David McBride outlines his priorities for Orpington (Bromley Borough Liberal Democrats)

Bromley Borough Liberal Democrats <info@bromleylibdems.org.uk>

David McBride outlines his priorities for Orpington

April 12, 2010 7:25 PM

Liberal Democrat candidate for Orpington, local Cllr David McBride, has outlined his priorities for the area if elected as MP for his home town.

Cllr David McBride reminded party workers that he was the only local candidate that can win the race to be Orpington's MP. With only 5000 votes between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, and all other parties getting under 10% of the vote last time the choice is a straight one between Cllr David McBride, who has lived in Orpington for over 30 years, and the Conservative candidate who has no connections locally and was only selected in December.

Under the heading "Orpington Matters - a fair deal for Orpington" David outlined his priorities:

1) Protecting local health services - he joined the march against the closure of services at Queen Mary's Hospital and wants to protect services at Orpington Hospital as well as bringing to account those responsible for the massive debt at the PRUH.

2) Keeping Orpington clean and tidy - David has a strong record in the Cray Valley East area for working with local groups and residents in keeping the area clean.

3) Developing facilities for young people - David has worked with local groups and clubs to provide facilities for young people of all ages. He is President of Orpington Town FC, which has brought football back to St Mary Cray and Poverest.

4) Protecting Orpington's heritage and environment - David has earned a reputation on Bromley Council for speaking against overdevelopment and protecting the Green Belt. He has called for more family housing to be provided for local people, not just lots of one bedroom flats.

5) Improving Orpington High Street - what is happening there at the moment is a farce. The Conservative Council is spending £2million but is doing nothing about getting the empty shops filled or the High Street safer. David also says the Council should not charge for car parking when they are doing works to shopping areas.

"It is about time that Orpington has a really local MP, who has lived, gone to school, shopped locally and used local services for a long time. How can someone represent Orpington's residents properly if they do not know the area properly?" said Cllr David McBride.