Month: April 2011

Another Sunny Day in Bidston

I had another sunny day in Bidston talking to voters on the doorstep. There were many issues raised and some were very supportive of the Lib Dem/Tory government and Wirral Council (which is run by a Lib Dem/Tory partnership). A number of issues I will be raising with the relevant spokesperson (or be taking up … Continue reading “Another Sunny Day in Bidston”

I had another sunny day in Bidston talking to voters on the doorstep. There were many issues raised and some were very supportive of the Lib Dem/Tory government and Wirral Council (which is run by a Lib Dem/Tory partnership).

A number of issues I will be raising with the relevant spokesperson (or be taking up with council officers) for a response, the positive response may be partly because I live nearby and have worked or dealt with problems for those supporting us in the area.

Unlike some, I enjoy talking with people about their problems and see it as a positive that elections force parties, candidates and teams to engage with the public.

Judging by people’s responses, this election will be (as it is every year) decided by those people who have yet to make their mind up. With the deadline for postal votes less than a week away local residents could be making their mind up soon as to who is best to represent them for four years as their Wirral councillor.

Ex-Labour Minister/MP Eliot Morley Found Guilty of Expenses Fiddles

Eliot Morley

Eliot Morley, an ex-Labour minister claimed for a mortgage that didn’t exist. When questioned about this claim he initially said “I do not believe any offence has been commited”.

For 2 years he claimed £800 a month in mortgage interest for a mortgage that didn’t exist. He overclaimed by £15,800 when he did have a mortgage. In total he fleeced the hardworking taxpayers of this country of £30,482. In addition to this he was renting off one of his homes to another MP and getting a further £1000 a month this way.

The home he rented was classed as his main home. Below is an email from the MP himself trying to explain things. The actions of Labour MPs, whether the lies of Phil Woolas triggering a byelection or expenses scandals have had a very, very damaging effect on democracy. He will be sentenced in due course.

:-

from MORLEY, Elliot

to Holly Watt

date 13 May 2009 15:36

subject RE:

I do not believe any offence has been commited. I have reported this to the Finance dpt and chief whip I have made a mistake I apologise for that and I take full responsibility. I realised the mistake when I received my reciepts. I took immediate steps to raise the money and it has already been sent to the Finance dpt. There may be an adjustment for what I have paid on the endownment but I may be out of time. My prioity was to repay and if I suffer finaciallly as a result of that I have only myslf to blame.

The claim by Mr Cawsey was enterily legitimate The mortgage then was 900 per month council tax 100 I paid for furnishing and other costs. It had to my main home as a minister. When I claimed on London I renogiated the mortgage. Part had been paid off so I could claim a lower amount from that time. The mortgage in my constituency was interst only on an accelareted payment to reduce costs. My mistake was not to keep track and I repeat I have taken action to rectify that. I have not had any income on London and have used rent received to reduce the morgage reducing the claim to the taxpayer.

Reasons to vote Liberal Democrat in Bidston & St. James – Day Three

We have listened to local people and campaigned on their behalf to solve local problems.

As a result of numerous campaigns over years in the Bidston area over road safety a traffic island was put in in Worcester Road. After numerous fatalities on Boundary Road, white lines were painted down the middle between Worcester Road and Upton Road, calming the traffic and making it easier to cross to Tam O’Shanter’s Urban Farm.

On that subject it was a Lib Dem Mayor and councillor that accepted Tam O’Shanter’s annual rent of one pine cone to Wirral Council. On Flaybrick cemetery we made sure the boundary wall was repaired and flytipping was cleared away.

Residents (both the disabled and those who can’t afford private transport) called for more bus stops near Tescos. We consulted with local residents affected and had the original proposed site of the bus stop moved when a resident complained and said it would affect parking outside her house. Many other bus stops have been repaired after we’ve brought the vandalism to the attention of Merseytravel.

Residents in the area of Birkenhead Park station and Christ the King complained about antisocial behaviour and crime. We brought their concerns to the police and the residents in that area now feel safer walking the streets after the community mobile police station was stationed in Keightley Street last year and this year.

In Bidston village, people were concerned that the abandoned pub was frequently set on fire. They wanted it demolished, but were unsure why it was taking so long. We investigated and told them why.

On the Beechwood speeding traffic was a major problem with cars crashing into walls, barriers and causing misery for local residents. We campaigned to get things changed and there is now a 20mph zone at a dangerous bend and many other road safety measures.

We have a record of success in campaigning to improve the lives of local residents. We do this because we are unlike the other candidates in this campaign based locally. It is our community, it is the area we live in and we wish to see it improve. Our campaigns are based on the issues that local people tell us about.

We live and work in Bidston & St. James all year round.

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs – Tax, NI, overpayment and underpayments

Every year I deal with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs I realise that half the frustration is caused by internal problems within HMR&C. The excuse given usually is that different departments can’t talk or share information with each other.

Getting money out of HMR&C is like getting blood out of the proverbial stone and can take years. Currently they state regarding the money they owe me “Your repayment request will be processed as soon as possible. ” . Sadly that’s been the way it’s been for the last few tax years.

In 2004 I was owed over £1000! It took a few years before they paid it back (along with a number of denials in the meantime that I should have it). It’s probably far quicker to take them to court!

I really don’t understand why they seem to take bureaucracy to the nth degree and not be able to show some common sense. I do remember Wirral Council owing me some small amount of Council Tax one year, about £5. They refused to pay it back; their excuse was I couldn’t have it back now they’d ended their financial year. I don’t mind too much with such amounts. I did however question the sense in Wirral Council one year sending me about a dozen different council tax demands; it must’ve cost them a bit in postage and printing! I suppose however I shouldn’t moan and most people who are self-employed have gripes with HMR&C. No system is perfect.

For people who are employed (or even self-employed and employed) it can be even worse. For 2009-2010 £1.8 billion was overpaid by 4.3 million people (an average of £418/year each). For small amounts most people can’t be bothered dealing with forms, bureaucracy and government systems seemingly designed to frustrate, confuse and bamboozle in equal measures.

My grandmother used to pay an accountant each year about £80-£100 to claim back about £400-£500 worth of tax overpaid. People on low incomes and minimum wage jobs can’t afford the fees that professionals charge and ultimately end up being hit in the pocket because of a system that is complex, hard to understand and confusing.

It is the system of underpayment of tax and overpayment of tax credits that is more worrying. Both seem designed to deter low-paid people from working. I hope with the new government’s plans for Universal Credit that:-

a) money will be saved by making the system clearer, simpler and easier to understand
b) people will finally get the message that working pays rather than being stuck in the benefits trap created by Labour.

Reasons to vote Liberal Democrat in Bidston & St. James on May 5th – Day Two

There are four choices you face in Bidston & St. James on May 5th. Your choices are Lib Dem, Labour, Conservative or UKIP. I will be voting for the Liberal Democrats.

UKIP came 5th last year with just over 3% of the vote. They are on course for coming last this time. The Tories didn’t even manage 11%.

Last year 78% of people either voted Lib Dem or Labour. Under our first past the post system if you vote Conservative or UKIP your vote won’t count but just help Labour to get elected.

In 2007 Labour’s candidate Harry Smith got elected with 1,384 votes. Last year the Lib Dems got 699. Only ~7% of voters will decide the result.

If you vote Liberal Democrat on May 5th:-

a) if you voted Green or BNP last time, voting Lib Dem will force Labour to work harder.
b) if you voted Labour last time but Lib Dem this time it will reduce Labour’s majority by 2.
c) if you voted Lib Dem last time, thank you but we need you to vote Lib Dem again.
d) if you voted Conservative last time, Lib Dems work with the Conservative Party and a vote for the Conservative candidate will just result in Labour being elected.
e) if you voted UKIP last time, a vote for the UKIP candidate will just help Labour. Please consider voting Lib Dem.

Under our first past the post system, the winning candidate only needs about 39% to win.

Postal voters should be getting their vote in the next fortnight, please let me know if you don’t receive yours and I will do my best to help. Last year, like many residents I didn’t receive my postal vote and had to be given two postal votes (local and General) on polling day. I hope this year things will run smoother.