Freeeeedom!!!

Until July this year I was a Conservative Councillor for Nantwich in Cheshire when I made the switch to UKIP. Politically, it was the best thing I have ever done.

I feel LIBERATED. It is refreshing to belong to a party willing to listen to, and consider NEW IDEAS, irrespective of how ‘left’ or ‘right’ they may appear. UKIP party members are no just ‘leaflet-fodder’, they are encouraged to get involved – to stand up – and speak their minds. There is no party whip system, no fear, only opportunity. It is wonderful to be a part of a movement with so much energy and imagination. A party not bogged down by ideology and the baggage of former leaders. Just ask anyone who’s a member of UKIP and you’ll hear the same thing. We may not have any MPs (yet!) – but we know we’re making a difference. I'm happy that I'll be able to say 'I was part of it' when we eventually get our country back and restore it to its former glory.

I’m not religious, and I’m not gay (although I totally support other people’s rights be either – or both), but in supporting UKIP I understand the freedom and happiness felt by those ‘born again’, or recently ‘out-of-the-closet’. My advice to anyone from any party, anyone who GENUINLY wants the best for our country - and our friends in Europe, anyone who got involved in politics for the right reasons, anyone that wants a better future, is to get behind Mr Farage, get involved, and join UKIP. Now! - Go on, get on with it!

Speaking at the UKIP North West Conference, November 2012.

Development in our Towns

Article for the Crewe Chronicle 14/11/12.

Development

 

The Problem

No matter where you go in our country, people in towns and cities are up in arms about housing developments proposed or built in their towns.  This is understandable. These often huge developments change forever the character and nature of the places we call home – the places in which we have grown up, the places that define us, the places with which we have ties that cannot be broken.

 

But these objections go far beyond the emotional. Many of the towns in our country are Victorian or medieval in their origin and have infrastructures that pre-date mass car-ownership. They are simply not geared to modern life, with road layouts determined by ancient pathways and long forgotten boundaries, rather than commuter traffic or the logistics of supplying a 24-hour supermarket.

 

In justifying the unfettered expansion of our towns, governments and local authorities wheel out that all-justifying, media-friendly buzz-word – ‘sustainability’. They insist that these developments must be located near to existing public facilities and therefore, ‘bolted’ onto our existing towns. Assessments of the capacity of local schools, health facilities and roadways (usually carried out by Planning Consultants in the pay of the developers) are constantly optimistic, frequently incorrect, and often fraudulent. This results in overwhelmed public services and a woefully inadequate infrastructure, resulting in a lower quality of life for everyone in that area.

 

This approach also compromises the new homes we build. Requirements to respect local architectural styles and materials and the necessity to fit around existing infrastructures severely limit design freedom. This results in expensive to construct, repetitive and largely dull houses that resemble twee caricatures of our towns. They force their occupants into a lifestyle more akin to Victorian times, rather than that associated with modern, high-tech, open-plan, light and adaptable buildings that many of us find appealing, but are the preserve of only the very wealthy.

 

This is a perfect example of the sort of short term, blinkered and half-thought through decision making we have come to take for granted in our country, which has resulted in the wholesale ruination of so many of our towns.

 

It is impossible to ignore the claims that our country is over-populated, especially when standing on a crowded train, stuck in an interminable traffic-jam or waiting in a long queue. This is in itself partly due to the shortcomings of our town planning over many years. When huge populations of people are located on Housing Developments in one area, places of work are on Industrial Estates are in another, and shops on Retail Parks in yet another, large numbers of people travelling from one place to another at the same time will invariably result. The unfettered expansion of nearby towns into large urban sprawls now means that a trip across town is not possible on foot, and buying bottle of milk now requires a drive to supermarket, rather than a walk to the local shop.

 

Undoubtedly, we need to build new homes – to house a growing population and generate economic growth. However, there IS a way we can do this, with a positive effect to our economy, and without ruining our towns.

 

Another Way

When one takes to the sky and views our green and pleasant land from an aeroplane, it is clear that there is an abundance of free, open space between our urban conurbations. Here could be built new, small, modern towns, that respect the environment and engage with it.

 

The infrastructures for these towns could be geared to the demands of modern life. The town centres could be designed around services, leisure and socialising to avoid the ‘ghost-town’ image that has accompanied the internet shopping revolution. Accessibility could be ‘designed in’, and attractive, inspiring modern architecture and landmark buildings could be implemented, without fear of offending an existing design language.

 

The houses in these towns would benefit from the latest energy efficient materials and be designed around our needs, not the limitations of bricks and mortar. Modern, low-cost building techniques could make these buildings truly affordable, and adaptable to our changing lifestyles and circumstances.

 

Nearby facilities for commercial activity and light industry, suited to our new economy could be built, and new schools could be geared to the latest subjects, facilities and teaching methods our children will need to succeed in a competitive global economy.

 

The utilities that serve these buildings could embrace modern technology make use of waste heat from power generation, intelligent electrical ‘load balancing’, rainwater harvesting, grey water, and high speed data networks.

 

You can’t change existing towns in this way. Innovations like this are very difficult to retro-fit into existing, old buildings and infrastructures - but can be easily incorporated into new towns. If managed as part of a coherent Industrial Policy, British Companies could become world leaders in developing, manufacturing and utilising the new technologies. This is not a pipe-dream, we could make this happen. We just need to make the right decisions.

 

Not only is this change important for the quality of life of our people, it is imperative for our economy. The United Kingdom has been overtaken by our international competitors in education, productivity and prosperity. They have renewed their schools, factories and infrastructures to embrace the latest technology and they have reaped the rewards. This is nothing new, we did it first, and we must do it again.

 

When our descendents look back at us in 100 years time, will they do so with pity, at an unimaginative, lazy people, who built boring houses, and eeked out an existence by patching up a creaking and overburdened infrastructure built by our more illustrious forbears? Or will they see an ingenious, resourceful and adventurous people, who had the imagination to conceive, the ingenuity to design and the energy to build something better?

 

 

Cllr. Stuart Hutton (UKIP, Nantwich South).

Remembrance Day in Nantwich.

After witnessing at first hand the events in Nantwich to mark Remembrance Sunday, I am incredibly proud of our town and everyone who participated.

First was the traditional ceremony at the American Airman's Grave to commemorate the selfless act of bravery by Lieutenant Arthur L. Brown, who ditched his USAF Thunderbolt into parkland to avoid hitting nearby houses in our town, losing his life in the process. Such acts of remembrance, which are particular to individual towns are important, as they can help people to relate directly with the sacrifice and bravery of those who fought for our freedom.

The Remembrance Parade, Church Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony that took place later in the afternoon were all supported superbly by those who took part, including the hundreds of members of the public whom turned out in force to participate and show their gratitude and remembrance. It was wonderful to see our local MP. Mr Edward Timpson, the leader of Cheshire East Council, Mr Michael Jones, and Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Major Jonathan Baldwin TD DL in attendance with the Mayor and my fellow Town Councillors.

Of special note however, were the younger members of our community, so often demonised by the media, who, as part of their youth organisations, conducted themselves with the utmost of respect. They looked incredibly smart in their uniforms and put many of us older participants to shame with their spotless observance of the protocols. They are a credit to our town.

The whole day, accompanied by the television pictures of the national ceremony of remembrance that took place at the Cenotaph in London, served as a wonderful reminder of just how good we are in the United Kingdom at 'getting it right' and 'striking the right tone' on these National Occasions.

I finished the day feeling immensely proud - of our town, our fallen illustrious soldiers and of our young people; and hopeful for the future of our country.

Cllr. Stuart Hutton.

UKIP Speech

Speech to UKIP North West Conference 2012, Liverpool, 3/11/12.

I became a part of UKIP because I believe

In liberty!    I don’t like being bossed around, I don’t like being told what to do, not by our government, and certainly not one I can’t vote for if I don’t like what the’re doing. - and I don’t think you should either. 

I believe in opportunity!   If you’ve got the drive and determination to do something great, and benefit societyalong the way, you should be given all the help you need, whatever your background.

I believe in fairness!  People should be incentivised    to work harder and smarter, not punished with higher taxes!

I believe in individuals!   People are wonderful and different. Everyone has something to contribute to society,  and their talents should be embraced, encouraged  and harnessed for everyone’s benefit.

I believe in Industry!   and its importance - economic, strategic and to our communities. British Companies,  given a level playing field, and freedom from the state interference and EU regulation can generate prosperity and employment.

I believe in Internationalism! –Spreading peace,  freedom and democracy around the world through trade and co-operation.

I left the Conservative Party after 10 years, when it became clear, that they’d pulled a massive con trick. They espoused my beliefs, my values and my hopes for the future. For the country where my children will grow up. 

And yet… under David Cameron, they’ve sought to keep Britain under the thumb of the EU, sacrificedour Factories on the altar of European regulation, denied our Children the opportunities to succeed, sold a generation of young people down the river and trampled democracy into the ground by denying us the referendum we were promised and stifling debate.

I announced my resignation at a local Conservative Party event.    I wasn’t on the list of speakers, but that didn’t stop me    I’m very pro-active, you know…. .  I’d be delighted to share that resignation with you now. 

Oh Mister Cameron, what have you done?

You promised us a referendum

On whether Britain is in or out

Of the overinflated Brussels Sprout

Where accountants fear to tread,

Budgets fudged, accounts in the red

Can’t balance the books, despite all their clerks

They’re more concerned with the one by Marx.

Fifty million pounds a day

To Brussels the British people pay

For conference centres, factories and trains

In Poland, Italy, Hungary and Spain

While policemen, nurses and soldiers are sacked

Holes in our roads and our sewers cracked.

There’s better places for pounds to go

Debts to pay, an economy to grow.

Cathy Ashton, I’ve always suspected

Has never even been elected

She’s no experience of Foreign Affairs

But very good friends with Tony Blairs.

Barruso, Van Rumpuy paid more than Obama

To tell us how straight should be a banana.

They want our prisoners to vote for our cops

Please wake me when this nightmare stops.

At sixty years the French retire

For five more years us Brits perspire

So, enjoy your wine, your brie and baguettes

Just leave it to us to pay your debts.

To tens of thousands we opened our border

But half a million’s out of order.

We gave up our rebate, opened our sea

We didn’t oppose the C.A.P.

We’ve obeyed every law, directive and wish

But all they’ve done is taken our fish!

Their Economics is terribly flawed

We told them before, but were always ignored

Now such a mess, the choice is stark

Forced integration or break up this lark

Throw good after bad – their only answer

Who could trust these cheats and chancers?

The game is up, it’s a busted flush

The fat lady’s sung, and gone off in a rush.

Now is the time for action, E.C.

But not even Frank and Angie agree.

So, Mr Cameron, David, Dave

Now’s the time for you to be brave

Don’t be afraid of little Nick

No-one likes that interfering p----

Oh, you can’t leave, just think you’ll miss”

It doesn’t seem to bother the Swiss!

So do what’s right, for all in our land

And don’t let in whatsisface... Milliband.

So please Mr C, make good your word

Give us our say! we must be heard!

Dreadfully sorry to rock your ship,

But I’ve had enough – I’m joining UKIP.

David Cameron has  misunderstood       one   very  important   thing about   Traditional    Conservative    types     – we     are    do-ers!   We won’t     ‘sit and wait’,    we won’t      ‘stand by’     and we won’t‘make do’… while Great Britain –- slides in exorably       into a second rate  backwater of a country, 

powerless and bereft     of the identity      and spirit     that spurred     those Great Britons       that went before us in shaping the modern world… Newton, Brunel, Faraday and Turing…

Our country needs urgent and decisive action        to save it from years of decline,     not dithering,    not compromise –     and certainly not       the interference of the EU!  - THAT’s why membership of the Conservative Party    has halved since Dithering Dave became its leader. 

But I’ve got a little saying – don’t get mad – get busy!   So      I    joined    UKIP, to make a difference!

Because I want    to belong to a party…

for whom politics     is the means     and not the end.

a party      with a range of policies     based on common sense,    good science    and sound economics – NOTsoundbites  and  NOT  headlines. 

A party    that serves the Best Interests     of the people it represents,     not those from whom it seeks personal favours.

A party that remembers     how GREAT the United Kingdom can be      as an independent, adventurous and ambitious country,     and knows how we can be again.

A party      with a membership      who care deeply about their country      and would fight to make it place       where our children have opportunity,    and not debt.

A party    with elected representatives    who’ve been there, and done it,    not just read about it.

A party     with a proper leader     with the courage and conviction     to stand up    for our hopes, ourbeliefs and a brighter future.

A party to but the backbone back in to Britain.

A party   called    UKIP!!