Julie Hepburn

I am calling upon my Labour opponent at the coming general election to come clean on his position with respect of the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Both Labour and the Tories are pledged to press ahead with a new generation of nuclear missiles which are set to cost the taxpayer a staggering £100billion.  I am fully behind SNP calls for this scheme to be scrapped and the money to be diverted to supporting the recovery from the economic recession and to ensure that schools and hospitals can be kept open.

In response to a survey from the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, I have unequivocally stated that I am against the replacement of Trident, whilst my New Labour opponent has meekly stated that he is “concerned about the cost” but not said one way or the other about the actual replacement of the nuclear weapons system.[1]

Each candidate in this election has a duty to those people they aim to represent after 6th May to be as open, honest and transparent as possible.  I have stated quite clearly that I am totally against the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system, which would be a total waste of money, immoral, and completely useless in the face of the threats we actually face in the modern world.

My New Labour opponent on the other hand will only cryptically state that he is ‘concerned about the cost’ of renewing Trident.  That is not good enough.  We should be entitled to know his actual position on the matter.  This cowardly, equivocal stance is clearly designed at appeasing the vast majority of people who oppose this crazy waste of taxpayers’ money, without upsetting the New Labour party leadership.  He isn’t even elected and yet is already in fear of the Labour Party whips.

Given that Presidents Obama and Medvedev have just signed a treaty to reduce American and Russian nuclear weapons in an effort to remove these weapons of mass destruction, it is madness that both Labour and the Tories want to fritter away £100billion of public money on a new generation of nuclear weapons.

[1]

www.scotland4peace.org/Binthebomb/lobby/2010election/constituencies/cumbernauld.htm

I am calling upon local residents to remember the local branches of the Post Office that were shut as part of the Labour Government’s closure programme last year.

In the local area, five branches were shut at Kildrum, Cumbernauld; Banton; Queenzieburn; Rosebank, Kirkintilloch; and Waterside despite the best efforts of local communities to keep them open.  At that time, I ran an extensive survey in each area affected which showed that in each case, the overwhelming majority of residents were opposed to the closure of their local branch of the Post Office.

Despite this opposition, the New Labour MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East supported her Government’s closure programme and, along with her replacement as Labour candidate for the area at this general election, failed to support any of the community campaigns to save the local branches that were ultimately closed.

I am pledging that if I am elected to serve as the representative for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East at the general election on 6th May 2010, I will always side with local people and vote against further Post Office closure programmes.

Local people were totally sold down the river by the Labour Party with their disgraceful Post Office closure programme.  Each community in the local area that was affected by the programme rallied to the defence of their local Post Office, but got no assistance whatsoever from the New Labour MP that represents this area.

If I were elected, I would take a different tact.  I pledge to act in the interests of people locally, and will vote against any future closure programme for the Post Office that may be introduced, which may threaten other local branches.  This area needs someone who will act as a champion for its interests and not another New Labour clone.

People in the areas affected by the loss of a local Post Office should neither forget nor forgive.  They have a chance at this coming general election to punish those responsible in New Labour.

I am delighted that the Westminster election has finally been called. Over the next few weeks, I will continue to campaign as I have since I was chosen as the local SNP candidate back in 2007. Along with a dedicated team of local SNP volunteers, I will be out and about speaking to as many people as possible about the issues that matter most to them.

Over the coming weeks, the media circus and spin around the election will give the impression that people only have a choice between Gordon Brown and David Cameron. But this election is not about them. It is about issues
 like jobs, pensions and protecting our schools, hospitals and other public services from Westminster cuts.

Both the Tories and Labour plan to slash Scotland’s budget. Labour have even admitted that they will cut ‘tougher and deeper’ than Thatcher. The best way to safeguard against these cuts – whether Tory or Labour – is to elect SNP MPs who will defend our interests at Westminster. There is no denying that tough decisions lie ahead because of the recession, but we must protect the budgets of our vital public services. We need to protect the things that matter, and get rid of things that do nothing to improve our society. Top of my list to cut will be things like the £100billion replacement for the Trident nuclear weapons system, useless identity cards, the House of Lords and the extravagantly expensive Scotland Office.

If I am elected as the local MP, I won’t be just another politician. I will do all I can to champion and serve our community and protect and promote Scotland’s interests.

I am disappointed at the modest rise to the basic state pension that will be put in place in April 2010. In last year’s Pre-Budget Report New Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling set out that there would be only a 2.5% to the basic state pension which amounts to only £2.40 per week.

The banks are still lavishing bonuses on their already well paid senior employees, despite the public money invested into them, and yet the best that the Chancellor can come up with for pensioners is a meagre £2.40 a week.

It really is a bad joke.  I’m disgusted that our pensioners are way down the priority list yet again.  It is a miserly uplift to the already pittance level of basic state pension.

If I am elected to represent Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East then working to secure a decent state pension for all will be a top priority for me.

March 2010

I recently appeared on STV’s current affairs programme Politics Now to discuss the involvement of young people in the political process. Recent research by the Electoral Commission has indicated that 56% of 17 to 24 year olds in eight areas looked at are not even registered to vote. 

The chance to appear on STV’s Politics Now programme to discuss the participation of younger people in politics was a good one, as this highlights an important issue.The Electoral Commission research that demonstrates a significant number, perhaps even the majority of young people, are not even registered to vote is worrying. The young people I speak to are interested in political issues, and rightly so, as the decisions made affect them as much as anybody.  However, this interest is not always reflected in support for political parties or interest in the formal political process. Voting is important though, as young people have a stake in the outcome of this election.  For Scotland to thrive we need a strong SNP showing at this election and I hope that voters of all ages will respond to the message that I take forward in this election campaign.

March 2010

For the third winter in a row, I am distributing thousands of advice leaflets across the area with details of how to access help with keeping warm over the winter months - with the help of local SNP volunteers.

I was selected as the SNP’s candidate for the Westminster election back in September 2007, and since then I have prioritised the production and delivery of advice leaflets for local residents, on issues such as debt and fuel bills. This is the third year I have produced a winter advice leaflet, with details of how to access help with fuel bills and keeping warm during the cold winter months.

I know many people in the area have called the various helpline numbers over the last couple of years, and they are now better off as a result. As a candidate, it can sometimes be frustrating because you are mainly limited to telling people what you would do if you are elected. However, it is also possible to help people as you campaign, and I’m pleased that I have been able to undertake such an initiative three years running now.

I would urge all residents to check their eligibility to the range of help that is available.

The information from the advice leaflet is detailed below:

Pension Credit guarantees everyone aged 60 and over an income of at least: £130 for a single person; £198.45 for couples. If you are 65 and over, you may also be eligible for Savings Credit.

To apply call 0800 99 1234 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm)

Winter Fuel Payment: If you are aged 60 and over, you can get help with keeping warm this winter. Depending on age and circumstances, payments range from £125 - £400.

Call 08459 15 15 15 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm)

Age Concern Scotland helpline: Confidential and impartial information for people aged 50 and over, and their family members and carers.

Call 0845 125 9732 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)

Scottish Government’s Energy Assistance Package: Call the Energy Saving Trust for information on energy efficiency and to see if you qualify for help with insulation or central heating installation.

Call 0800 512 012

Citizens Advice Direct: Call to check your entitlement to a range of benefits, including Pension Credit and Council Tax Benefit.

Call 0844 848 9600 (Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat 10am-2pm)

You can also access advice on how to change your energy supplier and save money on your fuel bills at www.consumerfocus.org.uk