CHRIS FOOTE-WOOD
LibDem Candidate for Tees Valley Mayor
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
ABILITY TO DO THE JOB
A CLEAR PLAN OF ACTION
Leadership Experience Ability Commitment
My six years as a Council Leader has given me real, hands-on experience of initiating and implementing policies, budgeting and administration. Add to that 40 years as a local councillor, Vice Chair of the North East Assembly, membership of several national bodies and of the EU Committee of the Regions. I have the IDEAS, the ENERGY, the DETERMINATION and the COMMITMENT to ensure that this new “Devo Deal” produces real benefits for the people of the Tees Valley. I will be a FULL TIME MAYOR with no other paid work, donating half my salary to local charities.
Challenge to Labour
The Labour Party has been in charge of this area for decades. The fact that we are still “bottom of the league” in so many ways is mainly due to the failure of local Labour councillors. Surely we don’t want more of the same? The majority of Tees Valley people DON’T WANT LABOUR! I believe I have the best chance of defeating Labour in this election. Under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour is heading for national oblivion. The LibDems are now the UK’s fastest growing party! In the last 12 months, we LibDems have had more local council by-election gains than all the other parties put together! Unlike other parties, the LibDems have no leadership problems. On May 2nd you have TWO VOTES, for your FIRST and SECOND choice. If I can repeat the second place I won in Middlesbrough in 2010, I can win in the second round! No-one else has a better chance of beating Labour.
What is needed for the Tees Valley
JOBS: As Mayor I will immediately initiate a new Development Corporation, a Tees Land Commission and the Tees Valley Investment Fund to bring NEW JOBS into the area. I will support and encourage close and harmonious partnerships with the five Local Authorities, the Local Enterprise Partnership (Tees Valley Unlimited) and other partners.
ROAD & RAIL LINKS: a NEW CROSSING of the River Tees with a new, eye-catching and iconic bridge; better road access to Teesport; improve A19 and east-west links; electrify Northallerton to Teesport rail line; extend stations to take longer trains; replace outdated Pacer trains; a Metro system for both sides of the Tees, with a Freedom Card for students and pensioners and an Oyster system for all.
EDUCATION: I will use my Mayoral powers to institute a review to improve education standards and create more apprenticeships better focussed to job opportunities; training for teenagers and re-training for adults with the prospect of real jobs. We have eleven failing secondary schools in the Tees Valley: this is simply not acceptable
HEALTH: We must encourage people of all ages to eat and drink sensibly and exercise regularly. The possibility of losing Accident & Emergency services at Darlington Memorial Hospital or North Tees Hospital in Stockton (which serves Hartlepool) is alarming an should be opposed.
POLLUTION: Air pollution in the Tees Valley is among the worst in the UK, affecting health of children and adults alike. More action is needed from government and local agencies.
GREEN SPACES: ways must be found to better maintain our parks and open spaces, woodland and allotments
LOCAL FACILITIES: closing libraries, post offices and banks increases social inequality and makes life difficult for so many people who rely on having local facilities close to hand.
LibDem Candidate for Tees Valley Mayor
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
ABILITY TO DO THE JOB
A CLEAR PLAN OF ACTION
Leadership Experience Ability Commitment
My six years as a Council Leader has given me real, hands-on experience of initiating and implementing policies, budgeting and administration. Add to that 40 years as a local councillor, Vice Chair of the North East Assembly, membership of several national bodies and of the EU Committee of the Regions. I have the IDEAS, the ENERGY, the DETERMINATION and the COMMITMENT to ensure that this new “Devo Deal” produces real benefits for the people of the Tees Valley. I will be a FULL TIME MAYOR with no other paid work, donating half my salary to local charities.
Challenge to Labour
The Labour Party has been in charge of this area for decades. The fact that we are still “bottom of the league” in so many ways is mainly due to the failure of local Labour councillors. Surely we don’t want more of the same? The majority of Tees Valley people DON’T WANT LABOUR! I believe I have the best chance of defeating Labour in this election. Under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour is heading for national oblivion. The LibDems are now the UK’s fastest growing party! In the last 12 months, we LibDems have had more local council by-election gains than all the other parties put together! Unlike other parties, the LibDems have no leadership problems. On May 2nd you have TWO VOTES, for your FIRST and SECOND choice. If I can repeat the second place I won in Middlesbrough in 2010, I can win in the second round! No-one else has a better chance of beating Labour.
What is needed for the Tees Valley
JOBS: As Mayor I will immediately initiate a new Development Corporation, a Tees Land Commission and the Tees Valley Investment Fund to bring NEW JOBS into the area. I will support and encourage close and harmonious partnerships with the five Local Authorities, the Local Enterprise Partnership (Tees Valley Unlimited) and other partners.
ROAD & RAIL LINKS: a NEW CROSSING of the River Tees with a new, eye-catching and iconic bridge; better road access to Teesport; improve A19 and east-west links; electrify Northallerton to Teesport rail line; extend stations to take longer trains; replace outdated Pacer trains; a Metro system for both sides of the Tees, with a Freedom Card for students and pensioners and an Oyster system for all.
EDUCATION: I will use my Mayoral powers to institute a review to improve education standards and create more apprenticeships better focussed to job opportunities; training for teenagers and re-training for adults with the prospect of real jobs. We have eleven failing secondary schools in the Tees Valley: this is simply not acceptable
HEALTH: We must encourage people of all ages to eat and drink sensibly and exercise regularly. The possibility of losing Accident & Emergency services at Darlington Memorial Hospital or North Tees Hospital in Stockton (which serves Hartlepool) is alarming an should be opposed.
POLLUTION: Air pollution in the Tees Valley is among the worst in the UK, affecting health of children and adults alike. More action is needed from government and local agencies.
GREEN SPACES: ways must be found to better maintain our parks and open spaces, woodland and allotments
LOCAL FACILITIES: closing libraries, post offices and banks increases social inequality and makes life difficult for so many people who rely on having local facilities close to hand.