Under the Conservatives, Bucks County Council is rated a 4* council, which means its services are the best in the country. It is recognised locally and nationally as innovative and effective.

Despite receiving reduced grants from the Labour Government, the council has maintained all its front-line services, while making considerable savings on administration. The council works with residents to give them the services they need to improve their life.

Bucks schools are top every year for exam results, which is a result of Conservative education policies. Money will continue to be spent to ensure education standards remain high, while also providing positive, creative and healthy activities for young people.

Under the Conservatives, money has been invested in homes for both older and vulnerable people, improving their quality of life. Money is also being spent on the needs of an ageing population, as Conservatives support the elderly and vulnerable to remain independent and live safely.

Conservatives believe in protecting the environment and the Green Belt. The council’s policies will protect our green fields, our heritage, reduce its carbon footprint and promote safer and greener communities. Conservatives will continue to fight Labour’s plans to build houses on greenfield sites, which are so damaging to Buckinghamshire. The council has increased its recycling schemes across the county, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.

The Conservative council took the decision to fund additional Police Community Support Officers to work with Thames Valley Police to give a greater police presence on our streets. This has helped to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Local Neighbourhood Action Groups have given people the chance to set policing priorities in the area where they live.

Conservative councillors will work with a future Conservative Government to freeze Council Tax. We know that in a time of limited public spending we must continue to do our best to deliver good public services in the most efficient way. Earlier this year other political parties called for higher Council Tax. At the budget meeting on 19th February, Liberal Democrat councillors walked out of a meeting when the budget was decided because their increased spending plans had been rejected by Conservative councillors.

There will also be elections to the European Parliament on 4th June. Conservatives are campaigning to make Gordon Brown change his mind and give Britain the referendum on the EU Constitution that he promised.

Many people will have heard David Cameron’s call for a General Election. The sheer scale of the problems facing Britain today – the recession, the debt crisis, and the political crisis over MPs’ expenses – has changed everything. The public has to be involved in solving these problems, and this is their chance to show their disapproval and vote for a new way forward. This is why the Conservative Party is now calling for a General Election to be held as soon as possible. It is only by voting Conservative on 4th June – and not for fringe parties – that this message will be heard.