COLUMN: Projecting our area positively

This is a contributed party political press release. This website and its associated newspapers support no political party and it does not necessarily reflect our views. We consider contributed releases from all lawful parties as part of the vibrant debate in the run-up to the General Election and would encourage all candidates to use this platform to positively explain their vision and policies for their local communities.

This morning, I sat with a journalist from a national newspaper talking through some of the things we achieved together over the last few years. As the General Election gets nearer, more and more journalists are taking an interest in Ashfield and Mansfield.

When I was asked to choose the location for the interview – I wanted to do it somewhere to positively reflect the great things about Ashfield. I chose the new Kirkby Leisure Centre.

In 1936, the Labour Party promised the people of Kirkby a swimming pool. It became the big standing joke every election when Labour promised to build one. The Labour Party even collected money from hardworking miners to build it. It took me, as Leader of the Council, just 3 years. Kirkby Leisure Centre recently welcomed its 1,000,000 centre user and is home to over 140 community groups.

And they say voting doesn’t make a positive difference!!!

I was able to talk to the journalist about some of the other projects we have either delivered or in the process of delivering.

I was proud to tell him that as an Independent, I have proved that I can work positively with partners to deliver what is best for Ashfield and Mansfield – take for example reopening Ashfield Fire Station full-time. This has reduced fire response times by at least 2 minutes and will save lives.

I spoke about transforming parks, building the leisure centre we were sat in and spoke at length about working with partners to deliver truly transformational projects like the Planetarium and Science Discovery Centre at Sherwood Observatory, that Lee Anderson tried to stop because he thought it was too high brow OR the amazing things that are happening at Kings Mill Reservoir.

The people of Britain need to know that Ashfield and Mansfield is on the up. It is precisely because people vote for the Ashfield Independents that we are on the up.

One thing that the journalist noticed was the amount of stakeboards showing their support for my positive campaign. Amazing things can happen – like Kirkby Leisure Centre when we all work together. Another example being the amazing plans to transform leisure facilities in the Selston Parish. Something we have been working with partners on for years.

As your MP, I will always work hard to shine a light on everything positive we do. Ashfield and Mansfield deserve better than the negative light that Lee Anderson’s Reform campaign continues to project.

Jason Zadrozny