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Dear Candidates
It’s that time of the political cycle again, and the dreadful charade of a General Election is upon us. We’re one week into the campaign and already I’ve had enough of listening to an endless stream of soothing platitudes from potential MPs, eager to recite the party manifesto.
I’ve come across this, most excellent, service that allows me to email you all with a couple of questions. Miles: we’ve met before on the street, Menzies: we’ve also met, though in the quad at St Andrews – you’ve also received letters and emails from me, though your office failed to return a telephone call on the issue of the DE Bill (which I note you failed to vote on). Mike: we’ve never had the pleasure.
Allow me to state from the off that I am a card carrying member of the Libertarian Party. I come from a position of libertarian ideals and, were LPUK big enough at this time, I’d be voting for them. However, in this un-ideal world, I have you, my local hopefuls, to vote for, and my vote is up-for-grabs.
There are a couple of issues I would like answers to. I trust that you can find the time to answer them, rather than an office member. I’m not voting for them. These are simple questions, and I’d appreciate an honest response. Remember why you entered politics in the first place. Tell me what you believe in. Show me some passion for your constituency and your country.
1) Where do you stand on the issue of shrinking the state. At present, and under Labour, the state has grown and grown. The legislature has swollen 50% faster than under Thatcher, and many of these acts form an extreme erosion of our civil liberties. Do you agree that government should be shrunk in size, unneccessary laws repealed, and laws infringing on civil liberties repealed?
2) Economy and the EU. It’s a biggie. As things currently stand, our deficit is racking up at £5,000 per second. Our membership of the EU costs us £55bn per year. It’s a pretty simple looking calculation to me, though I’m not an economist, but why are we in the EU? I’ve failed to have a good, sound, solid argument put to me by anyone as to why we should remain in the EU. What are your views on membership of the EU?
3) Local government. As per point (1), I’d welcome a shrinking of central government; actually, let’s get central government as small as it possibly can be, and move budgets and decision making to local authorities. The tory party have made overtones towards this, but in a very paternalistic ‘the state still needs to look after you all’ way. Let Fife fix its problems, the problems it needs to fix (flooding anyone?) rather than arbitrarily set government targets/plans. What are your views on localisation?
4) Welfare reform. Living in Cupar, I am acutely aware, and welcome, the EU immigrants who work in the surrounding area. I am fed up hearing the argument that they are ‘taking british jobs’, since british workers now seem to be afraid of hard work and wouldn’t take these jobs, in fact didn’t take these jobs, when offered. I argue that this is because the welfare state has made it far too easy for those unemployed to enjoy a good standard of living without having to go out and actually do hard work. Welfare should be a safety net for the most needy, not a lifestyle choice. The labour model of making things ‘fair for everyone’ actually is deeply unfair to everyone, and removes the motivation for hard work by everyone. Where do you stand on welfare reform?
I could go on, but to be honest I’m dubious that I’m going to get a reply from anyone, and I’ve not even started on healthcare or education. However, should you feel up to responding and having a chat about these and other issue, please do. If you’d like to pop in for a chat and a cup of tea, you’ll find me at home most evenings from 5.30pm at <my address>. I look forward to speaking with you in the coming weeks.
Yours sincerely
Gary Thompson
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