Page 19 - link magazine

LETTER FROM WESTMINSTER 19

Local elections sustain democracy Bevirs Solicitors for Independent Financial Advice

Swindon North MP Michael Wills urges everybody eligible See us first for impartial guidance
to turn out and vote on 4th May on investment and money matters
Daffodils in March, Easter eggs in council. Swindon's current pros- Offices in Swindon, Wootton Bassett and Caine
April and local elections in May. perity and so much that is good
Once again an important exer- about the town, such as its com- Contact Jeremy Angell on 01249 814536
Authorised by the Law Society to conduct investment business
cise in local democracy is coming munity centres, owe much to the
round in Swindon. And, unless vision of the council.
there is a real change, most voters I think the continuing low turn
will not turn out to take part in it. outs are due more to a general
Since the General Election, vot- disillusionment with politicians W' LLS Professionally drawn by
ing in Swindon elections has been and we all have to work hard to
dreadfully low: under 20% in the restore the faith of people in party The Andrews Partnership (01793) 642245
Euro election, even less than that politics and party politicians.
in some wards in local elections. Winston Churchill once re- A professionally prepared will can avoid From vis t
3
And Swindon's experience typi- marked that democracy is the delay and distress for your family Home 5.0 service
.0
fies that in constituencies up and worst system of government ever f rom £35 0 inc. c.
down the country. invented, except for all
Does this mean that vot- the alternatives. In the
ers don't care about local end, democracy is the
government? I do not surest way of protecting
think so. Many of the con-. ` our freedoms and build-
cerns of my constituents " ing security and oppor- Kent Road, Old Town, 2 bed house with parking space E650.00pcm
which they feel most \ tunity for all our people. Newcastle St, Central Swindon, 2 bed modern house £500.00pcm
strongly about are prop- " Indeed it is the only way. Broughton Grange, Swindon, 2 bed apartment £550.00pcm
erly the responsibility of Politicians have to Goddard Avenue, Old Town, Swindon, 4-5 bed house £ 1600.00pcm
local government, work hard to sustain peo-
Does this mean that ple's faith in democratic Sevenfields, Highworth, 2 bed town house £495.00pcm
Swindon's council is not doing the politics. But equally democratic Ancora Close,West Swindon, 3 bed house £695.00pcm
business? I do not think it is that politics requires participation if the Tismead Crescent, Swindon 3 bed detached house £725.00pcm
either. For many years Swindon's system is to work effectively. If Mannington Court, Rodbourne, Swindon 2 bed modern flat, £450.00pcm
councillors have done an excellent people do not vote, their voices are
job in serving the town and for all not heard. If you abstain, don't email: [email protected]
the complaints that surface from complain. Voting is a highly effec-
time to time, I think today's coun- tive way of telling politicians what 69 Commercial Road, Swindon SN I 5NX
cil continues that proud tradition. you think of us. We need to know. Tel:01793 436400
Swindon has been fortunate in Please vote.
being able to find so may talented Michael Wills can be contacted
people willing to dedicate them- at the Pinehurst People's Centre,
selves to public service as council- Beech Avenue, Pinehurst, Swin-
lors and as officers working for the don. Tel: 481016.

Investment clubs take off

Forget stamp collecting or am dram, tens of thousands of people these
days prefer to get together to debate investment strategy, to discern
dot corns from dead certs, suss the FTSE and try to make money.
The growth of in-
vestment clubs in
this country has
been phenomenal.
Four years ago there
were just 350. To-
day there are more
than 6,000 and every
month 200 more are
formed, usually by
relatively inexperi-
enced investors or
complete novices.
The West Swin-
don Investment
Stock pickers, from left, Frank Middleton, Mike Penrose,
Club was formed in
September 1998 and Phil Archer, Peter Cruttwell, chair, Tony Neville, Steve
meets monthly at Hollister. Front, Andrew Hunt, treasurer
The Woodland's Edge in Peatmoor meetings are lively and informal,
to share a drink and watch their every member has a chance to have
nest-egg expand. his or her say, and each decision to
Making profits is of course a buy or sell a share is made by demo-
prime motivation for forming a cratic vote. Opinions and experi-
club, and examples abound of ences are shared, everyone learns
clubs which beat the profession- something new at every meeting.
als. But investment clubs are about For details on joining call the
much more than this. The monthly chairman, PeterCruttwell on 813218.