Jackie Pearcey talks to local residents

Jackie Pearcey believes she can be a strong voice for Bolton West.

Lib Dem Jackie is calling on Westhoughton people to back real change this year and elect her as the representative Bolton West so badly needs.

Residents have told Jackie that they were less than impressed with Labour’s last high-profile MP. They are turning to the Lib Dems this year as they know they work hard locally, and would like to see them represent a fresh new start to help clear up the dirty politics of Westminster.

Jackie said: “People are tired of greedy MPs. Now is our chance to make a real difference in Bolton West.”

“I have been working alongside Councillor Julia Silvester so that I can campaign for Westhoughton nationally.”

Jackie talks to a local resident

Jackie Pearcey, the woman who wants to represent Bolton West in Parliament, has been meeting and greeting Westhoughton residents to find out what matters to them most.

Lib Dem Jackie has been talking to residents across the constituency. She wants to represent the area as an MP who would be firmly rooted in the community, not just someone that disappears into the Westminster village.

Asked what is the topic on everyone’s lips right now, Jackie said: “It’s the economy!”

“I’d like to thank the residents of Bolton West for their very warm reception when I’ve been calling on round,” Jackie added.

“There’s no doubt as to what the biggest issue is, it’s the economy.  From people who are worried about whether their children will be able to get an education, get on the housing ladder or even get a job, to people worried about their own job prospects and who are unable to get a mortgage or any sort of credit on reasonable terms, to pensioners who see no prospect of their savings ever earning more than a pittance on interest and whose pensions are at risk.

“The sad fact is that between the Conservatives having deregulated our economy to the point where it’s hard to tell the difference between a high street bank and a casino and Labour selling off the family silver the economic outlook is bleak and everybody knows it.  in fact everybody seems to know it except the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Shadow Chancellor who really think that they can kid people that everthing is fine until the polls close.

“What is clear from what you are saying on the doors is that the public have a better appreciation of the mess that we’re in than either of the two main parties.  I’ve been impressed at how many people have namechecked Vince Cable as the most sensible chioce to be our next Chancellor.

“In seats like Bolton West, we have the chance to make sure that can happen.”

Ruth Kelly

Ruth Kelly, the Labour MP for Bolton West, claimed thousands of pounds worth of expenses for damage caused to her home by flooding, even though the property was insured.

The former Cabinet minister is the latest MP to be embroiled in the expenses scandal which has engulfed Parliament over the last two weeks. It has been revealed that she used her taxpayer-funded second home allowances to pay for £31,000 of rebuilding, refurbishment and appliances at the house.

She has admitted that the building and its contents were covered by an insurance policy but she decided to use her expenses to cover the costs instead. The Daily Telegraph quotes her as saying that she “can’t now recall” why she did not make an insurance claims because of the “passage of time”.

It has also been revealed:

- In 2004, she was paid more than £13,000 for building and maintenance work at the house, which she bought with her husband Derek Gadd for £109,000 in 2001.

- The following year, she claimed about £2,500 for painting, curtains, plumbing and other work.

- In the first four months of 2006, she claimed £15,363 for furnishings and appliances. She tried to claim £3,600 for a sofa and chairs from an upmarket retailer, £2,355 for a dining table and chairs, and £2,000 for a 37-inch plasma television. The claims were reduced for being excessive.

- A £1,625 claim for a garden table, chairs and parasol was rejected. Several purchases were made in London stores and delivered to her house in Bolton at a cost to taxpayers of £380. She also claimed £1,275 for a sideboard, £530 for a dishwasher and £570 for a washing machine.

- A further £780 was claimed for curtains and rails, £625 for a coffee table and £160 for a rug.

- Over the next two years, Miss Kelly claimed: £1,511 for work on her patio and repairs; £1,424 for building and redecoration; £650 on kitchen equipment; £330 on Ikea bathroom and bedroom items; £450 on maintenance and £300 on gardening.

- She has claimed almost £120,000 in second home expenses since 2001.

Jackie Pearcey, Lib Dem PPC for Bolton West, has blasted Ruth Kelly's shocking claims

Jackie Pearcey, Bolton West Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Democrats, has hit out at the claims. Jackie said: “Many people find that they cannot get insurance against flooding at any price, due to their postcodes even though many have never been flooded.  When there’s been severe flooding, the Government has refused to step in and help people who couldn’t get insured.  Meanwhile Mrs. Kelly, who did have insurance decided to make us taxpayers pay, rather than claim on her home insurance.”

LIBERAL Democrats in Bolton West are calling on Ruth Kelly, the Labour MP for the constituency, to support the Gurkhas after she voted against proposals to allow those who had fought for Britain to remain in the UK.

Leading the call is Jackie Pearcey, the Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bolton West, who has said how disappointed she is that the MP for the area voted to back to the Government’s policy of deporting Gurkhas.

She was shocked to hear that when asked by Liberal Democrat councillors about the scandal, Labour chiefs at a recent Bolton Council meeting trotted out the same negative response like Gordon Brown’s about these brave and loyal supporters of Britain.

The vote on a Liberal Democrat motion was held in the House of Commons on 29^th April and resulted in a shock defeat for the Government. Ruth Kelly sided with the losing side, despite the overwhelming popular support for the Gurkhas.

“I was greatly disappointed that Ruth Kelly voted for thousands of Gurkhas to be deported from the UK,” said Jackie Pearcey. “But the Government was defeated because a few brave Labour MPs defied their party bosses and backed the Gurkhas who have so bravely fought for Britain.

“The Government has a moral duty to support those who have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms and fight for our country. I am sorry that Ruth Kelly has voted the opposite way.

“The Government must take notice of the will of Parliament and bring back new proposals that will allow Gurkhas to stay rather than have them kicked out of the country. I urge Ms Kelly to have a change of heart and press the Prime Minister to bring forward new proposals as soon as possible.”

Houses of Parliament

Commenting on the Labour Party’s selection of their Parliamentary Candidate for the next election, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Jackie Pearcey said: “The Labour Party’s record in Bolton locally and nationally has been disastrous.  Jobs and homes have been lost and the economy is in ruins.  Defending such an appalling record is going to be impossible for any Labour Candidate.”

Jackie Pearcey, Parliamentary Candidate

Jackie Pearcey will be the Liberal Democrat’s candidate in the next General Election for the Bolton West constituency and has already established herself as a clear-alternative to Labour.

For more information on Jackie and to view the latest news articles from her campaign, click here or view more information about Jackie here.

Jackie said: “Facebook is another way in which I want to be able to stay in touch with residents of the Bolton West area. I would encourage you to join my new group if you would like to find out more about my latest news and campaigns.”

To join go to: Jackie for Bolton West

Ruth Kelly MP

Shutters on the Westhoughton offices of Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly have been pulled down in an embarassing u-turn.

The new offices sparked controversy when shutters were put up over the windows – despite the Wilbraham Street location being in a conservation area.

The shutters were removed after it was decided that enforcement action could be taken.