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Recent News from Crowmarsh

• Jun 22, 2008:
  • No to ID cards, yes to more police
    A survey of South Oxfordshire residents has shown that local people are opposed to Labour's ID card plans. Most people questioned believed that putting more police on patrol would be more effective in the battle against crime and anti-social behaviour. Local campaigner Stephen Kearney said: "I have opposed Labour's ID card plans since they were first proposed. They are expensive and ineffective." "Instead of wasting literally billions of pounds on a pointless piece of plastic, we should invest properly in our hard working police service." "A stronger police presence on patrol on our towns and streets will act as a powerful deterrent to crime and antisocial behaviour." Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 19, 2008:
  • Dorchester Abbey Hustings Meeting This Evening
    There will a hustings meeting this evening (19th June) for the Henley by-election at Dorchester Abbey. Lib Dem candidate Stephen Kearney is looking forward to meeting with local residents and answering questions. Four other candidates standing in the by-election are also expected to attend. The timetable for the evening is: 7.00pm Event opens - Candidates available to meet constituents 7.30pm Each candidate to give a 5 minute overview of their main policies / intentions for the future if they are elected Followed by questions until approximately 8.45pm Refreshments will be available during the first half hour and afterwards. This event will be a mixture of formal and informal with the opportunity to meet the candidates, hear each of them make a brief statement and give public answers to questions posed by the audience. The Abbey will be open from 7pm and the candidates will each be invited to address those present briefly from 7.30pm. Questions from the floor will follow. Dorchester Abbey is situated between Oxford and Reading just off the A4074. Refreshments will be available at the beginning and end of the meeting. Parking is available in Dorchester Recreation Ground (approximately 10 minute walk). Please note that there is limited parking in the village itself. All constituents are welcome to attend and further details may be obtained from the office at Dorchester Abbey 01865 340007 email enquiries@dorchester-abbey.org.uk Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 18, 2008:
  • John Howell missing on key Oxfordshire countryside votes
    John Howell: missed two key votes on protecting the Oxfordshire countryside yesterday Conservative candidate and Oxfordshire County Councillor John Howell yesterday missed two key votes on protecting the Oxfordshire countryside. The votes were against a new so-called 'eco-town' near Otmoor, which would significantly increase traffic levels in the area. Mr Howell has come under fire in the national press for having links to property developers whilst in his election literature claiming that he will defend the Oxfordshire countryside. Lord Rennard, Chief Executive of the Liberal Democrats said: "Serious questions are being asked of Mr Howell. "How can he claim to stand up for the Oxfordshire countryside when he cannot even turn up to vote on this vital issue? "Local people will expect better from someone who is campaigning to be their MP." Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 16, 2008:
  • John Howell must answer questions on links to developers
    The Liberal Democrats have today written to the Conservative candidate in the Henley by-election, John Howell, urging him to clarify his links to property developers for the sake of local residents. Mr Howell has so far failed to deny his links to a firm that helps property developers build on green belt and green field sites. Chief Executive of the Liberal Democrats, Lord Rennard said: "Local people deserve to know the full facts about John Howell's links to property developers. Protecting the countryside is a vital issue in this election. "John Howell's links to firms that want to develop in controversial locations poses questions about his suitability to be the local MP. "Many people will think it is hypocritical of John Howell to have such strong links to developers whilst saying on his election literature that he wants to 'Defend South Oxfordshire's Green Belt'." The full text of the letter from Lord Rennard delivered today reads: Dear Councillor Howell, I am sure you would like the opportunity to present your case regarding your links to property developers to local residents. Could you please clarify your situation by responding to the following questions? 1) Will you list all the clients you have advised or trained for Savills Hepher Dixon? 2) Will you list all the clients you have advised for Write Angle PR? 3) Will you list all the clients you have advised or trained for Dialogue? 4) Why have you chosen not to declare your work for Savills Hepher Dixon and Write Angle PR in your Register of Interests on Oxfordshire County Council? 5) Have you ever been involved in advising Savills Hepher Dixon or their clients or any other property developers on applications to build on greenfield or Green Belt sites? 6) Which developments were you referring to when you described "large and contentious land and property developments" on your Write Angle PR website? 7) Have you advised or trained Roger Smith, Director (Oxford) of Savills Hepher Dixon who is described on the company's website: 'expertise is principally the promotion if major residential schemes, both brownfield and greenfield'? 8) Are there any other firms involved in planning issues or property development that you receive financial gain from? 9) Do you receive a retainer, salary, dividend, share of profits or any other payment from Savills Hepher Dixon? 10) Have you ever received a retainer, salary, dividend, share of profits or any other payment from firms connected to property developers? 11) Have any of the people you have trained or advised been involved with any developments in Oxfordshire on greenfield or Green Belt land? 12) Have you ever been in a business partnership with individuals that have links to property developers? I hope that your answers to these questions will enable local residents to come to a considered opinion as to which candidate is in the best position to defend the local countryside. I would be grateful if you could provide me with an immediate response to my questions. Yours sincerely, Lord Rennard Chief Executive, Liberal Democrats Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
  • From the Daily Mirror: "Tory John Howell in green belt row"
    Links: Consultant John Howell A Tory who vows to "stand up for the green belt" works for a firm specialising in building on greenfield sites. John Howell, fighting the Henley by-election, boasts on a campaign leaflet his "track record" means "people can see ... I mean it". He works for PR firm Write Angle, whose website says he "is consultant to Savills Hepher Dixon (providing) communications and political lobbying consultancy on large and contentious ... property developments". Savills' website says it oversees "large scale" green belt developments and advises on building in areas of outstanding natural beauty and conservation areas. Related Links Full Daily Mirror story: "Tory John Howell in green belt row" Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 11, 2008:
  • Hands off our countryside
    Local campaigner Stephen Kearney is pledging to be a champion for the local countryside as our next MP. Many people are concerned about threats to countryside and Green Belt land in South Oxfordshire. Developers are queuing up to build housing in our area. South Oxfordshire District Council is looking for a place to put 1,000 new houses - possibly near Thame. Some Conservative and Labour County Councillors want to build in the Green Belt near Oxford. But with the Government wanting to build thousands of new houses each year, nowhere in South Oxfordshire can be considered safe from development. Even after recent flooding problems, the Government still seems set on building more houses on flood plains. Stephen Kearney said, "This is a beautiful part of England. The countryside is central to our way of life here. I will always fight alongside local residents and community groups to protect it as our local MP." Mr Kearney believes that local people should be given much more of a say about development in their area. He added, "There is need for more low cost housing to help children of local people get on the property ladder. But this should be tackled through small low impact schemes in consultation with local communities." Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 8, 2008:
  • Show your support for Stephen Kearney with a poster
    A range of window and garden posters are now available for supporters of Stephen Kearney to show their support for him during the Henley by-election. To get your own garden or window poster, email posters@henleylibdems.org.uk or ring 01844 217 030. Stephen's team will happily put up the garden poster for you, and then take it away again after the election. Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 7, 2008:
  • Village pubs forced to call time
    Local Lib Dems are backing calls to protect village pubs. "They are the hub of the local community and a social focal point" said Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Kearney. Stephen Kearney, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary campaigner for the Henley constituency has launched a survey to investigate the viability of rural pubs across South Oxfordshire. According to the British Beer and Pub Association pubs have been closing at the rate of twenty seven a week across the country - nearly four every day. Stephen said: "The British pub is a cherished institution that is frequently at the very heart of local communities. I have launched my survey to find out what factors are causing local pubs to struggle and what steps can be taken to protect landlords from having to call time for good." Related Links Stephen Kearney's Rural Pub Survey Published and promoted by South East Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats, 1 Lower End, Benson Road, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HB Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY