We ask a huge amount of our brave servicemen and women. But they have never been properly rewarded with the pay and conditions they deserve. They are sent into conflict without proper equipment, have to put up with sub-standard housing and have been stretched to the limit by two wars. Too much MoD money is frittered away through poor decisions and waste.Liberal Democrats would make the welfare of the men and women of our armed forces a priority. We would speed up forces’ family housing renovation and ensure that no serviceman or woman was sent into harm’s way on less basic pay than the starting salaries of emergency services personnel. We would spend taxpayers’ money more effectively on equipping our armed forces properly for the military tasks of today and tomorrow. Labour has let down our Armed Forces. The quality of family housing is disgraceful. They have been stretched them to breaking point through two wars in Iraq and

While out collecting signatures for an A&E at John Coupland Hospital in Gainsborough it became clear that people had major concerns on NHS issues.  Whether it was out of hours services, transport to and from hospital, waiting lists, hospital infections or just getting an appointment to see their GP.  That was when Pat decided to send out his questionnaire to get the evidence needed to tackle some of these issues.  Pat is seen here with Cllr Tom Brown launching the survey.Pat has been sorting through some of the hundreds of responses already received.  “It was such an important survey that I decided to pay for it myself, including all the postage.  Once I have collated all the replies I will be taking them up with the Health Services.”You can still request a copy of his NHS enquiry by emailing Pat at pato.connor@hotmail.co.uk

Pat visited Nick Clegg in his office in Parliament as Nick had campaigned for Pat when he was first elected to the County Council in 1999.  It also gave Pat a chance to update him on issues in our area. 

The Liberal Democrats will fight the General Election on four key principles, designed to make Britain a fairer place.  The campaign priorities are: fair taxes; a fair start for every child; fair, clean and local politics and a fair, green economy with jobs that last.

 Commenting on these policies Pat said: 

“We will introduce fairer taxes by closing loopholes for the richest, introducing a tax on mansions and tax cuts of £700 for everyone else.We can promise investment to help reduce class sizes, improve discipline and develop one-to-one tuition.  

We would also give you the right to sack your MP. The Liberal Democrats are the only party committed to real change of our political system, flushing out big money and corrupt donors and reducing the number of MPs by 150. 

And we will rebuild the economy in every part of Britain in a way that promotes green technology and creates lasting jobs. We will put an end to casino banking, bring back competition and support local entrepreneurs to make sure local businesses can find the money they need to grow.

 David Cameron and Gordon Brown are playing the politics of the airbrush and the focus group.  One doesn’t know what he believes. The other doesn’t know what to do with the power he clings to so desperately.

I believe the country wants something different. The Liberal Democrats are different. We offer credibility where it’s needed and hope for our common future.”

With the announcement of the General election Pat will be campaigning throughout the area.  The useful link to the Liberal Democrats will give you all our policies, the link to Lib Dem news to what is happening countrywide.  Pat will update this site on what is happening in our area.

A petition with the 6,000 signatures of concerned residents in our area was delivered to NHS Lincolnshire headquarters in Bracebridge Heath.  Together with Councillor Tom Brown, Pat is appealing for the restoration of a round the clock A&E service at John Coupland Hospital in Gainsborough. There is a minor injuries clinic at the Hospital which treats over 10,000 people a year and is open from 8am to 8pm.  Despite plans for a huge housing development in Gainsborough, there has not been an A&E service at the hospital for more than a decade. Tom and Pat have arranged to meet Dr Martin McShane, director of strategic planning and health outcomes for NHS Lincolnshire to discuss the lack of services.

Pat promised to keep you updated as to how much of your money, it is estimated might be recovered from the Icelandic Banks.  You will recall that £7 million pounds was invested. 

West Lindsey District Councillors are given a regular update of how much of your £7 million might be recovered from Icelandic Banks.  This seems to be dropping by the month.  These are estimates of how much the council might get back and in some cases not until 2013. 

Tory leader Cameron tells us we should look to local Conservative councils to see how a future Conservative government might operate.  On this I have to agree, you only need to look at West Lindsey District Council.   

For months after their colleagues on the County Council pulled all their public money out of Icelandic banks, West Lindsey Conservatives invested a further six million pounds!  Estimates of how much they might recover continue to fall weekly. 

When they were in opposition they promised they would never introduce a fortnightly black bin collection.  Now, in power, that is exactly what they have done. 

The Audit Commission is currently undertaking a review of governance of the council at the same time as internal auditors are looking at potential fraud and mis-management in Planning.  The Audit Commission review will cost taxpayers £35,000. 

So, taking the Tory leader at his word we can look forward to our money being wasted, saying one thing and doing another and potential fraud and mis-management.

Many of you will be surprised that the Conservative controlled West Lindsey District Council is now only collecting your black bin fortnightly.   

After all, this what they said in 2007about fortnightly collections:  The West Lindsey District Council Conservative Group has consistently rejected this.  Unless forced by legislation to make this change, it will not happen under a Conservative Controlled West Lindsey. 

A sixteen page West Lindsey News titled “have your say on the future of waste collection” was sent to 36,000 properties with a freepost survey form.  Except if you live in the South West Ward which was specifically excluded.  

How many of the 1271 people who returned the survey about the introduction of a Triple Bin System realised this meant fortnightly black bin collections?

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who signed my petition.  It really did make the difference having all that support and coverage in the press.  The Highways Authority, working with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership has come up with a plan to alter the layout of the junction.  Basically, coming up Thorndike Way from the town the dual carriage way will be narrowed down to one lane through the junction before reverting to two lanes after it.  This will be achieved by both road markings and a physical kerbed area.  They will also refresh all the road markings at the same time.  I would have preferred either a roundabout or traffic lights.  I also have concerns that drivers will either race for the junction or be more concerned with the traffic merging into one lane that watching the junction. 

The highways authorities have assured me that the markings will be far enough back to alleviate this concern.  I also broached the subject of a further drop in the speed limit or a static speed camera.  There are no current plans to implement any of these suggestions. They are hoping to have this work completed in this financial year, which is by April 2010.