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Category Archives: Claire Wright
100 doctors: use your vote to ensure the NHS in England is reinstated
“Leading doctors in the NHS have accused the coalition government of a catalogue of broken promises, funding cuts and destructive legislation which has which has left the health service weaker than ever before in its history.
… As medical and public health professionals our primary concern is for all patients. We invite voters to consider carefully how the NHS has fared over the last five years, and to use their vote to ensure that the NHS in England is reinstated,” they write.
The signatories to the letter include Dr Clare Gerada, former chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners; Prof John Ashton, retired director of public health; epidemiologist professor Michel Coleman; Simon Capewell, professor of public health in Liverpool; Trisha Greenhalgh, professor of primary care at Oxford; Martin McKee, professor of European public health, and Raymond Tallis, emeritus professor of geriatric medicine in Manchester.
The letter, which the doctors have written in a private capacity, challenges the government on its NHS record and deplores the current pressures facing the health service.
The only Parliamentary candidate who has done this for years and continues to do it is Independent Claire Wright.
And more cracking letters in the “View from …” local newspapers this week
Two pages of absolutely cracking letter in the “View from …” titles this week.
One from a former recent town councillor in Seaton saying how EDDC ignores some towns and parishes totally, a critique of the “waves sculpture” in Seaton from a local artist, letters in support of Independent Parliamentary candidate Claire Wright, a letter about dinosaurs of the political kind, one about all of us NOT being in it together, particularly Hugo Swire, Phil Twiss yet again desperately attempting to bring down his EDA opponents and one supporting independence in local politics in general.
The View from titles are all available free in various retail outlets across East Devon and also online:
http://www.viewfrompublishing.co.uk/
History in the making!
Hugo Swire doesn’t think youthful politicians are a good idea
Question: If you could change one thing about British Politics what would it be?
Hugo Swire’s answer: Make sure that our ageing population also had representatives of their own age and reverse this constant demand for elected politicians to be youthful
http://www.eastdevonconservatives.org/news/spotlight-rt-hon-hugo-swire-mp
Now, who might he be thinking of!
What odds now Claire Wright?
Now pulling crowds in to her events …
Started at 66/1
then 33/1
then 25/1
then 20/1
then 16/1
then 9/1
then 6/1
now 9/2 (4.5/1) at William Hill 5/1 at Ladbrokes
Those people who got their bets in early must be feeling very excited! But still a profit for anyone still keen to get involved.
You must be over 18 and please bet responsibly.
Want an election visit from Hugo Swire? Put up a Claire Wright poster!
News reaches us of an Exmouth resident personally visited by Hugo Swire yesterday. Was it a coincidence that the resident had Claire Wright posters in the window?
The resident informs us that the household vote remains with Claire Wright and the posters stay up!
Time for more women in politics? Maybe – if more women vote for them!
Given that our choice is between 4 middle-aged (or even rather older) men is it time for East Devon to have a (younger than all of them) MP?
It appears that East Devon has NEVER had a female MP – time for change?
This article makes interesting reading:
…one million fewer women than men are thought to have voted in the last election. …
… Stereotyping by the media and an almost relentless focus on clothing and appearance does little to encourage more women to stand for election: the panel observed that women are still held to a different standard and still portrayed in a different way. We are unlikely ever to see “Downing Street Catwalk” headlines scrutinising the fashion sense of newly appointed male cabinet ministers.
The broader treatment of females in the public eye doesn’t help. Even as a journalist, Kuenssberg commented, “you get a huge amount of stick about what you look like, what you wear, what you say, that male people on air just do not get. And some of it is really unpleasant, and some of it appears in august publications.” As Chakelian also observed, in happily giving front-page attention to Nigel Farage’s recent comments about breastfeeding and women’s pay, the media offered a loud voice to the kind of “straight-up sexism” we thought we’d left back in the ’80s.
It’s not just the newspapers that treat women unfairly. Kuenssberg pointed out that social media “amplifies the best and worst of human behaviour”, and women in the public eye are often the targets of vitriolic attack. For many women, the prospect of their family being scrutinised in the press is considered too high a price to pay for becoming an MP. The appalling abuse directed at Jenny Willott MP after she discussed the challenges of balancing parliamentary duties with parenthood on Inside the Commons was highlighted as a case in point.
[How well we recall Leader Paul Diviani patronisingly referring to Councillor Claire Wright as “young lady” One wonders if he would have enjoyed it if she had then referred to him as “old man”!]
The panel did, however, offer a glimmer of hope. The use of social media has changed since 2010 – with growing numbers of people using these channels to call out newspapers and online commentators on their portrayal of women. This challenge won’t necessarily change behaviour, but it does at least give these issues a thorough airing.”
http://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/10829/women-uncovered-gender-imbalance-in-politics-and-the-media/
Claire Wright in Sidmouth again this evening
St Francis Church Hall , Wallbrook Road (opposite Lidl, adjacent to the school) at 8 pm
Going, going, gone!
Auctioneering, and electioneering, feature in the latest posts on http://realzorro1.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/independents-vote-in-change-vote-out.html
Claire Wright 4 – Others 0
Very short trip through the rural roads of Ottery/Honiton area today: 4 very large outdoor posters for Claire Wright, none at all for Others. Several Claire Wright posters in house windows, none for others.
Fascinating!
Where to catch up with Claire Wright in April 2015
Check, as more venues may be added:
1 April 2015 Sidmouth election public meeting 20:00
St Francis Church Hall, Woolbrook
11 April 2015 Street events – Sidmouth, Newton Poppleford and Sidbury 10:00
Come and say hello!
At Sidmouth (outside Waitrose)
At 10am Newton Poppleford (near war memorial)
At 11am Sidbury (near Red Lion
12 April 2015 Day of action on planning – Sidmouth 15:00
Knowle gardens, Sidmouth
16 April 2015 Exmouth election public meeting 19:00
Exmouth Rugby Club
17 April 2015 Hustings – Exmouth (Christians Together) 19:30
Glenorchy Church Hall
28 April 2015 Hustings – Sidmouth (Vision Group) 20:30
St Francis Church Hall, Woolbrook
Strange things can happen at a General Election …
Independent on the march
In East Devon the Liberal Democrats are the traditional runners up to the Tory safe seat, but with the slump in their fortunes nationally a local independent politician is making the running at the expense of the retired diplomat Stuart Mole for the LibDems. Claire Wright from West Hill is already a County and District Councillor and has a strong power base in the Ottery St Mary area, but the question is whether she can gain ground in the wider countryside during the campaign. Government Minister Hugo Swire enjoyed a majority of more than 9,000 in the last election so it would be quite a shock if Wright was to have a major impact, although strange things happen in election campaigns.
Sidmouth Herald on Hugo Swire’s “jokes” and opponents comments
Swire’s benefits gag is no joke to election rivals
Hugo Swire’s election rivals have called on him to apologise after he was secretly filmed joking about welfare claimants at a Tory fundraiser.
The East Devon MP made the comments at the Cabout welfare claimants at a Tory fundraiser.
The East Devon MP made the comments at the Conservative ‘black and white’ fundraising ball last month, which raised millions for their election campaign.
The footage was part of a Channel 4 Dispatches ‘sting’ into election funding screened on Monday.
Before a wealthy audience, Mr Swire, a former Sotheby’s director, led an auction at the Grosvenor House hotel in Mayfair.
Mr Swire was trying to persuade wealthy donors to bid more, and at one point said: “£60,000 … Ian, persuade him … He’s not on benefits is he? Well if he is, then he can afford it … £55,000?”
Mr Swire told the Journal this week: “This was an off-the-cuff dig to raise money for the party. It was not an attack on the welfare state.”
East Devon’s Labour candidate, Steve Race, said: “These comments show just how out of touch he, and this government, is. I’ve been to a food bank, one of three operating in East Devon, and I know that poverty is no laughing matter.
“Ordinary people talk to me about the struggles they have to pay the bills.
“We need real solutions not these callous comments from an MP who thinks poverty is worthy of a cheap joke at a fundraiser with his millionaire pals. I hope Hugo Swire does the decent thing and issues a public apology”
Liberal Democrat candidate Stuart Mole said: “I was appalled by the sight of a wealthy Conservative minister mocking people on benefits at an exclusive Mayfair ball.
“He insults some of his most vulnerable constituents and shows the disconnect between some politicians and the people they seek to represent. I think he should apologise.”
Independent candidate Claire Wright said: “What is funny about people who face a daily battle trying to survive on benefits?
“It is not funny for those who struggle to scrape together the funds in an attempt to make ends meet.
“It shows him in a poor and callous light. His comments reflect a worrying lack of compassion that characterises this government. Mr Swire should apologise for his crass remarks.”
UKIP candidate Andrew Chapman said the comments were in ‘extremely poor taste’.
He added: “Mr Swire’s joke, albeit in private company, shows just how little people in the ‘Westminster bubble’ understand about the realities of life in the UK.”
Get angry, get even on 7 May 2015 says Real Zorro on relocation
http://realzorro1.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/rip-knowle-get-angry-get-even-vote-7-may.html
Not to mention a post on comparing our current MP, Hugo Swire, to Mr Bean!
http://realzorro1.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/more-press-coverage-for-hugo-swire-aka.html
Hugo Swire declines to explain himself on BBC Spotlight
Good report on BBC Spotligh which did not show Hugo Swire in a good light, making much of his well-to-do background. Surprise, surprise, he declined an interview with them!
There then followed an item on local food banks (imagine how many people the money raised by him at his “Benefits Jokes” auction would have fed). Note that Claire Wright frequently comments and feels enraged by the local deprivation that makes them necessary.
Then followed an item about beavers being returned to the River Otter – something that Claire Wright has strongly campaigned for since thet were first discovered there and before others got on the bandwaggon (Hugo simply noted recently that he was pleased to hear they might return).
Shame Spotlight could not have contrasted the two main contenders different aporoaches and styles.
Coincidentally I then turned on to a delayed ITV news to see a clip of David Cameron being severely heckled by pensioners about the health service.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/david-cameron-heckled-pensioners-tries-5392771
Again something on which Claire Wright tirelessly campaigns.
Not a good day for Mr Swire or his party!
Local press picks up Swire “jokes” with comments from Parliamentary contenders
Claire Wright responds to Hugo Swire’s “jokes”
Hugo Swire, the current MP for Devon East and a junior Foreign Office minister, has shown contempt for those on benefits who are struggling to make ends meet. Exposed by the Channel Four Dispatches programme in a sting, temporary auctioneer Swire, seeking to raise funds for the Conservatives at a black tie dinner for his party in Mayfair in February, managed to insult those on benefits in the UK and those who are suffering hardship in Greece. Seeking a higher bid, he said “£60,000 …Ian..persuade him…he’s not on benefits is he? Well, if he is, then he can afford it..£55,000.”
At the same function last month, which raised some £2 million for his party from some of the wealthiest people in the country, the minister was trying to auction a holiday in Greece. He commented that, for another £1,000, he “would throw in a case of wine and for an extra £5,000 we’ll throw in Greece as well”. Tables at the event could be booked for up to £15,000 each.
This event was staged just the evening before Hugo Swire voted for a cut of 13.4 per cent in the grant for Devon which will cause new hardship in the county as more services are cut. Already, libraries, hospitals, bus routes and many services for children and elderly people have been reduced or eliminated. The latest reduction prompted the Deputy Leader of Devon County Council, a Conservative, to observe “Cameron, like Pickles, is out of touch”.
Mr Swire, through the “buddy” system, is linked to five very large companies but according to Claire Wright, his main challenger in the Devon East constituency, he lacks any understanding of the problems that ordinary people have.
“What is funny about people who face a daily battle trying to survive on benefits? It is not funny for those who struggle to scrape together the funds in an attempt to make ends meet. It is not funny for the many thousands who have to use food banks. Mr Swire obviously lacks understanding and empathy with ordinary people. It shows him in a poor and callous light. This insensitive and tasteless comment comes from a minister in a government that has assured us that ‘we are all in it together’ and they probably still don’t understand why millions of us think that is a bad joke.
“His comments reflect a worrying lack of compassion that characterises this government. Mr Swire should apologise for his crass remarks.”
Real Zorro on those Hugo Swire “jokes”
Bad day for EDDC’s Local Plan officers. Good day for Clyst St Mary.
A barrage of questions from the public (no less than 17 people had pre-registered to speak) were fired at the DMC who were today considering the revised Local Plan. Several councillors firmly added their own particular concerns.
Seven speakers were from the Save Clyst St Mary Group. Campaign leader Gaeron Kayley has just circulated the news copied below:
As you will be aware, today was the day the Development Management Committee met at EDDC to discuss the Local Plan.
This had great significance for Clyst St Mary, given that it had been proposed that both the Winslade Park area and the green field owned by the Plymouth Brethren would be used for the village’s allocation of an additional 200 houses.
22 members of our group met last Monday and discussed our key arguments against this which were to be delivered at today’s meeting.
We are thrilled to announce that, following today’s Committee meeting, it was unanimously agreed by the 15 councillors present to reject the green field proposal and reduce the housing allocation for Winslade Park to 150 in total.
A massive thank you to everyone who attended last Monday’s meeting, including the seven brave souls who spoke so passionately and articulately today, as well as all those local residents who turned up simply to offer moral support. It really was greatly appreciated.
Whilst this was only a hearing for the Local Plan – not a hearing for the specific applications to which we have all objected – it does give us hope for the future. Things certainly appear now to be less bleak than they did ten days ago!
Rest assured, with your support, we will continue to fight in a dignified, professional and open manner to unite and preserve our village community.
Claire Wright: latest meetings at Woolbrook (1 April) and Exmouth (16 April)
Press Release:
Claire Wright, the Independent candidate for Devon East in the General Election, will be in Woolbrook, Sidmouth, on Wednesday, 1st April. Everyone is invited to this free meeting, the latest in a series, which begins at 8 pm. The venue is the St. Francis Church Hall.
Following a short speech, in which the candidate will outline the key points of her campaign, concentrating on important local issues, there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion.
Claire, who was born in Devon and who has always lived in the area, launched her manifesto in Exmouth. She will explain how the results of her comprehensive survey, completed by many hundreds of local people, have revealed the concerns of the voters of East Devon.
Additionally, more than a thousand conversations with local people and many visits to local businesses, as well as her experience as a town, district and county councillor, mean that the candidate is very familiar with the constituency and its problems. Indeed, it was the enthusiastic and extensive support in her successful bid for a seat on Devon County Council that prompted her to run for Parliament. Claire Wright will say how, if elected, she would be an active and energetic MP, working for the constituency.
The next public meeting, commencing at 7 pm, will be in Exmouth on 16th April at the Exmouth Rugby Club, Imperial Road.
East Devon Watch 