Labour Leader says vote for Jeremy Hilton (Jeremy Hilton)

Labour Leader says vote for Jeremy Hilton

March 12, 2010 8:30 AM

Jeremy Hilton and Peter Clarke

The former Labour Leader of Gloucestershire County Council Peter Clarke is backing Liberal Democrat Jeremy Hilton to become Gloucester's next MP.

Below is the text of a letter Peter Clarke sent to the Citizen newspaper on the 1st March.

Dear Sir

I have been reading with interest the debate over who should be Gloucester's next MP. When I was Labour Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, I worked closely with Jeremy Hilton to improve services. I have known him for many years, and I believe he is the best man to do the job of MP.

During my time as a Councillor I worked closely with Jeremy in the Cabinet. Of the two men I think Jeremy would make a better MP than Parmjit Dhanda.

Jeremy opened the Tri-Service Centre (with all party support in the Council) when he was the Cabinet Member, and did an excellent job of running his portfolio.

As a Labour councillor, I was disappointed that Parmjit Dhanda supported moving the fire control to Taunton, undermining this excellent service.

Jeremy Hilton tells it as it is, whereas Parmjit Dhanda said publicly that he was against the local Post Office closures, and then voted in Parliament to close them.

Gloucester needs an MP who is about more than words, and pictures in glossy, tax-payer funded leaflets and advertisements - we need an MP who is a man of action.

New Labour lost my support when Iraq was invaded, when the expense of being a student soared and the Government refused fair support for Education in Gloucester, amongst other things.

I eventually joined the Liberal Democrats in 2005 because I believe in their policies, but also their people. Nick Clegg is more popular with the public than David Cameron or Gordon Brown. Vince Cable is respected by all parties, and everyone knows that he would make the best Chancellor.

Jeremy Hilton is right for Gloucester - a local man who has worked hard for Gloucester for many years, and has an excellent record of service as a councillor.

The Liberal Democrats are fighting this election on principles of fairness - fair taxes, which will help the low paid, a fairer society, and a fair, green economy.

Jeremy Hilton will make Gloucester his number one priority, and will speak up for Gloucester in Westminster. On Election Day, I urge you to vote for Jeremy Hilton and the Liberal Democrats.

Yours sincerely

Peter Clarke

Labour Leader - Gloucestershire County Council 2001/05