PRESS RELEASE
Release dated: 12th October 2004
Embargoed until: No embargo
Subject: Woodstock welcomes Gordon
Gordon Henderson used a lunch hosted by Conservatives in Woodstock to welcome the way in which Michael Howard had crystallized the Conservative message into just ten words; School Discipline; More Police; Cleaner Hospitals; Controlled Immigration; Lower Taxes. Gordon then added a couple of words of his own: Trust and Honesty.
Gordon told fellow guests:
‘Just ten words encapsulate the concerns of most people in our community. Those ten words are: School Discipline; More Police; Cleaner Hospitals; Controlled Immigration; Lower Taxes.
‘Of course there are many other issues that need to be addressed; pensions, transport and the environment, to name just three, but, the main message, which is coming through loud and clear on the door step, is that we must have more discipline in our schools, we must have more policemen on our streets, we must do something to eradicate the problem of MRSA in our hospitals, we must cut down on the number of illegal immigrants who come to our country and we must reduce the burden of taxation on hard working families.
‘I am delighted that Michael Howard has set out a clear and unambiguous timetable for action to address all these problems. There is no wriggle-room in his timetable and this will make him and his team accountable, which is why Michael added an eleventh word to his list: Accountability.
‘There are a number of other important words that sum up my own personal philosophy: Trust, Honesty and Straight Talking.
‘Many politicians work hard, but they do so not because they have any deep belief in what they are doing, nor because they actually want to help the country or their community. Their only motive is to ensure their re-election and their tools are spin, smears and “dodgy dossiers”! Is it any wonder that people are becoming increasingly cynical.
‘The only reason I want to become an MP is to help improve the quality of life of our community. I want to be different. I will try and be honest with the electorate. I will tell things as they are. I will seek their trust.
‘Like Michael Howard, I will set out my own timetable for action and, at the same time, I will set out how I will vote on certain issues, should the occasion arise. If I fail to stick to my timetable, or vote in a different way to that promised, I will not seek re-election. That is my promise.’
…ends…