Singles – transfer your vote
Isn’t it about time that someone started a campaign for single people?
So many politicians and commentators repeatedly refer to “hard working families” as the most deserving group in society. Today the Conservatives have gone further and announced plans to give tax breaks to married couples.
Spare a thought for single people – whether unmarried, widowed or divorced. Many of them – I suspect most of them – would far rather be in a stable, long term, relationship than remain in their single state. Because although being single has advantages, we humans are sociable creatures who long for closeness and company. For whatever reason however, many are not so fortunate as to have found a partner to share their lives with.
And now hard working single people are to be asked to subsidize tax breaks for married couples. Married couples who already enjoy advantages denied to single people.
For me, this is a step too far. Single people are already financially penalised at every turn. They pay 75% of council tax rather than the 50% that reflects their consumption of services. Buying food in small quantities is more expensive. Holidays carry hefty single supplements. Living alone is already more expensive.
So, single people, let’s send a message to David Cameron and his party. Let’s use the ballot box to object to the discrimination against single people – vote for whatever party locally has the best chance of defeating this extraordinarily discriminatory proposal. And if a Conservative canvasser pitches up on your doorstep, ask them why they have decided to discriminate against single people in this way.
Claire Kelley's Diary 
Good Morning Claire, thank you very much for your thoughts on single people in general. Although you are correct to say that most single people need company, and i am no exception, i have always enjoyed being single, having a loving close family and a close circle of friends. I know that when i was working full time the single workers had to fill in when our married colleagues were on maternity and paternity leave without any rewards ourselves, but well done for highlighting our cause, although there is no chip on my shoulder concerning this subject. I am 60 years of age, happily retired in Harrogate, and hoping very much that you have a brilliant win come May 6th, i shall be voting for you. my main concerns for Harrogate are for a first class rail service, which we do not get from Northern Rail, and of course keeping up the high standards of law and order in our area, which is vital for Harrogate and district. Anyway good luck for the coming weeks, at last i live in an area which has a very strong Liberal Democrat candidate with a great chance of winning. Best Regards Peter Richards, 18 Hartwith Close.
Peter Richards
April 12, 2010