I am looking forward to fighting this General Election as Lincoln’s Member of Parliament for the last five years. Election campaigns are hard work, but they are also great fun. I particularly enjoy knocking on local residents’ doors even more than at other times, and listening to voters’ views on what further we can do to help the hardworking families of Lincoln and what their aspirations are for the future.
There is no denying it: the last five years have been extraordinarily tough. We were left by the previous Labour government with the biggest deficit in our nation’s peacetime history and a doubling of our national debt. Tough decisions have had to be taken by this government; consequently sacrifices have had to be made by the British people.
But we have worked together through our long term economic plan that is, today, delivering record low inflation and interest rates, falling unemployment, a much-reduced budget deficit and national debt that is now falling as a share of our economy. Indeed, as a result of our long term economic plan and the hard work of the British people we now have the fastest growing economy in the G20.
I am proud of our achievements and the positive effect they have had on my constituents and constituency. I have, for instance, supported the Conservatives in government in: providing tax relief for over 42,000 hardworking people in Lincoln; lifting over 5,000 working people in Lincoln out of paying Income Tax altogether; cutting unemployment in Lincoln by over a third since 2010; presiding over the creation of a record number of businesses; granting millions of pounds of Regional Growth Fund monies to Lincoln-based companies such as Bifrangi UK and Dynex Semiconductor Ltd, and also the University of Lincoln. And one of our local NHS Trusts, which had one of the worst patient safety records under Labour, has improved to such an extent that last week it was announced that it would be taken out of special measures.
In respect of transport, we have long wanted better connectivity for our city, which is why I am proud to have delivered improved train services for passengers travelling between Nottingham and Lincoln, as well as extra direct train services to and from London, not just from 2019, but this year to assist our Magna Carta celebrations and tourist industry. This, of course, is in addition to the brilliant news I secured from the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Transport towards the end of last year confirming the ring fencing of government monies for the Lincoln Eastern Bypass.
The government have also indicated that if the County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership representatives, who supposedly represent Lincolnshire businesses, were to get their act together, we could actually see a dual carriageway solution to the Eastern Bypass. This position reflects the wishes of the vast majority of my constituents, as well as the businesses and workers in my constituency of Lincoln, who deserve the best transport infrastructure possible.
So there has been great progress. But I am not complacent in the slightest – there is much more to do.
In the next five years, I want to continue the progress I have made on securing the Eastern Bypass, fight the corner for local residents concerned about the Labour-controlled City of Lincoln Council’s proposal to build on the Swanpool floodplain, secure the future of the RAF Waddington International Airshow, continue my campaign for better rail links and a suitable Park and Ride system for Lincoln, remain committed to my ongoing work on safer railway crossings and a brilliant NHS provision in Lincoln, and top quality educational opportunities for all my constituents and their children at the schools, colleges, UTC and two universities in Lincoln.
Nationally, we will continue to reduce the budget deficit we inherited so that we, once again, live within our means, keep working towards our goal of full employment, reward work, ensure every child has the best start in life, offer everyone security in retirement, and help those who work hard to purchase a home should they wish too.
I look forward to these themes being developed further in the Conservative’s General Election manifesto, and continuing to represent my City of Lincoln constituents who have so kindly placed their trust in me in the past, over the course of the next Parliament.
Karl McCartney was the Conservative Lincoln MP between 2010 and 2017. He is now the Conservative candidate for the city for the next general elections.
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A new family-run restaurant and takeaway serving authentic Greek food has opened in Lincoln city centre, and The Lincolnite went to check it out.
Spyridon Tsichlis and his wife Marisofi Kiourtzidou came up with the idea for The Greek Brothers and opened their first restaurant and takeaway in Mansfield in February 2021.
After visiting Lincoln Spyridon said he loved the city and the “beautiful atmosphere” and an opportunity came up to purchase the lease of the building next to Wilko off the High Street on Waterside South, formerly occupied by JayDees and The Fish King.
The Greek Brothers serves a variety of Gyros including chicken, pork, halloumi, and burger. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Souvlaki is another Greek favourite on the menu. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Spyridon bought the lease with his father-in-law Dimitrios Kirtikos and, after a lot of work inside including renovating the kitchen, The Greek Brothers welcomed its first customers on Monday, May 9.
The Greek Brothers takeaway and restaurant is open seven days a week between 11am and 7pm, and Spryidon said he is hoping to extend these hours in the future. Customers can also order authentic Greek street food from the takeaway, including via Deliveroo.
Gabby Kennedy and Spyridon Tsichlis from The Greek Brothers in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
Take a look inside! | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
The new takeaway and restaurant has created four new jobs, with an additional six to be hired in the future.
See the rest of our photo gallery below:
Gabby Kennedy and Spyridon Tsichlis from The Greek Brothers in Lincoln. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite
We are investigating a serious assault after a man has received multiple stab wounds.
We received a call to reports that a man had been found with serious injuries in Mareham Lane, Sleaford, at around 3.30pm on Sunday 15 May.
The victim, who is in his 30s, was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.
We have arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH). He remains in police custody.
We would like to hear from anyone who may have captured CCTV, dashcam or Go-pro footage in the location at the time the incident was reported, or in the few hours before hand.
Detective Inspector Remy Simon said: “We are carrying out investigations in this area and you may see an increased police presence while we do that. We know this might be worrying, and we would like to reassure you that we believe this to be an isolated incident. There are a number of lines of enquiry we are following up on.
“The victim was found near a busy road and there is a good chance that our local community may have information or footage which could help our enquiries, so we would encourage people to check their dashcams, Go-Pros or CCTV as soon as possible and share anything which may help with us. We’d like to hear about, or view, anything you may have, no matter how small you think it is, as every piece of information could prove vital.”
There are a number of ways to get in touch:
By calling 101 quoting incident number 262 of 15 May.
By emailing force.[email protected]putting incident number 262 of 15 May in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
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