Letter to Gazette 6 Aug 2009

The Editor
East Kent Gazette

 Dear Madam
 
I was sad to read the letter from Ashley Wise in which he found it necessary to twist my words in an effort to back up his case against my “inconsistencies”. Whilst I don’t agree with his politics, I have always respected his honesty.

Let me clear up the points raised in his letter.

My stance on Europe has been quite consistent. Yes, I have signed up to the Better Off Out of the EU campaign, but that does not mean that I want to sever all links with our European allies.

If Ashley had been more honest he might have included that part of the Guardian interview in which I said: “I am a great supporter of a free market in Europe but I have a problem with the concept of a European parliament. It has reduced the powers of individual states too much. It ought to return some powers.”

Like many other Britons I voted to join the European Economic Community. I did not vote to join a European Federal State, with its own flag, its own parliament and its own president. That is where we are heading and I want none of it!

Ashley tries to link my pledge to support the campaign by pensioners for free transport on trains with the refusal by Kent County Council to launch such a scheme for young people. Unfortunately resources are increasingly scarce, thanks to the disastrous policies of the Labour Government that Ashley apparently supports. When it comes to prioritising services, I make no apologies for saying that pensioners, who have spent their working lives paying taxes, should be first in line.

Finally on the subject of pensions; I will ignore Ashley’s attempt to once again twist my words about pensioners being paid to voluntarily help clean up their local environment, however, I would like to rebut his claim that I do not “actually want higher pensions”.

I have supported the campaign by pensioners to have the basic state pension linked to wage inflation, rather than price inflation as it is now, since before Ashley was born and I remain committed to that campaign. Full stop!

Yours sincerely

Gordon

GORDON HENDERSON
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
Sittingbourne & Sheppey