A candidate in the forthcoming local elections says a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a way to stand up for “disgracefully underfunded” public services.
Paul Ray will stand in the Chadsmead ward on Lichfield District Council in Thursday’s poll.
He said the Conservatives had shown they were not capable of creating a system that protects key services.
“Our public services are disgracefully underfunded as a result of government cuts and continuing austerity measures,” he said.
“Schools, the NHS, transport and roads have all suffered – now we do not even have a police help desk in Lichfield.
“The answer is not to put up the council tax, but to make central government fund local authorities properly.
“Higher earners should, we believe, pay some more in tax – with no further cuts to corporation tax being introduced that the Conservatives support.
“Lib Dems have also proposed a 1p on income tax to be ring-fenced for social care and NHS spending.”
Mr Ray said the future of local health provision would be a key part of his aims were he to be elected.
“The merger of the Burton and Derby NHS trusts should benefit patients in the Lichfield district, with access to advanced care now available at Derby,” he said. “However, the future of the Samuel Johnson and Robert Peel Community Hospitals is crucial to our community.
“Local Lib Dems are committed to campaigning to keep the Samuel Johnson open, providing a much-needed local first port of call for many who would otherwise have to make their way to Burton or even Derby for relatively minor ailments and injuries.
“And we support the plan to widen services for the local population, such as frailty services and diagnostics and management of long-term health conditions, so residents can get more care and treatment closer to home.”
The full list of candidates standing in the Chadsmead ward:
Muriel Boyle (Cons)
Kevin Casserley (UKIP)
Joanne Grange (Ind)
Sara Pritchard (Cons)
Paul Ray (Lib Dem)
Philip Sutcliffe (Lab)
Mark Taylor (Lab)
Miles Trent (Lib Dem)
