Vanishing Post Offices
This week the voters of Redditch heard that post offices at Mount Pleasant and Woodrow have been earmarked for closure.
One by one many of our local services are being reduced and disappearing.
Karen Lumley said "Voters have paid more and more taxes yet they see basic vital services being reduced all around them.
Where is all this tax money going and how wisely is it being spent?
Labour need to get a grip on the provision of necessary community services."
Karen Slams Home Information Packs
Karen says:
“I believe that urgent action is needed to kick start the housing market in Redditch. It is in dire straights and we have already seen the Persimmon development opposite Mettis grind to a halt. But the Labour Government is dithering – and their spin and speculation over stamp duty is further undermining the market by making buyers wait and see.“
Karen this week called on Gordon Brown to use government powers to suspend Home Information Packs... more
... another headache for Jacqui Smith this morning. The Tories won two by-elections in her Redditch seat yesterday:
Batchley – Redditch DC (Redditch) – Con gain from Lab. Con vote 39% +1%, Lab 33% -10%, LD 8% -10%, Ind 2%, BNP 19% from nowhere.
Arrow Valley East – Worcestershire CC (Redditch) – Con gain from Lab. Con vote 42% +11%, Lab 31% -17%, LD 13% -8%, Ind 3%, BNP 11%
How long until the excellent Karen Lumley is that seat's new MP?
Celebrations ...

Successful Redditch Councillors, friends and supporters celebrate their recent successes. Congratulations are due to new Council Leader Carole Gandy
Conservatives Control Redditch Council
for the first time since 1983
At the count with Cllrs Kath Banks, Philip Gretton and RJ
Successful local council elections mean that the Conservatives have taken control of Redditch Council for the first time since 1983.
Congratulations to all our Councillors, candidates, and supporters and a huge "Thank You" to our Redditch Conservative voters.
Karen Lumley says, "Taking control of the Council achieved one of our targets for the year. We now can't wait for the General Election and wonder when Gordon Brown will have the courage to call one."
Redditch Council Tax Up 119% Under Labour

Taxpayers in Redditch have seen a 119% rise in Council Tax under Labour - equivalent to a 4p in the £ rise in Income tax.
Karen Lumley says, "Labour are mandating programs for all councils but not funding them thereby forcing the councils to raise local taxes. It is just a wheeze by Labour to avoid the blame for tax increases and is really just another government stealth tax."
Redditch Wants a Referendum
Flanked by Harriett Baldwin, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesperson for West Worcestershire, and Peter Luff MP, Karen campaigned for the private referendum held in Redditch.
The result was overwhelming. 89% want a national referendum and 89% would reject the Lisbon Treaty since they recognise it is just the reheated EU Constitution.









