One of the questions we were asked a lot today is how to register to vote.  If you haven’t already registered you still have time – completed forms need to be at Wiltshire Council by 5pm April 20^th.  You can download a form at: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/register_to_vote.aspx or email me (wilfred4change@gmail.com) and I will arrange to have one sent to you.

In the afternoon I was delighted to be joined by John Glen, the PPC for Salisbury, who grew up in Lacock.  We had a very positive reception in Semington – thank you.

If you would like to get involved in the campaign please email me: wilfred4change@gmail.com

It was another spectacular spring day in Wiltshire showing off the beautiful Bradford on Avon to its best.  I popped back there this afternoon to say “Happy 90^th Birthday” to Dr Alex Moulton of the Moulton Bicycle Company.

Dr Moulton is an inspiration to other entrepreneurs, his radical bicycle designs have spanned more than half a century.  As a business man myself I have enormous respect for pioneers like Dr Moulton.

If elected I will continue to be a champion for local businesses in our constituency – who are essential to the future prosperity of our county, and country.  As a businessman I understand what it takes to set up and run a business and also how challenging this may be.  This is why I fully endorse the Conservative plans to reverse the planned 1% increase in National Insurance.  I know how tough it is as an employer now, and know this plan by Labour will hurt small businesses most.

The day was rounded off canvassing in Gastard where I was meant with another sensory delight – this one visual.  Thank you to everyone for the sea of blue posters that greeted me – if you still don’t have yours up, please find the sellotape now!  Or if you need one just email wilfred4change@gmail.com

For more information about Michael Dobbs please visit: http://michaeldobbs.com/uk/index.php?id=21,0,0,1,0,0 and for more information about Dr Moulton please visit: http://www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/index.html

After a lunch at McDonalds, Chippenham where the team always look after us, the afternoon has been spent supporting the team leafleting across the constituency.

This evening has been a lively debate at Neeld Hall, Chippenham on the Climate Change Question.  I outlined my own beliefs that sustainable communities are an essential part of tackling climate change.  We need to reduce the power of the supermarkets and our reliance on them as this will in turn reduce our car usage.  Where I live on St Mary’s St, the nearby Tesco Express, although very useful, does not provide everything I need in a weekly shop.  I have no option but to get in my car and drive to one of the bigger stores on the outskirts of town.

If elected I will work and use my business experience, to revitalise town centres across the constituency and take steps to creating more sustainable communities in the towns and villages of Wiltshire.

Lord King stressed how “absolutely vital it is that we get more MPs into Parliament who have proven ability and experience.  Far too many ministers in the Labour Government and MPs in the past Parliament had no practical experience of anything other than politics, and the country has paid a very heavy price for that.”

“I am also particularly pleased that Wilfred is launching his campaign by highlighting the importance of newer high tech companies, particularly in the defence field. In the very serious financial situation that we face as a nation, the key question is how we are going to earn our living and pay our way in the world.  Companies like SciSys are exactly what we need to succeed in the years ahead.”

The Battle Bus then rolled into Chippenham High Street where we met many constituents and thank you to all the youngsters who leant their support.

Then late afternoon we moved over to Bradford on Avon and greeted commuters coming home and then went canvassing.

Thank you to all my volunteers.  If you would like to get involved please email: wilfred4change@gmail.com

I took him for a tour of the constituency around the hidden gems of Chippenham, up through to Melksham, down to Bradford then back home to Chippenham through Corsham.

Whilst driving around, we discussed me, my sausages, why I want to work for you in Westminster, and what I will give back to the people of Chippenham.

I really hope you enjoy the film as much as I enjoyed being involved with it. Any fans of Red Dwarf will know what a funny man Robert Llewellyn is and it was great fun to take part! The video can be seen online here.

The first half is background about me and where I have come from, and the second is about my politics, my commitment to the people of the Chippenham Constituency and how I want to fight for you in Westminster!

Enjoy!

Bradford on Avon has recently seen off strong competition to become the South West contender in the British Gas Green Streets competition.  The success will allow financial help to 100 homes in the Bradford on Avon area, to help upgrade their energy efficiency. Selected households will receive up to £1000 of free insulation and other improvements.

As world leaders discuss the issue of global climate change in Copenhagen, it is impressive to see how much can be done at a local level to make a change. I urge others to sign up to the declaration and hope other local towns will follow Bradford on Avon’s lead. 

There are a number of simple measures every household can take to help save energy, and also reduce bills.  These include using energy efficient light bulbs, turning the heating down by just one degree, turning off appliances rather than leaving them on standby, using showers rather than baths and not overfilling the kettle. 

The key to this is that it is both realistic and practical. There are adjustments we can all do which can make a major contribution to fighting climate change. None of these items are either costly difficult to put into effect but collectively they add up to a big difference.