What I Stand For Nationally
Economy
Many people in Erewash, as well as the UK as whole are struggling with spiralling debts, rising food and energy bills and mortgages they can no longer afford. With plummeting house prices, falling growth, rising inflation and rising unemployment, the outlook for many individuals looks bleak.
There are many stories as to why our country owes the best part of £159billion (official published figures to December 2009). Just in case you wondered what £159bn looks like in full here it is: £159,000,000,000! This annual deficit is also called a budget deficit. For this year the deficit will be around 12%. This is similar to your current account at the bank.
We need to sort things out, and I believe raising taxes for our constituents is out of the question. There are many ways to sort our country out, here is one suggestion which could help our economy in a small way. We could shut the tax loopholes that allow big businesses to not pay tax. Such as Google who avoided paying £450million in corporation tax on its £1.6billion earnings from advertising in Britain last year (according to the Daily Mail). There are many home and international companies, and even some Politicians, who have not paid sufficient tax whilst running the country. We could support business to help the country recover.
Environment
Protect our world for the future. We need legislation to start changing the way we do things, the environment is changing and we can't get it back. We need to monitor recycling and set realistic targets. Global warming will be a big issue for future generations, so why not sort it now!
Who wants to live in a world full of air pollution and landfill sites?
We also needs to focus more on population control, our World has grown from 2 billion to 7 billion in 70 years and an estimated 9 billion by 2050. This is not sustainable.
Immigration
I do not believe concerns over immigration are racially motivated. People are concerned about the pace of change, jobs, overcrowding and the pressure on services such as Health, Police, Education and Housing. We are paying millions of people to be unemployed while immigrants are coming here because they see job opportunities. I want to see our country consider people who can bring skills and trades into the country.
Education
If a child gets a bad start to life we throw lots of money for short term solutions trying to catch up right through their school years and beyond. We need to pump money into schools and get better facilities and equipment so young people can be proud of their education. We need to support rebuilding and investment in local secondary schools such as Wilsthorpe and other Erewash Schools.
We need to create inspirational and enterprising hubs within our communities, with Schools, FE Colleges and Universities at their centre. Encourage these institutions to add value to the hubs by reaching out into the world to access resources, opportunities for collaboration and fruitful exchange of knowledge, culture, creativity and scientific research
Health
We need to listen to those in the front line and give time for the many changes to settle down so that we can take considered decisions about the best way to deliver free healthcare to all.
The Government has pumped £10 billion into the problem of obesity in children yet 10 years on, reports show that nothing has improved, as MP I would like to make sure money spent has a purpose and clear aims. We need to encourage our children from an early age the importance of health and fitness, how to prevent such illnesses and the benefits of following different methods. Mental health and loneliness are all problems we need to consider seriously, as these are problems that we have to address within our communities as well as with the resources of central government.
Crime
There needs to be a crackdown on mindless crimes, such as vandalism and anti social behaviour throughout the country and in Erewash. We all want to feel safe on the streets of Erewash as well as in our own homes. Crime in this country is too high and many of us do not feel safe. Local police stations should be accessible, with more police on the streets and a more efficient response and follow up when a crime is reported. Our prisons are overcrowded, and as a result of this the criminals are being released early and not given the punishments they should receive. I want to see reform and change in our justice system.
Too much police time is taken up with paperwork instead of being visible on our streets. Every time the police stop someone, they have to fill a form in which takes six minutes. This is madness and we must start to change this culture and get our Bobbys back on the Beat.
Defence
Support our forces with the right equipment and proper pensions and allowances fair for all, Soldiers are dying in other countries because they are not equipped enough with the right equipment and the advanced equipment other countries have. International relations should focus on peace. It is only when we have real and lasting peace that we will build healthier, more vibrant, sustainable communities.
EU
Europe is incredibly important to the UK economy being our largest trading body. The main objectives, of what is now known as the EU (European Union), were to create political stability and freedom of trade. This has proven to have been a great success and has recently resulted in further countries joining the EU. Now twenty seven states strong it is a formidable power on the world stage.
I therefore would not support any proposals to leave the European Union as I do not believe this would be in the interest of the people of Erewash. Similarly I would only support any further integration into Europe if I felt it would be beneficial to the UK. I would also consult the people of Erewash before I made any such decision.
I want to see a new scheme to monitor immigration within the EU and make sure that the influx of immigration into the UK is for this countries benefit. The EU costs our country millions a day, I want to see these costs cut and find ways of saving our money.