Mr Todd said:

“The decision by the Tory-Lib Dem government to increase the standard rate of VAT to 20 percent betrays commitments made by both my Conservative and Liberal Democrat opponents at the General Election. The fact that Liberal Democrats campaigned against such an increase has been well-documented. It is also important to remember that the Conservative candidate in Westmorland and Lonsdale gave a “firm commitment” to the South Lakes Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) that VAT would not go up.

“Many of these small businesses will directly or indirectly benefit from the recent opening of K-Village in Kendal, which I championed during the campaign. But these businesses would be in a much stronger position if this decision on VAT had not been made.

“This increase is the last thing our economy needs in its present fragile state. It puts our economic recovery in danger.”

Mr Todd said:

“The Liberal Democrats have gone to great lengths in Westmorland and Lonsdale to try to convince voters to not vote Labour, as they claim that to do so would only make it more likely that we’d get a Tory MP. They even colluded with my predecessor from 2005, John Reardon; a man so politically promiscuous that he is now a member of the Green Party.

“They printed and distributed a letter from Reardon, which encouraged voters to not vote Labour for tactical reasons. This letter certainly confused people, as many subsequently enquired whether Labour still intended to field a candidate. It reflects badly on the Liberal Democrats that they should soil the democratic process in this way, but it also shows their absolute determination to make people believe that voting Liberal Democrat is the only way to stop the Tories.

“After all the lengths that they have gone to, to try to convince people that they are the only party that can stop the Tories, it must be a kick in the teeth to these same people that the Liberal Democrats have now entered into a coalition government with the Conservatives.

“It seems that the “Tories for Tim” – the campaign spawned by another Liberal Democrat sponsored letter from Conservative supporter George Crossman, which urged voters to support Tim Farron – had it right all along: voting for Farron has helped the Tories and enabled David Cameron to form a government.

“Now that the dust has settled on all of the cant of tactical voting and the horse trading that has placed Liberal Democrat bottoms on the smooth leather of Ministerial cars, at the expense of propping up Cameron in Number 10, I hope that voters resolve to never again vote tactically and to vote, instead, for what they really believe in. Voting for what you believe in is never a wasted vote.”

 Mr. Todd said:

 “At the risk of using a horrible pun, I’d genuinely say it was a very eye opening visit. Ms. Irving and Mr. Everett are impressive people, who exude a real public service ethos. They raised a range of issues with me and made a very convincing case for the wider public health roles that optometrists can fulfil, particularly in relation to diabetes and glaucoma.

“Some changes to public policy will be needed to enable optometrists to better fulfil these roles and I will work with them to achieve these changes. These changes are particularly important in Westmorland and Lonsdale, as many health issues are best addressed within rural communities by a visit to the optometrists down the street at an early stage. The unhappy alternative is letting things fester or go undetected, making a longer journey to a hospital necessary.”     

These commitments are based on a campaign being run by CAMRA, which is asking all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates whether they are willing to speak up for beer drinkers and pub goers. CAMRA’s new Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter sets out a series of options for supporting well-run community pubs, local brewers and consumer rights.

Mr Todd said:

“CAMRA is a fantastic organisation, with a strong campaigning platform that would bring positive change not only to pubs and their drinkers and communities, but also to public health. CAMRA’s proposals will make it more likely that people drink in the safe, regulated environments of pubs, rather than buying alcohol at rock bottom prices in supermarkets. Buying alcohol from supermarkets in this way tends to fuel unhealthy binge drinking and anti-social behaviour. This is something that I will work to change.”

Mike Benner, CAMRA’s Chief Executive welcomed Jonathan Todd’s support for the Charter, saying:

“We are delighted that Jonathan Todd has promised to work to promote the interests of beer drinkers and pub goers. Well-run pubs make a huge contribution to community life, each of which injects £80,000 into their local economy every year.  Amid growing concern over the loss of more than 5 pubs a day, it is now more important than ever to support well-run community pubs, to promote local brewers and to protect the interests of consumers.”

Mr Martlew is backing Mr Todd’s campaign to make sure that Oxenholme is a high speed rail stop.

Mr Martlew said:

“Having led the campaign in parliament for the high speed line, I know that the Labour government’s proposals offer the only chance of getting a high speed rail stop in Cumbria. The Tories want the high speed route to turn right at Manchester and go to Leeds. I don’t think it is realistic for every high speed train to Edinburgh or Glasgow to stop at Oxenholme, but there is a very strong case for some trains to make this stop.”

Mr Todd said:

“It was great to welcome Eric to Oxenholme. He is an authority on rail matters and a big hitter. It is excellent to have his backing for a high speed rail stop at Oxenholme.

“This stop would reduce travel times for firms and workers in Westmorland and Lonsdale. It would also make it easier for tourists to reach the area.

“So, it would be a boost to our economic prospects, and it would make it easier for locals to enjoy trips away and holidays. These are major benefits to locals that only Labour government will bring to Cumbria.” 

To help local people access allotments, a national community land bank will be set up to connect land-holders with community groups who want to establish “grown your own” schemes, as well as to provide advice to those involved.

Both public and privately owned land could be turned into fragrant herb gardens, vegetable and flower gardens, including unused land which is owned by councils, NHS and private developers. “Meanwhile leases” will be available to make sure local groups have access to areas whilst development decisions are taking place.

 Mr Todd said:

“This is a great initiative which I encourage groups in Westmorland and Lonsdale to participate in. Many of us can think of areas which are currently unused and with a bit of gardening could be brightened. The Lib Dem controlled SLDC has struggled to turn these areas over to allotments but this initiative will help us go further and faster in meeting local demand for allotments. The site on School Knott in Windermere seems a prime candidate for a “meanwhile lease” and I am keen that this option be taken forward.”  

Local resident Penny Henderson said:

“As a local resident of Windermere I am hoping that I can eventually get an allotment. I belong to local group who are campaigning for land to be released but it is a long and slow process – not months but years! I would welcome any action from the Government to help make this process easier and quicker so that as many people as possible can make a start to grow their own produce.”

 Hilary Benn, Secretary of State at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said:

“Community food growing is a great way for people to get involved in the joys and trials of food production – and we’re pleased that we can help more people grow their own and take it home.”

John Denham, Secretary of State at the Department of Communities and Local Government said:

“From guerrilla gardeners to community growers there is a real keenness to combine 40′s style frugality and 70′s style good life ethics to meet 21st century demands for healthy living, cheaper meals and locally sourced food. More and more people want to grow their own but their efforts can be held up by a shortage of suitable land.

“We also want to support local councils in meeting their duty to provide allotments and new guidance provides practical advice to local councils on how to get the best out of their allotments.”