Healthcare, Crime and Council Tax Top Poll of 5,000 Herefordshire Households

11.34.59am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Sep 2007

Sarah Carr with just some of the survey responses received

Sarah Carr, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hereford and South Herefordshire has today revealed that people rated health and the NHS as the most important issue facing Herefordshire in a hand delivered survey of nearly 5,000 households.

Over a four month period, thousands of doors in Hereford City, Ross-on-Wye and villages across South Herefordshire have been knocked on by Sarah Carr and a team of volunteers to gauge which issues and concerns are of most importance to local residents.

Sarah Carr said,

"It has been great privilege travelling round the constituency and meeting so many people. I have been made to feel very welcome on the doorstep.

"With over two-thirds of residents rating health as one of the most important issues facing Herefordshire, saving our NHS from mismanagement and bureaucracy is vital to ensuring residents get the best possible quality of health care. I am committed to fighting for the best possible deal for local residents, including highlighting threats to local jobs, such as outsourcing letter writing to New Zealand, where patient services might suffer as a result."

Crime came a close second in the poll with vandalism and graffiti of most concern. Sarah Carr commenting said,

"I was horrified to see graffiti sprawled all over Hereford city's hidden historical jewel, the centuries old Blackfrairs Monastery. Vandalism such as graffiti makes people feel unsafe and increases local residents' fear of crime. We must wage a war to 'wipe out' graffiti, and I urge Herefordshire Council to remove graffiti as soon as it appears."

Local resident concerns about Council Tax came in third in the poll, with over half of those surveyed rating it as being an important issue.

Sarah Carr said in response, "Council Tax is a source of great anger to many residents. Over the last four years, the Conservative-run Herefordshire Council has increased Council Tax on the average band D property by almost £300. The Liberal Democrats would abolish Council Tax and introduce a new fairer system based on ability to pay, and tax pollution more instead of income."

Sarah Carr concluded,

"I will continue to campaign on the doorstep all year round alongside a growing team of volunteers across Hereford, Ross and South Herefordshire to ensure that we stay directly connected with the concerns of local residents."