|
NEWSLETTER – February 2010
Message
from Bill Wiggin, MP for
North Herefordshire
:
The
voters of the new North Herefordshire constituency and the rest
of the
UK
will be asked to make a choice at the forthcoming General
Election. The election must take place by 3 June but the most
likely date is still thought to be 6 May. At that election we
could choose 5 more years of the same policies from this
discredited and failed Labour Government. Or we could choose to
elect a new Conservative Government, standing for change and
with the policies and vision to support the country during these
tough times.
We
all know of the benefits that a future Conservative Government
would bring to this country and although the opinion polls have
been in our favour, this is not the time for complacency. The
election is not in the bag and we must work even harder to win
every vote. If we do not, then we risk losing the election and
seeing Gordon Brown return to
10 Downing Street
.
As
it stands, we will need to secure one of the biggest swings in
electoral history to win the seats we need to form a majority.
We will need to win 326 seats compared to the 195 we currently
hold. We are also disadvantaged by the electoral system which
means Labour MPs are elected with fewer votes than
Conservatives.
In
North Herefordshire
we have already been campaigning very hard for a long time. For
me, this campaign began the day after the 2005 General Election.
As polling day draws nearer, we must all do what we can to help
the Party win. Any help you can offer to the campaign will make
an enormous difference to removing Gordon Brown and Labour from
office and ensuring that there is a Conservative Government.
Message
from Christopher George, Chairman North Herefordshire
Conservatives
You
will all be aware by now that the General Election must take
place by 3 June but that the most likely date is thought to be 6
May. While I thank
you all for the assistance you gave to us in 2009, I must urge
you to support vigorously the forthcoming election campaign. As
Bill Wiggin says in his message to you, we cannot afford to be
complacent. We desperately need volunteers for canvassing,
leaflet distribution, stuffing envelopes, poster placing and all
the other activities which the election demands. Please tell us
what you will do by contacting either your Ward Chairman or the
office. A list of Branch Chairmen is set out below together with
their contact details as well as those of the
Corn Square
office. In the meantime, volunteers are urgently required to
assist with canvassing on the following dates.
Friday/Saturday
29/30 January - Kington - 10am to 12noon (meet in main car park
near the hotel)
Saturday
6 February - Bartestree & Lugwardine - 9.30am to 11am -
(meet at Lugwardine village hall)
Friday/
Saturday 12/13 February - 10am to 12noon - Bromyard
If
you are able to help, it would be very much appreciated; please
either e-mail the office (office@nhca.org.uk)
or Judith Hereford (judithhereford7@waitrose.com).
If you want any further information then please call (01568
612565) or
e-mail the office.
Many
of you will know that Mrs Di Mansell retired on 31 December
after more than 18 years service with the Association. Di joined
the
Corn Square
office in 1991 since when she has been a constant presence in
the office. She has supported three agents and two MPs as well
as being a stalwart Party and Branch supporter and must
undoubtedly rank as a living historian of the Association.
In
her place we welcome Mrs Gina Melville as Office Administrator.
Gina is very experienced in her field and extremely keen to get
involved during the build up to the election.
She is already a member of the Association.
In
addition, we have appointed Michael Jeffries as our Agent to
take us through to the election. Having had no Agent during the
2009 we were able to build up our financial reserves but
nevertheless it is imperative that we build up our Election
Fighting Fund and, accordingly, I have included in this mailing
a request for donations. I do urge you to be generous.
Improving
the NHCA Website:
Over
the last few weeks your Management
Team have been working
on the development of a Communications Policy based around an
upgrade of the NHCA website www.nhca.org.uk
to enable on-line members and the public to access constituency
and Party information and news with ease. This will include
simple e-mail “alerts” when there is any update to the site,
keeping members regularly informed of national, regional and
local news. The effective use of this medium will depend
entirely on members advising their e-mail addresses to the
office at
Corn Square
,
Leominster
(office@nhca.org.uk).
Assurance is given to members that, consistent with the
provisions of the Data Protection Act, there will be no
disclosure to third parties and that their e-mail addresses will
remain entirely confidential and secure.
Amongst
new features on the website will be a section containing Branch
News & Views. Branch
Secretaries are urged to contribute regular features for
inclusion (no more than 100 words) e-mailing them monthly to the
office, copy to peter.hereford@virgin.net whose lucky task it is
to coordinate your input.
Campaign
Drinks Parties:
The following campaign drinks parties have been organised to
raise funds for the forthcoming election.
Bill Wiggin hopes to be able to attend every event.
Friday
26th February - Eastnor Castle nr Ledbury (Guest Speaker:
Patrick Mercer MP)
Saturday
6th March - The Old Coach House, Whitbourne Court
Friday
19th March -
Sufton Court
, Mordiford
Saturday
20th March -
Birley Court
, Birley
6.30pm
- 8.30pm £20.00 each (Eastnor £25.00) - Full House (i.e. all
four) £70.00
|