Bill Cash is standing for re-election as MP for Stone in the General Election on 12 December 2019.
Bill Cash says that his top 5 priority areas, if re-elected, would be:
Let’s assess Cash’s track record against each of his campaign areas. Under his own 5 priority headings we will summarise what his manifsto message is versus what he has actually done over the last 22 years in office.
Bill Cash: “To ensure that our democracy respects the decisions of the British people and Parliament.”
Bill Cash and the Tory Government have shown scant respect for our parliamentary democracy.
Bill Cash's Tory government ignored the will of parliament and acted unlawfully when they prorogued parliament. They also had to be taken to the High Court to prevent them invoking Article 50 without first having the approval by parliament.
Bill Cash voted to prevent parliament from having sufficient time to consider the 599 page EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill, insisting only 3 days was required.
According to the Tory Manifesto (page 48) they intend to challenge our vital inbuilt constitutional checks and balances between the executive, the judiciary and parliament. They propose to
“Look at the broader aspects of our constitution: the relationship between the Government, Parliament and the courts; the functioning of the Royal Prerogative; the role of the House of Lords…
We will ensure that judicial review is available to protect the rights of the individuals against an overbearing state, while ensuring that it is not abused to conduct politics by another means or to create needless delays.”
Bill Cash: “To continue to improve the conditions for the elderly, infirm and disabled people from all walks of life.”
It sounds good but in reality Bill Cash voted:
Bill Cash's votes have real consequences:
Since 2010, while his government has been in power, the number of rough sleepers in England has increased more than 250%
Spending on adult social care in England has fallen by 2.1% in real terms since 2009/10.
Many UK disabled people cannot afford proper food or cannot afford to keep their homes warm due to benefit cuts.
The Social Metrics Commission report that in 2017-18:
A shocking 1.6 million food bank parcels had to be handed out to needy families in the last year, largely as a consequence of the botched implementation of Universal Credit, voted for by Bill Cash,
Bill Cash: “To strive to always improve business opportunities, investments, infrastructure and public services (not HS2) – every penny of which is paid for by reasonable taxation. This is a practical way of improving conditions for everyone.”
Fine words, but what has Bill Cash actually done to "improve conditions for everyone"?
He voted:
Public expenditure as a share of GDP droppped every year since 2010/11 while total gross government debt increased by £643 bn from £1.2 trillion to £1.8 trillion.
In their 2015 manifesto Bill Cash and the Conservatives promised to build 200,000 starter homes by 2020.
None have been built, not one!
Bill Cash: “To keep health, education, law and order and the cutting of crime and sound, properly financed defence at the top of our priorities.”
So if Bill Cash wants "To keep health, education, law and order and the cutting of crime and sound, properly financed defence at the top of our priorities" how do you account for what he has actually done while in government?
He voted:
And the consequences are there for everyone to see (and feel).
Bill Cash: “To ensure that we continue to adopt a responsible attitude towards international matters. This include climate change, encouraging the UK to be the global leader in cutting harmful emissions as soon as reasonably possible; opposing plastic waste in the oceans and elsewhere; and, developing practical and new renewable technologies, including off-shore wind turbines (but not on land in the constituency). This is an important global issue, as is my acclaimed International Development (Gender Equality) Act 2014, which I drafted, promoted and successfully campaigned for – supported by leading women campaigners from right, left and centre and across all parliamentary parties and internationally – to impose on Government a legal duty on the £13 billion we provide in international aid to protect young girls and women from e.g. violence, FGM, and forced marriages and to promote their interests.”
Bill Cash voted 17 times against measures to prevent climate change so how dare he now claim a 'responsible attitude' towards international matters when his actions have been totally irresponsible. Now he says he supports wind turbines but has the gall to say "...but not on land in the constituency" - classic and irresponsible NIMBYism!
He voted 4 times against financial incentives for low carbon emission electricity generation methods, 3 times against a publicly owned railway system and voted against greater public control of bus services.
If you really want to 'Get Brexit Done' then vote to stop Brexit.
Stopping Brexit means we can IMMEDIATELY get back to addressing the real issues, like those above: the NHS, social services, policing, and climate change. No need for a transition period, no need to negotiate new trade deals with 70+ countries, no need for continuing, unnecessary damage to our economy.
If you want to stop Brexit then vote tactically. You can find all the information you need to make an informed decision here - just enter your postcode.