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"It's about time our town has a young mind to represent tomorrow's Lutonian."
Wed, 05 May 2010 10:51:00 +0000
Still making up your mind who to vote for? I'll give local people the last word... "I see you speak quite openly about many of the issues the town Luton is facing."Kiji C
"You come across as a genuine person with ideas and morals of your own."Becky Hotard
"Finally, someone who wants to do something with derelict buildings and brownfield sites." Calie Pedder
"It's about time our town has a young mind to represent tomorrow's Lutonian."Peter Agaita Orun
"I like your humble approach." Zia Choudhury
"It's great to see someone actually engaging with the public and asking what THEY are interested in, which is how it should be."Matty Vasquez
"Vote people. VOTE! If you're in South Luton, vote for Joe Hall for Luton."Loz Conder I’m local, honest and independent -- the only independent in Luton South with a manifesto. I want to help make big, positive change in politics and in Luton. This is what I stand for:
I believe in Luton. I'm born and bred here. We have a great town and great potential for the future.
I believe in education and young people. For our future, for the ambition, aspiration and achievement we need in Luton.
I believe in a more equal society and supporting public services, particularly for the most vulnerable in our community.
You can see more in my film above.
Please tell your friends, family and work colleagues and help spread the word.
Thank you.
Joe
Final few days! Can you help?
Mon, 03 May 2010 09:07:00 +0000
It's the final few days before Thursday's election. My campaign has always been about the people of Luton getting involved. Can you help?
Former MP and war reporter Martin Bell today introduced more than 40 people with 'real world experience' he personally endorsed to stand for Parliament.
Mr Bell, who was independent MP for Tatton from 1997 to 2001, said the candidates had an unprecedented opportunity to 'change the face of politics for good'.
The 47 candidates have all been endorsed by the Independent Network, an association that provides support to candidates who are not members of traditional political parties.
They have agreed to a code of conduct inspired by Mr Bell - the 'Bell Principles' - which require that they listen to and consult their communities, and resist abuses of power.
Independent candidate and TV presenter Esther Rantzen, who is not part of the Independent Network, will be challenged by independent Joe Hall in Luton South - where Labour's Margaret Moran stood down over her expense claims.
I published my manifesto recently so you can see my views on a range of issues.
Of course I couldn't include everything, so I'm happy to hear from you with your questions on local or national issues that matter to you -- please get in touch.
Below are ten questions on civil liberties -- an important national issue -- that two local people, Alex and James, have been in contact with me about via email (joe@joehallforluton.com) and Twitter.
I haven't put yes or no for the question about police stop and search because it's more complex than that (I think it depends on the police officers and the situation, for example), and on the Human Rights Act I'm sure I would want to see changes to it, but this is a very broad question and it would depend on the particular issues we're discussing.
What do you want from your MP?
Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:34:00 +0000
The election has been called -- we have a month of energetic campaigning ahead.
But what do local people want from their MP? I've been out talking to people and finding out. I'd love to hear your views too -- please email me at joe@joehallforluton.com
Manifesto launch -- read it now, have your say
Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:33:00 +0000
This Saturday I launched my manifesto on George Street -- in front of the ABC cinema that is a symbol of the potential we have and the change we need in Luton -- and at the same spot that I was mugged as a young teenager.
In the spirit of my campaign, my team and I were out asking people for their say on what to do with the ABC. The people of Luton have no shortage of great ideas! A few of the suggestions: a theatre, late-night cafe, live music venue, youth club, dance studio, tea rooms, Luton Town Football Club museum. One of my key ambitions is to transform derelict buildings like this into places for the community, just one way I want to help bring the town together.
My manifesto is a combination of my beliefs and your good ideas. And there's still a chance for you to have a say. I'm the only independent candidate in Luton South with a proper manifesto so you can see what I stand for -- and it's the only manifesto of any candidate where you also get a say and can help me improve it.
Last week the BBC interviewed me for a piece on the importance of local independent candidates in this election. Missed it? Watch at http://bit.ly/akFyHIIt's looking more and more likely there will be a small majority in Parliament after this election. Your MP's individual vote could really make a difference. I'm local, independent and as your MP I'll vote for Luton every time.
Hi and I hope you're well.
"Luton is life. There are so many good things happening here."
Those were the words I heard from a lady yesterday as I visited a local community group. Every week I meet more and more local people who are passionate about our town and positive about the rich mix of people we have here. I believe together we have what it takes to take charge of our future and make the change we want to see in Luton.
Over the past few weeks I've been working with students at Ashcroft and Stopsley High Schools (I've written to other schools in every area of Luton South too) to find out what local issues concern our young people -- and make a practical difference. Better public transport, the environment and safer streets all come up often, more activities for young people too. Now I'm working with them to get the changes happening. I really believe each of us can make a difference to our local area. And we must invest more -- much more -- in education and positive activities for young people. We need motivated, ambitious, well educated young people who will be the long-term change in Luton.
We need jobs in Luton and I've been looking for more ways to create jobs locally. I was struck by a recent awards ceremony for apprentices -- the young people there were amongst the most positive of any I've met. We should be extending this kind of scheme, but a lot of it comes down to the nitty-gritty of how it's done -- talking to someone from the National Apprenticeships Scheme and a local small business owner, both said it wasn't as easy for businesses to get involved in apprenticeships and internships as it should be. I could really see the need for a local MP living in Luton, at a time when we need to get these initiatives really right and make sure government ideas really work on the ground in Luton. We need schemes and job centres -- but we have to think a lot wider and get really creative. I'm meeting with local Mums soon who are supporting each other to start and run their own small businesses, to see how they're doing it.
The big cuts that all the political parties are discussing could have a direct impact on us in Luton (including the Council's great apprenticeships scheme I was talking about above -- as a number of jobs are being cut or outsourced). I'm supporting the public services we need in Luton to support our community -- and to help drive demand for our businesses here too. I recently visited the L&D and I met with the chair of our local NHS Primary Care Trust to hear about their vision for bringing health care out into the community in the coming years. There's a lot more we can be doing to get the best value from our services. Too often the conversation politicians have is about money -- we have to think about people, local people, first and foremost. That's my focus.
What's next in the campaign?
Tomorrow night is the first debate involving all of the Luton South candidates, at 7.30pm at St Mary's Church in town. It's about climate change and what it means for Luton. Find out more at http://www.transitionluton.org/events/2010/02/25/ and do come along if you can make it.
More news coming soon. In the meantime, if you're interested in getting involved or have any questions for me on my policies, as ever please do drop me a line. Join me on Facebook or Twitter to keep up to date and see what's really happening with the campaign.
Kind regards,
Joe
Harmony in Luton and the other kind of grit
Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:05:00 +0000
It's been a busy start to the year. With the help of my growing team of volunteers, we've been doing a major leafleting campaign to reach thousands of people in Luton South (interested in volunteering? please email me joe@joehallforluton.com). I'm updating my campaign materials soon to reflect the work I've been doing on my manifesto -- more on this in the next few weeks.
The biggest news -- snow and grit aside -- has been the trial of the small group of Islamic extremists who disrupted the Royal Anglian Regiment's homecoming parade last year. With sensational quotes after they were convicted for public order offences, they've been trying hard to scare and divide us. But we can see through the inflammatory words: they speak for no-one but themselves. We, the rest of us (whatever religion we happen to be, or none at all) want to get on with our lives in peace.
That's why I was really glad to take part in the launch of Luton in Harmony on Friday, a new initiative to celebrate how tolerant and how united Lutonians are. I think we need to make much more of how well we mix together most of the time in Luton. We should give ourselves more credit and remind ourselves -- and the rest of Britain -- that by and large it just works.
That's not to say life is rosy. We haven't got everything figured out and there are plenty of challenges. But that's the point: when there are problems we sort them out peacefully together. Most of the time it's a great thing. I think it makes life much more interesting and we should be very, very proud of having such a diverse town. Even though there's so much more we need to do in Luton, the fact that there are people from different cultures and backgrounds in Luton isn't the big issue it can seem in the national media. (There are plenty of other issues I believe we need to solve -- more to come in future blog posts.)
Of course the easy part is launching an initiative. The harder job is making it real, keeping it going and really getting people involved. I've started doing my part and getting some of my supporters and local businesses on-board. Please do the same: you can find out more at www.luton.gov.uk/harmony.
It's been a challenging past couple of weeks for the many local people affected by the snow (and more is forecast). It brought it home to me visiting a street of sheltered housing for older people and helping get some action to have their street gritted. The Council workers I spoke to were working very hard to help with an enormous task and too few supplies.
But we're also going to need another kind of grit. Luton's image won't change overnight and I doubt the extremists, few though they are, will just go away. We'll need a very human kind of grit and determination to make the aim of Luton in Harmony real, to stay focussed on working together, to keep building our town positively together. Luckily I think we have this kind in plenty. We could make this a really good year for Luton.
Back to the hard work of the campaign. Please get in touch if you have questions or would like to get involved joe@joehallforluton.com
Happy New Year! Are you interested in volunteering?
Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:28:00 +0000
Happy New Year to you, I hope you had a good break.
Nationally, the political parties are gearing up their election campaigns as we look towards a probable late March or early May election (come on Gordon, tell us when it will be).
Locally, many people are still fed up with politicians and I'm concerned that many people in our community simply won't vote at the coming election. I believe we need to regain people's trust and forge a new kind of politics that's honest and genuinely connected with local people. That's why I've got back out on Luton's streets this week to engage with as many people as possible.
Are you interested in volunteering to help me on the campaign? The main things I need help with are knocking on doors and delivering leaflets with me. Speaking to people on doorsteps is one of the most interesting ways to spend a day or an evening (don't worry, I do the talking!) -- meeting local people from all walks of life, discussing every issue under the sun. If you think you might be interested or would like to know more, please email me at joe@joehallforluton.com.
Keep enjoying the New Year -- more soon.
Joe
Merry Christmas -- and a Happy New Decade!
Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:43:00 +0000
Hello,
Just a quick note to wish you a great Christmas and Happy New Year.
I'm taking a little break over Christmas but not everything can stop: I'm still meeting with some local constituents, but my main goal is to draft my manifesto. Thank you for everything you have contributed to it: I've learnt a lot from listening to local people, hearing your views and bringing them together with my own ideas and beliefs. I look forward to sharing it with you in January. I'm looking forward to the beginning of 2010 -- it's going to be really busy on the campaign!
At this time of year, as well as celebrating, some of my thoughts inevitably turn to those who have less or are living in difficult situations. Having volunteered at a Luton homeless centre over Christmas before, I've met a few of the people who find this time of year a lot tougher. Boxing Day five years ago will be etched in my mind forever: I was two weeks into my new job at Save the Children (which at the time was coordinating worldwide communications in disasters) when the tsunami hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and beyond. Christmas and New Year turned into working round the clock to get information out about what was happening, raise urgently needed funds, and help tens of thousands of families.
I'm looking forward to a calmer end to this year. I wish you and your family a great break. Looking forward to the new decade : a time for some new ideas I think.
Best wishes,
Joe
From today's Luton & Dunstable Express
Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:40:00 +0000
Apology
The team was Luton United Football Club, not Luton Allstars as the article said. Please would both teams accept my apologies. The mistake was mine.
I wish the two teams well and thanks again to Luton United.
Something important happened last night involving people from across Luton (not this incident which was a few people representing no-one but themselves). I joined around 300 people coming together to find community solutions to reducing crime. As I've been out meeting local people on the doorsteps recently, I've heard how crime is a big concern for Lutonians -- particularly anti-social behaviour. And I know from personal experience what an impact crime can have on you (I was mugged as a teenager in Luton).
What was good about last night was the involvement of local people who put forward their views in a frank give and take with the police, the Council and other representatives from public services (the discussion on my table was still in full swing after the event had finished!). Strong themes came out from people around the room -- a desire to have more high-visibility local police officers, to have greater accountability from the police and the Council, and a real will to come together in Luton: every community, neighbours and across the town, young people and old.
It was very thought-provoking as I build my policies and my Plan for Luton which will be ready in the New Year.
Every day out meeting local people is thought-provoking -- on the doorsteps any issue under the sun can come up. A number of people I've met recently have wanted to talk to me about immigration. Most say -- and I believe it as I speak to them -- "I'm not racist". And most like living in a diverse town, but they do have concerns about immigration and the size of Britain's population (living in Luton we are in one of the most densely populated towns in the country). But they feel that the political parties simply have no interest in listening to their concerns. I'm listening to them, trying to see things from their point of view, and find answers.
The irony that many outside Luton don't realise is that some of the best work anywhere to unite diverse communities is happening here. Over the past few months I've been to as many of the many great events as possible: from concerts of a dozen cultures in One World week to an international Community Kitchen this week with students (I'm cooking the traditional British food!) to bingo with folks at the Irish Forum to the launch of the Luton Faith Map -- and more.
Great things are happening in Luton and I strongly believe Britain has a lot to learn from Luton. But I can't help thinking that too often systems work against communities coming together. When people feel they're competing for their slice of a small pie in a time of recession. When too many people in Luton are fighting for scarce social housing. When the main political parties are vying to make the most "savage" cuts that would stop our many brilliant public service workers from helping knit Luton together and improve our town further. That's when I feel we really need an independent voice fighting for Luton and our future.
More updates soon. Thanks for staying up to date with the campaign. If someone you know would like to be added to my email list, if you have any questions or comments, or to take yourself off the list, please email me at joe@joehallforluton.com
Building Luton's future (in a more positive way)
Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:38:00 +0000
Here's my letter in today's Luton News (original version - they changed it a bit) with some first thoughts on how to improve planning, which is causing so much hostility locally -- but could be something really constructive if we do it right.
"Planning" seems to have become a dirty word. We have a deeply unpopular proposal for building homes West of Luton and another equally unpopular proposal for East of Luton. (Not to mention the new sports centre in Stopsley! I was there last Tuesday night and spoke to people angry about the plans.) I wish it was simply a party political problem but they're all involved: Conservative Central Beds Council and Labour (previously Lib Dem) Luton Council.
So what would fix this situation?
I could be popular with some by simply campaigning against these developments, particularly building on the greenbelt. But it's not that simple. People in our town desperately need more and better housing. It's clear there aren't simple, easy solutions: we have little space in Luton and we need to grow or in time we will wither away. I recognise that our Council has a tough job on its hands.
This is all the more reason we have to get it right. Developments cannot be railroaded through. If there are tough choices to be made, the people of Luton and the surrounding areas must feel that they play a genuine part in making them.
The problems are systemic. So we need a systemic change in the way local and national government are run in order to solve it. A Tory government would simply give more power to the Council -- that's not the solution here. The problem is people are at loggerheads when we need to be working together. Four suggestions I have for a more constructive approach:
1. We need to get the facts clear, end the myths and speculation. According to the Council there are 1,200 empty homes or less in Luton (we need tens of thousands). We need a reliable, independent figure for the potential of brownfield sites (but I'm not convinced they will be enough).
2. We need real involvement of local people from step one -- not a 'consultation' once divisive plans are already on the table. If there's a case for building on greenfield sites, local people need to be part of that from the very beginning.
3. We need to keep regional planning -- but make it more accountable to local people. Simply having Councils fight it out won't give us the right answers, it'll just lead to more arguments and party politics.
4. We need a change in culture. National government should offer incentives to Councils and regional planners to involve people more in planning processes and demonstrate real and constructive engagement.
We're talking about building the next generation of Luton's future. We can't build it on bitterness and resentment -- we need to learn from the planning mistakes of the past decades in Luton. We need the real involvement and buy-in of local people: it's our town and our future.
Don't mention the "p" word
Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:22:00 +0000
Last Tuesday night I was forty feet up a wall in Stopsley. This is not normally a situation I find myself in. I'd been persuaded to try the climbing wall at the sports centre (this meant I did have a rope attached to me luckily). "Wall climbing is the fastest growing sport in the UK," someone there told me. Given that childhood obesity in Luton is a third above the national average, and adult obesity figures here not great either, we should be encouraging this and other sports as much as possible. Climbing's also just a lot of fun (it helps if you don't look down!).
Crazy then to hear from one of the climbers that the Council's consultation meeting about the replacement sports centre they're building apparently won't have a climbing wall. "That's just typical of this Council," he said. Now I think there are undoubtedly a lot of good people, staff and Councillors, doing a lot of good work at the Council. But it's abundantly clear that planning --the "p" word that is inspiring so much anger locally when it comes to housing and more, isn't working for many Lutonians. I set out last week to begin finding out more...
I started the week meeting a representative from the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). You may not necessarily have heard of them, but they play a really important role in Luton's economic development. They fund major projects to build the town and create jobs, including the Butterfield Green business park (where my brother has a small business) and the Carnival Arts Centre.
The lady from EEDA was very helpful and they clearly have a genuine interest in Luton. But they are hampered by two things: as a regional body they're quite far removed from daily life in Luton, and they don't seem to have a strategy that targets places that need development most (I think there's a good case for prioritising Luton over Cambridge, which is doing well by itself).
You can do a lot to make them more accountable to local people -- our Council is supposed to be the bridge but I don't think that's enough (nor do I think the Tories' plans to simply get rid of regional authorities and give all the power to the Council would work either). We need some kind of regional planning -- it's just daft not to have it, you can't do everything town by town with each Council fighting for their backyard, we'll never get anything done. But we do need to change the regions: I don't think it makes sense for Luton to be lumped into the bottom corner of the East of England when we're different from towns like Cambridge and Peterborough and rural areas.
But these are bureaucratic changes. What we really need is a change in culture in how planning and development is done. It's got to be done with local people, for local people and by local people. Planning should involve Lutonians from the beginning, spending should be much more accountable, publicly funded construction work should go to local firms wherever possible. I believe it's possible to do this much better, to move from 'consultations' to really engaging local people, so people are part of planning not just when they feel they need to complain.
We also need a national and regional strategy that focuses on Luton, and places like it, that urgently need more development. We have above average unemployment and parts of the town are still some of the most deprived in the country. Not enough has been done by Labour and I don't believe in the Conservatives born-again conversion to "helping the poor". We need to reverse the inequalities in our society that have grown under both the Tories and Labour -- in the twenty-first century, in a wealthy country like ours, no-one should be left behind. Least of all Luton. We will all benefit if more people in our town can prosper. I'll be quizzing EEDA again this week about how much priority Luton is getting at their annual meeting... interesting to hear that amongst the many towns represented, no-one from Luton Borough Council has registered.
Up at the airport there was a more positive story about their plans for expansion and increasing numbers of jobs for people in Luton in the long-term (they're being hit by the recession right now, but are optimistic about coming out of it). This is great news for us. They also want to do it within the existing land they have and not build on the greenbelt, which is good news for everyone. I need to find out more about how the expansion plans will affect local residents concerned about noise in particular.
Very interesting to hear a little-known local fact... the airport's revenue that goes to the Council (about £18m last year) basically pays for much of Luton's cultural programme.
We talked about the wider environmental cost of the airport too, an issue I feel strongly about. They have been making some inroads to reducing the energy use of their buildings (which keeps costs down so it's good for everyone). Their real focus is the impact of people travelling to/from the airport to catch their flight, which is two-thirds of their emissions (if you count the flights themselves separately). In all of this, it was clear that more support is needed from government -- apparently it's dropped off, which is crazy. That's the kind of forward-thinking planning (it's that word again!) that we should be doing.
First candidate to publish campaign expenses and contributions
Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:55:00 +0000
With all the continuing revelations about MPs' expenses, you would think it would be publicly transparent what each of your candidates for MP is spending on their campaign, right? It would be easy to find on their websites, right?
Unfortunately not.
I believe we need to do things better. The people of Luton South need to be reassured that their next MP will be much more open, honest and accountable -- and that's about more than talking about it, you've got to actually do it.
You'll see it's modest stuff so far as I don't have the big money of Esther or a political party. I had my Better Politics Pledge printed up large for an article in the local paper. And a couple of train tickets for volunteers -- I have two politics students based in London helping me with policy research as I don't have a party machine behind me (I tried the university here first, but unfortunately they don't do politics).
Think the other candidates should be publishing their expenses too? Have any questions about mine? Please email me at joe@joehallforluton.com And if you're interested in contributing to my campaign, please click here to donate -- even a few pounds is much appreciated.
Why do you love Luton?
Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:30:00 +0000
Great to see the story in this week's Luton News -- results of a poll of reasons why people in the town love Luton. It makes such a contrast with all the Tories' talk of "Broken Britain" (do they think we have "Broken Luton" too?) My campaign is all about building a better future for Luton.
Below is the full rundown of what people said. What do you think? Would love to hear what you love most about Luton: joe@joehallforluton.com I'm building my policies at the moment: what I could do nationally as MP for our future.
Why we love to live & work in Luton
The town’s warmth & energy
makes it a great place to be
The people of Luton have listed the reasons they like to live and work in the town in an on-line survey conducted by Luton First atwww.loveluton.com.
Luton’s warmth and energy is what Lutonians most love about the town, according to an on-line survey of residents. It was top of the list of the reasons why people like to live and work in Luton, carried out over the past few months by the town’s promotional consortium Luton First.
Just over 400 people logged-on to www.loveluton.com to produce a list of 35 reasons why they love Luton, with around 20% making reference to the warmth of the town and the energy of the people.
Luton’s excellent transport links with both London and the rest of the world dominated the next four places, followed by the green spaces which surround the town.
Patricia Murchie of Luton First said today; “The people of Luton are justifiably proud of their town, its heritage, its facilities and its diversity. But they have also managed to highlight the atmosphere of the town and the less tangible features which combine to make Luton their home - a unique town to live, work, and have fun.”
Some of the reasons why they love Luton.
Energy & warmth
Unrivalled transport links
London Luton Airport
Mainline links to London
The nearby M1 Motorway
Green spaces surrounding the town.
Comedy at The Hat Factory
Football and Luton Town FC
Romantic walks and places
The University of Bedfordshire
Wardown Park & Museum
A very homely place to live
The Lea – a wonderful river
Sense of humour
A place of inspiration
Unique diversity
Luton’s famous Carnival
Great community spirit
Great schools
Creativity
Luton in Bloom
Amenities for young people
Orchestras and music
Cleaner air than London – but not far away
Wonderful views
Youth activity in the community
Bars & Restaurants
The Mall shopping centre
Dancing classes
Students Union
Luton – as centre of the millinery industry
A town of immense character
The cafe society
The Luton Music Service
A town with a history
Esther, the Tories and more -- what do you want from your next MP?
Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:02:00 +0000
Two weeks ago I launched my Better Politics Pledge: my straightforward promises on expenses and accountability if I was elected MP for Luton South. I wrote to the other candidates and asked them if they would sign the pledge too -- so we have a clear common promise of high standards and can begin to lay this issue to rest.
I'm very pleased to say Qurban Hussain (Lib Dem candidate) has signed up to my pledge and I applaud him for this.
I also heard back from Esther Rantzen and Nigel Huddlestone (the Tory candidate). Both agreed that we need better conduct on expenses and accountability, but would not sign up to all my promises. In particular, neither would commit to not having a second job.
Esther would continue with public appearances, broadcasting and work for ChildLine and the NSPCC. I admire the work Esther has done for children and as a TV presenter. Some of her continued work would benefit Luton, but being MP is a demanding role and I fear she might simply have too many competing commitments.
Nigel has a pledge on expenses and accountability: I fully support it as it contains most of my promises. On my stronger promise of not taking a second job, Nigel said he would do "at least 50 hours a week" as MP (the equivalent of 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday). Nigel is campaigning on the issue of expenses and accountability and I think he is a serious candidate. So I was surprised he wouldn't rule out having a second job and the amount of time he committed to is less than most MPs do in a week.
In addition, neither Esther nor Nigel would commit to my pledge of having my only home in Luton South. Nigel lives in Wheathampstead and would not move. (He would also claim travel expenses for commuting to London while I would not.) Esther would stay in North London and have a second home in Luton.
I think it is essential we hold our MPs to a high standard and discuss publicly what that standard should be. I firmly believe it begins with a clear, firm, personal pledge. There is more we need to do and I will be building on my Better Politics Pledge with more policies. I would love to hear from you with their views -- email me at joe@joehallforluton.com
More coming soon on what the parties' conference pledges mean for Luton!
Better Politics Pledge -- news so far
Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:54:00 +0000
You can hear my BBC 3 Counties radio interview this morning about the Better Politics Pledge -- including Conservative Nigel Huddlestone's response so far (will he live in Luton? will he promise not to take a second job?): http://bit.ly/9sla0 (skip to 1:55:30 in iPlayer). I'd love to hear your thoughts: joe@joehallforluton.com
Five-Star Better Politics Pledge
Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:29:00 +0000
One of the reasons I'm standing is because I think we deserve better from our MP. Everyone's been up in arms about Margaret Moran, but none of the other candidates have made any cast-iron guarantees they would hold themselves to a higher standard.
So... today I'm launching a Five-Star Better Politics Pledge. Basically, it's common-sense: I will be available to constituents and work hard for them, I'll be open and honest, I won't have a second home (we're only 35 minutes on the train from London!) and I won't claim unreasonable expenses. See the full pledge here.
Today I've written to all the other candidates (Esther, the Tory Huddleston, Qurban Hussain for the Lib Dems, no Labour candidate yet) asking them to sign up to it as well. This is meant to be something positive and constructive, to begin to win back people's trust in politics. Let's see if the other contenders sign up -- or they'll need a good reason why not!
I'd love to know what you think of the Better Politics Pledge. Do you agree with it? Could it be improved? Email me at joe@joehallforluton.com
Best,
Joe
Welcome -- to the campaign for Luton's future
Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:31:00 +0000
Hi!
And welcome to my website.
The first questions you'll probably have right now are "who are you?", "why are you standing for MP?" and "what would you do?" I've begun answering those: please check out Who I Am and What I'll Do.
To answer your question "why stand for MP": it's very simple. I believe that there are immense possibilities in the people of Luton. But too often our ambitions have been ignored or frustrated. I believe we need to come together to build an ambitious future for Luton. To do this, I believe we need a better politics that is rooted in the people of Luton, working hard for the people of Luton, and concerned neither with party politics or celebrity. I want to offer that to the people of Luton South.
I appreciate you may not know me yet. So I'm not asking for your vote yet. All I'm asking for right now is a chance for us to get to know each other, and in time I hope I can earn your vote. So please do contact me with any question you have, please sign up for news on the campaign, and please have a look around the site.
