Andrew David Bell
Labour Party
South Middleton Ward
I feel privileged and honoured to be standing as the Labour candidate in South Middleton and, if successful, seek to build upon the great work already being done by your current Labour Councillors Peter Williams and Peter Joinson.
I have lived in South Middleton for over ten years and I also work in the local area. My wife works as a teacher and my grandchild attends a local school.
I don’t think I need to tell the electorate of South Middleton how bad this Tory Lib Dem coalition government is as you will have already felt the impact of rising bills, the bedroom tax, the attack on the NHS and the demonization of the disabled and the poorest members of society.
As your Labour candidate I am proud that as a party, Labour in Middleton and Rochdale has managed to defend your services and made improvements whilst faced with government cuts totalling £158 million.
Despite the government’s deliberately targeted and politically motivated decimation of funding, your Labour council has kept open all the libraries across the borough, has extensively refurbished Middleton library and has kept open all the Sure Start centres across the borough, including the Kirkway Sure Start Centre. In addition a £10 million fund has been ring-fenced to deal with road and pavement repairs.
There has been £72 million invested in the redevelopment of Middleton Town Centre with joint public and private initiatives such as Middleton Arena, the bus station, improving the market. All this could have only been done with a Labour council and your Labour councillors.
I have already been active in several local issues: arranging a public meeting for local residents with police and council officers to address issues relating to crime and anti-social behaviour; highlighting to the council the state of our roads and pavements and ensuring that local roads are swept properly.
In my spare time I have taken part in the Friends of Limefield park activities to clean up and enhance this valuable community resource.
I ask for your support in this local election. Your vote really does matter. Please use your vote to help me to defend your services from the Tory Lib Dem coalition and continue the great work Peter and Peter have been doing for Middleton South.
I will be available for you, I will listen, I will act, I will work hard for you.
Andrew Bell, Labour Candidate South Middleton.
