Letter to Editor 12th Aug

The Editor
East Kent Gazette and Sheppey Gazette
(by email)

Dear Madam

In this week’s Gazette Martin McCusker accuses me of being at odds with my Conservative colleagues, both nationally and locally.

He says that nationally the Conservative Party is opposed to free transport for pensioners and a higher basic state pension. He then adds that local Conservatives are opposed to free swimming for the over-60’s. What absolute rubbish!

Let me put the record straight.

It is Conservative Party policy to restore the link between the basic state pension and wage inflation, a link that would lead to higher pensions. Further more, the Conservative Party has no plans to cut free bus passes for pensioners. Neither has it any plans to cut free TV licenses or winter fuel payments!

I do not wish to speak on behalf of my Conservative colleagues on Swale Borough Council, but it is my understanding that they are not opposed to free swimming for the over-60’s. What they are opposed to is the Government proposing a scheme to grab a cheap headline and then expecting local council tax payers to foot the expensive bill.

I am certain that if the Gordon Brown agreed to fund in full the cost of providing free swimming to the over-60’s, Swale Borough Council would be more than happy to provide that service!

But of course, because of Labour’s mismanagement of the economy, the Government is so heavily in debt it simply cannot afford to deliver such promises.

Frankly, Martin’s letter is just a repeat of the desperate spin, originated by Labour ministers, which is trying to con people into believing that a Conservative Government would cut frontline services. To paraphrase Michael Heseltine, this isn’t McCusker, its all Balls. Ed Balls!

Yours sincerely

Gordon

GORDON HENDERSON
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
Sittingbourne & Sheppey