Liberal Democrats - the real challenger to New Labour in Bristol East

Written by Philip C James [Liberal Democrats' Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bristol East] and published in the Bristol Evening Post on Tue 15th Mar 2005

Sir, Mr Webb may be surprised to learn that many more people in Bristol East know my name than he has implied (Open Lines, 10 March). Since my selection as the Liberal Democrats' Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, I have spent numerous weekday evenings and weekends on the doorsteps of Bristol East speaking to residents; hearing their views on New Labour's managerial incompetence, and how Michael Howard's Conservatives are no better.

Residents are pleased with Liberal Democrat policies because they are designed to be fair, are carefully costed and address their needs.

Residents want us to replace the unfair Council Tax by one based on ability to pay. New Labour and the Tories have offered them nothing except sticking plasters to cover this festering fiscal sore created by Michael Howard and abused by Gordon Brown.

Residents want us to introduce free personal care for the elderly, because we have successfully forced New Labour to do it in the Scottish Parliament. We recognise it is unfair that old people must lose their homes to pay for others to care for them when illness prevents them caring for themselves.

Residents want us to halt New Labour's costly, freedom-denying scheme to introduce Id Cards, which won't work, and spend the money instead on 10,000 extra police, their training and equipment, which will help fight crime and the fear of crime.

On Id Cards as on their support for the illegal war in Iraq, the Tories have been indistinguishable from New Labour. They are no alternative nationally, and no challenge to New Labour in Bristol.

Support for the Liberal Democrats is swelling nationally and growing on the streets of Bristol. It may be unpalatable for Mr Webb, but only the Liberal Democrats pose a realistic challenge to New Labour here in Bristol East.

Yours faithfully

Philip C James

[Letter as sent to the Bristol Evening Post]