LABOUR’S general election candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock in 2015, Mike Le-Surf has thrown down the gauntlet to current MP Stephen Metcalfe by challenging him to a series of election debates in the coming year across the constituency.
Since his selection last June, Mr. Le-Surf has been meeting residents in the constituency regularly and understands that those who are expressing disillusionment with politics in general do not get the opportunity to engage with their local representatives and candidates as often as they would like.
Mr. Le-Surf has contacted Mr. Metcalfe and challenged him to debate on various topics through 2014 at venues across the constituency that he hopes will be organised by the local press, radio stations and community groups.
Mr. Le-Surf said: “We have to start doing things differently. There is currently a disconnect between many local people and those who are supposed to represent them in parliament. Politicians have to be accessible to the communities they represent. I have a different approach to politics and would welcome the opportunity to debate with Mr. Metcalfe to highlight the differences between the current Tory-led government which is relentlessly pushing hard working residents towards disaster and a Labour government that would address the needs and wishes of local people.
A good MP has to be a good listener so it would be great to take part in a debate in every area of the constituency and give as many people as possible the change to discuss issues that they care about. As an Essex born resident who has the best interests of constituency residents at heart I hope there will cross-party support for this initiative.”
Residents can contact Mike Le-Surf with their views on this topic by email at lesurf4labour@outlook.com phone 07958 015048 or on twitter @Mike4SBET #bringiton
I am glad Mr Le-Surf is looking to reverse the worrying trend re lack of trust in politicians/candidates. I fear however that “debate” is perhaps best left for when we know who the candidates are, and to be honest we barely know Mr Le-Surf at all.
Perhaps, in the interests of getting to know Mr Le-Surf better he could answer a few questions for us, so we know where he stands on the important issues? (Perhaps YT can put these to him, or at least reply to whoever sent this press release inviting them to engage with us..?)
Questions:
1) Does Mr Le-Surf agree that the British people deserve a vote in an in-out referendum on EU membership?
2) Which powers, if any, would Mr Le-Surf like to see repatriated from Brussels?
3) Does Mr Le-Surf agree that it is important to the long-term stability of this country that the deficit is reduced, and if so how would Mr Le-Surf go about this?
4) Given the appalling state of Primary education in this borough under the council, does Mr Le-Surf support the introduction of free schools and academies?
5) What criticisms would Mr Le-Surf make of then Health Secretary Andy Burnham in relation to Basildon Hospital?
I am sure there are more questions…
Where would Mr Lesurf like another Thames crossing?
What does Mr Le Surf believe to be the cause of millions of people never being in a position to own their own home?
Why is it when we are being told by educationalists that kids leaving school today have the best education ever, do we have over a million 16 – 24 year olds unemployed and what would his party do to change that?
What does Mr Le surf believe to be the underlying causes of three quarters of 16 – 24 year olds believing they have no future in this country and what would his party do to change that?
Does Mr Le Surf believe that allowing immigrants to claim working and family tax credits, housing benefits and child benefits that outstrip any income tax and N.I. payments they make, considering that neither they nor any other member of their family has ever contributed anything to this country, to be fair to British taxpayers that have contributed for decades and will be lucky if they receive a state pension?
Can Mr Le-Surf explain this comment ” I have a different approach to politics and would welcome the opportunity to debate with Mr. Metcalfe to highlight the differences between the current Tory-led government which is relentlessly pushing hard working residents towards disaster?”
To which disaster does he refer? I can’t see any looming at the moment.
He has some rather questionable helpers these days… UKIP cast offs. Tut tut
NuLiebour and BlueLiebourLimpdums… the very worst DISASTER ever to happen to this country. Anyone who votes for any of these needs their bumps felt. Turkeys voting for Christmas.