working on our campaign in Southend West – indeed I haven’t met them all. But there aren’t so many that one extra isn’t worth a small celebration.
The most common way of people help is by delivering newsletters and leaflets. Most regular deliverers take newsletters around to between one hundred and two hundred houses. They play a key role. It helps our councillors do their job of helping local residents. And it helps us get our message over to residents directly : we can’t rely on the Mail and the Sun to tell people about Liberal Democrat policies.
So we would need about three hundred deliverers to be able to deliver to every house in the constituency on a routine basis. And we aren’t there yet – although the gaps have got a lot smaller over the last year.
There are a smaller number of people who will come out in groups to fill the gaps. I probably have met most of these. They are really a priceless asset.
The number of people who will knock on doors is probably not very different. It is really a key activity – and the activity I enjoy the most. I believe I have personally knocked on around five thousand doors since I was selected as candidate in Southend West – although I haven’t been counting day by day. It is invaluable way of keeping in touch with people and showing that we are interested. It also gives people interested in helping us out a chance to say so. Long policy discussions are very rare – but we get back to people who are interested in specific policies.
Then there are a thousand other jobs that go on, and make us a thriving local party. There are people who address envelopes, count leaflets, organise fundraising events, and help put up posters. They all make politics happen.
Money speaks in elections. The millions the Conservatives have received from Lord Ashcroft does give them a head start. But people speak louder. Another hundred people prepared to deliver leaflets, another twenty people prepared to put time into knocking on doors might make all the difference in seats like Southend West.
And for the people who get involved, there is the satisfaction of knowing you have done your bit, the pleasure of working in a team with people you might not otherwise come across, and the thrill of the competition. In short, everything except money!
So if you can help, drop me a line on PeterWelch@SouthendLibDems.org.uk or go to this page http://www.libdems.org.uk/get_involved.aspx
Lib Dem councillors fight for Post Office
By Karen Davis
PRITTLEWELL Liberal Democrats are fighting a last ditch battle to save the only remaining Post Office in the ward.
The owners of the building that houses the Post Office have been given permission to turn it into a flat.
Local Liberal Democrat ward councillor, Mike Grimwade, has launched a petition asking Post Office authorities to save the facility.
Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Southend West, Peter Welch, is backing the petition.
He said: “People need the services the Post Office provides, and this is a campaign I am happy to back.
“We have received a tremendous amount of public support and look forward to hearing from anyone who would like to support us.”
Residents wishing to sign the petition can do so at the Post Office, in Queen Anne’s Drive.
The petition is also being publicised through the Liberal Democrats’ regular local newsletter, which is delivered to every house in Prittlewell ward.
For more information, call Peter Welch on 07849 835359 or Mike Grimwade on 01702 521642.
SOUTHEND WEST CANDIDATE COMMITS TO BEAT CANCER
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Peter Welch, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Southend West has joined hundreds of candidates across the country in signing up to Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Commitment, aiming to make UK cancer outcomes among the best in Europe in the next ten years.
Peter Welch said: “I am delighted to pledge my support for Cancer Research UK’s vital campaign. Cancer remains the public’s number one fear. With a concerted effort from the next Parliament, we can give hope to the millions of people affected by cancer and their friends and family.”
More than one in three people in Southend West will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. In the last thirty years, the UK’s 10-year survival rates have doubled but cancer survival rates still lag behind the best performing countries in Europe such as Sweden, Norway and Finland. Cancer Research UKis calling on Parliamentary candidates to commit now that if they are elected, they will help make cancer outcomes for patients in the UK among the best in Europe in a decade.
The Cancer Commitment calls on MPs in the next Parliament to take action in five key areas:
Detecting cancer earlier
Providing world class treatment
Preventing more cancers
Tackling cancer inequalities
Protecting the UK’s research base
Jon Spiers, Head of Public Affairs and Campaigning at Cancer Research UK, said “To consign today’s cancer challenges to tomorrow’s history books, we must act now. Our thousands of scientists and our millions of supporters are hoping to see MPs in the next Parliament step up to the challenge.”
For information on Cancer Research UK’s Commit To Beat Cancer campaign, visit: www.CommitToBeatCancer.org
We must work together to look after the elderly
The Tories are hammering Labour for wanting a “Death Tax” of £20 000 to pay for care for the elderly. The Tories themselves want a “retirement fee” of £8000 to buy access to care. As you might expect, I’m sure Liberal Democrat plans for a partnership between the state and the elderly are better than either.
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Scoring points isn’t what this is about. Caring for our growing numbers of elderly people is one of the big issues we face. Parties need to work together to tackle it. Lib Dem MP Norman is leading the way. The Tories (with their “Death Taxes” slogan) are the least willing to work with others. That is a pity.
Here is one Lib Dem idea I hope we can all agree on. There is a hidden army out there – mostly of women. They provide hours of free, unpaid care to their relatives. They save taxpayers around £87 billion per annum. And they provide great care. Let’s make sure that they get at least one week each year when someone else takes over. They deserve a break!
Peter Welch
PeterWelch@SouthendLib Dems.org.uk
MPs should face the same rules as anyone else on a shared equity scheme
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Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Southend West, Peter Welch, has welcomed reports that the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority is considering clawing back the profits MPs make on second homes.
This approach was first advocated by Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg last year.
If the IPSA takes action, it could mean that MPs face bills of tens or for hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Peter Welch said “MPs are essentially getting the same sort of deal as people who take up low-cost, shared ownership housing schemes. But MPs get to keep all the profits. People on shared ownership schemes only keep the profit on the money that they put in.
“I want to see this scheme introduced now – and I believe it should be made retrospective. At the very least, MPs should give up the profits they have made since the last General Election.”
Liberal Democrats announce education funding commitment for Southend.
The Liberal Democrats have announced a major funding commitment to boost education in Southend. Nick Clegg has this week set out the Liberal Democrat manifesto commitment for a Pupil Premium that would invest around £9.6m of extra cash in Southend schools, raising the funding for disadvantaged pupils to private school levels.
The money will be invested through the Pupil Premium pledge, part of a £2.5bn manifesto spending commitment.
Peter Welch, PPC forSouthend West said:
“It’s terrible to think that children in Southend schools are still losing out under Labour. David Laws MP, the Liberal Democrat spokesman came here himself last summer to find out from local headteachers the challenges they face.
“Under our plans, Southend schools would get a further £9.6m which they could use to cut class sizes and provide more individual support.
“Britain has been failing to realise the talent of many youngsters. We have to change that.”
Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:
“With this unfairness in funding it’s no surprise there is such a gap in achievement between children from the poorest backgrounds and those families who are better off.
“Only when we get education funding back on track will be able to give all our children the fair start they deserve.”
Liberal Democrats launch General Election plans on policing
Liberal Democrats in Southend West have set out their General Election. plans to put more police on the beat. The extra officers for Southend will be funded by the savings from scrapping ID cards, and are part of the Liberal Democrats’ Safer Streets – More and Better Police manifesto commitment.
Peter Welch, Liberal democrat prospective MP for Southend West, said:
“People around Southend West often tell me they feel unsafe.
“Expensive ID cards aren’t going to change that, but an extra officer walking down Rayleigh Road or more police in Westcliff on a Friday night will.
“The Liberal Democrats are committed to more police, and this is the only way to create safer streets.”
Commenting, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:
“The Liberal Democrats are the only party that wants to cut crime by putting more police on the street.
“When only one in a hundred crimes ends up with a conviction in court, it is time for things to change.
“Labour and the Conservatives may talk tough but they are unwilling to make the crucial decisions to cut crime.”
Warm welcome for Lib Dem housing plans in South East Essex
“This is the kind of new thinking we need to create jobs, improve our environment, and make life fairer. There are more than 3000 homes lying empty in Rochford, Castle Point and Southend.
“Making cash available to bring them back into use would provide hundreds of jobs locally. It could cut fuel bills. And it could relieve pressure on the green belt.
“I am delighted to be camapigning on these policies” ” – Peter Welch, Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Southend West”
The Liberal Democrats have set out plans to bring a quarter of a million empty homes back into use, making homes available for people who need them and creating 65,000 jobs.
There are over 760,000 empty properties across England which are no longer used as homes but can be brought back into use with some investment. People who own these homes will get a grant or a cheap loan to renovate them so they can be used: grants if the home is for social housing, loans for private use.
The plans form part of the economic stimulus package outlined as a core principle of the Liberal Democrat election manifesto. In the first year of the new Parliament, the party would redirect over £3.6bn of spending to create jobs and build up Britain’s infrastructure. In the following years this money will be redirected to other Lib Dem spending priorities and reducing the structural deficit.
Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg launched the plans with Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable and Liberal Democrat Shadow Housing Minister, Sarah Teather. Visiting the College of North West London, they met students on construction and engineering courses who would benefit from these new plans.
Commenting, Nick Clegg said:
“Allowing thousands of houses to sit empty when millions of families have been waiting years for a home is nothing short of a scandal.
“These plans are a clear example of where Liberal Democrat priorities lie: creating jobs and providing more family homes.
“The cost of bringing these homes back into use is just a fraction of the cost of build yet the Government is sitting idly by while they fall into disrepair.
“This is one element of our economic stimulus package that will generate jobs and help Britain on its way to building a fair, sustainable economy.”
A Labour view on the likely result in Southend West
Category: Campaign Diary
Julian Ware-Lane, Labour’s candidate in Castle Point (next door) and a Southend West resident, has been staring at the tea leaves.
You would expect a Labour candidate to talk up his party’s chances. And Julian does. Leaving that aside, he may just be on to something.
I spent most of the daylight hours on the doorstep today. I had a very warm reception – and we picked up a lot of anger at the Cameron U-turn on Lisbon.
But there was no warmth for Labour. The revival of Blair as a potential President of the Council of ministers seems to upset a lot of people.
Cameron of course has been modelling himself on Blair as long as he has been leader. But Blair would never have allowed New Labour to have a bad a week as this has been for the Conservatives. The return of Kirkbride is just the latest in a succession of blunders.
I am not about to make an incautious predictions, but the Tories are miles away from where they would like to be.
Castle Point is an interesting seat. I should write something about Julian’s prospects at some point.
