The Conservative Party in South Somerset has selected a very strong team of 12 candidates for the 4th May County Council elections. Candidates bring a combination of their wide experience, commercial acumen, experience and sound knowledge of local, county and national issues. All of them stand ready, as a team, to put into effect clear plans for Somerset. The Conservatives are standing on a platform of low council tax, high investment into Somerset and Quality services. They have already announced ambitious plans for the County.
The team includes: one member of the Somerset County Cabinet, two former soldiers, two former police officers, a brace of accountants, a senior housing officer and seven from a business background. 6 of the candidates are female; and 11 have experience as either District or Town Councillors. A fine balanced team, capable of working closely with the Conservative National Government and Somerset's five Conservative MPs. This means Conservatives will deliver where the Lib Dems can't.
The residents of South Somerset have a simple clear, choice on 4 May:
- Either a Conservative led team with a clear plan and proven competence, carefully applying economic competence and investment with soundly funded and optimistic plans for Somerset. Plans that keep Council Tax low, bring High Investment into Somerset and provide Quality Services.
- The alternative offer under the LibDems promises a divisive, narrow, uncoordinated approach from a party unable to accept the democratic choice made in Somerset about Europe. It will lead to a high spending, high borrowing, high taxing administration that will only borrow more and raise taxes. The Liberal Democrats have no discernible constructive plans to offer. The LibDem legacy debt of £350 million still costs the residents of Somerset £100,000 in interest and repayments every day of the year.
The Conservative Somerset Manifesto, hailed as one of the best nationally, is a positive, forward looking set of joined up plans. Positive plans, doing better with less. Plans for further improvements that build on the successful management of the last eight years of austerity, without further loans. Yet finding new and innovative ways to improve services for the most vulnerable Children and Adults; integrating Health, Well-Being, Social Care and Public Health; improving the maintenance of roads across the county; investing in new schools, improving education standards, creating a university for higher education and improving skills and productivity; finding capital investment for Broadband,
In South Somerset, dualling the A303, a Rotary Aerospace Innovation centre, and supporting schemes to reduce congestion in Yeovil are priorities.
Conservative County Councillor Candidates from South Somerset, May 2017
Christopher Le Hardy – South Petherton & Islemoor, ex-soldier and diplomat Christopher has been a hard working Councillor, bringing many small improvement road schemes to his division, involved in integrating health and social care and as a governor of Musgrove Hospital. Another main priority has been care for the Armed Forces, growing and running the Armed Forces Community Covenant that has brought in over £450,000 into Somerset. Currently, as the Cabinet Member for Improvement, Christopher has been deeply involved in improving Children and Adult Services and devising a comprehensive improvement agenda across the Council.
Neil Bloomfield – Martock – Neil grew up in Stoke Sub Hamdon and served a Metropolitan police office in London for 22 years. A Parrish and District Councillor he is well known. He is now self-employed and passionate about resolving the many local issues.
Linda Vijeh – Ilminster – Linda is a locally based and highly regarded business woman and journalist who has been working successfully to improve Education and the improve the way in which Children Looked After are cared for in Somerset as the Children’s Champion.
Josh Williams – Brympton – a Senior Housing Officer and Youth Worker Josh cares deeply for his local home community in Brympton arguing for reduced speeding
Martin Wale - Chard North – a former Mayor, Town and District Councillor Martin was also Police officer and Paralegal Investigator. Martin loves his local area and now wishes to apply his many skills at the County level.
Marcus Barrett – Crewkerne – Already a District Councillor Marcus is looking to support the future prosperity of Crewkerne for young people, conservation and in local voluntary work.
Mark Keating – Cokers – a successful businessman Mark has chaired his Parish Council and is a Trustee of the Jared Gear Almshouse Charity. Also passionate about the growth of local businesses he wishes to add his experience and expertise for growth and improvement.
Gemma Verdon – Chard South – an industrious business woman closely involved with arranging charitable events Gemma wants to help the growth and diversification of businesses across Somerset.
Faye Purbrick – Yeovil South – is a trustee for Somerset Community Justice Partnership and experienced business consultant keen to help small and medium business growth.
John Lukey – Yeovil West – a Yeovil based former soldier, father and business manager with Screw-fix, John is passionate about business growth and diversification in Yeovil.
Teresa Sienkiewicz OBE – Yeovil East – is a retired senior accountant, chair of Lopen Parish and Charity Trustee, keen to apply her business skills to Somerset County and to contribute to the efficient management of resources to benefit residents.
Nick Rousell – Yeovil Central – a long term resident from a well-known business family, Nick is a retired IT specialist, who has seen the effects of LibDem maladministration in in Yeovil his favorite town and wants to do something to help improve the situation.