Adam Cornett
Middleton Independents Party
South Middleton Ward
My name is Adam Cornett, I am South Middleton's MIP candidate in this year's local elections.
I am proud to have lived in Middleton all of my life, this town means a lot to me and so I decided it was time for me to take a stand myself for once to fix the problems that all major parties have had a hand in creating for our town and it's people.
The new Middleton Independents Party is a forward thinking group not chasing political careers but trying to make a genuine difference.
I have watched as our towns green spaces have been eroded by greedy developers with the approval of our current councillors, watched Labour panic by delaying the implementation of the Clean Air Zone Tax until after the election to try miserably to save their votes at the elections, I have watched Rochdale's Town Centre regeneration come to fruition while Middleton's history and heritage is left to decay.
Our current politicians have never been so out of touch with Middleton's priorities.
That is why if elected our platform is to do the following:
Protect Greenbelt land:
We will opposed the 'Places for Everyone' plan which is supported by Rochdale's Labour Council, the plan is essentially a revival of the GMSF - a plan to bulldoze our few remaining patches of greenbelt land. Only look at what is happening at Hollin and Bowlee in Langley. Under Labour's plans this will continue until we lose our towns identity.
Opposing the Clean Air Zone(CAZ) Tax:
The GM Mayor, the GMCA - including Rochdale Council made a POLITICAL CHOICE to implement a charging Clean Air Zone when there was no requirement for them to do so. This is a money making scheme which does nothing to clean up our air quality.
Rest assured, these plans are not under review. They will be brought back after the election as Labour did the GMSF over many years until Stockport pulled the plug on it, the reason being is because they are scared it will hurt them on polling day. We have to send them a message that we DO NOT support the CAZ Tax which will put Middleton people out of business. We pledge to vote AGAINST any charging Clean Air Zone if asked to on the council.
Transport and Roads:
I am disappointed to be seeing the 125 bus service cut to the detriment of South Middleton's residents in Rhodes and Alkrington who rely on this service, the service is being cut so the route can be extended to Heywood instead - again Middleton is left out of the loop.
We need more for our public transport system, not less - especially if our politicians expect us to use our cars less frequently. We will also work to facilitate and keep residents updated about the plans for the Metrolink in Middleton, a vital piece of infrastructure to prevent us being the forgotten town of Manchester and keep us connected. Our roads and highways must also be adequately repaired for road users who pay more than their fair share of tax to use them.
Health and Social Care:
The council have a policy to continuously build more housing without facilitating the infrastructure to support new residents. We have all experienced what it is like to get a GP appointment in Middleton, these days the appointments are gone before your call can even connect. We must do everything to ensure we have the clinics, pharmacies and dentists available to all before making room for more people to fill up the system.
Businesses and work:
We support the creation of a business hub in our town centre to help people get good training and support for business, trade and profession start up.
We also support rent and business rate breaks for new and smaller businesses to see our towns economic activity thriving again.
Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour:
At night as the weather improves in the summer months our town sees regular attempts on car and house doors, community facebook groups are always sharing CCTV/doorbell footage of hooded figures prowling their streets(this should be being submitted to the police if it isn't as nothing can be done about an unreported crime).
However, these activities makes Middletonians feel unsafe at night yet it always continues but we believe this is mostly due to a lack of police presence on our streets, we will work with the police to come up with a local policing plan specific to our town's needs with aims to lobby for the reopening of a fully operating police station in our town.
Our local police do amazing work, but we know their hands are tied most of the time - we aim to change that.
Thank you for taking the time to read my pitch.
Middleton, remember to use all three votes for the Middleton Independents Party on 5th May.
Adam Cornett, South Middleton candidate.
