Can't Make Up Your Mind ? Pauline Jenkins explains why you should vote for her as the local Liberal Democrat candidate on Thursday.
Since the TV debates, both Labour and Conservatives have been putting out very misleading negative stories about Lib Dem policies in order to stop you voting in the General Election for Nick Clegg and Vince Cable as leaders of a Lib Dem Government..
Their scare stories are completely untrue and designed to stop you voting positively.
Here are just 3 examples of what Conservatives and/or Labour are saying about us:-
(1) They say Lib Dems will give an amnesty for all illegal immigrants. Totally untrue.
The policy is not an amnesty and it is certainly not for all illegal immigrants. It is only for those immigrants who have lived here illegally for 10 years, who speak good English, who have no criminal history, who have a job here, and who satisfy the authorities during another 2 years that they have completed a community service order. The object is to defeat the criminals who organise these "illegals" and exploit them, and to get these "illegals" paying UK taxes since they use our hospitals, schools and other services anyway. In fact, overall Lib Dem policy is tougher on the control of immigration than either that of Labour or Conservatives.
(2) They say we want to abolish the UK nuclear deterrent altogether and reduce our national defence and security. Totally untrue. We have an out-of-date Trident nuclear deterrent at present. It was designed to protect us in the days of the Cold War. It will not be replaced for some years yet. All Lib Dems are saying is that there should be a defence review before that moment for replacement comes, in order to decide what should replace this old Trident system in defence of the country. In fact, overall Lib Dem defence and security policy is stronger and sounder than that of the two old parties.
(3) They say that the Liberal Democrats could not produce a good Cabinet team for government, and that Lib Dems have no strong woman potential Cabinet members. Totally untrue. Lib Dems already have a strong and full shadow cabinet team of excellent and very experienced people like Vince Cable, and this shadow cabinet includes a number of very competent and successful women. (See details on the national Lib Dem website)
If you want to end the present stale old two party system of Westminster government, please vote POSITIVELY for a Liberal Democrat government, and don't be misled by the two old parties. Remember it is in the interests of Labour and Conservatives (not your interests) that the British political system should stay more or less as it is. Vote positively on Thursday to get our political system totally transformed by the Liberal Democrats.
Good luck. Pauline Jenkins
Local Election Results May 2023
A spectacular set of elections both nationally and locally here in Newark and Sherwood!
Overall Lib Dem gains were 405 nationally, which posed a problem for Sky News, whose swingometer apparently was not able to contemplate a set of gains of this magnitude. We exceeded 'Exceeded Expectations'!
Our local gains at the district level saw the addition of our third District Councillor with the victory of Keith Melton in Trent Ward. We also kept 2 of 3 councillors for Southwell, now Karen Roberts and Peter Harris. We were encouraged to see the increase in our share of votes in other seats where we were able to field candidtes. Congratulations to everyone.
We had a very good performance in Southwell Town Council, gaining 10 of the 14 seats for which there were candidates, with 6 of these won in elections and 4 being uncontested. Two Conservatives, one Labour candidate and one Independent were also successful. One place on the council remains to be appointed to.
The Conservatives had a terrible set of district and parish elections, losing about half of their district councillors and many PCs. The final DC result was Conservative 14, Labour 11, Independents 11 (8 for Independents for Newark and 3 for other Independents) and Lib Dems 3. Discussions will take place for some time on the composition of the new administration, which is unlikely to include Conservatives for the first time since 2007.
On behalf of the executive, we are extremely grateful to everyone who stood as candidates, as well as everyone who performed the various roles which were necessary for the campaigns. We are a small party and many of you worked very hard.
We are very grateful for their past work to councillors who have stood down at this election, including Peter Scorer and Stuart Thompstone. Malcolm Brock has stood down from the District, though continues to serve on Southwell TC.
We welcome new members to the party, who were motivated by this campaign. This phenomenon was particularly marked in Trent Ward. Upton support has to be singled out, evidenced for anyone who drove through, by the huge number of LD stakeboards and posters.
Philip Barron
Chair, Newark Liberal Democrats
7 May 2023