15/04/2008

Robin Walker, Parliamentary Candidate for Worcester spoke last week at the opening of Andrew Grant's revamped and revitalised office in Foregate Street and called for an end of stamp duty for first time buyers, more shared ownership schemes and a greater focus on local services.

Robin said

"Worcester is an ancient city. I was brought up on the stories of its battles and struggles through the ages. Every time I pass our cathedral or the Guildhall I am reminded of the past glories of this city. I have always been proud of that tradition and it is one that makes living here all the more special, let alone having the chance to be the city's representative in Parliament."

"But Worcester is also a modern city and one in which businesses and families want to thrive in our very modern age. We are linked into a rapidly shrinking world, though you wouldn't always know it on the morning train to Foregate Street, and the city needs to deal with very modern issues such as global warming, credit crunches and mass immigration."

"I believe that making Worcester a good place to live and work should be the first priority of anyone who would represent the city."

"That means dealing with these issues but it also means having a vision for the city. It means fighting for local services like the Post Office opposite that I campaigned to save, but the government seems intent on closing. It means helping people to get a home and then making sure they can keep it."

"We must make houses more affordable through shared ownership, through innovative planning and most of all through getting the taxman out of the process."

"This week we have had a much needed rate cut, but we also have had the terrible decision to get rid of the 10p rate raising tax on millions of hardworking people. It would be easy for me to talk doom and gloom and point to the turmoil out there in the economy. I could play the blame game and knock the government till I was blue in the face. But I consider myself an optimist. Rather than dwell on the problems I want to get on and deal with them."

"I am looking forward to seeing this office busy each day as I walk past. I am looking forward to seeing more people in Worcester buy and rent more homes as the city grows and I am looking forward to seeing other people enjoy living in this city as much as I do. It might be in the interest of Andrew Grant's for more people to buy houses in Worcester. Coincidentally I think it is in the interests of Worcester as well."

"Getting rid of stamp duty for first time buyers is one simple step that could help people to do this. It is a step we can and should take and it is a step that I hope to take as soon as I get elected."