Lewes Labour Party – Make the Difference

Jonathan Spencer is 49, and now lives in the centre of town having been a long time Cliffe resident living in both Morris Road and South Street. He is married and has three children aged 16, 14 and 3. Jonathan works locally helping run the family business that supports and supplies services to the NHS. Jonathan has also worked for The Trades Union Congress, The Quakers, and a Sussex based carers charity. He is an IT expert and a trained counsellor. Jonathan believes Lewes is different and we deserves better, and that any local government is only as good as its opposition. His concern for the environment is focused on the building blocks rather than fanciful ideas: too much litter, bad pavements, introducing cycle lanes and slowing speeding cars are all his concern. He believes we need to see improvements from public transport to road resurfacing and better pavements. Jonathan has asked repeatedly why local councils and councillors are not speaking up for local people and local communities. He believes the other political parties have not served Lewes well.

The issues in Lewes are clear, it is an area much like the maligned London boroughs where for years only one political party ever wins. In Lewes The Liberal Democrats have been in the ascendency for many years and have a large majority at both Town and District council Level and the local MP.  It is the old adage of the possibility of electing a donkey as long as it was wearing an orange rosette.

The winds of change are blowing as the Lib-Dems face the realpolitik of power.  Many people locally have been encouraged to vote Liberal on an anti Tory ticket and now they see the Liberals hand in hand with the Tories. So they have started to doubt whether it is worth voting Lib-Dem at all.  In addition as they wake up to the realisation that Lib_dems are not always who they claim to be ( a party of the centre left )  other things seen as problems or challenges in the Lewes area may be down to them or the fact there is a lack of opposition.

Of course I would say that as I am the Labour Party Candidate in a coming Town Council by-election, where a once Labour member, who went Independent is now standing for the Lib-Dems.  Where the local Green Party, who should also do well from the anti-coalition feeling. is led by ex-members of the Labour Party. 

But I am also someone that cares about Lewes and Lewes people, I live in Lewes, bring up my family in Lewes and run a small business from Lewes. I am standing not just because I think Lewes is different and needs a different sort of council and councillors, or needs someone to give an alternative voice or speak out for hard working people that don't have the time to get involved with this or that committee of the great and good. I am not just standing and being very vocal and visible because I feel many of those we elect become invisible after election time but I do think its important.  Take the test, can you name your councillors at Parish, Town or District level, better still when was the last time you saw them.  (excluded from this test is the wonderful independent local councillor Ruth O'Keefe, who leads by example)  If you can't answer my questions then your councillors and local democracy isn't working.

I am also standing because having talked to people I realise that there are issues that need tackling; speeding traffic in Malling street or Friars walk,  getting village green status for Malling recreation ground, protecting areas from overzealous developers who are given carte blanche by our local councils, trying to get an equitable parking system that benefits residents and local businesses rather than punishing them, being a voice against the coming price rises and massive cuts when community facilities like All Saints centre come into question, and being an advocate for those who don't always have a voice, the silent majority which includes hard working people under attack in the public services, young people and the elderly who often get a bad deal.

 I want to create the start of opposition to the Liberal-Conservatives. I can offer clear principles and loyalty and my allegiance doesn’t change with the wind. So whether you live or work in quiet Mantell Close, busy Malling Street, or in the Cliffe  my aim is to get you the same standard of service from your council. Where that standard can only be thought of as excellent.
I would be a different kind of councillor, one who is accessible, approachable and open to suggestions. One who calls others to account and expects to be called to account by residents.  So we can really say Lewes Town Council and its councillors serve us all.

Join Jonathan Spencer, Support Labour. contact Jonathan Spencer our local Labour Campaigner

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