Election Address by Mark Dobson, Labour candidate in the local election of May 3^rd 2007 for the ward of Garforth and Swillington.

 I have been asked by the Web Master to offer you, the electorate, and a few words as to why I will be seeking your support for the election to council on May 3^rd. As a regular contributor to this site you will know I am a man of strong opinion and have often had cause to be critical of the Conservative administration. On reading some of the literature the Conservatives are offering up it is clear the campaign on their part is basically no more than attacks on us on the most spurious of grounds.  I will avoid that and simply lay out why I feel I am the person best placed to represent your interests locally.

 Well, firstly I do have the track record. In 2004 when the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority attempted to close our station at 6pm it was I, during my tenure as residents chair, who mobilised the campaign against such folly that eventually won through and we retained our station for 24 hours a day. I learnt an important lesson during that campaign that I will never forget. You must work not only for people but also with them. This was true of our campaign to successfully halt a prison being built in our town. We again mobilised support and, working with Colin Burgon MP, we again won through.

 It was then, aged 40, that I realised that it was time to come down off the fence and pin my colours to the mast. I joined the Labour Party. I did so because it was they and they alone who offered me the chance to work in a sensible, constructive way for the public good. Issues like the Fire Station and the prison were not resolved through the hysterical approach shown by others based on half-truth, scare mongering and innuendo. No, ours was a sensible levelheaded inclusive approach that, if elected, I intend to make the hallmark of how I work.

 Now, however many glossy bits of paper my opponent will bombard you with over the coming weeks there are certain self evident facts one cannot ignore. On all the issues I have campaigned upon for our community over the last 4 years my opponent has been noticeable only by his absence. Do not be seduced by fancy literature and some well spun phrases. Consider who has served your interests for the last four years. Consider who will continue to do so for the next four years (hopefully as your Councillor) and put your usual party politics to one side. This is a local election and the emphasis must be on the person who can deliver tangible results for you. Working together as a community we will always be strong. That is why I have spent many months knocking on literally thousands of doors and I always say the same thing. I genuinely do not care about people’s political allegiances. It is all about local representation. A local man looking after local people.

 You know I can handle the big issues. I can also handle the everyday things that matter to you and me. Therefore if elected my priorities will be improving the cleanliness of our streets and ensuring they are litter free. Continuing to work with local sports providers to ensure young people have proper facilities. Continuing to work with the Neighbourhood Police Team on issues like targeting problem areas and encouraging recycling and not incineration.

 May 3^rd is an opportunity to vote for someone with that proven track record of working for you. Therefore I would be most grateful for your support on Election Day, May 3^rd. Regards, Mark Dobson.