Dear all,

Thank you once again for all your continued support for the election.

Tomorrow (Thursday) is polling day and for those of you in the Derbyshire Dales, I hope you will consider giving me your support at the ballot.

In me, you will get a candidate who is passionate and cares about the Derbyshire Dales, is local and knows the issues affecting the area and a candidate who will always put people before party politics and stand up for local jobs.

Above all, you will elect a principled candidate who is honest, trustworthy and ready to work to restore your faith in parliament and the democratic system.

REMEMBER – voting Liberal Democrat in Derbyshire Dales only helps the Conservatives. If you want the Tories out, vote Labour.

But I hope that I will earn your vote on personal merit, not tactical voting!

Best wishes,

Colin Swindell

Local

27 years old, born, brought-up, educated and worked in the Derbyshire Dales all his life.

In-touch

A District and Parish Councillor and a community activist, Colin shares and understands the aspirations and concerns of local people.

Active

Colin is a campaigner on the big issues, including, Post Office closures, healthcare services, jobs and public transport. Spoke out against increases in car park charges.

Fresh

A young, enthusiastic and principled candidate, Colin is untainted by the expenses scandal and will provide the fresh start we need.

“Working for a better Derbyshire Dales”

Colin writes;

Over the past few weeks I have been touring the constituency and meeting as many voters as possible.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the electorate for being so positive and welcoming.

But one thing that has been made quite clear is voter’s disenchantment with the current state of politics – and it’s not surprising!

I pledge to make restoring your faith in politicians a top priority, remaining 100% transparent and accountable at all times.

I want to serve your interests, not my own!

Vote for Colin to get the Tories out!

FACT - At the last general election in this area, Labour came second behind the Conservatives.

Together we can do it!

Derbyshire Dales Labour is pleased to be supporting, Colin Swindell as their local Parliamentary Candidate.

He had this to say to kick off his campaign!

“It is an honour to have been selected to stand as a candidate in this election for my home constituency, Derbyshire Dales.

On polling day voters will be faced with a choice; four more years of Tory domination across the constituency or a fresh start with a new MP.We need an MP who is in touch with local people and understands their everyday concerns and I believe I am the candidate with the renewed energy, vision and determination we need.

Having grown up, been educated and worked in the area all my life, I am ready to represent the Derbyshire Dales and take on the challenges faced by our rural communities and market towns.

I look forward to meeting as many voters as possible over the coming weeks to discuss the issues that are important to you.”

Along with this Colin has outlined 7 key Pledges hoping to put the Derbyshire Dales first!

* Support the local economy, jobs and industry.
* Sustain our rural villages, communities and market towns.
* Promote the need for decent, affordable housing.
* Improve access to GP surgeries at evenings and weekends.
* Campaign against Post Office Closures
* Encourage the uptake of clean, alternative source of energy.
* Engage with young people to prevent them turning to crime, alcohol and drug abuse.

(Reported in the Matlock Mercury  on Thursday 7th January 2010 – Article here)

Charges are set to increase by ten per cent at council-run car parks, with traders fearing the price hike could deter shoppers.

Derbyshire Dales District Council hopes £148,000 will be generated by the proposed increases as it bids to balance the council revenue budget – but business bosses say the move will affect tourism and trade.

Shirley Johnson, secretary of Matlock Business Group, said: “We need all the help we can get at the moment and we certainly don’t need a price increase. This would not be helpful for traders.”

Roger Lownsbrough, chairman of Bakewell Chamber of Trade, added: “This will be greeted with amazement and disappointment. I think it speaks volumes about the imagination and understanding that the council have got about the problems we face.”

District council officers are recommending new fees are brought in from April 1 to keep pace with inflation. Charges were due to be increased last year but because of the financial climate that increase was deferred. Charges were last increased in 2006.

Traders have also called for more short-stay parking fees in a bid to to increase the turn-over of shoppers.

District Councillor Collin Swindell, who is manager of Cornerstone shop, in Bakewell, said he had received complaints from concerned traders.

He added: “Everybody is literally crying out for a break. This is just another blow.

“It’s not just traders I’ve had complaints from, customers have said it is easier to go to Peak Village or Meadow Hall where there is no charge. It is deterring tourism and deterring trade.”

The review of charges is set to be discussed in Matlock Town Hall on Thursday, January 14.

(Reported in the Matlock Mercury on Thursday 5th November 2009 – Article here)

WEST Derbyshire Patrick McLoughlin MP has been accused of “taking advantage” of the expenses system, by paying his wife Lynn up to £39,999 a year.

Colin Swindell, Labour Party prospective parliamentary candidate for the [Derbyshire] Dales, made the comments while discussing Sir Christopher Kelly’s review of Parliamentary expenses, prior to its publication yesterday, after the Mercury’s deadline.

The widely-leaked report, which leaders of all three main parties have stated they will back, will recommend a ban on MPs employing relatives. Sir Christopher was expected to call for his plans to be introduced without delay.

Mr Swindell said: “I welcome this review and hopefully it will bring back trust into politics through more transparency.

“Employing relatives is a very sensitive issue. I appreciate that for lots of MPs it can be a lonely life and relatives can also provide trustworthy members of staff.

“But I think Patrick has taken advantage of that by paying his wife nearly the top amount available.”

Mr Swindell, from Elton, added there was a “big gap” between what Mrs McLoughlin received from Westminster and what she would get “in the real world”.

Mr McLoughlin, who is Conservative Party Chief Whip, has been unavailable to speak to the Mercury during the past week, despite repeated attempts to contact him.

But he has defended his right to employ his wife – who The Daily Telegraph revealed in July to be paid between £30,000 and £39,999 – during previous interviews.

The Labour Party’s winning streak across Derbyshire shows no sign of slowing-up with another victory in the neighbouring Amber Valley Constituency.

The Borough Council ward of Ripley and Marehay came up for election due to the sad loss of Labour Councillor Geoff Carlile. Lyndsay Cox, a Ripley Town Councillor, fought the seat for Labour and achieved a 12% swing from the Conservatives to Labour.

The good news builds on the recent success in the Derbyshire Dales when Labour took a seat from the Tories with a 20% swing and, further afield, Labour gained a City Council seat from the Green Party in Leicester.

Commenting on the by-election result Colin Swindell, Labour PPC for the Derbyshire Dales, said:

This is a fantastic result and very welcome news. I was there on polling day door-knocking and helping Lyndsay’s campaign team to ‘get out the vote’. You could sense the team’s determination and enthusiasm and it certainly paid off.

I am sure that everybody would like to join me in congratulating Lyndsay Cox, her campaign team and the Amber Valley CLP on their well-deserved success. No doubt we will all celebrate together with a few drinks in the East Midlands Reception at the Labour Party Conference later this month to toast our string of victories.

The fight back across Derbyshire is well and truly underway!!