Winning in Ashford, Kent

My blogging seems to have depleted rapidly since the beginning of the election campaign.

As the agent for our candidate for Ashford and Tenterden constituency said to me "Vince Cable’s book “Free Radical” describes wild optimism as “candidatitis”."

It's absolutely fantastic to get carried away with the election hype.

With the phenomenal success that the Liberal Democrats are now showing in the polls and the support being referred to by Andrew Marr is the "Clegg Effect", I think that probably every member of the Liberal Democrats is suffering from slight candidatitis.

In the last couple of days, when I've got home from work, I've been canvassing my local ward and getting into wonderful discussions about what the Liberal Democrats can do for Ashford and the local area.

Quite simply, people are sick of more of the same, 65 years of the government, elected by tidal voting, booms and busts in the economy, booms and busts in the job market and something of management of cartels through running public services.

For once, people are genuinely engaged with the political climate in this country.

They are genuinely interested in alternative methods of government, voting, ways of managing the economy, the job market and public services as well as looking to embrace a far more democratic and liberal system than we are currently experiencing.

My weekends have been spent knocking on doors or leafleting the town centre. wonderful discussions I had yesterday, and I had so many positive phrases such as "preaching to the converted", "I was so impressed with Clegg on Thursday" and "don't worry, you've got my vote".

Our opposition, the Conservative candidate Damian Green, had been campaigning in Dover, which is one of the marginal seats in the county. However, our increased efforts in recent weeks, from hosting a major question and answer and meet the people are bent on the town centre bandstand, leafleting, canvassing and placing major advertisement in the local press has brought Damien back into the constituency.

If you are interested in what the Ashford Liberal Democrats are doing in the local town centre, have a look at some of our Borough councillors, County Councillors or local campaigners.

Chris Took, your Liberal Democrat candidate at this election, has pledged five key areas that he would like to improve in Ashford.

A Fair Deal for Older People

Chris and myself, along with our local party and regional party, have been campaigning for some time to reinstate resident wardens in sheltered accommodation, where residents are currently left vulnerable and available in their own homes.

In addition to this, we are campaigning for a fairer care system, better medical support, financial benefits to lift 40% of pensioners out of poverty and the pension system that reflects national earnings.

A Fair Deal for The Economy

By implementing the Liberal Democrat Policy to raise the current tax bracket to a minimum of £10,000, this would benefit the poorest in society. In areas of deprivation in Ashford, people would be able to save more money by working than they would do on benefits, allowing them to get out of the welfare state trap and live their lives to the full.

In addition to this, people across the constituency would be better off by an average of £700. Capital gains tax would be raised to move in line with average earnings to prevent people from moving all of their earnings into capital gains and paying low taxes on it.

A Fair Deal for Communities

As a passionate campaigner for democratic participation in planning and community development, Chris Took will uphold the right for people for participate in the development of their neighbourhood, from The North School Farm to Bybrook Barn.

A Fair Deal in Ashford's Growth

With a vast expansion underway in Ashford, including the recently approved M20 Junction 10A, Chris Took is dedicated to campaigning for resources and sensible expansion, including more schools, jobs and infrastructure to support the

A Fair Deal for Local Charities and Businesses

The red tape and bureaucracy encompassing business and charity in Ashford prevents both the delivery of services and people being valued. With performance targets for volunteers, the very concept is undermined. Chris is campaigning to strip out the wasted administration and focus on what Businesses and Charities do best.

And for All of You Who Think the Lib Dem Vote is a Wasted Vote...

One of the Liberal Democrats' key policies if we support a Coalition is to introduce Proportional Representation. If you vote for us, we will be able to ensure your vote will count every time.