Local election fought with deep pockets rather than good policy?
Although the row over parliamentary funding may have quietened down elsewhere, it shows no sign of abating locally. With local parties focusing on who’s financing who, residents are left wondering what the prospective MPs actual policies are.
Both Angie Bray – prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Ealing Central and Acton – or Mary Macleod – prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Brentford and Isleworth – have admitted receiving funding from non-dom Lord Ashcroft however, neither have made any admission of guilt for doing so.
Ann Keen MP said, “Instead of paying fair taxes, like everyone else has to in Brentford and Isleworth, Lord Ashcroft has been channelling millions into the Conservative Party to help them buy this election. So next time people in Brentford and Isleworth see glossy Conservative leaflets or letters, they have a right to feel these expensive Tory campaigns have come at the cost of a new school or a new hospital wing in Brentford and Isleworth.”
Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Cllr Andrew Dakers echoed Nick Clegg’s words this week pledging to “clean up the murky business of party funding.” He said, “The Tories say that Lord Ashcroft hasn't broken any laws. Isn't that like the expenses excuse 'we haven't broken any rules' that rightly so incensed the public?”
And it’s not just prospective MPs that have been put in the financial spotlight, Lib Dem Councillor Gary Malcolm claims that Ealing Conservatives used tax-payers’ money to promote the political party by using Ealing Council logos on their literature.
“Letters to Chiswick residents were produced at the tax-payers expense promoting the Conservative Southfield Councillor which was inappropriate and broke the rules,” said Cllr Malcolm “The logos were produced for the Council and cost time and effort at the very least.”
He added, “Many residents claim that Around Ealing is there to promote the administration's party even though they had criticised the publication when they were in opposition.”
Although no date for the election has been announced, it is clear political wheels are already in full spin so for those who are interested in finding out more about party policies please see (alphabetically by party):
Conservatives - Mary Mcleod
Liberal Democrats - Andrew Dakers
March 10, 2010