GENERAL ELECTION 5th MAY 2005

As was announced in the local press some months ago, an open meeting of The Southport Party decided last year not to put forward a candidate for Member of Parliament for Southport at this time, despite the fact that several of our members would make very capable candidates. It is, however, emphasised that this decision relates ONLY to the current General Election and will therefore need to be reconsidered in time for the next General Election, by which time we hope to have re-established our representation on Sefton Council.

Now that the General Election is over, it is time to reconsider the fact that a Member of Parliament is NOT a member of Sefton Council - it is our COUNCILLORS who make decisions on such matters as car parking regulations, the level of Council Tax, which schools are to close and the building of the bridge across the Marine Lake. Neither do our local councillors make any decisions on the war in Iraq, the change from Council Tax to a Local Income Tax (ie a Poll Tax based on the ability to pay) or the closure of Post Offices and the Children's Accident and Emergency Department at Southport Hospital. Although any candidate is quite entitled to express a personal opinion on these matters, it is an act of pure deception for candidates in both Local and General Elections to imply they will do things over which they have no direct control.

Enclosed are a series of newspaper cuttings and excerpts concerning the disgraceful antics of Tony Dawson (or should it be "David Anthony Dawson"?), senior case worker for Southport's Member of Parliament, John Pugh, during the 2005 General Election campaign. If he is capable of this unruly behaviour, e.g. talk of "abusing donkies" on a public chat forum, incorrectly entering his name on his nomination paper (he had no trouble putting his correct name on his nomination form for the 2001 General Election in Chester), then what was he capable of doing during the local elections in 2003 and 2004 when he worked in the Liberal Democrat office in Shakespeare Street, Southport? It must be borne in mind that John Pugh was fully aware of Tony Dawson's activities on the chat forums.
See this web page for the views of Cath Regan of the CARES hospital group about both John Pugh MP and Tony Dawson. These views are the same in relation to Simon Shaw, who was expelled, accompanied by Fred Weavers from the CARES meeting held at Trinity Church Hall on the evening of 24th September 2003 for disruptive behaviour. Simon Shaw has now, quite incredibly for someone capable of that sort of behaviour, been elected as a LibDem Councillor, as too has his friend, Fred Weavers. Is it any wonder that the officers of Sefton are reported as holding councillors such as these in very low esteem and taking advantage of their ignorance by forming the current "Officer Party" on Sefton Council?
In the buildup to the 2006 Local Elections, Simon Shaw and Tony Dawson have started their own personal vendetta against this party and some of our prospective councillors on the Southport chat forums. You are invited to view their posts to see how malicious, spiteful and vindictive some individuals are when anyone opposes them. Simon Shaw posts, unbelievably, in his own name, Tony Dawson posts in the names "Tonio" and, we strongly believe, "angiesbaby". Simon Shaw has now been reminded (April 2006) by the Assistant Legal Director of Sefton Council of his obligations as a Councillor. The Police WILL BE INVOLVED, perhaps other authorities as well, if his current obnoxious and thoroughly offensive conduct does not improve.
Further reading available on this matter here.

This is how one Southport resident is disgusted with Simon Shaw and has created a web page to record details.
See Cath Regan's open letter regarding her treatment by John Pugh and Tony Dawson.
This is how the religious intolerance of John Pugh MP was reported in the Southport Champion and Formby Times.

NO local elections were held in Southport in 2005.
WE ARE CONTESTING ALL 7 COUNCIL SEATS IN SOUTHPORT IN 2006.