Why you should vote for us, say leaders ahead of May 5 elections

Today, we have spoken to the leaders of all the main parties with candidates and asked them to explain why voters should put a cross by their name.

The polling booths close at 10pm on Thursday before a count takes place at the Oasis Leisure Centre.

During the day a live blog will be running at www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk where you will find out the winners first.

Here are the leaders' statements, in alphabetical order...

Jim Grant - Labour leader

IN RECENT years there has been a breakdown in trust between the council and the people of Swindon. 

Whether it is proposing to hive off Lydiard and Coate Water to the private sector, the planned imposition of parish councils to raise the council-tax, or the possible closure of libraries, people feel that decisions are being taken without their input. 

An incoming Labour council in May would completely change the way we take those decisions. 

We would include members of the public in the decision-making process. 

For example, we would create a fairness commission where members of the public would be able to scrutinise the council’s work to ensure that it is open, transparent and, above all, fair in its dealings.

We would also create a Value for Money Committee where members of the public will look at how the council spends your money and determine if the council is spending that money wisely and for the benefit of all the people of the town.

We feel that consultation should be held in its widest possible form and people’s priorities should be the council’s priorities. 

If you elect Labour councillors in May, they will first and foremost be your voices on Swindon council. They will look to engage with you on the major issues before the council and will serve you to ensure any challenges facing you and your neighbourhood are solved. 

Elected Labour councillors will also listen to what you’ve already told us, ensuring Lydiard and Coate Water remains under public control and not hived off to the private sector, that new parish councils and an extra £120 to your council-taxes are not imposed without your consent through a referendum and that community libraries remain open. That is what the people want and it is what we will deliver.

....

Poppy Leeder - Green Party spokesman

HAVING a Green councillor offers a chance to bring some new and fresh ideas to Swindon Council. 

We want to represent the community that elects us, and move away from the current system of voting along party lines for measures that don’t deliver for local people

As Greens we have been consistent in challenging austerity. The cuts that are now being imposed by councils are having a devastating effect on people, we believe that councils need to be pushing back; a Green councillor would do this.

Swindon Greens already work with local groups such as Swindon Housing Action Campaign to push for affordable housing in the town, with the Lydiard Park Heritage Trust to support Swindon’s parks, green spaces and heritage being managed for the benefit of local people rather than the profit of a private company. 

We are committed to working with these and other groups to achieve progressive policies and prevent the loss of Swindon’s assets.

Greens want to see an era of greater democracy, where council decisions are made in an open and transparent way, and the residents of Swindon are properly consulted and considered in the decision-making that affects them.

We want to work for a greener more sustainable Swindon, that brings benefits for all of its residents. One Green councillor will not be able to change everything, but they will bring a different voice to the conversation and will work tirelessly to represent you, your family and your town.

....

Stan Pajak - Liberal Democrat leader

THE Liberal Democrats believe in change, and our town needs a change from the tired ideas of the previous Labour and Conservative administrations. 

We believe that the people of Swindon come first and that our town and its residents need the backing of the Council rather than just being seen as council tax receipts.

This is your town and we believe that residents should have a greater voice in how things are decided. We will hold a referendum on whether Swindon is split into parishes so then you can decide on how you want services in your town to be run and paid for.

We believe that we need to find new ways of offering services to those who need them. 

We will make sure residents have access to as many services as possible by combining community and library services together under one roof; transforming libraries into community hubs to give those services the resources they need to continue to provide for residents in their areas.

We believe in protecting and promoting our rural communities and environment. 

We will make sure new business and housing developments create the infrastructure their developments will need or we will make sure they are in place – for example, we will build a bypass around Wanborough to protect the village. 

We will invest in rural bus services in order to help keep our rural communities connected, we oppose car parking charges at our country parks to keep them available to all and we will clamp down on littering and fly-tipping across Swindon.

The Liberal Democrats are not here to tell you what you want, but are here to represent the needs of you and your family. 

Swindon is your town, and we are your party. On May 5, vote for change – vote Liberal Democrat.

....

David Renard - Conservative leader

RESIDENTS should vote Conservative on May 5 because we offer a sound vision for the borough’s continued economic growth, we are ensuring that much-valued local services are protected, we are caring for the vulnerable, and we are doing this within the money we have available.

In 2003, we inherited a council that was over half a million pounds in the red and core services had been taken away from us because the Labour-led council ran them so poorly.

Now, we are about to deliver the eighth consecutive small budget surplus. We are living within our means.

Even the opposition parties on the council accepted over 98 per cent of our current budget without comment or amendment.

In economic terms, Swindon competes favourably alongside bigger and larger cities.

We are already starting to deliver our vision by:

• Replacing the obsolete Sussex Square with modern shops and homes,
• Securing investment in the town centre, including a new health centre,
• Building solar farms in which residents can invest,
• Improving roads and securing other construction, and,
• Working with the schools, academies, and colleges to help students get the best qualifications.

Most of the council’s work is unseen.

About 70 per cent of budget is spent on caring for vulnerable elderly residents or in protecting children from harm.

The Conservative administration will continue to make looking after those most at risk a key priority.

Like many residents, I chose to come to Swindon and I stayed here because of all the good things this borough has to offer from safer neighbourhoods to businesses and jobs.

Through the council’s vision, the Conservatives will continue making Swindon ever more prosperous and successful.

....

John Short - UKIP chairman

IN UKIP, we believe in having local people representing Swindon who are prepared to put the people that elected them above party politics.

Whilst our councillors work towards shared aims and principles, unlike the other parties, UKIP do not believe in enforcing a party whip in local government.

Our councillors work for the people that voted for them, representing the interests of their local area rather than the officials of their own party.

Swindon Borough Council has lost its way under the Conservatives and Labour through the use of a cabinet system where decision-making is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals.

The voices of electors in individual wards have been pushed to the fringes and are often ignored or merely given lip-service.

The result is bad decision-making and a lack of appropriate direction, which has left us with an administration that is simply not delivering on the wishes of Swindon residents.

We want to tackle the real issues that affect everyone in our town.

We desperately need to cut excess council management and remove private consultants to release funds for improving frontline service delivery.

We want smarter procurement and partnership with local firms in providing council services, including a focus on tackling youth unemployment and skill gaps by stimulating the local economy.

We need to plan for the long term future in our infrastructure and development.

We need to stop landing future generations with debt-laden PFI public buildings and out-of-town development built over our green spaces, without adequate roads or school places.

We need to protect the vulnerable and take a tough line on crime and anti-social behaviour.

UKIP will aim to keep the libraries open, and to say no to open space sell-off including Lydiard Park.