"Why I want to speak-up for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton" By Simon McDougall

4.25.45pm GMT Wed 2nd Jan 2008

Cllr. Simon McDougall - Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Arun District Council

In 2005 as our General election candidate I increased our vote locally by 4.7% and I seriously believe that this will further increase next time. I am constantly asked what motivates me to be in the public eye all of the time. Well the answer is simple I believe our 2 Towns deserve better and are crying out for a new direction. Like many of you I have lived my entire life in this area and care deeply about its many varied communities and I get angry when I see the policies of the Conservatives locally and Labour nationally consistently fail the resident's of this area. I get even more fiercely defensive of our area when they are the butt of jokes by many comedians.

Our area has failed to thrive in my lifetime and realise its full potential it has consistently been let down by Conservatives for as long as anyone can remember. If I was paid £5 for every time someone said to me the Conservatives always win here and always will I would be a very rich man now. So why am I prepared to stick my neck on the line time after time well that's simple too OUR TOWNS' AND COUNTRY DESERVE BETTER AND ITS TIME FOR A SEA-CHANGE IN NATIONAL POLITICS!

During our recent leadership election campaign I supported Nick Clegg and I am absolutely ecstatic that he is now our leader. Nick and I share the same vision for our country we are the same age both have passion and care deeply about the state of politics in our country today and we are both essentially Liberal to the core. Britain is a Liberal Country and so are the Towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton as the only prospective candidate who can challenge the Conservative arrogance in this area it falls upon me to take the Liberal Democrat message to every corner of our community. Over the next few months I will be doing that highlighting here, on this website my position on many crucial local issues and my vision for the future of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton. I will be taking to the streets campaigning on the big issues but also talking to as many of you as possible on the doorstep I want to give you a serious alternative to another Conservative MP I want to make your MESSAGE FOR THE FUTURE MY MESSAGE I WANT TO DELIVER THAT SEA CHANGE ALTERNATIVE AND TAKE THIS AREA BY STORM!