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Castle Point MP starts green belt party

6:50am Friday 12th March 2010 in


MP Bob Spink has launched a new political party – the Independent Save Our Green Belt party.

The Castle Point MP, who is determined to keep his seat at the forthcoming general election, says his decision was based on his appetite to protect the borough’s green belt.

He firmly believes it is an issue which will unite geared up eight local residents to stand in each of Castle Point’s mainland wards in the summer’s borough elections.

Yet critics are convinced the new party is just a desperate last-ditch attempt to save his political skin and avoid defeat in the general election.

Dr Spink said: “Green belt is an issue very close to my heart and I know it’s important to many residents.

“I launched the Save Our Greenbelt campaign in 2006 to protect Hadleigh Park from development.

“We won that battle and I hope that, together, we will win many more.

“The Tories want to build on our borough’s vital and much loved green belt. We want to stop them.”

There are currently a number of green belt patches in Castle Point threatened by development.

On Canvey, 24 acres of green space between the Dutch Village and Cornelius Vermuyden School has been earmarked for 400 homes, a new health centre and a sports facility by Castle Point Council.

About 13 acres of the Thundersley Plotlands Wildlife Site, near The Chase, is also threatened by a 150-house development, put forward by Barratt Homes.

There are also fears over the long-term future of green areas near Hadleigh Castle and parts of Daws Heath.

The party will also campaign for more bobbies on the beat and better facilities for children and the elderly. He revealed how on a national level it will back quitting the EU and cutting immigration.

Dr Spink added: “I think people believe there is too much party politics in local and central government.

“People are fed-up and they want more independent and more transparent politicians.”

Vera Partridge, chairman of the borough’s Castle Point Conservative Association, said the green belt party was a desperate bid.

She said: “He knows he is under threat this election and this appears to be an attempt to prop up his independent status.”

Comments(17)

WHY says...
8:03am Fri 12 Mar 10

If he is concerned so much about greenbelt why are there no candidates for CANVEY. The Greenbelt on the mainland was defended by the existing Councillors of all the Parties, is it just Politics hiding under residents concerns of Greenbelt protection.

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upset says...
9:01am Fri 12 Mar 10

Mp's cant now claim for advertising on their expenses, but bandwagon has no such worries, the Echo does his advertising for free.
His office (as he calls it) in Downer road is built built on what was green belt, pot and kettle come to mind.

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Nebs says...
9:02am Fri 12 Mar 10

It's very easy to say "not here because...", but not quite as easy to come up with alternatives elsewhere that won't get the same reception.

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Discouraged says...
9:03am Fri 12 Mar 10

He should have been in court yesterday with the other accused MPs.

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upset says...
9:07am Fri 12 Mar 10

WHY wrote:
If he is concerned so much about greenbelt why are there no candidates for CANVEY. The Greenbelt on the mainland was defended by the existing Councillors of all the Parties, is it just Politics hiding under residents concerns of Greenbelt protection.
He wont go up against his other party on Canvey, don't forget he is the unofficial leader of the CIIP.
He is only working for his survival, lets hope the voters understand that, and dont vote for him. Rest assured if he does not get re elected he won't be fighting for your causes in opposition when he is not paid.

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Cambrensis says...
10:52am Fri 12 Mar 10

Independents do not have any power of influence. In Britain we have a majority rule system. Independents will never be in the majority, they will only ever be protesters. His "party" has no aim other than to attack Labour and Tory candidates. His letter to his supporters admits that it has no positive things to say. The real problem is for Dave Blackwells Canvey party. Residents voted for Blackwell as leader and got Spink. Not a good result.

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tracer says...
11:24am Fri 12 Mar 10

Elected Conservative changed to independent Conservative then to UKIP then to independent and now to the Independent Green Belt Party . That is five parties in eighteen months. and he expects people to trust him ?? . by the way he lives in a house in Green Belt and agreed to let his site be part of an application for development ..Trust and Spink are two words that do not go together ..As always he is using honest people who believe in green belt protection to work for him.
What a disgrace he is ...

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shortybells says...
12:19pm Fri 12 Mar 10

An arrogant self important man whose ego knows no bounds. This could be a step too far and he may come to regret it.

Plus according to the blog Canvey Beat he has yet to fully explain his Westminister expenses.

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Sim0n says...
4:15pm Fri 12 Mar 10

I would like to point out that BOB SPINKS's SAVE OUR GREENBELT PARTY are NOT linked in any way to the HANDS OFF OUR GREENBELT ACTION GROUP, despite Dr Spinks posters having it as a slogan on the Bottom of his Flyers and using the same STOP Sign Logo.
We welcome any support and action that helps protect our Greenbelt in Castlepoint ,
But I must point out that the Hands Off Our Greenbelt Group has no Political ties and as a group remains neutral.
-
Simon Hart
Vice Chairman
Hands Off Our Greenbelt Action Group
www.hoogb.co.uk

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woodsman says...
5:49pm Fri 12 Mar 10

A vote for this group is wasted vote. They are only puppets for Spink as he is trying to win a seat he knows he will lose. This group cannot chnage the governemnt policy. To do this we need to get Labour out and let the conservatives implenet whattyhey promise about halting the plans nationwide. Please do not be taken in by this stupid publicity scheme.
In addition those selected as candidates have no experience of any form of government, what other policies have they got, what about experience of budget management, social law, transport, and all the asociated legislation.
As I say lets get Spink out (and can the Echo stop doing his publicity for him).

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soul man says...
6:54pm Fri 12 Mar 10

how many parties can one guy join before he gets fed up and joins another, or they get fed up of him. and his photo, isn't that paul whitehouse doing his aviva add for caar insurance, come on you janners

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evilc says...
8:24pm Fri 12 Mar 10

A capital Waster, that loves himself.

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WHY says...
9:54pm Fri 12 Mar 10

The ONLY way to guarantee the safety of the Greenbelt is to have a Tory Government and the Canvey Greenbelt could be saved to,despite what Bob Spinks says. The present Tory Council have done as much as they could but another Labour victory could undo all their good work.
So think of that when you come to vote

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CIP says...
1:36am Sat 13 Mar 10

I have to agree that he has done this to try to keep his political career afloat (remember he claimed £400 per month for food without bills, at work I had to pay for my own meals!!!!).
Sad to think that the 'courageous eight' prepared to follow his leadership into the local elections are most likely to be without a leader in the near future should he be returned in the general election (sincerely hope NOT). They need to be reminded that he has done a lot of crossing of the house - Conservative to UKIP to Independent and now to this new fangled lot the ISOG Party. Methinks he won't be there long and will then cross the house again to become the I I Party - the Independent Independent.
Intersting to note also the conundrum of how can someone be INDEPENDENT if they are a party???

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tracer says...
9:20pm Sat 13 Mar 10

did I read correctly he cannot find his e-mail that he sent ? it is on your computer Bob .. lets hope it is not on your parliamentary one as that is illegal use. can anyone trust this perosn who cant remember what he wrote only when it suits him . I am also sure that threatening Bill Sharp even if in jest cant be legal?
Dont vote for this hypocritical megalamaniac .

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Colleen G says...
7:27am Wed 17 Mar 10

Toffee nosed ponce jumping on any eco bandwagon to try and raise his profile, or even justify his exorbitant pay and expenses. Out of touch with reality:

Voted very strongly against the hunting ban

Voted moderately against anti-terrorism laws

Voted moderately against introducing ID cards

Reduction in abortion time limit amendment - 20.5.2008
Amendment to reduce the upper limit for abortions from 24 week to 22 weeks. (could not be bothered to vote)

In fact it does not appear he has done anything for us apart from hide at the back of class hoping no one notices him..... must be getting desperate now to want so much attention.

Healthy expenses claim for 08/09 of £146,568

Aint his life grand.

We need politicians with b a l l s, not a limp wrist whilst holding their hands out!

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Bill Richards says...
7:14pm Wed 17 Mar 10

At least with Bob Spinks you are sure that he promotes English values through an English Parliament and is against the EU.

None of the other candidates for the coming elections can be trusted, especially the 'silly one' for the Conservatives, that is constantly bombarding our local news papers as if she is someone of any importance other than a mere underling to the Scot Cameron and would only do his bidding if ever she gained the seat. (God forbid).

We may not at all times agree with our local MP on certain issues, but at least he is approachable and not part of a clique that have Scottish, Welsh and Irish interests before that of the majority of voters in the UK, the English Electorate.

Bob's stand against Sharia Law in this Country and his constant opposition to the EU stands him in good stead with most of the voters in Castle point and I for one will be putting my X next to his name.

Do you think the Conservative, Labour or other candidate are going to half their expenses or something when they get in? Will they be thinking of the interests of the constituents who vote for them or dictated to by party policy, which doesn't give a **** about the common voters, only the further advancement of their personal ambitions with in the party structure.

Yes the MP's are all over paid and yes they all take liberties with the expenses, some more than others and Bob was not the among some of the worst culprits from what I have seen on the issue. But I would rather an MP that could think for himself and act upon requests from voters when dealing with local issues, independent of doctrine from the likes of Cameron and Brown who really do not give a toss for the people or their wishes. Independents all around the country are going to hopefully start being recognised as the true voice of the people and lets hope Bob is one of those voices, for if we lety in the Conservatives or Labour, we are going to decline as a community even further.

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