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