ELECTION 2005: WEST WORCESTERSHIRE

The failings of MG Rover are sending shockwaves around the West Midlands.

Here in deepest Worcestershire there may not be many jobs at stake, though there are no doubt commuters to Longbridge and at least one worried distributor in Malvern.

What has been illuminating has been the reaction of the political parties to the unfolding tragedy.

The Labour Government has, as is its habit, given the impression of being able (at least until the General Election is over) to work magic on the company.

The Liberal Democrat position is especially ironic; they seem to be offering subsidies; they do so presumably in the full knowledge that the European Union won't allow it; and guess which party most supports the extension of the powers of the EU.

The Conservatives have been left to ask the real question: why has Government spin allowed each side in the recent negotiations to miscalculate what public financial support was genuinely available?

As a result there have been months of apparently fruitless and expensive discussions until the company now no longer exists as a legal entity - with potentially tragic consequences for those working in and around the West Midlands.

TOM WELLS, LIBERAL DEMOCRAT

The first week on the campaign trail has taken me to some beautiful and interesting places in my native Worcestershire.

In all, I visited more than 2,000 homes in Upton, Bredon, Broadheath, Kempsey and Malvern.

It was a pleasure to spend a day in the riverside town of Upton.

Here, the townsfolk want temporary flood defences such as those upstream in Worcester.

I am delighted that the Environment Agency has agreed to conduct a study.

In Kempsey and Broadheath, all the talk was about the potential expansion of the city into the greenfields that separate their villages from the city boundary.

This follows the news that Worcester has been designated for major new housing in a government report.

I believe these fields are a vital green lung and that's why am leading a campaign to protect the open countryside that surrounds the city.

In Malvern, people understandably spoke about the proposed new hospital. Last year, as council leader, I gained a firm commitment from health bosses to a new community hospital in the town. It's now time to make sure they deliver on that pledge.

Look out for me in Eckington, Hallow, Rushwick, Pershore and Malvern this week.

QAMAR BHATTI, LABOUR

Labour is asking the people of West Worcestershire to just look around and see for themselves the improvements that have taken place since we have had a Labour Government in 1997.

We have the strongest economy in Britain for the past 100 years, with low interest rates and low unemployment.

There is more confidence in our country for working and investment than at any time since the Second World War.

We have the biggest hospital-building programme and the highest public sector investment since the formation of the National Health Service.

Our school repairs and building programmes are second to none and no other party can claim to have spent more than Labour.

Labour really has taken Britain into the 21st Century on a high and deserves the support of the people.

I come from Edgbaston in Birmingham where the parliamentary seat was held by the Tories since records began.

We were reminded of this fact by the local Tories at every local and General Election. That was until 1997 when we took the seat away from them.

The people of West Worcestershire don't need to continue for the sake of doing so but can make a change.

CAROLINE BOVEY, UK INDEPENDENCE PARTY

Ah, the joys of canvassing! Sunscreen and a raincoat; thermals one day; T-shirts the next. Casualties, so far, slight; just a few blisters.

Troop morale high, because UKIP's message is simple so UKIP canvassers can travel light, untrammelled by party political jargon.

UKIP believes that the best people to govern Britain are the British, not an unelected commission in a centralised European state.

People are rightly concerned about health services, crime, immigration, but none of these issues can be properly addressed so long as 83 per cent of our laws are dictated by Brussels, and so much of our money is being squandered by EU bureaucracy and corruption.

UKIP is the only party to advocate withdrawal from Europe as an option.

Our political system has been the envy of the world but democracy in this country has its back against the wall.

People are becoming wary of speaking their mind even in deepest Worcestershire.

I never thought I'd see a day when free speech in this country was in question, but this first week of the campaign has shown me that political dissent is no longer seen as a right by some.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

MALCOLM VICTORY, GREEN PARTY

The Green Party urges people to "think globally, act locally".

In view of the problems of climate change and the increase in natural disasters, the rise in sea level and destruction of the Arctic and Antarctic ice floes, the plague of Aids and the famine and war throughout the world.

I think it is time we acted locally to show our politicians that we want action to preserve the future for our descendants.

While America will not ratify the Kyoto protocol or do anything to reduce its obscene appetite for energy and China cannot generate enough energy to fuel its phenomenal industrialisation, it falls to Europe to be the standard bearer for the world, and to show by example how the future can be restored.

Until my family moved to Malvern I never had the opportunity to vote Green, and I had not used my vote since I did not believe in the other parties.

I still don't.

I am standing so that the people of West Worcestershire can enjoy the same feeling of relief and freedom that goes with voting for something you believe in, and against the political charade we have seen over the past 10 years.

Spending plans 'sums add up' insist Lib Dems

the Liberal Democrats set out their spending plans today, insisting the "sums add up" and the "books are balanced".

The Lib Dems published a summary of their plans until 2010 showing exactly how much they would spend and save.

They propose scrapping "low priority" programmes such as Labour's baby bonds, ID cards and industrial subsidies to free up cash for higher pensions, 10,000 extra police officers and another 21,000 teachers.

The Lib Dems had planned to unveil their manifesto today, but that was put on hold after leader Charles Kennedy's pregnant wife Sarah, 35, gave birth to a baby son, Donald James Kennedy, in the early hours of today.

Today's exercise was aimed at bolstering the Lib Dems' reputation for economic credibility.

They believe such a reputation is fundamental to their election hopes and have already asked independent experts to examine some of their plans.

And Mr Kennedy was yesterday quick to quash claims of a "black hole" in their programmes.

The Lib Dems also insist they are being straightforward about their tax plans.

They say tax bills will rise after the election whichever party wins.

They say their only tax-raising measure would be a new top rate of income tax of 50p in the pound for all earnings over £100,000.

They also want to scrap the council tax in favour of a local income tax under which one in two people would be better off.

The Lib Dems also published a new poll today indicating that people backed their tax plans.

Bishop's four key election subjects

THE Bishop of Hereford has outlined which issues should be most important to voters when they get into the ballot box.

Bishop Anthony Priddis highlighted four issues - the gap between rich and poor, world poverty, family life and the environment - he believes parishioners should have at the forefront of their minds during the General Election.

"What is important is that we all take the opportunity to quiz Parliamentary candidates about the issues that really matter and push them to speak positively about their plans for the common good of our nation and world," said Bishop Anthony.

In a letter to parishioners he draws attention to the widening gap between rich and poor, which he says is not just about economics but affects people socially as well.

"The Gospel has a great deal to say about care for God's people and creation, to work for justice, peace and the common good," he added.

"We need to encourage this in all our political parties, and go out and vote for the candidate who will most further this agenda."

Education's our priority - Foster

LABOUR supporters in Worcester have met for a rallying call ahead of the General Election - and been told that education will be the priority in the campaign.

Party candidate Mike Foster told the regular monthly meeting of city party members that spending on schools would increase if Labour retains power at Westminster.

"Parents in our county know who has done most for schools - Labour has a track record to be proud of but a record we know we can better," he said at last night's meeting.

Locals backed

CONSUMERS should back local food producers in Herefordshire, a parliamentary candidate has urged.

Felicity Norman, running for the Green Party in the Leominster constituency, backed county businesses during a trip to Bromyard.

"We are very lucky to be able to buy excellent quality food quite easily in this area through local shops and farm shops," she said.

No to a mobile

CHRIS Lennard, the Green Party's candidate for Worcester doesn't have a mobile phone.

Despite politicians' need for 24-hours-a-day communication with their highly organised party machine, Mr Lennard said he does not have one because he campaigns against phone masts.

Tomorrow: ALL the candidates standing in YOUR AREA