Paul Varnsverry has announced the top five improvements for Northampton he will champion if elected as Northampton South’s next MP on Thursday May 6.
1) A fair deal for Northampton Northampton has been short-changed by successive governments and the difference between the growth figures which are being imposed on the town and the level of Revenue Support Grant it actually receives from central government are out of all proportion. With significant cuts in the RSG anticipated, I would fight Northampton’s corner and demand a fair settlement that recognises the injustices of previous allocations. As Northampton South’s Liberal Democrat MP in a Parliament where there are expectations the party will wield considerable influence, I believe I can put forward a compelling case for the town.2) New jobs for Northampton
Northampton’s historic manufacturing base has been eroded in favour of service industries and logistics, yet many skilled trades people still live here. In February, there were on average 20 applicants on unemployment benefits for each job advertised (over 1500 qualified people competing for just over 70 jobs). There needs to be a balance in the types of companies based in Northampton and I would campaign for more companies involved in manufacturing and similar fields to consider expanding their businesses in Northampton. The banks have proved reluctant to lend to viable British businesses and this is another area in which I would campaign to ensure local companies – as well as those bringing new employment to the town are treated fairly.
3) Review the growth figures for Northampton and return decision-making to local authorities
Liberal Democrats have plans to bring 250,000 empty properties back into use as homes. Grants will be provided for those properties earmarked for social housing and loans will be made available for private housing. A restructuring of the VAT system on development would create a fairer environment which would encourage redevelopment of existing sites instead of building as the first choice on green fields.
The growth figures for Northampton should be reviewed, to take account of the above scheme, and decisions on numbers of homes required should be set locally. I would push for these changes to be implemented with a minimum of delay. We need more homes to cater for ‘organic growth’, so it is essential that we start to deliver these as soon as practicable. However, Northampton already suffers from an infrastructure deficit so we should not accept further development without sufficient provision to address both this and future needs. Delivery of infrastructure should be phased in parallel with development and not left until development has completed, which merely imposes intolerable demands on already fully-committed resources.
As Northampton South’s next MP, I would continue to campaign on these issues in the same way I have as a local councillor.
4) Supporting the third sector
The credit crunch has placed increased demands on the voluntary sector. In Northampton, many groups who provide essential support to the vulnerable and disadvantaged have been struggling to maintain their services whilst facing dramatic drops in income from local authorities, donations and investments. Northampton Borough Council maintained its level of Community Funding of the voluntary sector at a time when the Conservative-controlled County Council presided over savage cuts to care homes and the Centre for Independent Living debacle which forced local charity Ability Northants to close its doors after 30 years’ service to disabled people across the county.
I would campaign to ensure that the invaluable role played by these organisations – including local community groups who provide such a range of activities and events – is recognised and steps taken to help them remain sustainable. Carers would be entitled to a week’s respite under Liberal Democrat proposals.
5) A New Pride in Northampton
For some thirty years, Northampton has not been best served by its political representatives. The strategic decisions that needed to be made were sacrificed in favour of populist politics and the attraction of re-election.
The Liberal Democrats at the Guildhall have, since May 2007, taken a long term view of what we believe is best for our town. The initial changes were about taking the borough council away from the organisation that was dubbed ‘The World’s Worst Council’ in early 2007, to an improving council and one we expect to be rated ‘excellent’ by 2013.
The benefits of our approach are now becoming apparent through public sector investment in the Market Square, Becket’s Park Marina and Marefair/Gold Street, which have given confidence to the private sector to invest in the £2.3 million redevelopment of the Grand Hotel by Travelodge, the £1 million refurbishment of Beatties and the Grosvenor Centre development agreement.
I want to see Northampton thrive and be compared equally with other major towns and cities, both regionally and nationally. This will require strong and credible political leadership to reassure the people of Northampton that the changes which are taking place will provide Northampton and its residents with that opportunity. As a borough councillor, I have spoken up for the town for the past three years whilst others have talked the town down. As an MP, I would act as a critical friend to the council, whilst always ensuring the public received factual and honest information about issues of concern to them.
As your MP, I will always be your elected representative to Parliament, taking care of your interests. I will always put the people of Northampton first and I believe my record as a borough councillor confirms this.
