Coalitions

A lot has been written over the last week about our new coalition government. It is rightly seen as a break from recent British political tradition and a novelty worthy of significant comment. I would contend however that we have been experiencing coalition governments in Britain for the last 40 years, within the existing two big parties.

Take a look at the Conservative Party. It is a broad church. You can choose your favourite labels to characterise the various groupings or ideological schools of thought; wets, drys, Thatcherites, One Nation Tories, Eurosceptics, Europhiles, the list goes on. The same is true of the Labour Party; New Labour, Old Labour, the left, the right, Blairites, modernisers, Militant, Bennites, Socialists, Social Democrats, etc.

The great strength of the “old” parties is this diversity of views and ideas which have sustained them and allowed them to renew both in office and in opposition. What has kept the Conservative Party together throughout its history is a shared belief in the values of freedom, choice, responsibility and the power of the individual over that of the state. What gives me hope about the new formal coalition in Britain is that the two partners share these values and a belief that putting the people in charge of their lives is the key to good government.

The new coalition has made a good start and has the chance of succeeding if it remembers that what unites it is much greater than that which divides it. This idea has kept the two big parties more or less together throughout their histories despite many great challenges and predictions of splits or divisions.

Local newspaper coverage of Halton result

The Weekly News and World have covered the election result in Halton (links below) including this reference;

Conservative Parliamentary candidate Ben Jones was magnanimous in defeat and wished his rival well. He said: "I’m pleased with the backing we received. It’s been really enjoyable campaign in Halton and talking to people on the doorstep. I wish Derek good luck in Parliament."

http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2010/05/13/halton-mp-derek-twigg-says-he-feels-humbled-after-being-re-elected-to-parliament-55368-26431514/

http://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/yoursay/yourletters/8163545.A_huge_privilege/

Our new Prime Minister

I am delighted that David Cameron has become our new Prime Minister.

David has shown great leadership, courage and integrity since becoming Leader of the Conservative Party in December 2005; none more so than in the last five days in putting our national interest before our party's interest to form a new government.

Nick Clegg has also shown great leadership and vision over these last few days. I wish them both well as they work to bring our great country together.

Press cuttings from recent Halton hustings.....

Thank you letter to local newspaper

I have sent the following letter to the Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News;

Last week, the people of Halton went to the polls in their thousands to elect their Member of Parliament. I would like to congratulate Derek Twigg on his achievement of being returned as the MP for Halton for a fourth time and thank my fellow candidates for the fair and clean way in which the campaign we fought was conducted.

For my part, it has been a huge privilege to serve as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Halton since November 2008, and to work with the members and supporters of Halton Conservatives. I am extremely grateful for all their support for my campaign, especially during the last four gruelling weeks. I am very proud of our positive and determined campaign.

Most importantly, I am grateful for all the support I received from the people of Halton on Thursday, over 8000 of whom gave me their vote and helped us achieve a 3% swing from Labour to the Conservatives. I am humbled by the trust they placed in me. It has been a real pleasure to meet so many local residents over the last seventeen months, and to receive hundreds of their emails, letters and calls.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Halton

Questions for the Halton candidates; #4 (and final)

Each week in the build up to polling day, the Widnes and Runcorn Weekly News asked readers to submit a question for all of the candidates to answer. The final question was "Our readers go to the polls today - what is your final message to them?"
My answer is below;

This is the most important election in a generation. We face a record budget deficit, equivalent to Greece. Our society is divided and broken, and in need of repair. Our politics has been discredited and damaged after the expenses scandal in Westminster. And we are fighting a war in Afghanistan with no end in sight.

We need change and a fresh start.

The only way we can make a fresh start with a new government on Friday is if you vote Conservative on Thursday. The choice ahead of you is clear; five more years of Gordon Brown, or change with David Cameron and the Conservatives. A vote for any other Party will leave us stuck with Gordon Brown and Labour.

I have campaigned for change in Halton since my selection in November 2008. We need change after 13 years of Labour government and over 30 years of Labour control of Halton Council. We need change to get our economy moving; change to build our big society; change to fix our broken politics; change to make a difference here in Halton.

We need our country to come together to deliver that change. You can help by voting Conservative on Thursday.

Thank you

The last seventeen months have been fantastic.

It has been a privilege to serve as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Halton and to work with the members and supporters of Halton Conservatives. I am extremely grateful for all their support for my campaign, especially during the last four gruelling weeks.

Most importantly, I am grateful for all the support I received from the people of Halton on Thursday, who gave me their vote and helped us achieve a 3% swing from Labour to the Conservatives. I am humbled by the trust they placed in me.

We must continue to campaign for change in Halton, which we need after over 30 years of Labour control of the Council.

Weaver Vale

I am absoluetly delighted that Graham Evans has won in Weaver Vale. Having spent huge amounts of time in the constituency over the last four weeks, I am really pleased for Graham (who has worked incredibly hard since his selection in 2007), and for the people of Weaver Vale who have elected a first class MP.

Halton General Election result

I have set out the result from Halton below, which shows a 3% swing from Labour to the Conservatives and an increase in our vote.

I am very pleased that we finished well clear of the Liberal Democrats in second place, and very proud of our positive and determined campaign. As I said in my speech after the declaration last night, I congratulate Derek Twigg on his achievement of being returned as the Member for Halton for a fourth time.

I am returning to the Halton Stadium this morning, hoping for more good news from the local election count!

Labour 23,843
Conservative 8,339
Lib Dem 5,718
BNP 1,563
UKIP 1,228
Green 647

Majority 15,504
Turnout 60.2%

Swing of 2.9% from Labour to Conservatives
Conservative vote up 0.3%
Labour majority down 5.2%

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/b97.stm

24 hours to choose a new government and save Britain from five more years of Gordon Brown

Only by voting Conservative tomorrow will you get a new government that starts cleaning up the mess we are in on Friday.

A vote for the Lib Dems is a vote for five more years of Gordon Brown.

We need our country to come together to deliver the change we desperately need.

You can help by voting Conservative tomorrow in Halton and across Britain.

Some pictures from the Halton hustings.......

Message of change

I have been asked for my final message to the voters of Halton before Thursday's election. I have set this out below;

"This is the most important election in a generation. We face a record budget deficit, equivalent to Greece. Our society is divided and broken, and in need of repair. Our politics has been discredited and damaged after the expenses scandal in Westminster. And we are fighting a war in Afghanistan with no end in sight.

We need change and a fresh start.

The only way we can make a fresh start with a new government on Friday is if you vote Conservative on Thursday. The choice ahead of you is clear; five more years of Gordon Brown, or change with David Cameron and the Conservatives. A vote for any other Party will leave us stuck with Gordon Brown and Labour.

I have campaigned for change in Halton since my selection in November 2008. We need change after 13 years of Labour government and over 30 years of Labour control of Halton Council. We need change to get our economy moving; change to build our big society; change to fix our broken politics; change to make a difference here in Halton.

We need our country to come together to deliver that change. You can help by voting Conservative on Thursday."

Nearly there....

There are now just over 48 hours to go until polling day. I have been greatly encouraged by the response to our message of change on the doorstep and around Halton. I have taken part in two hustings with my fellow candidates and, despite some disappointment with all politicians following the expenses scandal, I have sensed great engagement with the debate we are having on how to tackle our nation's challenges. I will continue to put our message of change, fresh ideas, and new leadership over the next two days, asking people to come together to deliver change that Halton and Britain so desperately needs.