Swindon Labour » Eastcott

Thursday 3rd May: Eastcott Needs Labour Councillors

Chris O'Brien — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:57:45 +0000

The local Tories have cut front line services. There has also been a substantial increase in the cost of essential services to the elderly and vulnerable, such as meals on wheels and home care, whilst money has been wasted on failed vanity projects such as Wifi and the Tabernacle Stones. Only Labour Councillors really challenge Tory policies.

If elected Emma, Andy and Chris will listen to your concerns and effectively represent the interests of Eastcott.

Candidate profile: Chris Watts (Eastcott)

Chris O'Brien — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:47:35 +0000

I have lived here 43 years, am an IT consultant and am married with three children, all schooled locally.

I would continue to work towards changing the culture of the Council ensuring greater transparency and accountability. Eastcott has been overlooked and as part of a Labour administration this would be addressed.

Candidate profile: Andy Newman (Eastcott)

Chris O'Brien — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:46:18 +0000

I am a 50 years old telecommunications engineer and trade union activist, and I have 2 school-age children. I am an experienced campaigner, and I want to use my skills to benefit Swindon, and the residents of Eastcott.

I want Swindon to be run well and fairly. When the Conservatives took power ten years ago there was money in the bank; they have built up £80 million debt, which costs £11 million per year. Labour will stop the waste on vanity projects and we will protect services.

Candidate profile: Emma Bushell (Eastcott)

Chris O'Brien — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:43:56 +0000

Swindon is my hometown and I have lived in Eastcott for 5 years. I work at a local College and am a governor at my old primary school.

I have played leading roles in several social justice groups in Swindon and will continue to campaign for a fairness and equality. Protecting the most vulnerable in society and protecting local public in harsh economic conditions will be my priority.

If elected, I want to ensure all children and young people in Swindon get equal access to a quality education and protect local public service and the most vulnerable in society.

South Swindon Constituency Ward Boundaries

Andy Smart — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:54:58 +0000

View South Swindon Ward Boundaries in a larger map

We Will Deliver A Transparent Council

Chris O'Brien — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:59 +0000

The parliamentary expenses scandal highlighted the need for transparency and accountability. We all want government we can trust.

This Councils Conservative administration have been found wanting with regards to pubic engagement in respect of schemes such as Wi-Fi and the Croft School Proposal.

The Conservatives also voted down a Labour motion to have audio recordings of Council Meetings. A Labour Council will ensure that meetings are recorded and available for all.

Jack Straw visits Swindon to Support our Candidates

Chris O'Brien — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:51:15 +0000

Jack Straw visited Swindon on the 25th April to support the Labour candidates up for election to Swindon Borough Council. Watch our video of the event to find out why voting Labour on May 3rd is essential for Swindon’s future…

You don’t need your polling card to vote on May 3rd

Chris O'Brien — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:38:36 +0000

Many people may miss the chance to vote because they don’t have a polling card, either having not received one in the post or having mislaid it but don’t miss your chance to shape Swindon’s future – you can turn up at your polling station in person and vote if you are on the electoral roll.

As long as you are on the electoral roll all you need to do on polling day (May 3^rd 2012) is to turn up at your polling station and give your name and address and you’ll be able to vote.

Finding your polling station:

The council website has details of polling stations that can be downloaded here in PDF format – you can download the free Adobe Reader software at http://get.adobe.com/reader/ if you can’t open the polling stations list.

Eastcott

CWatts — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:15:27 +0000

Your Labour team in the Eastcott ward are Emma BUSHELL, Andy NEWMAN and Chris WATTS

Emma Bushell

Emma is Swindon born and lives in Eastcott.

Emma works at a local further education college, campaigns for social justice and is a STFC season ticket holder.

Andy Newman

Andy has lived in Old Town for 20 years, and in Eastcott since 2006.

He is active in the GMB trade union, and is passionate about equality and social justice.

Chris Watts

Chris has lived in Swindon for 43 years and in the ward 15 years. Chris is an IT consultant, married with 3 children.

Chris champions open transparent governance.

Our Priorities for Eastcott

Ward boundary changes mean all council seats are up for election this year including all three in Eastcott, where we came so close to winning in 2011.

This is our chance to remove a tired Conservative Administration that has wasted millions on Wichelstowe, Wifi, the Water Fountain, Tabernacle Stones, the Canal Project and the Council House ballot.

Front line services have been cut as a result. There has also been a substantial increase in the cost of essential services to the elderly and vulnerable such as meals on wheels and home care.

Only Labour Councillors really challenge Tory policies.

If elected Emma, Andy and Chris will listen to your concerns and effectively represent the interests of Eastcott.

Chris Watts selected for Labour in Eastcott

Swindon Labour — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:54:22 +0000

I’m delighted to have been selected as Labour Candidate for Eastcott in the Borough elections on May 5th 2011. Â I have lived in Eastcott Ward for 14 yearsÂ and all my three children are schooledÂ locally. I have lived in Swindon for 42 years, and wasÂ educated in the state system.Â Swindon has ensured that I have been ableÂ to run my own business and provide for myÂ family. I have been a self employed ITÂ consultant for 12 years working in the publicÂ and private sector.

Just as many feared the Tory and LibDem cuts have hit the poor hardest, and turned the clock back to the 198s.Â Â They have increased VAT, this time toÂ 20 per cent and cut child benefit.

Swindonâ€™s two Tory MPs have failed to secure a better dealÂ from Central Government. Swindon had to accept deepÂ cuts while wealthier Councils are getting away with smallerÂ or even zero cuts.

In Swindon the Tory cuts will hurt the young, the elderly and theÂ vulnerable:

Adults and the elderly: Â£1.5 million cut for care budgets.
Our children: Â£494,000 cut from help for schools.
Our young people: Â£860,000 cut for help back into work.
The vulnerable: Â£2.4 million cut from support forÂ homeless.
Transport: Â£300,000 cut to bus funding.
?Libraries: Â£100,000 cut in library services.

Instead of this Swindon needs a plan of action:

A plan for the economic growth of Swindon.
A plan that delivers the regeneration the town soÂ badly needs.
A plan that creates the jobs of the future that bringsÂ green jobs to Swindon.
A plan that delivers a University for Swindon.
A plan for building a more resilient economy. WeÂ were too exposed to financial services as an economy.

Letâ€™s learn that lesson fast.Â These are the priorities that should be at the heart of anÂ Â economic plan for Swindon.

Join my campaign to bring a Labour voice back to Eastcott to stand up against the cosy Tory LibDem alliance in Swindon.

Join Labour – and contact me with your ideas

Chris Watts, Â Labour Candidate, Eastcott.

p.s. read my blog here and my interview with Swindon backgarden