Local residents inBrentford, Chiswick,Hounslow andIsleworth are fed upof listening toLabour talking toughabout crime, buttaking little actionon the ground.Liberal Democratswant to see morepolice patrolling ourstreets to make themsafer.

Following meetings withlocal police, ProspectiveP a r l i a m e n t a r yCandidate AndrewDakers said, ‘The localpolice are beingdesperately stretched.Labour try to show thatthey are tough on crimethrough headlinegrabbing initiatives butthe reality is that weneed more policeofficers on our streetsand a boost in thenumber of ImmediateResponse Vehicle driversto make the publicsafer.’

Response to callsgetting worseThe Met Police havetargets to make surethat all highestpriority 999emergency call outsare responded towithin 12 minutes.

The figures taken andanalysed by the LibDems from LondonMayoral Answers,showed that Hounslowwas one of the fiveboroughs with thepoorest record ofattending emergency999 police calls with41% of calloutsoutside the target.

Helping the Met meet their targetsIn April 2004, the Methighlighted that it was1,000 drivers short inLondon Boroughs.

Commenting on thefigures, Lib DemLondon AssemblyPolicing Spokesperson

Lynne Featherstonesaid, ‘Poor responsetimes to 999 calls bythe police puts thepublic’s safety at risk asa delay in respondingto an emergency callcould mean thedifference between lifeand death, or catchinga criminal and lettingthem escape.’

Liberal Democrats willensure there are10,000 more policeofficers on the streetsto cut down on crime.Andrew Dakers is onlytoo aware of the needto tackle the problemurgently:

‘When I meet the newChief Superintendentof the Met inHounslow Borough, DrAli Dizaei, later thismonth I will bediscussing how morepeople can be recruitedand retained in thepolice force within theHounslow area.’

BRENTFORD, CHISWICK, HOUNSLOW & ISLEWORTH

TODAYTHIS IS THE DAY TO MAKE A CHANGE today@hounslowlibdems.org.uk February 2005

Change in percentage share of the votes in Brentford &Isleworth between the General Elections in 1997 and 2001

Labour

Tory

LiberalDemocrats

+5.2

-5.2

-2.6

Lib Dems on the Up!

The Lib Demswere the onlymajor party in

the area toincrease their

share of the vote.

Page 2

The ten-pointenvironmentchallenge offersa fair deal

Page 3

Will this be the last postfor your post office?

10,000 MOREPOLICE10,000 MOREPOLICE

Andrew Dakers calls for more police to improve response to 999 calls.

41% of emergencycalls answered lateunder Labour

... it will be virtuallyimpossible to getthem back. TheGovernment hasoverseen thedestruction of thePost Office networkacross Greater Londonand our localbranches are noexception.

Labour has beenresponsible for a 20%reduction in the numberof Post Offices inLondon, refusing to doanything to stop theclosures. Meanwhile,the Conservatives stayequally silent on theissue.

Success in KewAgainst the strong tideof Post Office closures,local Liberal DemocratMP Jenny Tonge forcedthrough the reopeningof a branch inneighbouring Kew,addressing the needs ofthe community.

Take action nowIf you care about thesurvival of your PostOffice, the LiberalDemocrats are the onlyparty to support.

Local Lib Demcampaigner AndrewDakers said: ‘Manypeople rely on PostOffices to receivecredits, send a parcel orjust buy some stamps.The closures mean thatpensioners andphysically disabledpeople will now have totravel longer distancesto use a vital publicservice.’

BRENTFORD, CHISWICK, HOUNSLOW & ISLEWORTH

TODAYIN BRIEFSLEEPWALKING INTO IDENTITY CARDSAs the government claims to the public that thescheme to introduce £15 a time ID Cards will be on a‘voluntary’ basis, many people are asking whether weare in danger of sleepwalking into a radical change toour society. The Liberal Democrats think so.

The cards will do little to tackle terrorism and themoney would be far better spent on moreresources for the intelligence services and 10,000more police officers.

The Conservatives have again jumped on theLabour bandwagon – unable to provide any formof useful opposition and failing to hold theGovernment to account.

Lib Dem campaigner Andrew Dakers says, ‘I supportthe inclusion of biometrics in passports only, as ameans of combating cross-border crime, illegalimmigration, terrorism and fraud. The LiberalDemocrats have also proposed establishing a NationalBorder Agency by bringing together the officers fromimmigration, police and customs who currently haveoverlapping responsibilities at our ports and airports.’

TREES LOST IN HOUNSLOW DEVELOPMENTResidents in Hounslow have called for improvedlandscaping plans on Key Site 1. Mr Jandu ofHounslow Central Residents Association commented,‘Practically no original trees are to be left, and only asmall area of mediocre planting.’ There are now callsfor more public consultation amidst growingconcerns that the development plans have declined along way since they were originally touted as a‘prestige’ project at the heart of the Borough.

HEATHROW NIGHT FLIGHTS BANDon’t be duped: Lib Dems have long made clear ourposition on night flights. We believe all flightsshould be banned between the hours of 11.30pmand 6am. At present all the night planes that flyover us and disturb our sleep are jumbos. Thegovernment calls these planes ‘quiet’ but it means‘noise efficient considering their size’ somethingvery different. There is no prospect of these jumbosbecoming quieter to any extent that might benoticed by the human ear. Local people should notbe taken in by propaganda of ‘quieter planes’.

If the Labour government insists in forcing thisdisturbance on us, at the very least they should limitthe numbers. Because of action in the high court it isnot known when the next consultation will begin.Please watch out for it over the next few months.Local campaigner Susan Kramer and the Lib Demshave been campaiging against night flights since the90s when the system first came in. We will go oncampaigning, working with non-political groupHACAN Clearskies.

CHISWICK LODGE SET FOR AXEAfter years of fighting to save local care homeChiswick Lodge, residents may soon be forced toconcede defeat. Despite extensive lobbying thePrimary Care Trust has decided to close the Lodge andhas referred the decision onto the North WestStrategic Health Authority for final review.

Lib Dem campaigner Ray Giles told TODAY: ‘ChiswickLodge has been a landmark in the health and welfareof the people of Chiswick for the past 90 years.When care for the elderly is in increasing demand,why should the people of Chiswick be deprived of itas a result of financial mismanagement?’

3BRENTFORD, CHISWICK, HOUNSLOW & ISLEWORTH TODAY

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Once they’re gone...Once they’re gone...

In the last three years, 250 PostOffices have been closed downacross Greater London...

Sources: House of Commons Library, POSTCOMM AnnualReports, Quarterly Network Numbers, Royal Mail Group

... and in Brentford, Chiswick,Hounslow & Isleworth alone, nearlya third of Post Offices have shutdown since 2002.

Source: House of Commons Library, Post Office Limited data

1225March ‘01 July ‘02

April ‘04June ‘04

97522

15

Post Office closures affecting you

Greater London Brentford, Chiswick,Hounslow & Isleworth

Andrew Dakers outside Isleworth Post Office, which was ‘downsized’ and relocated to the nearby Spar store in the late ‘90s.

‘The public will not befooled by a once-a-yearspeech from a partyleader when his party’srecord on theenvironment is so poor,’said Andrew. ‘My recentvisit to the waterside atFerry Quays, Brentford,provided evidenceenough that we need tointroduce a 10p tax onplastic bags.

‘The dangers of notputting the environmentfirst were all too obviouswith last summer’s floodcontaminating theThames with raw sewage.We cannot alwayseliminate environmentaldangers but we cancertainly work to reducetheir impact.

‘Only the LiberalDemocrats have a serious

year round approach tothe environment. Wehave consistentlyuncovered theG o v e r n m e n t ’ senvironmental failuresand we are the only majorparty putting forwardgenuine greenalternatives.’

The Liberal Democratswould put theenvironment at the heartof government byadopting a ten-pointstrategy which includesthe following:

Tax the aircraft,not the passengerWe would scrap allpassenger airportdeparture taxes whichsimply raise money for thetreasury and wouldinstead tax airlines foreach commercial aircraft

taking off from a Britishairport to encourage moresustainable aviation.

Introduce a Plastic BagTax to reduce wasteSet at 10p per bag, itcould raise up to £800million per year that couldbe directly channelled intosustainable wastemanagement and reducethe need for yet morelandfill sites.

Tax high pollutingvehicles to cut fumes We would rewardmotorists who drive less-polluting vehicles by reducing car tax onmore environmentallyfriendly cars andmotorcycles, abolishing italtogether for thegreenest vehicles, fundingthis by increasing theamount of tax charged onthe most pollutingvehicles, such as 4x4s.

Make buildingregulations tougherWe would cut fuel billsand reduce pollution byrequiring all new housingto meet improved energyand water efficiencystandards through the useof environmentallyfriendly building materialsand techniques. Wewould also cut VAT onenergy savings materialsfrom the current 17.5%to 5%.

Rewards for using water wiselyWe would encourage theuse of water meters fordomestic households inareas with scarce supplies,with effective measures toprovide security fordisadvantaged people.People who use less waterwill find their bills godown.

2 BRENTFORD, CHISWICK, HOUNSLOW & ISLEWORTH TODAY

A fair deal for the planet,a fair deal for youA fair deal for the planet,a fair deal for youLiberal Democrat campaigner Andrew Dakers has challenged the LabourMP Ann Keen to show her commitment to the environment urging her tosign up to a ‘ten-point challenge’ to demonstrate this.

The EnvironmentMatters to MeI/We the undersigned believeprotecting the environment must be a priority in Brentford, Chiswick,Hounslow and Isleworth.

Name Address/Email

……...………. …………….....………..

……...………. ……….....……………..

……...………. …….....………………..

……...………. …….....………………..

Please return to: Liberal Democrats (The Environment Matters), 127 CentralAvenue, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQ.The TODAY team may contact you from time to time to keep you informedon issues we think you may find of interest. Please let us know if you donot wish the information above to be used for this purpose.Printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Newspaper House, Morton Way, HorncastleLN9 6JR. Published by Brentford & Isleworth Liberal Democrats at 127Central Avenue, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQ.

www.hounslowlibdems.org.uk

Let us know if there are any issues youwould like featured in TODAY, or if youwould like to place an advertisement.

Email today@hounslowlibdems.org.ukWrite The Editor, TODAY, 127 Central Avenue,Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQCall 020 8568 2209Text/SMS 07788 116159

Sarah Ludford MEP istaking a petition tothe EuropeanParliament to resolvethe problem of rawsewage in the RiverThames.

London’s antiquatedsewage system isunable to cope:243 billion litres ofuntreated sewagehave been pumpedinto the Thames in

Thames raw sewage deal

the last four years.

The levels of e.coli andother harmful bacteriaare dangerously high,breaching EU waterpurity laws andaffecting marine lifeand the health ofLondoners, particularlythose who take part insports on the river.

But the governmentpersists in delaying the

installation ofnecessary remedialwork.

Sarah Ludford says,‘Blair’s governmentwon’t do it, so I’mgoing to the EU toget the installation ofall the facilitiesneeded to stop this19th-century blightbeing perpetuated on2 1 s t - c e n t u r yLondoners!’

Andrew Dakers and Satnam Kaur Khalsa at Ferry Quays in Brentford. They are calling for a 10p tax on plastic bags.

Sarah Ludford MEPand LondonAssembly Member Dee Doocey are petitioning the EuropeanParliament.

Further details of thestrategy are onAndrew’s website,www.andrewdakers.com

Twickenham MPVincent Cable hasmet with the ChiefExecutive and the Chair of WestMiddlesex Hospital todiscuss their plans forfighting hospitalinfection andimproving nursingstandards.

Six years ago the LiberalDemocrat MP was oneof the first nationalpoliticians to sound thealarm about hospitalinfections when aWhitton resident hadc h e m o t h e r a p ytreatment at the WestMid stopped because ofMRSA infection. Sincethen, the issue hasmoved to the top of thepolitical agenda and theWest Middlesex has, inthe past, been officiallycriticised for poorcleanliness.

Why does it occur?Patients are at higherthan normal risk ofpicking up an infectionwhen in hospital fortwo reasons. Firstly, the population inhospitals tends to be

older, sicker andweaker than thegeneral population,making them morevulnerable to theinfection.

Secondly, conditions inhospitals, which involvea great many peopleliving so close to eachother, examined bydoctors and nurses whohave just touched otherpatients, are the perfectenvironment for thetransmission of allmanner of infections.

ImprovementVincent Cable(pictured) recentlycommented: ‘I amgreatly encouraged byprogress at the hospital.MRSA cases are fallingand are certainly notamongst the worst in

London, though there arestill too many. Thehospital now has a fullystaffed infection controlunit designed to fighthospital acquired bugs.’

Nursing standardsThe Lib Dem MP alsodrew attention torepeated complaintsabout poor nursing care:‘Unfortunately residentstell me that theirexperiences are variable.Some nursing staff,mostly agency nurses,don’t appear to care verymuch.

‘The hospital, to theircredit, acknowledgesthat while there aremany nurses who arededicated andprofessional, there havebeen some who areunprofessional anduncommitted. They havenow improved themanagement structureso that there are moresenior, matron-level staffand more of apermanent work force.The hospital is alsoplanning a crèche toattract and retain youngmothers with children.’

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

4 BRENTFORD, CHISWICK, HOUNSLOW & ISLEWORTH TODAY

QuotesOF THE YEAR

Three things you can do today...Save ourPost OfficesI/We call upon Royal Mail and the government to stop the waves of closures of Post Offices. They provide an essential service to our community.

Name ......................................................

Address ..................................................

................................................................

Telephone ..............................................

Email ......................................................

Please return to: Liberal Democrats (Save our Post Offices), 127 CentralAvenue, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQ

More bobbies on the beatI/We agree with the Liberal Democrats that Britain needs 10,000 more bobbies on the beat.

Name ......................................................

Address ..................................................

................................................................

Telephone ..............................................

Email ......................................................

Please return to: Liberal Democrats(Bobbies on the beat), 127 Central Avenue,Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQ

Support theTODAY team� Yes, I can deliver some copies of

TODAY in my local area

Name ......................................................

Address ..................................................

................................................................

Telephone ..............................................

Email ......................................................

Please return to: The Editor, TODAY, 127 Central Avenue,Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQ

The TODAY team may contact you from time to time to keep you informedon issues we think you may find of interest. Please let us know if you donot wish the information above to be used for this purpose.Printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Newspaper House, Morton Way, HorncastleLN9 6JR. Published by Brentford & Isleworth Liberal Democrats at 127Central Avenue, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQ.

Printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Newspaper House, Morton Way, Horncastle LN9 6JR. Published by Brentford & Isleworth Liberal Democrats at 127 Central Avenue, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQ. Paper from sustainably managed forests.

The TODAY team may contact you from time to time to keep you informedon issues we think you may find of interest. Please let us know if you donot wish the information above to be used for this purpose.Printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Newspaper House, Morton Way, HorncastleLN9 6JR. Published by Brentford & Isleworth Liberal Democrats at 127Central Avenue, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQ.

The TODAY team may contact you from time to time to keep you informedon issues we think you may find of interest. Please let us know if you donot wish the information above to be used for this purpose.Printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Newspaper House, Morton Way, HorncastleLN9 6JR. Published by Brentford & Isleworth Liberal Democrats at 127Central Avenue, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2RQ.

Fight for better hospitalsFight for better hospitals

The Liberal Democrats enter 2005‘on about 22% in most pollscompared with 13% or 14%ahead of the 2001 election …There’s something for everyone:cushioning for pensions, easing off the council

tax, home care for the elderly, and an end to the

New Deal and tuition fees. And he’s going to pay

for this by putting a 50% tax rate on people

earning above £100,000 a year … Voters like it.’

The Guardian, 23/12/04

‘Labour’s private polling

estimates that some three

million of its natural supporters

may back the Liberal Democrats

or abstain in a protest over Iraq.’

The Independent, 8/11/04

‘The LiberalDemocrats alsocontinued to makeadvances in Londonand the north ofEngland helpingthem to consolidatetheir credibility as anopposition party.’The Guardian, 14/06/04

‘Bad publicity,constant in-fighting andwidespreadscandal threatensto unseat one ofHounslow’s LabourMPs, according toa damning analysisby (Labour) partymembers.’ Hounslow Chronicle,6/1/05 ‘“The Lib

Dems arehammering

us in thecities…”said oneLabour

official.’ Daily

Express,11/06/04