Jon Ball speaks out on Ealing issues

2.19.58am GMT Tue 9th Feb 2010

Lib Dem candidate for Ealing Central & Acton Jon Ball speaks out

Each of the three major party candidates for the new Ealing Central and Acton constituency were asking by Ealing's local website Ealing Today what were the most important issues for Ealing.

Lib Dem candidate Jon Ball's response was that, "Ealing faces three key threats at present.

"Ealing is under threat from the recession and the Labour Government's appalling handling of it. The Liberal Democrats want to get wasteful government spending under control and give the economy a boost by cutting taxes for lower paid people. It is crazy that people struggling to make ends meet who are paid little more than minimum wage get taxed.

"Under Vince Cable's tax proposals, no-one will pay income tax on the first £10,000 they earn, meaning tax freedom for millions of low earners and pensioners, while millions more get hundreds of pounds back in their pockets.

"Ealing is under threat from the developers. Due to massive local campaigning the Arcadia skyscraper has finally been rejected, but we must remain vigilant against other proposals for schemes that would destroy our town centre and ensure that we seize opportunities for positive development like a proper interchange at Ealing Broadway station.

"Finally, Ealing is under threat from our Tory Council, who are more interested in getting themselves re-elected with a £50 cashback, seen by many as an electoral bribe, than in safeguarding and improving facilities for the local community. You only have to think back to their recent proposal to sell off part of Gunnersbury Park for flats to know that they don't take their duty to look after Ealing seriously enough.

"We need a local MP who represents the views of ordinary Ealing residents to stand up to these threats on behalf of our community."

Related Link:

All three candidates' messages at Ealing Today.