Dear Sir,

In the present financial climate and with the coalition working to bring good cheer locally and nationally, I feel a roll of honour should be up to recognise our local MPs and elected councillors for their commitment to local issues. As taxpayers look for a figurehead and advocates who represent local concerns, we have two local Liberal Democrats MPs about whose commitment and dedication to local issues we must ask serious questions.    

Earlier this month Tom Brake voted against a proposal to impose a Financial Transaction Tax on banks; this could have brought extra revenue to safeguard essential services such as those we face losing at St Helier Hospital. It is a shame that those with the ability to pay a little more are aided by the MPs to avoid it, and it must be noted that no such aid and support has been given to low earners and disabled and elderly residents suffering under the bedroom tax.

The claim to be a ‘green borough’ has stretched Sutton Council’s credibility lately and it is a credit to green activists, local opposition councillors and Labour Party activists, alongside other pressure groups that they have challenged the decision to build the Beddington Lane incinerator. Liberal Democrat councillors have not listened to the voices of the people who elected them and are rapidly losing touch with the people they were elected to represent. There is one last chance to stop the building of this unpopular facility and readers are urged to email the Mayor of London Boris Johnson who will make the final decision.        

Local opposition to the downgrading of St Helier has received fabulous support from concerned residents and has been boosted by the visible presence of the local Labour Party and Carshalton Mums at local fetes and organised events; the lack of support from the Lib Dems has been noted by residents, and their low key councillors have been conspicuous by their absence. 

Health and Social Care issues are supposedly former Minister Paul Burstow’s specialty, yet he was involved in the drafting of the very Bill that has created the threat to St Helier. At some point those who cannot afford private health care will need to use NHS services and it is vital St Helier residents and those in other boroughs back local opposition parties and other organisations to defend local services. 

Stephen McGrane
Carshalton and Wallington Labour Party