Congratulations to Rosanna for winning a second term on Shropshire Council. As I knocked on the doors of Ludlow and Bromfield, I met many people who praised her work helping them. She will now be able to continue that good work. Ludlow North results TAYLOR-SMITH, Rosanna Theresa Conservative 505 40% BODDINGTON, Andy Liberal Democrats 420 34% WOODWARD, Chris UKIP 126 10% HOOPER, James Anthony Labour 109 9% NEWMAN, Frances Michelle Green 69 6% LEYTON-PURRIER, Jennifer Independent 21 2% Of course I am very disappointed not to have won. Winning was within reach, but we just didn’t turn out enough voters on the day. I have learnt so much. I have met so many great people across Ludlow and Bromfield. I have made so many friends among our campaign team. I would not have missed the experience for all the world (okay, I could have done without the blisters!). I stood […]
Category: Shropshire Council elections 2013
BBC Radio Shropshire talks to Ludlow North election candidates
Last Thursday, BBC Radio Shropshire’s political correspondent, Liz Roberts interviewed five of the six candidates standing here in Ludlow North. The green candidate was unavailable. You can catch up on the interviews on iPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p017gp5s/Eric_Smith_Shropshire_Breakfast_Henry_Olonga/ The first segment is at 1:16 into the recording: Independent: Jennifer Leyton-Purrier UKIP: Chris Woodward The second segment is at 2:11: Lib Dem: Andy Boddington Labour: James Hooper Conservative Rosanna Taylor-Smith I talked about buses. The original plan was to record the interview on a bus in transit. But for the second time that day, the town bus had broken down. This is a normal occurrence here in Ludlow, and is just one example of how out of touch Shropshire Council is with what really matters in this town.
I agree with Ramblers: Shropshire Council is losing its grip on footpaths
A letter has arrived from The Ramblers asking me to “support a reversal of the cuts imposed by the current administration so that we have Rights of Way that are accessible to all.” To me this is a ‘no-brainer’. Here is what I said in my latest Focus Newsletter which has been delivered across Ludlow and Bromfield: Like many people in Ludlow, I love putting my boots on and going for a hike. I’ve noticed of late, as have so many others, that the quality of walking is getting worse. A year of lousy weather hasn’t helped, but the main issue is broken stiles, illegally locked gates and paths overgrown with crops and brambles. Too many of our footpaths are in a mess and this can only put off visitors, reducing trade to our pubs, cafés, shops, and bed and breakfasts. It would be a folly to scare tourists away. […]
Ludlow election candidates for Shropshire Council announced
The local elections are now well underway and many candidates, including the Lib Dem team in Ludlow have been canvassing for weeks. Yesterday Shropshire Council published the full list of candidates for the 2 May elections. There has been a flurry of last minutes candidates, including from UKIP which has pulled 29 out of the hat. Over the county, 207 candidates are standing for 74 seats. Politically, the split is: Conservative: 74. Liberal Democrat: 37. Labour: 36. UKIP: 29. BNP: 5. Green: 8. Independent: 19 Here in Ludlow we have three seats being contested. Ludlow East Tracey Huffer: Liberal Democrat Imogen Hereford: Green Diane Lyle: Conservative Colin Sheward: Labour Ludlow South Viv Parry: Liberal Democrat Maurice Knott: UKIP Graeme Perks: Independent Martin Taylor-Smith: Conservative Ludlow North Andy Boddington: Liberal Democrat Jim Hooper: Labour Jennifer Leyton-Purrier: Independent Frances Newman: Green Chris Woodward: UKIP Rosanna Taylor-Smith: Conservative It is notable that neither […]
The importance of not being important
I am very much enjoying being out and about in Ludlow canvassing for votes and I have had some very engaging discussions in recent days. One theme comes up regularly. People say that politicians – local and national – have lost touch with the needs and wishes of ordinary folk. Voters are fed up with elected representatives not representing them. Some have become non-voters as a result. Many Ludlow people feel that their voices are not being heard. They say that Shropshire Council is too distant, unlike the former South Shropshire District Council. Talking to colleagues, a similar message is coming out from canvassing elsewhere in the county. Too many councillors have become enamoured by their own importance and – except at election time – have shown little regard for local opinion. Being elected matters to me, but I am not interested in being important. What I care about is […]