Why I will be voting NO in the alternative vote referendum

As you will already be aware on May the 5^th this year as well as going to the poll for the local elections there will also be a referendum over our voting system. The liberal democrats demanded this last year as part of their deal to power share with either the Conservatives or Labour. Do we vote to change to the alternative votes system or do we vote to keep the current system in place. Well I for one will vote to keep the current system (First past the post) in place where I think it rightly deserves to be and here is why!!
The current system is simple and fair the candidate with the most votes is elected and then what ever party wins the most seats gains/hold power - simple and easy to understand!!!
How can it be fair under the new proposed system that it is possible for the candidate who comes second or even third to win the election.
IF you’re a voter of a mainstream party (Conservative, Labour, Lib dems) then your vote will count for less under the new system than someone that votes for a minority party, this is because those parties are highly likely to be eliminated first meaning their voters other preferences will be counted more times before it reaches the mainstream parties if it does at all!!
This new system is likely to increase the likely hood of more hung parliament. Do we really want more back room deals (like the last general election) where the only vote that really matters on who gets the keys to 10 downing street are the leaders of the third party (lib dems), when it should be us and us only that decides that.
Only three countries in the world uses the alternative vote system, one of those countries is Australia and we all no the shambles of their last election where it took weeks to decide which party was going to gain power. And now 6 in 10 Australians would like to see the voting system placed in the bins so to speak.
This new system will cost us the taxpayer around 250 million pounds to change to this new system, how can it be right to foot the bill whilst we are facing these huge economic challenges when we need every penny to go towards things like the NHS, Policing, Education and Social care etc.Of coarse these are my main reasons for voting NO but of coarse there are others as well, for more info you can go and take a look at this website as I found it very interesting http://www.no2av.org/

You can also currently add your vote on the online poll right now on this website http://www.wellsconservatives.org.uk/

So i do hope you will consider joining me in voting NO on may the 5th

Grit bins for Wells!!

It was great to see that last Autumn new grit bins were placed at in the key areas around the city in time for last decembers heavy snowfall. We all know how difficult it is to get around certain parts of the city (particually the hawkers lane area of Wells.) due to heavy snowfall on our roads and also on our paths making all our daily aspects of our life challenging whether thats getting to work or getting our food shopping plus a whole range of other daily activities.

This is why I was proud to consult with local councillor John North (please see photo) last year about the importance of having grit bins available to the locals in key sites around wells away from the main roads, particually in areas of steep inclines.

Great to see the City council listening to the concern of us the local residents and taking the appropriate action, well done!!!