Interview With Lib Dem Election Candidate

ON the last day before polling begins for both the General Election and the Local County Council election in Oxfordshire, Thame.News.Net interviewed the Liberal Democrat?s General Election candidate for the Thame area, David Turner.

Q: What are the main areas of concern raised by local people on the door steps as you canvas around the county?
A: ?Lack of affordable housing, particularly for young people in the villages. When we controlled the district council, we built 700 new affordable homes in the previous five years. When the Tories took over they managed only an average of 61 in a year.
Concerns about the health service was another issue people raised with us. We say that Targets are costly to administrate and that we should just let the professionals get on with their jobs.
Education seems to be another focus for concern and we propose to reduce class sizes, particularly for the under elevens.

Q: What would you say are the personal differences between yourself and the other candidates?
A: ?As a district councillor, I have a deep knowledge of South Oxfordshire and so am very much more aware of the problems. It is my contention that you can?t be a good MP unless you have lived in the area for a long time and it is essential to work at it full-time and not have lots of other jobs outside. After all it is what an MP is paid to do!?

Q: So, would you give up being a County Councillor if you were to become an MP?
A: ?No; many MPs have been county councillors in the past, and I would do my best in both roles ? I think they are complimentary.?

Q: What are your main priorities as the General Election Candidate?
A: ?Affordable housing I have already mentioned, free personal care for the elderly, which we as a party have achieved in Scotland, and the abolition of all tuition fees and top-up fees. Also, we want to introduce a local income tax, based on the ability to pay.

Q: So where will the money come from to pay for further education?
A: ?From an increase in the top rate of income tax, to 50% from 40%, for those earning over