Liberal Democrat John Shaw is campaigning for election into parliament while defending his seat on the borough council.
John, who has lived in the borough for 14 years, believes that regaining his position in local government is important for keeping in touch with the people of Basingstoke. The prospective MP has a strong commitment to the environment, and plans to introduce more recycling and invest in public transport. He said: “From a personal perspective I think climate change is the most important issue.”
John believes local government needs more power, and is opposed to the concept of housing targets. He said: “I am concerned that the combined effect of the decisions taken nationally by Labour and locally by the Conservatives may threaten areas of the borough that need protection from overdevelopment.”
The Liberal Democrats, in John’s eyes, are the only party who can give our country a fresh start. He promises a move away from the recession and a break from what he calls our corrupt two-party system.
“This election represents a chance for genuine change: change that won’t be a slogan, but will actually make a real difference to people’s lives,” he said.
John was a founding member of the Lib Dems and believes they represent a sense of fairness. He wants every child to get a fair deal, and would push for more cash for schools and smaller class sizes. He is against the cuts proposed by the Conservatives to council services.
Instead, he wants to see our national debt addressed in a manner that will not threaten people’s jobs and prosperity. John wants Westminster to be as passionate about Basingstoke as he is.
He said: “Nowhere compares with Basingstoke as a place to live and what I plan to do as an MP is to share that enthusiasm.”
