Allan Knox for Ribble Valley - Ribble Valley Liberal Democrats

Lib Dems and Eurofighter

2010-04-25T13:37:00.001+01:00

Allan Knox and the Lib Dems have set out clearly and honestly on how they stand on future defence procurement. They have come to the conclusion that procurement of Tranche 3B of Eurofighter would not be in the best interests of future defence policy.

Neither Tory nor Labour manifestos say what they will do about Tranche 3B. Allan said:"I think they are both being disingenuous with the electorate. Both parties say they will have a defence review in the next parliament which in all probability will conclude that they will not sign up for Tranche 3B.

"Lib Dems are clear about where they want to see future defence projects and will support the continued procurement from BAE for Tranche 3A as well as the Joint Strike fighter and Drones projects.

"Finally, I find it a sad reflection on politics that one of my opponents resorts to scare tactics in one of his leaflets where he says that we will scrap Tranche 3 with the implication that we mean 3A as well as 3B when in our manifesto we clearly set out we would not sign up for 3B

"Scrapping 3A not only would be stupid due to the loss of jobs but would also incur significant penalty costs on the country which would make its scrapping pointless.

"I feel the accusation speaks more abut the desperation of their campaign than any serious discussion of defence issues."

4 steps to a fairer Britain

2010-04-06T19:57:00.001+01:00

Allan Knox and the Liberal Democrats have launched their four steps to a fairer Britain. These are:

Fair taxes that put money back in your pocket

* The first £10,000 you earn tax-free: a tax cut of £700 for most people
* 3.6 million low earners and pensioners freed from income tax completely
* Paid for in full by closing loopholes that unfairly benefit the wealthy and polluters

A fair future creating jobs by making Britain greener

* Break up the banks and get them lending again to protect real businesses
* Honesty about the tough choices needed to cut the deficit
* Green growth and jobs that last by investing in infrastructure
A fair chance for every child

* Ensure children get the individual attention they need by cutting class sizes
* Made possible by investing £2.5 billion in schools targeted to help struggling pupils
* Give schools the freedom to make the right choices for their pupils

A fair deal by cleaning up politics

* Put trust back into politics by giving you the right to sack corrupt MPs
* Restore and protect hard-won British civil liberties with a Freedom Bill
* Overhaul Westminster completely: fair votes, an elected House of Lords, all politicians to pay full British taxes

Allan Knox said:"You've been let down by Labour for the last 13 years. You've had 65 years of Labour and Conservative Governments taking it in turns to make the same old mistakes over and over again. The choice in this election is between more of the same with Labour and the Conservatives or real change with the Liberal Democrats. We will clean up politics. We will deliver fairness. We will change Britain."

Allan Knox backs Community Pubs, Local Brewers and Consumer Rights!

2010-04-01T12:07:00.001+01:00

Allan Knox, Ribble Valley Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for the Ribble Valley constituency has today committed to:

Promote the interests of Britain’s pub goers
Champion well-run community pubs
Support the rebalancing alcohol taxation to support beer and pubs
Press for reform of beer tie to deliver a fair deal for consumers
Support the role of well-run pubs as solutions to alcohol misuse

These commitments are based on a campaign being run by CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale which is asking all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates whether they are willing to speak up for Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers. CAMRA’s new Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter sets out a series of options for supporting well-run community pubs, local brewers and consumer rights.

Mike Benner, CAMRA’s Chief Executive welcomed Allan Knox’s support for the Charter, saying:

"We are delighted that Allan Knox has promised to work to promote the interests of beer drinkers and pub goers. Well-run pubs make a huge contribution to community life, each of which injects £80,000 into their local economy every year. Amid growing concern over the loss of more than 5 pubs a day, it is now more important than ever to support well-run community pubs, to promote local brewers and to protect the interests of consumers."

Speaking after signing up to CAMRA’s Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter, Allan Knox said: "I am proud to be speaking up for community pubs, local brewers and consumers. Well-run pubs are the bedrock of community life - they are part of the solution to the problem of alcohol misuse and not part of the problem. They deserve our support."

Allan Knox pledges support for NSPCC General Election campaign to protect children

2010-03-22T23:47:00.001Z

Allan Knox, prospective parliamentary candidate for Ribble Valley, has pledged to support the NSPCC’s ‘I stand for children’ campaign which aims to make child protection a priority for the next Parliament.

Allan Knox said: “As the Lib Dem candidate in Ribble Valley I’m supporting the NSPCC’s new campaign to ensure protecting children is a political priority: I Stand for Children.”

The NSPCC’s campaign is calling on candidates to commit to a range of child protection measures including:

Making the internet safer for children
Continued funding of helpline services for children and for adults concerned about the safety or welfare of a child
Tackling domestic violence from a child's point of view
Ensuring that vital child protection reforms are fully implemented and resourced, following the death of Baby Peter and other child deaths since
Provision of resources for vital therapeutic services for children who have experienced abuse
Strengthening the role of the children's commissioner in England to act as a genuinely independent voice for children.

The charity’s Diana Sutton, head of the public affairs and campaigns unit at the NSPCC, said: “We need to make sure that the next elected Government keeps child protection high on its list of priorities. By signing up to our campaign, candidates in this next general election can help. The public can play their role by letting the politicians know what they want done.”

Where would we be without our National Health Service?

2010-03-17T02:09:00.000Z

The NHS services we all use and rely on are admired by people in almost every country in the world. Our doctors, nurses and many other health professionals and staff who work for the NHS do an amazing job for us every single day for people in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

But just imagine for a second what things would be like if they were not there.

We could end up with a health system like they have in America (the one President Barack Obama is trying to change). In America, families have to pay huge sums of money each year for health care.

What happens in America if you can’t afford it? Well in the case of millions of pensioners and less well off people, you can be turned away from a hospital no matter how much you are in need.
We must never allow this to happen here - we must protect our NHS.

Today our NHS is under greater threat than ever. We have had a Labour Government that has wasted millions of pounds on bureaucracy while putting front line services in jeopardy.

Many people will also remember the damage the last Conservative Government did to our NHS.
Over Christmas the Daily Telegraph reported that David Cameron held an hour of talks with a group that wants ‘the full privatisation of the NHS’. Another top Conservative has appeared on American TV to oppose Barack Obama’s plans to reform healthcare. He described our NHS as a ‘sixty year mistake’.

No wonder most people don’t believe that the Conservatives can be trusted with our NHS again.
That’s why we need a strong local MP to fight for local health services. That’s why last August I was one of the first to criticise the decision to suspend work on Clitheroe hospital.

I hope you will now join me by backing Nick Clegg’s NHS guarantee - to find out more please do see the enclosed leaflet. With your support, we can get real change in Britain and protect our NHS.

No More Westminster Gravy Train

2010-03-16T23:39:00.002Z

I am sure like me you will have been appalled by the behaviour of the country’s MPs over the past year or so and the expenses scandal.

That’s why I am launching my campaign for Ribble Valley by stating what I will do as your MP - and what I won’t.

As your MP, my main priority will be to work for you the people of Ribble Valley, I will not hang around in Westminster as lobby fodder for the party whips when I could be meeting with and working for you, nor will I travel the world on so called fact-finding trips.
I will not claim for mortgage interest on any property, nor will I employ any members of my family.
If I decide to rent a second home in London, I will furnish it at my own expense and pay all bills myself.
I will not claim for any meals while I am Westminster, and only for 2nd class rail fares.
I will be open and honest about all expenses involved in representing you.
Every 6 months I will report back to you on what I have been doing for the people of Ribble Valley constituency.
I will support legislation that will give you the right to sack corrupt MPs.

Obviously this will will only be a start and all MP elected at this election will have a hard job to regain public trust.

I will be open and honest in everything I do and as your MP all my work will be carried out in light of the pledges I have made above.

Allan Knox puts fairness at the heart of the Liberal Democrat campaign for Ribble Valley

2010-01-11T14:34:00.001Z

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will fight the General Election on four key principles, designed to make Britain a fairer place.
PPC for Ribble valley, _Allan Knox_, has today set out his campaign priorities: fair taxes; a fair start for every child; fair, clean and local politics and a fair, green economy with jobs that last.

Allan Knox said:

“People in _Ribble valley_ have been let down by their politicians and are rightly frustrated. I am going into the election with a clear direction and a manifesto that is short, direct and to the point.

“We will introduce fairer taxes by closing loopholes for the richest, introducing a tax on mansions and tax cuts of £700 for everyone else.

“If your child is at school in Ribble valley, we can promise investment to help reduce class sizes, improve discipline and develop one-to-one tuition.

“We would also give you the right to sack your MP. The Liberal Democrats are the only party committed to real change of our political system, flushing out big money and corrupt donors and reducing the number of MPs by 150.

“And we will rebuild the economy in every part of Britain in a way that promotes green technology and creates lasting jobs. We will put an end to casino banking, bring back competition and support local entrepreneurs to make sure Ribble valley businesses can find the money they need to grow.

“The coming months are a crucial time for politics and I will be using them to focus on these four priorities and delivering real change for Ribble valley.”

In his speech this morning Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg said:

“David Cameron and Gordon Brown are playing the politics of the airbrush and the focus group.

“One doesn’t know what he believes. The other doesn’t know what to do with the power he clings to so desperately.

“I believe the country wants something different. The Liberal Democrats are different. We offer credibility where it’s needed. And hope for our common future.”

Tory knife plans would add penny on income tax

2008-08-01T14:05:00.003+01:00

When Tory leader David Cameron recently said: "If you are carrying a knife and you are caught, you should expect to go to prison. Plain, simple, clear." - he was effectively launching a plan that would put a penny on the basic rate of income tax.

The Home Office’s 2006 Offending, Crime and Justice Survey reveal that 3% of 10 to 25 year olds admitted to carrying a knife in the past year, equivalent to 334,167 people.

To imprison them would cost £4.9 billion a year, equivalent to a penny on income tax. This is based on the annual price of keeping a prisoner behind bars, on top of the cost of building the 100,000 thousand additional prison places that would be needed to house them all.

The average sentence currently given to under 18s caught carrying a knife is 3.4 months. Based on this sentence, nearly 100,000 10 to 25 year olds would be behind bars at any one time. Housing these people alone would cost £3.8 billion.

The capital cost of building the 100,000 additional prison places (equivalent to 40 titan prisons) would mean an annual cost of £1.1 billion through having to pay interest on the debt caused by building the prisons.

These figures demonstrate just how little grip on reality David Cameron has. The Tories have been just as irresponsible in threatening prison as Labour has been in pledging hospital visits for offenders.

By promising to imprison everyone who carries a knife, David Cameron appears to want to double the prison population which is already at record levels and the highest in Europe.

These figures for knife-carrying also demonstrate the total failure of the Government to get a grip on the knife culture that exists in parts of this country.

Instead of chasing headlines, Labour and the Tories need to come down to earth and forge a consensus on what works, such as hot-spot policing, intelligence-led stop and search, and restorative justice.

The evidence shows the best way to cut crime is not by posturing on penalties but by increasing detection.

Tory Come Lately

2008-05-16T15:07:00.001+01:00

Nigel Evans and the Conservatives have recently been making a great deal of noise about the need to compensate people who lose out as a result of Labour’s decision to double the 10p income tax starter rate.

But they refused to support a compensation package when one was proposed last year.

In June 2007, in the House of Commons, after the tax rise was first announced, the Liberal Democrats and a small group of Labour backbenchers proposed an amendment to the Government’s Finance Bill which would have made the Government compensate those people on low incomes who would end up paying more under Labour’s tax grab plans.

Where were the Conservatives? "We cannot support it," said Conservative spokesperson Theresa Villiers MP during the parliamentary debate. Only one Conservative MP voted for compensation, and he has since resigned from the party!

Nigel and the Conservatives only woke up to this issue and started making a fuss this year, after the changes came in, when they saw the press were interested in it. More than a year after the Liberal Democrats first raised the issue.

Lib Dems Challenge ID Cards

2008-05-12T16:10:00.002+01:00

Ribble Valley Lib Dems have pledged to fight Labour plans for a national identity database and ID card scheme. Gordon Brown plans to push ahead with the scheme, despite an estimated cost of £6bn.

Local campaigner, Allan Knox, said, “The question we have to ask ourselves is ‘Do we trust this Government with our personal data?’After months of losing the private details of millions, I for one will not be trusting them with my personal information.”

Lib Dem plans to tackle Credit Crunch

2008-05-12T16:03:00.002+01:00

Liberal Democrats have unveiled a plan to get the economy back on track and make sure that it can stand up to the buffeting the international markets and the credit crunch are giving it.

The plan is specifically designed to protect homeowners from bearing the brunt of the mistakes made by banks.

Main points in the plan are:

Taking the banks by the scruff of their necks, not tugging at their sleeves. It is time the chancellor made it clear that taxpayers will not be made to bear the brunt of mistakes made by the banks.
In return for money being pumped into the market and the guarantees being offered by the Bank of England, banks need to come clean about the full level of their losses.
Lenders must stop anti-social repossession practices. While some high street banks already ensure that repossession is a genuine last resort, many sub-prime lenders repossess in a highly aggressive manner.
The financial sector needs to accept that there can never again be a credit boom like this.
Credit must be more tightly controlled in boom periods to help mitigate the effects of a slowdown.

Meanwhile Ribble Valley Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman, Allan Knox, accused the Tories of having no answers to the crisis.

He said: “All they can do is carp and criticise the government. Their only policy is to say the Stamp Duty threshold for first timebuyers should be raised to £250,000, yet when you look at the sums - it doesn’t add up.”

Tory MP backs Lib Dem Policies?

2008-03-26T17:04:00.003Z

Ribble Valley residents will no doubt be intrigued to hear of the views of Nigel Evans MP on “green taxes”. In the House of the Commons debate on the Budget he said: “Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that any "green taxes" should be revenue-neutral?”

This intrigued me, so I looked up the Tory party website to find out what their policy on green issues is. Unfortunately there aren’t any.

However Nigel will be pleased to hear that there is one party that has fully costed proposals on green taxes that are revenue neutral.

The Liberal Democrats want to reverse the decline in green taxation under Labour, and use the revenue to cut income tax. They will cut income tax by 4p in the pound and increase taxes on carbon emissions and other resource usage that causes global warming. So the more you go green, the more money you save.

So if Nigel wants to support revenue neutral green taxes perhaps he should be in a party which has policies espousing them. I can always give him a membership card.

Hold the Tories to Account

2008-03-26T17:00:00.002Z

Yesterday the Conservatives held a debate where they demanded an inquiry into the Iraq War.

Yet for the Tories to demand an inquiry into the Iraq war is like Ronnie Biggs wanting an inquiry into the Great Train Robbery.

It is flattering that the Conservatives at long last have come round to the Liberal Democrats long-held belief that there must be a full inquiry into the war as soon as possible. However, it would have greater strength if they admitted the key role they had in letting this catastrophic decision be made in the first place.

If David Cameron, William Hague and Nigel Evans want any legitimacy in this debate, the first thing they should do is say sorry for the way they propped up the Labour Party as it pushed us into an illegal war.

Tory Post Office U-Turn

2008-03-10T14:13:00.002Z

I was surprised to read the in Clitheroe Advertiser of 28 Feb that Nigel Evans MP has become a supporter of the Post Office.

The reason for this is that under the last Conservative Government, which Mr Evans was a member of, and that David Cameron was a senior adviser to, 3,500 Post Offices were closed.

When the Labour Government announced the current wave of closures on 14th December 2006, the Conservatives had no solutions at all to solve the Post Office crisis.

Whilst they gave us warm words on the need to support Post Offices, there was no explanation as to how they would keep branches open.

Liberal Democrats on the other hand have a fully costed plan to save Post Offices from closure. This would keep Post Office Ltd in the public sector but split it away from the Royal Mail. It would also then raise £2 billion from the sale of a minority of shares in Royal Mail and invest this money in the Post Office network. This would mean new equipment and new services. The plan would also free the Post Office from Royal Mail controls that prevent branches doing business for other parcel delivery companies.

So before Mr Evans starts campaigning about Post Office closures, he should admit that he has pillar-box-red blood on his hands.

3 days left to save local Post Offices

2008-02-27T16:16:00.003Z

The deadline for representations to the consultation on the proposed closure of Billington, Mellor and Newton Post Office is fast approaching. If you have not already done so, will you please write to or email the Post Office and object to the closure proposal. The maintenance of these facilities is vital to the future health and vitality of our villages

Individual letters will carry most weight, so every extra letter is vital. Your letter doesn’t have to be long. Please try to make it personal and express your own reasons – why for instance it would not be practical for you to use one of the alternative offices or how your local office gives such a good personal service and provides a focus for the community.

Your letter (which doesn’t need a stamp) should be sent to:
Richard Lunds
Network Development Manager
Post Office Limited
C/o National Consultation Team
FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM

or email to consultation@postoffice.co.uk

Action on Climate Change

2008-01-18T13:03:00.001Z

Allan Knox says: “Ten years on, Britain is still paying the price for the environmental failures of the last Conservative Government.

“David Cameron rode his bike to work, but was followed by his big gas-guzzling car. Indeed, Friends of the Earth and the World Wildlife Fund, gave Tory green policies 0 out of 10.

“The Conservative MEP Caroline Jackson revealed the truth when she said, ‘I think from the point of view of the Conservative party, pursuing the green line it’s all talk and no action at the moment.’”