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Wrekin and Telford Liberal Democrats Campaigning across The Wrekin and Telford Constituencies |
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Ali Daw refutes misleading Tory assertions and sets the record straight
May 1, 2010 8:57 PM
Wrekin LibDem PPC Ali Daw was compelled to respond to very misleading Tory statements made in their election 'literature', by writing to Newport & Market Drayton Advertiser. Unfortunately the Editor declined to publish her letter, but you can read it here:
'Dear Editor,
I am writing on behalf of the many outraged voters who have contacted the Wrekin's Liberal Democratic office. They tell us they are incensed with the lies written by the seemingly desperate outgoing Tory party in their election 'literature' and newspaper adverts.
Lie No 1.'The Lib Dems are offering a 'get out of jail free card' to all drug-smugglers etc'.
Make no mistake, the Lib Dem view is that substantial prison terms are essential for perpetrators of serious crimes, particularly where the public needs protection. On the other hand, both Labour and the Tories have become obsessed with flexing their muscles and being "tough" on crime by filling our prisons to bursting point. The national re-offending rate is 90%, so what are we achieving in the case of less serious crimes? Evidence in other countries points to rigorous community sentences as being more effective. The Lib Dems are the only party brave enough to deal with these truths in an honest way.
We are not surprised that the Tory machine doesn't mention a very successful project operating today, which we recommend for the rest of Britain. We will give people a direct say in how petty criminals and those who engage in anti-social behaviour are punished by setting up Neighbourhood Justice Panels (NJPs), like the one run by Liberal Democrats in Somerset, where 95% of offenders have been turned away from further crimes.
Lie no 2: 'Lib Dems promise to give an amnesty to all illegal immigrants living in Shropshire'
Britain currently operates a 14-yr amnesty, brought in by Labour, unopposed by the Tories. At present, after 14 years living here, people can apply for leave to remain in the country without any punishment for having arrived here illegally.
The Lib Dems are proposing to allow people who have been in Britain without the correct papers for 10 years, but speak English, have a clean record and want to live here long-term, to earn their citizenship. They will have a two-year probation, which reflects the fact that they entered the country illegally. This route to citizenship will not apply to people arriving after 2010.
There is a very serious reason why these sorts of lies are so irresponsible; the effect they have on our society. I was able to witness first-hand, the multi-racial communities living harmoniously in Hadley and Leegomery. Times are very tough for many in these challenged areas of the Wrekin. Many people we met are now out of work for the first time in their lives, leaving them feeling vulnerable and worried about their futures. This sort of outdated scare-mongering by the local Tory party breeds fear, distrust and social breakdown and is exactly the manner in which the more extreme parties in Britain operate.
The Liberal Democrats believe that the majority of voters will see these antics for what they are: the death throes of a desperate party that has shown no initiative to help those parts of the Wrekin that don't grab the headlines.
For further discussion or for information on our actual policies, please contact us through our websites: wrekinlibdems.org.uk or alidaw.com
Regards,
Ali Daw (on behalf of voters with integrity)'
Published and promoted by Jacki Boyle on behalf of Ali Cameron-Daw (Liberal Democrats) 76 Trench Road Telford TF2 6PF and displayed on the wrekinlibdems.org.uk website
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