My name is Alasdair Macleod and I’m one of the Libertas candidates for the North East in the European elections on June 7th this year. I want to tell you about myself and the difference I believe I can make, to help you make an informed decision at the ballot box.I am fighting this election as a Libertas candidate because I am really concerned at the hand-over of Britain’s sovereignty to a body that for all of us is distant, opaque and unaccountable, yet makes most of our laws. We are members of the European Community, which has the potential to deliver us many benefits – benefits that are decided for us rather than by us. The democratic process itself needs fundamental reform because it simply is not working. We cannot properly hold the executive to account.
I have spent my adult life in the world of finance, working at senior levels in London and elsewhere, with a particular interest in economics. My family has a history of involvement in politics, and I feel strongly it is time for me to “put something back into the system”. I have a son and two step-sons who acquired me when I married Jean, their mum. What sort of world are we leaving them, and what sort of world are we leaving your children?
Being realistic, I can only make a positive contribution if it is focused, and this is why I have joined Libertas. Libertas’s single priority is democratic accountability. Without this, none of our MEPs can do their job for us, and this is precisely what Brussels is denying us. Libertas allows me, when elected by you, to fight for a fairer system for all of us. Libertas will fight to get:
- Greater control over national politicians, who have a history of compromising our rights in Europe without our agreement.
- Greater power for MEPs to control the unelected Eurocrats
- Greater accountability over how our tax money is spent.
None of the other parties focus on democratic accountability. Whether you support Labour, SNP, Liberal or Conservative, your party will not and cannot change the system – only Libertas can.
For the first time, there will be a pan-European party, and it is focused on this vital issue. Libertas candidates are standing in all 27 EU countries, and with your help we can be the largest single party in Europe. Then we really can change the rules in favour of democracy!
Please join us!
Alasdair Macleod
Hi Alisdair,
ReplyDeletenice to meet you, a couple of points if I may.
You mention that "My family has a history of involvement in politics", in what way? Were they MPs, MEPs, or just activists? What I'm getting at is that you statement is a way of letting us know a bit about you, so are there any (family) skeletons in the closet?
You mention that whatever your previous support, and then give a list of parties. Is the Scottish National Party (SNP) really relevant to an English constituency? Or did you mean the Socialist Labour Party (SLP)?
Good luck
Tony P
Mr Macleod, you do not mention if you live in this constituency or why you have sought election here. At least Mr Rollings says he was brought up in Birtley, by the Angel.
ReplyDeleteAre you just a political implant and have no views on the North East?
John
Northumberland
27 May 2009
Dear Tony P
ReplyDeleteNo skeletons. My uncle was a conservative minister, who died in office in 1970, and my father was a minister in the Kenya government in the mid-sixties.
Yes, I did mean the SLP.
Kind regards
Alasdair
Dear Anonymous
ReplyDeleteHow do I know if you are a voter?
Seriously though, I think the whole EU parliament system is flawed. The PR voting system means that you are effectively voting for parties, not individuals. Furthermore, your favourite candidate may be number 3 for his/her party, so the votes are halved twice before your candidate can be elected. This guarantees a mish-mash favouring the party hacks in the establishment parties at the top of their respectve lists.
Don't get me wrong: I'm not upset about being number 2 on the list - far from it, and I do not see myself as a career politician (unlike those with their snouts already in the trough!). I want to see a better system, then Libertas can quitely melt away!
Alasdair
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI find what you have written interesting, not least because it is concise and literate (the other NE candidate needs to apply a spell check to his profile). You do, however, demonstrate one disturbingly familiar, yet I am sure valuable, political trait, that of avoiding a direct question. You have not said, in answer to the previous person, where you are based. I have just started reading up all the candidates this morning in order to attempt to make an intelligent vote next Thursday. Please clarify! Also, can you point me to somewhere which explains succinctly just how the voting worksas I am disappointed a vote for you would be of less value than for "candidate 1"!
Katie, Durham