How are you going to vote? Nigel Farage a Libertarian

Nigel Farage, leader of UKIP, is reported in the Echo today as saying that he intends to make the Eastleigh constituency a four-way marginal.

But this is a warning.  Attractive as UKIP policies appear to be, it is vitally important to consider the consequences of voting for them.

Each vote for UKIP is helpful to the Liberal Democrats.

Don't forget that we have a Coalition Government - NOT a Conservative one - and that Maria Hutchings is a Right Wing Conservative.  Today's Telegraph reports her as saying: "If there was a referendum now (on the EU), I would vote 'out'."

She would also oppose same sex marriage and is very concerned about unrestricted immigration.

And did you know that Nigel Farage is a libertarian?  In an interview with the Daily Telegraph on 18th November 2010 he said the following:
"Yes, but I am also a libertarian. I think prostitution, for instance, should be decriminalised and regulated. I feel that about drugs, too. I don’t do them myself but I think the war on drugs does more harm than the drugs themselves."

Maria's Campaign Pledges

These are Maria's Campaign Pledges:

1. To be the best MP we've ever had.  "I am not a professional politician.  I'm a straight talking business woman and mother of four.  I'll be a local MP you can trust and a strong local voice in Winchester.  You will read about me in the Daily Echo, not the Daily Mail!"
2. Fighting inappropriate development.  "I've backed protests across the constituency to say 'no' to the Council's badly thought out plans."
3. Supporting people who work hard and do the right thing.  My family knows what it's like to watch every penny as the bills hit the doormat.  I back plans to take the lowest paid out of tax altogether."

Helping with the Everyday Cost of Living

Maria Hutchings, Parliamentary Conservative Candidate for Eastleigh, has thrown her support behind p; policies to help families across Eastleigh with the everyday cost of living.

Conservatives in government are helping councils freeze Council Tax for a third year and have recently taken action to hold down duty on petrol.

We're also helping people in Eastleigh by increasing the basic tax threshold, meaning more money in your pocket at the end of the month.

Maria backs these bold policies and understands local concerns: "I know how important every penny is for most families.  I worry about making our income last until the end of the month and anything the government can do to help ease the cost of everyday life is important to me and many others across Eastleigh and our villages."

EU Budget cut for the first time ever

News story

EU Budget: A good deal for Britain and Europe

Friday, February 8 2013

The EU's multi-annual budget has been cut for the first time ever and the British rebate remains safe.

Today the Prime Minister, working alongside like-minded European allies, achieved his aim of ensuring a cut in the EU's multi-annual budget. This is the first time ever an EU multi-annual budget has been cut.

The limit on the EU's multi-annual budget, which decides the amount of money the EU can spend over the next seven years, has been reduced from the proposed figure of €988 billion to €908 billion. This figure is €80 billion lower than the budget originally proposed by many other European countries and €35billion lower than the last deal agreed by the previous Labour government.

The Prime Minster had hoped to negotiate with European counterparts, at worst, a freeze to the budget - at best, he hoped for a cut. Today's agreement represents a cut as EU spending cannot rise above €908 billion - €24billion less than if there had been a freeze on the last completed EU budget.

But the Prime Minister also hoped for a budget which would stimulate growth in Europe in a way which was affordable. The share of the budget grant to Common Agricultural Policy has been reduced whilst this budget will encourage research and development and help the EU's newest members make up for lost decades under communism.

Today, the Prime Minister also fought off attempts to change the British rebate so the British rebate remains safe and continues to represent a great deal for the British taxpayer.

The Prime Minister said of the agreement, "Today's deal means countries can properly plan spending whilst restricting the costs borne by the European taxpayer. It shows that working with allies, it is possible to take steps towards reform in the European Union. As I said in my recent speech, this is the way to get a good deal for Br

About Maria Hutchings

A campaigner for special needs children and carers, Maria hit the headlines when she ‘hand bagged’ Tony Blair over the closure of special schools. She is now investing that passion to serve the people of Eastleigh too.

Maria lives in West End, in the heart of the constituency. She is married to Stuart (Marketing Manager for a group of electronics companies) and they have four children. Maria believes that family, improved early year’s outcomes for our children and community values are foundations to building upon Great Britain.

A cellist, pianist and dancer, Maria was awarded a place at London University to study a BA in dance and religion. But politics was too strong a pull and she finally read, and was awarded, a BA (hons) in Social Science and Public Administration. Her options were in social psychology and race relations. Her dissertation: “Societal views on the plight of battered wives”.

Maria is the daughter of John, who served in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and Vicky, who worked in a clothing factory. She has a strong sense of duty and a commitment to supporting the armed forces. In fact in February 2008 she and Eastleigh Conservatives were award winners in The National Excellence Awards for their social action project In It Together, a project that sees youngsters and senior citizens working to help our servicemen and women, and their families.

CARING AND CAMPAIGNING

She has spent the last thirteen years taking care of her remarkable son John Paul, who was diagnosed with autism, severe learning disabilities and severe, specific language disorder.

She has worked tirelessly to support special schools and to fight for a better deal in education, respite services and speech and language therapy for disabled children. has spent the last thirteen years taking care of her remarkable son John Paul, who was diagnosed with autism, severe l

THE BUSINESS WORLD

Maria has worked in the Communications Industry for twenty six years. Her clients have ranged from small businesses to blue chips such as EMI Records, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Texaco. Her specialisms in communications are recruitment and new business development.

She has also worked in Malta, where she was a radio broadcaster, with a daily show, for the first English speaking radio station.

Currently, she is working as a Communications Consultant in Eastleigh.

EASTLEIGH

Maria’s main focus now is listening to, and serving, the people of the Eastleigh constituency. She is working with her team to combat over-development and the consequent infrastructure problems (particularly in Botley), fighting the gravel pits in the Hamble Peninsula, the closure of post offices and campaigning to make parking make sense in the area.

Maria’s “spare time” is spent with her family; walking, swimming, making music and keeping their marine aquarium.ea

Maria Hutchings Selected by Eastleigh Conservatives

Local champion Maria Hutchings was selected last night as the Conservative Party candidate for the Parliamentary by-election in Eastleigh.

Maria Hutchings said:

 

"I’m delighted to be the Conservative candidate for Eastleigh and hope to be the best local MP we’ve ever had. Although I may not be a professional politician, I’m a straight talking business woman and mother of four who lives in the local area.

 

“Having fought the Council’s badly thought out plans for inappropriate development, I know what local people in the area care about. We need a local MP we can trust – someone who will support people who work hard and do the right thing.

 

“That’s particularly true during these difficult times. My family knows what it’s like to watch every penny as the bills hit the doormat. I will offer a strong voice in Westminster for the concerns of hard working people in Eastleigh”.

 

Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps MP said:

 

“Maria Hutchings will be a brilliant local MP that people in Eastleigh can trust. She is already working hard for local people and is in tune with the community.

 

“I’m looking forward to joining her on the doorstep.”

Double Booking Disaster at New RHCH Outpatients

Happy New Year for Outpatients - Hampshire Hospitals delivers new Outpatient Department for Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Or so they say!  I had a very frustrating experience when I visited the new Outpatients at the RHCH in Winchester today.  My appointment was at 12.20pm so I arrived in good time in order to find somewhere to park and then walk right to the other end of the hospital.

I arrived with 10 minutes to spare, booked in and took a seat to await my turn.... and waited...and waited...and waited.  After twenty minutes  I heard my name mentioned so I went to the desk and asked what was happening and was just told to wait.  After another twenty minutes I heard a foreign girl talking about me to the receptionist so went up and asked again.  I was told to sit at the front and wait.  A few minutes later the girl came out again and once more started talking about me, so I asked again.  At first the receptionist denied that they were talking about me but the foreign girl admitted that they were talking about me and that I had missed my appointment as the doctor had gone to lunch.

I was then told that the doctor didn't need to see me anyway!  By this time an hour had passed since I arrived.

 The two young ladies explained to me that the new Outpatients had a Dual Booking In System.  It was booked in at Reception and then it was supposed to be booked in on the doctor's screen - computer, I suppose.

But it hadn't been booked in on the doctor's system so he thought I hadn't come and just went to lunch.  

But the assistant came out and talked to the receptionist about me.  why didn't they call my name?????????????????????

I'm afraid the new Outpatients is a total disaster!  

so if you are unfortunate to have an appointment there, be aware that you need to make sure the doctor knows you are there.