People often ask "what would the Conservatives do differently to the current lot?" Let's look at the key changes the Conservatives seek to deliver locally:

A proper Dover hospital - Labour have ruined Buckland and now offer a polyclinic. The Conservatives have helped to gather signatures for the hospital petition. We have been fighting alongside local health campaigners for a new proper hospital with beds and 24/7 GP-led emergency services. Now even Labour's polyclinic is threatened by the Environment Agency's strange concern that the Dour might one day flood.  The arms of Government are in a tangle and our community is losing out.

Expenses reform We all know how many MPs have let us down.  And we know all about the claims of the Labour MP here too.  This is no time for brickbats.  We now need to change things so that we can reform things for the long term and rebuild trust and confidence in our political system for the future.  Charlie has made a solemn pledge and contract to the people of Dover & Deal. He is a long standing fighter for expenses reform - Charlie offers a new politics and a break from the past.

Crime and border security are worrying problems for our area. Violent crime has doubled in the UK in ten years. Over 1,000 people are victims for violent crime locally every year. Human trafficking is disgusting and we need to take back control of who comes through our borders. We need more police on the beat preventing crime, with zero-tolerance and more facilities for our young people.

Living costs and unemployment are hitting families hard. The recession is biting deep, people are losing their jobs and the Government's crazy borrowing will make recovery very slow. Gordon Brown has been increasing taxes on the poorest, who pay more in tax overall than the richest. Local wages have fallen over £1,000 in the last five years, unemployment is rising faster here than elsewhere meaning real pressure on hard pressed families. Reducing taxes over time and stopping the Government's extreme public borrowing are key to future economic success for us all.

Local Transport has seen terrible underinvestment. The A2 upgrade was axed by Labour. Gordon Brown did nothing about making the A258 safer – the Conservative Kent County Council is now taking action on this after years of Labour neglect. We need to get lorries out of Dover and regeneration in.

Have your say too! It's really easy to get involved. You can comment with your ideas, hopes and aspirations for our community simply by clicking to leave a comment on any page in this website.

It's really easy to help get change with Charlie Elphicke and the local Conservatives.  You also email Charlie privately at charlie@elphicke.com or get in touch with Charlie or a Conservative councillor by phone or post.