Lib Dems Select Locals as Towcester Candidates

The Liberal Democrats have selected Lisa Samiotis and Chris Lofts as their candidates for the by-elections called by the Conservatives for Thursday 9 February.

Lisa Samiotis is well known for her successful campaign to keep a local school crossing patrol and fund raising to support it. As a young working mum, Lisa knows the pressures of balancing bringing up children whilst working part-time. Lisa Samiotis plans to put Towcester family concerns and issues at the top of her agenda when elected. Liberal Democrat Lisa Samiotis is the only women candidate selected by political parties in these elections.

Chris Lofts is a town councillor and proud to have been a past Mayor of Towcester. Chris Lofts is very active locally within a number of voluntary organisations in Towcester. Chris was elected last May as a district councillor and has been working hard for Towcester people since his election win.

It will be a fascinating contest, on the doorstep people have been saying how much they appreciate the work Liberal Democrats do in Towcester all year around. The Liberal Democrats have two very strong local candidates in Lisa and Chris.

I’m somewhat puzzled that our opponents have failed to find a local person to contest the county council seat. The clear message from Towcester residents on the doorstep is they’re fed up with councillors who choose to live outside the town.

Lisa and Chris talking to parents

Town Council Saves Crossing Patrol

Towcester Town Council has voted to part fund the cost of providing the lollipop lady who helps children cross Vernon Road outside a Towcester Primary School. Parents who have campaigned to keep the service say they are delighted with the news.

Conservative controlled Northamptonshire County Council cut funding for all school crossing patrols as part of their plans to make savings of £73 million. I have been supporting parents and proposed at a recent planning and resources committee that  Towcester Town Council help support the scheme. My proposal was accepted unanimously but now has to be ratified by a meeting of the full council.

Vernon Road is a dangerous place for children and with more development planned at Wood Burcote traffic will increase in future years. Town councillors are angry and concerned that Northamptonshire County Council is again shirking their responsibilities, leaving the town to pick up the bill. NCC is quite simply bringing in double taxation, with Towcester residents paying twice for services that should be provided by the county council.

Towcester’s Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Lofts says, “The town council is to urge NCC to either continue longer term funding or provide safety improvements to the road. Our Tory county councillor’s suggestion that parents volunteer to run the patrol themselves is completely unworkable. Unlike the Conservatives, Towcester’s Liberal Democrats are pledged to support parents in their fight to keep our local children safe.”