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5
THE GENERAL ELECTION

THE CANDIDATES ADDRESS THE

WEST SWINDON VOTERS

GATE JOHNSTON
SIMON COOMBS DEREK SCOTT
Labour Party
Conservative Party Alliance

Residents in the Western expansion have an West Swindon is crying out for a change - a In Swindon the Alliance can win. We start
important decision to make on 11 June. change to Labour. Local schools are bulging this election 11% higher than last time with
Simply put, the choice is whether to vote for at the seams. Pupils are being bussed to Labour down by 8% and the Conservatives
an economic policy which is steadily Purton and Wroughton - and will be for the down by 3%.
bringing national regeneration, or to return forseeable future. Temporary classrooms Despite Swindons many new industries
to the outdated policies which led to the abound. Plans for a local police station have 3000 people are still long term'
'winter of discontent' nearly ten years ago. been ditched by the Tory Government's unemployed. The Alliance's carefully
I believe that the choice in West Swindon refusal to contribute to the cost, and the costed programme will put these people
is clear, because the area has largely been S.D.P./Liberal dominated County Council back to work.
created by the policies of the Conservative will only let the desperately needed local In control of Wiltshire County Council the
Government - economic growth and in- fire station go ahead if the police station Alliance has made sure our schools have
creased home ownership. Most residents in doesn't! more books, basic materials and teachers.
the area now own their own homes, and More than one million pupils are taught in All rising fives are now guaranteed an infant
many have bought them from the council classes of more than 30- nationwide. Over class place. Our record is one of solid
thanks to this Government. Many West 25 million crimes have been committed progress.
Swindon people work in the numerous under Mrs Thatcher - ten million more than Princess Margaret Hospital was built over
companies which have been established in under the last Labour Government. West twenty five years ago. Since then Swindon's
the last decade. These companies must Swindon suffers the double blight of a Tory population has grown by over 50,000. The
grow and prosper if we are to continue to Government and an S.D.P./Liberal County staff work very hard but Swindon needs
create more new jobs, and generate the tax Council. It benefits from superb leisure and another hospital. The Alliance will improve
revenue needed to care for the needy and community facilities provided by the Labour the health service and reduce the waiting
pay for the new schools and other facilities Borough Council. lists for operations and consultations.
which a growing community needs. This A Labour Government will ensure that a Well over three quarters of people in
can only happen in a stable and successful nursery place is available to all 4-5 year West Swindon own their own home. The
economy. olds. We guarantee that no child will be in a Alliance supports the sale of council houses
The other two parties want more state- class of more than 30. Labour will put more and we will continue mortgage tax relief.
centralised control of the economy. This bobbies on the beat and give home owners First time buyers will be better off by some
destory incentives and takes economic and tenants grants to secure their homes. £600 through our plan to abolish stamp duty.
power away from individual people. I believe We shall finance better fire services. We want better and quicker repairs for
that the man in Whitehall does NOT know Labour will help home owners by main- Council homes.
best - the people do. taining the standard rate of MIRAS tax relief The Alliance will increase pensions. For
Being part of the fastest growing economy and giving extra help to first time buyers. those with no other income this will mean an
in Europe is a challenge. It brings with it the Minimum standards for private and council extra £6.00 per week, £9.40 for a couple. We
chance to be prosperous and the duty to be home building will be introduced. Home will replace the Christmas bonus with a
caring for others. It would be tragic to throw buying and selling will be made cheaper double pension in December and get rid of
all this away by returning to those failed and easier by a system of car-style log standing charges on gas, electricity and
policies of yesterday - high inflation, high books for houses. Council tenants will be telephone.
taxation, too many strikes, and the pity of the entitled to better repairs and maintenance The Alliance will give Britain strong and
rest of the world. As a fellow Swindon resi- and to buy their houses. sound defence. In Government we will keep
dent, I hope to continue working together Only Labour will be able to resuscitate the a minimum nuclear deterrent. We want to
with you to help the town prosper yet further. public services from their Tory-inflicted see a reduction of nuclear weapons on both
You can ensure this future by returning me injuries. In the 1987 local elections Labour sides. That's the only way to improve peace
as your MP for another term on June 11. polled 42% of the votes in SWINDON con- and security.
stituency - the Tories and S.D.P. were poor On the things that concern people most -
joint seconds with 29% of the votes each. jobs, health, defence, schools, pensions,
Labour alone can beat the-Tories locally and crime, housing - the Alliance has policies
nationally-then West Swindon will flourish. that will work. Our heart is in the right place
and so is our head.