Earnshaw Palmer to fight for Thurrock

4.00.00pm GMT Tue 22nd Feb 2005

Campaigning with Earnshaw Palmer for Thurrock

Thurrock Liberal Democrats unanimously selected hard working campaigner Earnshaw Palmer, as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, at a packed meeting held at the Drake Community Centre on Wednesday 16th February 2005.

Earnshaw Palmer who was councillor for Chafford Hundred said, "I am extremely delighted to have the honour and responsibility of fighting this seat at the next general election."

"The Liberal Democrats are offering the people of Thurrock a clear alternative to New Labour and the Conservatives."

"I will bring a fresh approach to the issues that matter to the residents. I will fight on their behalf and take action in order to make a difference."

"I want to help build and safeguard a free and fair society in which no one is enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity."

"I will work with everyone encouraging them to take an active part in the community in which we all live."

"I believe in properly funded local services for residents."

"Council Tax must be abolished. I believe that the fair way to fund local services is by Local Income Tax. It is fair and is based on the ability to pay, whereas the constant and disproportionate increases in council tax are worrying and unfair, especially for those on low and fixed incomes."

"The people of Thurrock deserve better health provision. A hospital is long overdue for the borough and concerted action is needed for this to happen."

"Liberal Democrats will put the needs of patients first and free doctors and nurses from meddling."

"I believe in the equality of opportunities so that everyone can achieve their full potential irrespective of race, colour or creed."

"Whilst I support the need for improvement in education standards, the school's curriculum must reinforce moral and social values as well as life skills for pupils. There should also be adequate funding for pupils' referral units in the borough as well as other initiatives to help disruptive pupils in an alternative learning environment."

"The needs of older residents must not be neglected. Free personal care should be a right so that people should not have to sell their homes to pay for their old age."

"Liberal Democrats will add £25.00 to weekly pension at 75 - this will remove 1 million pensioners from poverty and we will provide free off-peak local transport for pensioners and disabled people."

"Crime is a major concern for many residents. We need to reclaim our communities and our towns from anti-social behaviour. Less bureaucracy, more policing and targeted use of resources should help weed out crime."