Banks' support for constituents pays dividends

Kevin McRoberts • Published 13 May 2010 13:31 2 Comments

GORDON BANKS believes his commitment to dealing with local issues raised by his constituents has earned him his second term as MP for Ochil and South Perthshire.

The Labour candidate first won the seat in 2005 by the narrow margin of just 688 - and it was one of the SNP's top targets this time round.

However, far from losing the seat, Mr Banks substantially increased his majority as he took a greater share of the vote.

And he feels much of his success was down to the hard work and commitment of both himself and his team in tackling problems and acting on behalf of local people.

Speaking to the Advertiser minutes after the election result was announced, Mr Banks said, "It feels brilliant. I believe this result is down to the five years' hard work by myself and my staff on behalf of every one of my constituents who has sought our help.

"People vote for many different reasons, but I'd like to think our commitment and endeavour over the last five years has played a big part in this result tonight."

Throughout the campaign, Mr Banks and his team were out knocking on doors for six hours every day, speaking to as many local people as possible.

And he said many people indicated they were prepared to back him because of his efforts on behalf of his constituents rather than due to any political allegiance.

His campaign literature also carried the endorsements of local people who highlighted their positive experiences in their dealings with their MP.

Mr Banks continued, "I don't really care how others campaigned. We fought this election based on our record in Ochil and South Perthshire.

"We set out five years ago to be as accessible as possible, and that's what we've done.

"I hope and believe this result is an endorsement of the last five years and I'm very happy to be given the opportunity to carry that forward into the next five years."

Mr Banks said that much had been achieved in Clackmannanshire in recent years, but there was a need to attract more investment into the county to allow it to continue to grow.

He highlighted the regeneration of Alloa town centre - albeit taking longer than expected - the return of the railway, the new Clackmannanshire Bridge, the three new secondary schools, the new community hospital and the new Alloa campus for Forth Valley College currently under construction as positive examples of ways the county has changed.

He was also keen to point out that the Ochil and South Perthshire constituency has one of the best new business start-up rates in the country.

But Mr Banks added that following the collapse of the traditional industries in the Wee County and many years of neglect, the area was "still playing catch-up".

"We have to continue to work hard to bring positive changes to the county," he said.

"We want more people coming here and working here, and that's what we've all got to work towards."

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• 

  Football Fan
  Unregistered User
  May 14, 01:43
  Report comment

  Good old Gordon Banks.... I still fondly remember that fantastic save he made against Brazil.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Ross
  Unregistered User
  May 16, 06:07
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  Will Gordon Banks be claiming £173,000 (no joke) in expenses again this year?
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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