VB asked each of the prospective parliamentary candidates to send us a 500 word manifesto to share with VB readers. What you read below is an unedited version of what we received from the candidate. Ed
The Island has been home to me, my husband and our three children for twenty five years.
Our children all went to school locally and we know the importance of having a good education.
I am involved in a wide variety of organisations including the Maternity Services Liaison Committee (Chair), Friends of the Earth, League Against Cruel Sports, British Red Cross, West Wight Nursery.
I was an Isle of Wight Councillor for 12 years and Parish Councillor for eight years and during that period represented the Island on a number of environmental and educational national committees.
The Isle of Wight will be one of the “battleground” seats in the election – between Lib Dem and the Conservatives. Labour have come third in the seat for the past 36 years.
I am optimistic and hopeful as we put the strong case for the Liberal Democrats on the Island. If elected I will work as hard as possible for the people of the Isle of Wight. Campaigning to safeguard and attract jobs; get a fair deal for our schools and hospital; speak up for our armed forces; get a better deal for pensioners; end child poverty and reduce our carbon footprint.
I will be campaigning for a fair deal for Islanders. Fairer taxation with no tax on the first £10,000 earned; Fairer chances for children in smaller class sizes and the abolition of tuition fees; Fairness in jobs – a “green road” out of the recession through investing in renewable energy and energy conservation in homes and public buildings; Fair deal for you from politicians “” make politicians more accountable, introduce a fairer voting system and give you the right to sack corrupt MP’s.
My current campaigns include ‘Save the Military Road’, which has been well supported by nearly 4,000 people through petitions and a Facebook group.
The need to provide support for elderly and vulnerable groups is also an issue that I feel strongly about. A number of people have contacted me about the effects the cuts in Supporting People budget is having, the difficulties of travelling to and from Southampton for cancer treatment, the shortage of some health care specialists and end to back door rubbish collections.
We don’t need to look far to see how a Conservative Government might run the country – the Tory-run Isle of Wight Council has made swingeing cuts to the most vulnerable of our residents.
I believe the Island needs a passionate, energetic person to fight for Island residents. The Island has to be the MP’s first priority. This election is neck and neck between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives. If the people of the Isle of Wight elect me on May 6th I guarantee I will be living here on the Isle of Wight, listening to and working with all sectors and fight for all its constituents.
Jill Wareham’s leaflets on The Straight Choice
Jill Wareham on My Next MP
