I’ve been MP for Battersea for 12 years. I am really proud of our achievements and I’m hugely ambitious for Battersea’s future.
In the last parliament I have campaigned successfully for a tube link for Battersea (in place by 2012); new bus routes; the rebuilding of South Thames College and a new health centre at the heart of my constituency.
I’ve helped stop all-day flights into Heathrow; 42-storey blocks in Clapham Junction and a residential area in Wandsworth; and the closure of Battersea Arts Centre and Wandsworth Museum.
But without enough money, it’s impossible for me to tell residents about my work on their behalf. What’s really galling is that the Conservative candidate – under Ashcroft’s direction – can claim credit where it’s not due. Our government has put millions of pounds into installing new lifts and an entrance at Clapham Junction Station but the Conservatives are trying to fool residents into believing the scheme is going ahead because the Conservative council gave 300,000.
As someone who has always thought we have got to completely transform the way we pay for politics, we have reached a spectacularly low ebb. Tory Party campaigning is being funded and directed by a man who avoids paying his fair share to our public services.
I was proud that Gordon Prentice and I were able to get the new political parties bill amended so that in future non doms – even though they are resident in this country – will not be able to donate to political parties. After all, if they don’t pay taxes why should they get a say in how we pay for our services?
It’s not just Ashcroft of course. The Conservatives are considered the party with money. Last year alone the Conservatives in Battersea, received six times more in registered donations than us – with them raising over 12,000.
I hope you can help us change this, and potentially change the course of this election campaign, and donate here.
Candidate: Martin Linton
Seat: Battersea
Currently held by: Labour
Majority: 336(notional)
Candidate website: www.martinlinton.org.uk