With just under four weeks to go until polling day, here is a round-up of what the candidates hoping to become Lincoln’s next MP have been up to over the past seven days.
Small business hustings
The FSB Lincoln MP debate at the Bentley Hotel (L-R): Tony Wells (UKIP), Helen Powell (Lincolnshire Independents), Lucy Rigby (Labour), David Dexter (Chair), Ross Pepper (Liberal Democrats), Karl McCartney (Conservative)
Four of Lincoln’s parliamentary hopefuls were grilled by small business owners at a hustings event at the Bentley Hotel on April 7.
The candidates were quizzed on a variety of issues, such as business rates, cybercrime and taking action on late payments, and they all agreed with each other on most of the major topics.
Church leaders in Lincoln have sent an open letter to the election candidates highlighting a perceived growing food crisis in and around the city.
The letter invites each candidate to:
support policies that close the gap between rich and poor
make it easier for claimants to access the benefits they need to ensure that they and their families do not go hungry
challenge the myths that are so often promoted about the poor
Reverend Bruce Thompson, Chair of Poverty Partners, said: “It is absolutely clear to those working on the front line of meeting need in our community that we are facing a food crisis.
“It’s not just those who are out of work that are finding life a struggle at the moment. More and more families are coming to our foodbanks for help.”
The clergy have requested a reply from each candidate by April 30 at the latest.
TUSC campaign launch
The left-wing Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) has launched their general election campaign, pledging “an end to the austerity agenda of cuts and privatisation.”
TUSC candidate for Lincoln, Elaine Smith, said: “Austerity means the rich get richer while the poor get poorer.
“Opinion polls regularly show clear majorities in favour of running our public services, transport networks, and utilities like energy and water for public need not private profit. TUSC is the only party standing in Lincoln arguing for a socialist programme of public ownership and re-nationalisation under democratic control.”
TUSC are fielding more candidates nationally than ever before
Flying visit from Tory chairman
Conservative candidate Karl McCartney was also busy canvassing in the city this week. He was joined on Tuesday by Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps who was on a whistle-stop tour of the county, before going out on the streets later in the week with the leader of Lincolnshire County Council Martin Hill.
He also voiced his approval of his party’s apprenticeship plans and commitment to freeze rail prices in real terms during the next Parliament.
He said: “We are giving young people proper training and the prospect of a better future. This will help strengthen our economy and communities and give millions more people financial security.
“Because of the difficult decisions that we have taken to repair the economy, Conservatives in government have been able to freeze regulated fare rises in real terms for the past two years. If elected in May, we’d continue that freeze for the next five years.”
Meanwhile, Lincolnshire Independent Helen Powell visited the newly re-opened Lincoln Castle before hitting the campaign trail.
Helen Powell visiting Lincoln Castle
‘Shock revelation’
Over in the neighbouring Sleaford and North Hykeham constituency, Lib Dem candidate Matthew Holden received a ringing endorsement from Councillor John Marriott… a Liberal Democrat councillor.
The councillor said: “Residents in North Hykeham have been voting Liberal Democrat locally for years; this is because they know we get things done. I am supporting Matthew this May because we need an MP from the local area to campaign for extra money from central government for our roads, bus services and schools.”
Twitter fun
A couple of the candidates also got into some light-hearted election fun on Twitter using the hashtag #constituencysongs. Here are some of the best (or worst) efforts, both by candidates here in Lincoln and from across the country.
You can keep up to date with the latest Lincoln politics news, interviews and events by following our Elections 2015 category, and by using #LincolnVotes on social media.
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An ex-RAF serviceman who had online sex chat with someone he thought was a 13-year-old schoolgirl was caught in a police sting operation.
David Walker, 51, chatted with “Sky” even though she told him her age early on in the conversation.
Philip Plant, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court “Sky” was actually a decoy police officer posing as a schoolgirl.
During the chat Walker made comments such as “Have you ever had naughty fun?” and went on to suggest the girl should carry out a sex act, saying he would show her what to do.
As a result of the conversations, which happened in a 24-hour period in February this year, police visited Walker and examined his mobile phone and computer.
Mr Plant said: “His phone had searches for the phrase ‘schoolgirl’.
“The defendant was interviewed and initially denied it but eventually made admissions.”
The court was told Walker had no previous convictions.
Walker, of Elizabeth Avenue, Tattershall Bridge, admitted charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.
He was given a 16-month jail sentence suspended for two years and ordered to complete up to 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to pay £425 prosecution costs.
Recorder William Harbage QC placed him on the sex offenders register for 10 years and gave him a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
The Recorder told Walker: “These are serious offences. You have brought shame on yourself, on your wife and on your family.
“You engaged in chat with someone who on the face of it was a young girl of 13. In fact she was a decoy set up by undercover police to lure people who have an interest in sexual chat with children. I’m satisfied that on the material in front of me that you do have an interest in school age girls.”
Sunil Khanna, in mitigation, said Walker served in the RAF for 10 years before suffering a breakdown.
Walker, he said, left the RAF but has since suffered mental health problems.
Mr Khanna said: “It was essentially a conversation over a day. It was thoroughly disgraceful but it was with a decoy.”
There have been nearly a thousand new COVID cases recorded in Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday, the highest daily tally so far — as Sajid Javid announces cases could reach 100,000 a day nationally.
Today’s figures mean there have now been more than 130,000 cases across Greater Lincolnshire’s three upper tier authorities, with Wednesday’s figure being 9.3% higher than the 863 cases at the same point last week and 8.91% higher than the Wednesday prior’s 886.
Nationally, a further 49,139 cases have been reported in the UK, meaning there have been eight consecutive days of more than 40,000 cases. A further 179 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive test. Coronavirus deaths are up 21.1% in a week nationally.
The latest COVID stats for Lincolnshire are:
965 new cases of coronavirus in Greater Lincolnshire with 713 in Lincolnshire, 112 in North East Lincolnshire and 140 in North Lincolnshire
One death was recorded in the government figures in North East Lincolnshire, but one was removed from Lincolnshire’s figures – this often happens when data is clarified following initial publication.
Hospital data showed one further death at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust
In a press conference, Sajid Javid warned that cases nationally could reach over 100,000 a day in the coming months and hospitalisations were approaching 1,000 a day.
He said that although deaths were “mercifully low” they were still around 100 a day.
“We always knew the winter months would provide the greatest threat to our COVID recovery… we’re starting to see this happening,” he said.
“This virus will be with us for the long term and it remains a threat,” he added.
He also confirmed a new version of the Delta variant, known as AY4.2.
But, warning that booster jabs were important, he added: “While there’s no reason to believe AY4.2 poses a greater threat, the next variant or the one after that might do.”
He said the gap was “narrowing” between the virus and the vaccine, and that the government was going to “redouble our efforts”.
But he added: “We’ve come so far thanks to the efforts of so many. But with winter ahead, we can’t blow it now.”
Health secretary Sajid Javid during Wednesday’s press conference.
However, he said the government would not be bringing in its plan B just yet, but announced two new antiviral drugs would be trialled after the UK’s antivirals taskforce struck deals to purchase more than 730,000 courses of the drugs combined.
They include Molnupiravir, which has undergone clinical trials and shown reduced risk of hospitalisation or death by 50% – and Ritonavir, which is still undergoing clinical trials but is widely used in combination with other treatments for HIV infections.
Both drugs first need to be evaluated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), but if successful will be given to the most vulnerable with COVID.
Elsewhere, he urged people to get the vaccine as soon as possible, including the most vulnerable getting booster jabs and opening up the national booking service to 12-15-year-olds.
The government has faced calls from the NHS Confederation, which represents health service organisations, on Wednesday to implement its Plan B, which includes mandatory face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces.
Matthew Taylor, head of the NHS Confederation told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “the health service is right at the edge”.
They say the rising demands are worrying and that bringing in the rules would avoid a “winter crisis”.
They have been backed by some House of Lords peers, including Labour’s Baroness Thornton, who said: “it’s quite clear those things aren’t working” in response to an urgent question on plan B.
Lincolnshire’s coronavirus cases up to October 20. | Image: GOV.uk
However, Downing Street has said there are no plans to do so.
Instead the latest figures will continue to be monitored while hospital admissions and deaths are still “substantially lower” than they were earlier in the year, a spokesman said.
They added: “The important thing is the fact that our vaccination programme has has been successful in breaking the link between cases and hospitalisations and deaths.
“Our focus remains on ensuring ensuring we get boosters out to those who are eligible.”
Elsewhere today, England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Boston-boy Jonathan Van-Tam has urged youngsters to not believe everything they read on social media, instead asking to trust medical professionals and get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Wednesday, October 20
130,273 cases (up 965)
86,386 in Lincolnshire (up 713)
21,410 in North Lincolnshire (up 140)
22,477 in North East Lincolnshire (up 112)
2,379 deaths (no change)
1,738 from Lincolnshire (down one)
328 from North Lincolnshire (up one)
313 from North East Lincolnshire (up one)
of which 1,430 hospital deaths (up one)
876 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
44 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
509 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (up one)
DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF THE LATEST UPDATE. POSTCODE DATA INCLUDES DEATHS NOT IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES OR IN HOSPITALS OUTSIDE AUTHORITY BOUNDARIES.
Ten men who were part of two organised crime groups who trafficked high purity cocaine between Lincolnshire and the West Midlands have been jailed for a combined total of over 100 years.
The men distributed an estimated £1.36 million of high purity cocaine.
During warrants executed at properties across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands, specialist search teams seized 2.086kg of uncut cocaine which had a street value of up to £209,000.
The organised crime groups trafficked the Class A drug between Lincolnshire and the West Midlands, with an estimated 17kg of cocaine between January 1, 2019 and January 27, 2020.
The operation was uncovered by detectives and investigators from Lincolnshire Police and the East Midlands Serious Organised Crime Unit (EMSOU).
Officers found evidence of lavish lifestyles with receipts for a staggering £266,225 of goods including luxury clothing still in boxes, which had been purchased at stores in London, Paris, Copenhagen, encrypted mobile phones, and £29,540 of cash. The police raids took place in January 2020.
The investigation also revealed how the organised crime group from Lincolnshire sourced the Class A drugs from a Coventry-based OCG. Couriers made frequent trips to the Coventry area for exchanges to take place. Drug buys also took place in a rural area near Stanton on the Wolds in Nottinghamshire.
Three of those sentenced today – Robert Diaz, Barry Knight, and Stephen Oliver had stood trial at Nottingham Crown Court in August. A further seven men had already pleaded guilty to other charges related to their part in the conspiracy, which also included the production of cannabis.
The jail sentences
Robert Diaz, 42, of Maltkiln Lane, Waddington, Lincoln was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine. He was sentenced to 19 years in prison
Barry Knight, 60, of Nuneaton Road, Bulkington, Bedworth, Warwickshire. He was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison
Stephen Oliver, 44, of Windsor Street, Rugby, Warwickshire. He was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of producing cannabis between June 1, 2019 and January 16, 2020. He was jailed for eight years plus a concurrent sentence of 21 months for production of cannabis
Edward Wivell, 41, of North Parade, Lincoln. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine. He was jailed for six years and four months
Andrew Turner, 40, of Holmcroft, Coventry, West Midlands. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine, one count of producing Class B drugs, namely cannabis, and one RIPA offence. He was jailed for eight years and eight months, plus a concurrent sentence of eight months for cannabis production and four months for failing to provide a passcode
Joseph McCluskey, 43, of Parkfield Road, Keresley End, Coventry, West Midlands has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine. He was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison
Jon Moreton, 50, of Torbay Road, Coventry, West Midlands. He has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine. He was jailed for 10 years and nine months
Stuart Bassett-Hawcock, 34, of Oaklands Close, Lincoln. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely, cocaine. He was jailed for eight years
Jack Constable, 34, of Foxhall Road, Nottingham. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine. He was jailed for eight years
Michael Kershaw, 41, of Florian Way, Coventry, West Midlands. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine. He was jailed for seven years and six months
There will now be Proceeds of Crimes Act (POCA) proceedings against the offenders to recover assets amassed through their criminal activity.
Kerrin Wilson, Assistant Chief Constable at Lincolnshire Police, said: “This was a complex drugs operation, and today’s result shows the tenacity and dedication of all the investigative teams from both Lincolnshire Police and EMSOU.
“We are determined to tackle the scourge of drugs which blights the lives of many across society, and thanks to the hard work of the investigation team, organised crime gangs which push these drugs have been dealt a swift and powerful blow to their operations.
“Organised criminals prey on users, and their activities can bring with them wider issues of violence and exploitation that goes with drug traffickers. We are pleased to see such a good result today, but we are not complacent; we will continue to work hard to safeguard our communities and protect the vulnerable.”
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