A Vision for our peninsula - don’t let anyone sink it!

• Given the worldwide recession - cuts are inevitable. When thinking about how these cuts may affect us it is important to think how they may disadvantage  as well as how they may impact on us personally
• Despite attempts by some to exaggerate the unpopularity of the Prime Minister, we need to think who is best placed to make these cuts - the untried Cameron/Osborne team or the internationally acclaimed Brown/Darling team?
• We need an integrated vision for the future of our community that combines high quality job creation, transportation improvements & the protection of our environment

• The Navy and defence industries are crucial to the ongoing and future prosperity of our community
• Conservative policies are a threat to the development of the new aircraft carriers. Buying in helicopters ”off-the-shelf” also puts local industries and jobs at risk as we could manufacture them here!
• The Conservatives have made no pledges regarding the future of the aircraft carriers or the future of HMS Sultan - promising only a review provides no guarantees that our interests will be protected

• The NHS is one of Labour’s greatest achievements, it was created against a background of fierce opposition from the Conservative party
• Labour is still committed to providing effective health care for everybody - regardless of our ability to pay
• Given the ageing population of our neighbourhoods - caring for the elderly will be an increasingly important issue. The Conservatives have adopted scare tactics against Labour’s proposal for a NCS (National Care Service) - but what is their proposal to deal with this inevitable & growing challenge?

• Transport links in and out of the peninsula are problematic, but there are no quick fixes!
• We need a long-term development strategy for the peninsula that involves investment in the economy and reducing the demand for travel, as well as improving the roads & public transport, and providing more cycleways
• We need to investigate innovative public transport solutions & campaign for European money to solve these unprecedented problems in the context of a long-term development strategy that includes the greater use of our waterways

• Both the global environment and our local environment are precious resources that should not be compromised
• We need to take the issue of climate change seriously and investigate ways we can utilise alternative energy within our area like ground source heating & geothermal energy, while also being more aware of the amount of energy we consume at home & the potential savings we can make by consuming less
• Taking such a proactive stance would meet our moral & international obligations, as well as saving us money!