Thank You

I would like to thank all those people who voted for me and the Liberal Democrats in the General Election.

Over 15,000 people voted for the Lib Dems this time, compared to just over 10,000 last time. Our share of the vote was 3% higher than the national average, and across Suffolk the voting trend was from Conservative to Lib Dems against the national pattern. Testament to the hard work and commitment of local committed commited to resolving community issues across the County.

I would like particularly like to thank all those members of the public who came forward and offered help. The Leader's Debates clearly electrified the election but it was hard work on the ground that was kept up all the way to polling day.

The public have thwarted the voting system that stifled stiffled democracy in this country. The first past the post system described by some as necessary for strong government didn't work.

The Conservatives achieved 306 MP's with only 36% of the vote. Under a proportional voting system they may have only received 234 MP's. Not surprising they don't want to change the system! 36% is not a mandate for policies that 64% of the population did not vote for, particularly when those policies may involve the biggest spending cuts this country has ever seen.

With 29% of the vote the Labour party achieved 258MP's, while Lib Dems with 23% of the vote, with one million more voters than last time elected 7 less MP's, rather than the 149MP's a proportional system of voting would have delivered.

But that was the rules of the game. They need changing.

The politicians must now show some stature and earn their wage with some real work required to set in place a government that is put in place by the voters. Not by a small number of influential media barons for whom fair taxation is anathema.