General Election 2005

During the 2005 general election, Paul campaigned on a number of issues affecting people in Gloucester. These are detailed below.

More Police for Gloucester

A Conservative Government would put an extra 362 police on the beat in Gloucestershire – which will mean an extra 68 officers in Gloucester. In addition to this, a Conservative county council would fund an extra 63 officers in Gloucestershire.

Conservative Candidate for Gloucester, Paul James said, “More police will mean less crime. We also need to free up our existing officers from the bureaucracy they current face and let them get on with their job. Too many targets set by the government mean police officers are chained to their desks. We need to ensure that the police can respond to local needs and concerns.“

Paul added, “The Government has added to the burdens facing the police by introducing ill thought-out licensing laws and expecting the police to enforce Labour’s hunting ban.”

Conservatives will also build more prisons and give tougher sentences.

Protecting our schools

Paul and Conservatives in Gloucester have been campaigning hard to save schools threatened by the Lib-Lab County Council’s Secondary School Review.

Barnwood Park High School for Girls is battling for survival after Labour and Lib-Dem County Councillors voted to close the school. Despite huge public opposition, and the fact that the school has been one of the most improved in the country over the last few years, the Lib-Lab cabinet refused to think again. The plans have been to Schools Organisation Committee, who did not pass them unanimously, so now have to go to a government adjudicator.

A concerted campaign by parents, pupils and teachers, supported by Conservatives, over the last 18 months has seen off plans to close city grammar schools. But there are still fears that the grammar schools will be attacked by the back door, by changing the entry criteria.

If the Conservatives take control of the County Council we will seek to reverse any closure plans. Only by voting Conservative will parents’ right to choose be upheld.

Save Our Regiment!

The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment (RGBW) is to be disbanded as part of a reorganisation of the army – and the Gloucestershire name will disappear.

The RGBW was formed in 1994 when the Glosters merged with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Royal Regiment.

The reorganisation was prompted by the Government’s decision to reduce the size of the infantry from 40 battalions to 36. Conservatives vehemently oppose cutting the infantry in an age of increasing commitments around the world, from Cyprus to Iraq and Afghanistan. A Conservative Government will halt these amalgamations in their tracks.

Paul James tabled a motion at a meeting of the City Council to protest at the threat to the Regiment. Under the Government’s plans, the RGBW will be merged into the Light Infantry.

We support the campaign to retain the Glosters’ illustrious back badge, won at Alexandria in 1801 – but it is a shame that this was ever threatened in the first place.

Regenerating our city

Gloucester’s regeneration will gather pace under a Conservative Government.

Conservative candidate for Gloucester Paul James has been closely involved with some of the recent development successes in the city, as the City Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration.

He said, “I feel very strongly that Gloucester is a city on the up. We have seen real progress at the Docks, at St Oswalds Park and with other er schemes such as the improvements to Eastgate Street and Kings Square.”

He added, “This has often been inspite of the Government, not because of it. John Prescott took two years to make a decision to grant planning permission for the old Cattle Market site. It looks as though the same thing might happen again with the Gloucester Quays scheme. We need much quicker decisions.”

Conservatives also plan to refocus lottery grants on the original intended targets – heritage, sports, art and charities. This should mean more money is available to restore and promote Gloucester’s history and heritage.

Paul commented, “We need to make the most of Gloucester’s history and use it to improve our city’s future. I am determined that we will do this.”

Lower Taxes

Conservatives have pledged to set Britain back on course to be a lower tax economy.

Since 1997, council tax in Gloucester has risen by 98% - many times the rate of inflation. This is due to poor management by successive Labour and Lib-Dem administrations on the City Council and the fact that the Labour Government has added more burdens onto local councils.

Meanwhile, Conservatives have announced plans to ease the burden of the council tax for pensioners. Household where all residents are aged over 65 will receive a 50% discount, up to a maximum of £500.

Other tax rises have hit people in Gloucester hard. The average first-time buyer now pays £1300 in stamp duty, compared with zero in 1997. Rising property prices have also meant that thousands more homes in Gloucester may now be liable for inheritance tax.

Paul James said, “Taxes have risen 66 times since 1997 – or £5500 for every household – and what do people have to show for it? By spending money more wisely we can start to bring taxes down.”

Controlled Immigration

Sorting out the shambles in our immigration and asylum system is essential to maintain Gloucester’s excellent community relations, according to Conservative candidate Paul James.

Under Conservative proposals, Parliament would set an annual limit on the number of immigrants allowed into the country, with priority being given to those who will make a positive contribution to society. A quota would also be set for the number of asylum seekers Britain accepts each year.

Paul James said, “One of Gloucester’s great strengths is the diversity of its culture. The city’s race relations are an example to the rest of the country. The best way to preserve this is for the shambles in our immigration and asylum system to be sorted out. Other countries, such as Australia, have limits on immigration and so should Britain. The choice is clear – controlled immigration with the Conservatives or uncontrolled immigration with a Blair Labour Government.”