WHAT DO YOU THINK?: Voters are brave

UKIP, a young vibrant party, will undertake some strong policy development over the next two years. Meanwhile, we will redouble efforts to win more local council seats, and begin work to repair and rebuild this borough.

As we pounded streets leafleting and talking to people, many told us it was an impossible task, Labour are strong, put a red blanket on a donkey syndrome. Well, donkeys, find a new home on Blackpool sands, this is not a one off. Where were Labour in the run up? It seems they would rather drink tea and eat bacon sandwiches than go on the campaign trail, that is, apart from our police commissioner, finding plenty of time from his £85k job to post leaflets on his wife’s behalf. Still, with a £40k assistant to do his work it is no surprise. Just more Labour waste of public money.

People are concerned and affected by both national and local issues, seeing current politicians leading them onwards and downwards. Current problems began in 2000, fuel has increased 110 per cent, council tax increased by 67 per cent, food prices up 37 per cent. Over the last four years disposable income has decreased such that hardworking people feel they are not being fairly rewarded for their efforts. They are correct in this assumption. People in low paid employment rightly fear more mass immigration. Additional people from Eastern Europe will depress wages still further, and Government has been instructed by Europe to find 250,000 jobs for immigrants. Therefore, the role of any responsible politician or Government now is to reduce the cost of living, but politicians are still not listening.

Labour took Rawmarsh for granted, turning up on mass to the count; booted, suited, smiling, wearing big red rosettes, even inviting Mr Healey the local MP. One member came bearing a huge bunch of flowers ready to acclaim Mrs Wright the new councillor for Rawmarsh. The count progressed, and not seeing swathes of Labour votes accumulating, faces grew longer and grimmer. In defeat even the flowers looked sad, perhaps we should have offered a fiver to send them to a hospital .

What should Labour expect in future? As they offer nothing new on alternative energy or immigration, no alternatives to more European control and Rotherham councillors are the most expensive in South Yorkshire, the message is clear, get used to losing, clear your desks and ship out.

Locally this febrile Labour group will carry on the same way, they just don’t understand people are sick and tired of not being listened to. More UKIP councillors in next year’s elections will support a litter clean up policy, a road repair strategy, support for the greenbelt, push for a change in energy policy, reducing the cost of living, oppose further mass immigration and try to make the town centre a welcoming place for our older residents, many of whom are afraid and intimidated and stay away.

Expenses will be scrutinised, expensive offices, tax increases and wasteful projects will be opposed, loss making and expensive IT projects will not be tolerated.

Beyond next year, UKIP will target our three stooges in Westminster, who have little to say on any subject and even less in support of their hard pressed constituents.

I urge you all to setup links to www.theyworkforyou. This website reports back when an MP speaks in Parliament. You will find Mr Healey has little to say, Mr Barron nothing to say. The third stooge was only put in place to avoid further Labour embarrassment from the preferred local choice.

The message is loud and clear, Labour can be beaten and change is possible.

Allen Cowles, Whiston