Angie Bray Launches Election Campaign | |||||
Former Ealing Central and Acton MP hopes to win back seat
I launched my Election campaign on Wednesday (8th April) with a visit from Boris Johnson who came to talk to local businesses and to meet shoppers in Ealing Broadway. But in reality few weeks have gone by since I was elected MP five years ago when I haven’t been out and about talking to constituents and discussing their views on what matters. Election campaigns are an important part of our culture and I love to see people getting involved and their passion in the process. With the referendum in Scotland there was a real sense that we were watching an historic moment. I hope that there is a high turnout at this election as there as some very big issues at stake. Recently I took part in the first of four hustings that I am doing across the constituency, held in the Church of the Ascension in Ealing. They are an important part of the campaign and on a personal level it is good to meet some of my opponents to debate the issues that matter to all of us. It was the first time I met Tom Sharman who represents the Green Party, and I sat next Lib Dem Jon Ball who stood at the last election. I look forward to fighting a positive campaign which is why I take such exception to Labour’s well-documented ‘weaponisation’ of the NHS. Some of the claims they are making about the local NHS reform programme are grossly misleading. Election campaigns can create some strange situations and at the moment the local NHS itself is having to spend valuable time and resources rebutting a series of untrue allegations from the local Labour Party which claims to be its greatest champion. My advice is don’t just listen to the politicians but go to the North West London NHS’s own website for the real facts about the changes they are making. These are being planned and implemented by medics and clinicians who are now in charge of delivering their own programme. The latest report from the independent health think tank, The King’s Fund, shows patient satisfaction nearing its peak and dissatisfaction at its lowest ever. I’m proud of this government’s achievements and whilst my opponents may seek to denigrate our plans for the future what I say is this: you don’t need to look in the crystal ball when you can look at the record. The Conservative led coalition has helped businesses to create 2 million new jobs and there are now more people in work than ever before. 2 million apprenticeships have also been created under this government with a pledge to create a further 3 million over the next five years, offering new opportunities and skills. A million more children are in schools which are rated as ‘good or outstanding’ - and Ofsted inspections are tougher too. We’ve invested £13 billion more in the NHS including recruiting 9,000 more doctors and 6,000 more nurses whilst getting public spending under control. And we’ve cut taxes for 30 million people. In Ealing Central and Acton youth unemployment has fallen by more than half since 2009; GP surgeries are already piloting weekend appointment schemes; we’ve got more police and crime has fallen; Crossrail will revolutionise travel into central London and beyond. Boris Johnson is building 100,000 affordable homes across London and plans 24,000 new homes on the old Oak Common site. City Hall’s First Steps scheme is also making it more affordable for first time buyers to get on the property ladder. If elected, I want to build on these success stories to ensure Ealing Central and Acton continues to get the full benefit. This is a make or break election which will be decided by a handful of marginal seats like Ealing Central and Acton. Between us, we will determine on May 7th whether we have David Cameron as Prime Minister to finish the job, or Ed Miliband. Your vote has never been more important. Angie Bray
Nominations for Ealing Central and Acton Seat Jon BALL - Lib Dems Angie BRAY - Conservatives Scott DORE - Workers Revolutionary Party Rupa HUQ - Labour Tammy RENDLE - The Above and Beyond Party The election takes place on Thursday 7 May 2015 between the hours of 7:00 am and 10:00 pm.
10th April 2015 |