Thankyou | |
"Thank you," says Labour candidate Richard McKenzie. "I want to thank every Labour voter for their support. Obviously I am disappointed with the result. Even though we knew from the outset that it is the role of third parties to get squeezed and that we would lose the deposit, you always want to do a little better than reality tells you will happen. "I hope I achieved what I set out to do - a relentlessly positive campaign, concentrating on areas where I thought I personally could make a difference. And I will continue my campaign, ignored by the other parties, to save the lock-keepers cottages," Not a great night for Labour, but no worse than the by-elections in Romsey and Winchester when Labour was 20 points in front in the polls. Another truly awful night, however, for the Liberal Democrats, who threw their full by-election machine at this one and didn't even come close. The mutterings against LibDem Leader Nick Clegg at Westminster will be a little louder today. | |
Five good reasons to vote Labour today | |
1 Vote with your principles. The LibDems always exaggerate their support. They were miles behind the Tories in Henley last time and have no chance of winning despite their dirty tricks. Tactical voting has never worked in Henley and people can safely vote with their principles. 2 Reject LibDem Dirty Tricks. The by-election has been marked by LibDem smears and personal attacks on the Conservative candidate. Yet the LibDems did a deal even before David Davis’ resignation not to contest the sham by-election caused by the Tory Shadow Home Secretary because they agree with him on cutting back on CCTV cameras and stopping the police holding terrorist suspects longer. 3 Tories unfit to govern. The Tories are still not fit to form a government. They have no clear policies. David Cameron has still not expelled those Tory MPs and MEPs who have been siphoning off public money to family members. 4 Labour – On your side. Labour’s Richard McKenzie is on your side and can get things done for local people as he has shown with this week’s climb down by the Environment Agency over the sale of lock-keepers’ cottages on the Thames. Richard is supporting extra investment for local schools and hospitals, longer GP opening hours to benefit patients and more affordable housing for people and families on low-incomes. 5 The LibDems can’t win here. They were 13,000 votes behind last time and have only got a quarter of the vote in the last three elections here. “Richard has proved himself to be a great champion for local people and deserves your vote today. “ | |
At the Henley Rowing Museum with Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP | |
Labour Candidate, Richard McKenzie, visits one the icons of Henley - the Henley Rowing Museum - with Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman. | |
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Working hard for you | |
A new voice for Henley | |
| From Henley to Culham and Thame to Whitchurch Hill residents have told me of their dissatisfaction with their MP. I promise to concentrate on the Henley Constituency. I believe that an MP should work for you all year round and not just when there are jamborees to open. I have won and fought campaigns to tackle anti-social behaviour, introduce CCTV , improve social housing, to protect health services, fight against inappropriate development and to protect the environment. Richard said, "The Labour values of social justice, equality and economic fairness are just as relevant to the Henley Constituency as any other; I know that I can make a difference in Henley and that I am the right candidate to be Henley's next MP". | |
Speaking up for Henley | |
| Richard will make the Henley Constituency his only job. He wants to make sure you have an MP that works for you all year round. As a husband and father of 2 children Richard knows that families need support. Richard will campaign for improvements in our schools and childcare facilities. Henley is a beautiful place. Richard will campaign against over-development in the constituency. Henley people need good facilities. Richard will fight to retain local facilities that bring benefit to our communities, including shops and post offices. Richard will fight to protect the access to the Thames for all, and to ensure the Locks stay open. Richard will work to ensure that the Towns in the Constituency remain economically viable. Richard will work to ensure that the County puts enough resources in place to support Henley and its residents. Married with two children at local comprehensive schools, Richard grew up in Chertsey. He attended Reading University where he studied Russian and German. A member of his local Baptist Church, Richard has a wide range of interests including the saxophone and water sports. At university he was involved in many student campaigns, and went on to serve as a local councillor in Reading. It was as a local councillor that he was able to demonstrate that practical politics works, campaigning with local people to achieve things for the community. | |
