Ian Crawford - Labour Candidate - Fremington Rural - County Council
I left school in the early 1960’s and ‘bought’ my first house in 1970. At that time although not professionally qualified I had a choice of jobs in engineering and moved jobs to improve my income. At 26 years old I had a mortgage, a loan on a car and holidays abroad – the future was full of hope.
How many 26 year olds own a car and a house in 2017 – a lot fewer than in 1970’s – why, because the wealth gap has increased. 1970’s Britain had the greatest equality of income in Europe – now it has the greatest inequality of income.
One of the main factors contributing to this increase in inequality of income is the policies of the Thatcher and subsequent governments who have removed the regulations which prevented greed and accumulation of wealth in the pockets of the few. The privatisation of public services starting in 1980 now threatens the future of the National Health Service.
I am now retired and live in Roundswell . Currently I am involved in the Save Our Hospital Services (SOHS) campaign, fighting to keep our acute services such as A&E and Maternity at North Devon District Hospital.
Local Government needs good National Government
How many 26 year olds own a car and a house in 2017 – a lot fewer than in 1970’s – why, because the wealth gap has increased. 1970’s Britain had the greatest equality of income in Europe – now it has the greatest inequality of income.
One of the main factors contributing to this increase in inequality of income is the policies of the Thatcher and subsequent governments who have removed the regulations which prevented greed and accumulation of wealth in the pockets of the few. The privatisation of public services starting in 1980 now threatens the future of the National Health Service.
I am now retired and live in Roundswell . Currently I am involved in the Save Our Hospital Services (SOHS) campaign, fighting to keep our acute services such as A&E and Maternity at North Devon District Hospital.
Local Government needs good National Government
- We live in a society which has become more unequal where local government has for decades been starved of the essential funding necessary for provision of Housing, Social Care, Education and Public Infrastructure such as Transport.
- National Government are cutting the essential funding and proposing that local councils increase their community tax. This increase will not be enough to prevent cuts in services.
- The National Government do not have the money due to the interest debt to the banks and the lack of money which could be raised by proper taxation of corporations and collection of avoided tax in tax havens. Corporations only pay 20% tax – the same rate as most of us pay.
- Government austerity is designed to rob the majority when it should be paid for by the minority wealthy, the banks and the stock markets – this what I call the hidden wealth – wealth which could and should be available to us all.
- Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, will challenge the banks, stop austerity and make the corporations accountable.
- A vote for Tories, UKIP,Lib-Dems and Independents will change nothing – they will only maintain this unequal society.
- It’s time for a change with Labour – campaigning for a more equal society – VOTE LABOUR
- Consider which party will lead us to a fairer and more equal society
- Support the campaign to keep our NHS as a public service, free at the point of need.
- Stop voting for the parties that support the wealthy elite and austerity