With my very hectic and full calendar these days it was a delight to have been invited to attend and award the prizes at the annual Swimming Gala for the Guides and Brownies held at Pontins in Ainsdale.

It was a fabulous event, the young people were magnificent and it was a shame I could not have given them all a prize.

The quality of their swimming was amazing for their age group and I am sure there are some stars of the future amongst them.

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a Candidates Panel at the invitation of Christ Church.

Members of the church and the general public were invited to question the candidates in the forthcoming General Election.

Present were

Cllr Brenda Porter (Conservative)

John Pugh (Liberal Democrat)

Jim Conalty (Labour)

Paul Nuttall (UKIP) standing in for Terry Durrance who was unable to attend.

The meeting was entertaining and with many questions from the audience made it a good debate.

The audience were given the opportunity of hearing firsthand the opinions of the candidates on the many varied subjects raised and I think they came away with a good understanding of each of the Candidates, a most enjoyable evening.

Southport's Indoor Market

Refurbishment programme starts in June 2010 with completion date August 2011. It has been approved that current stallholders remain in the Market Hall rather than be relocated during the refurbishment programme, this was their requested choice. The Councils Capital Programme was recently reassessed because of the financial climate. It was agreed that the original decision to include Southport's Indoor Market in a refurbishment project be confirmed.  This decision was supported by the Conservatives and Labour Councillors. It was not supported by the Liberal Democrats of which 3 of 4 Cabinet Members were from Southport.

•1)    The decision to refurbish the Market was to give Southport retailers support.

•2)    It is recognised that Indoor Markets are popular and will encourage further trade to the town,

•3)    Local residents wanted their Market saved, it was part of their heritage and could be a viable concern.

•4)    A petition with over 8000 signatures was secured in 3 weeks, and gave further support to the project.

Children's Walk in Centre

The latest meeting with the PCT on Monday 21^st December ended in chaos as the promised Children's Centre, for an early 2010 opening, was not supported by the PCT because of issues raised by their clinicians.

Southport has been without a Children's Unit for nearly 7 years when the Children's A & E and Women's Services transferred to Ormskirk, why has Ormskirk, Skelmersdale and South of Sefton has established Walk in Centres but not Southport!!

The initial decision to transfer services was a Government decision. Why after nearly 7 years has MP John Pugh only just admitted little he can do?

Why has Southport with John Pugh as MP been forgotten?

Cultural Centre - Library Service

The Liberal Democrats forgot to ensure funding for a relocated library service was put in place.

The responsibility for the library service comes under Cllr Lord Ronnie Fearn and special responsibility for the Cultural Centre project under Cllr Tony Robinson Leader of the Council..........both Liberal Democrats.

The Liberal Democrats demanded unallocated funding when they realised funding a relocated library had not been included in the final cost of the redeveloped Cultural Centre!!!

To have supported this request would have put services at risk and encouraged further job losses.

The Council to keep a 3% Council Tax need savings of £!2 million over the next year with £25 million over the next 3 years. Their demand was irresponsible and did not consider the welfare of local residents.

It is not understood how Southport Liberal Democrat Members knowing the Liberal Democrats did not provide for a relocated library could also vote against a programme of regeneration, to develop a Market Quarter, that would help Southport and retain part of its heritage.

To blame others is not to be admired.

Politics

I am standing for Parliament because I care about my town and my country. I know I will be conscientious, caring and do a good job if elected as the MP for Southport. I am not in the business of sound bites, inaccuracies with information or slagging off the opposition to try and win a vote....not for me.