David James Bentley
UK Independence Party
Oldham East and Saddleworth Constituency
Address
29 George Street
Shaw
OL2 8DL
We are more than the issue of Europe
I WAS born in Oldham, and, apart from several spells in London, has always lived here, originally in Failsworth and, since 1995, in Shaw.
I was educated at Chadderton Grammar School, Middlesex and Manchester Polytechnics and Cranfield Institute of Technology.
I now run an international air transport consulting and publishing business, based in Oldham.
Although by no means a career politician, I have taken an interest in politics since an early age, served as a Parish Councillor (Shaw & Crompton) and stood in the Oldham borough elections on several occasions, most recently as an independent.
I believe UKIP, which is fielding over 550 candidates in this election, is the only serious political party to have the guts to stand up and be counted on the issues that matter most to voters — crime, immigration and the parlous state of the economy.
But let me deal first with the original reason for UKIP’s existence — Europe.
UKIP insists on a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and on continuing membership of the undemocratic EU.
If elected, I will campaign vigorously on these issues. This is one of the most important matters facing the country.
The European Union and its Commission, Council of Ministers, Parliament and Courts now wield immense power over us, though many of its officers are unelected.
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Biography
The 55-year-old, of George Street, Shaw, runs an international air transport consulting and publishing business. Born in Oldham, he was educated at Chadderton Grammar School and served as a parish councillor in Shaw in 2003-04 and has previously stood as a candidate in local elections for the Conservatives and as an Independent. *********************************
We are preciously close to there being little point in having a government or parliament of our own.
And it costs us dearly. We pay in vastly more than we get back — over £45 million each and every day.
That would go some way to paying off the deficit, wouldn’t it?
Alternatively it would pay for 20,000 nurses (the population of Shaw, or Saddleworth), or 270 Chinook helicopters at £52 million each to protect troops in Afghanistan. UKIP would still trade with Europe, but also forge stronger links with the Commonwealth.
But UKIP is not just about Europe.
We have a whole range of sensible domestic policies. For example we would encourage manufacturing so we don’t have to rely any longer on the failed financial services sector in London; have a grammar school in every town; uphold the ‘free at the point of care’ principle of the NHS but introduce a credit voucher scheme for those preferring to opt out; have zero tolerance of crime.
See http://tiny.cc/twkz3 for the mini manifesto (four pages).
As I have lived here most of my life you can be sure I will continue to take a close interest in the town.
I feel strongly about issues such as: Metrolink — we would have been better off keeping the rail service; the poor image of Oldham; the abuse and ignorance of its gems — the old Town Hall and Alexandra Park; the decline of the market; the high cost of parking.
Not to mention the high level of council tax.
I’d like to see Oldham strive for something instead of being shunted continually down a siding. City status perhaps?
I respectfully ask for your support on May 6. www.twitter.com/davidbentleyoes.
