Mark Argent
Mark is has been involved with Huntingdon Liberal Democrats since the 2019 General Election, where we achieved an 87% increase in our vote, which was well ahead of the national trend.
Since then, five decades of Conservative control on Huntingdonshire District Council have come to an end. We're looking forward to putting a strong case for Liberal Democrat values in the General and subsequent County and District Council Elections.
Mark writes:
What I’ll be doing nationally as MP for Huntingdon
Much of the work of an MP is focussed on national politics. As Huntingdon’s MP I’m looking forward to playing my part in pushing for a fair deal for everyone. I’m very conscious that the last few years have been tough for many of us. We’ve weathered the international trials of Covid and the spike in fuel prices after Russia invade Ukraine. But we’ve also endured home-grow trials — of Brexit and of mismanagement by the Conservative government, particularly Liz Truss’ disastrous time as Prime Minister which pushed our mortgages up.
Britain deserves better than this. Nationally, Liberal Democrats are pushing for a fair deal that gives everyone opportunity. A fair deal that puts power in your hands. A fair deal that holds the powerful to account. It’s key threads are:
- A fair, prosperous and innovative economy that promotes opportunity and wellbeing.
- Fair access to good public services and a strong social safety net.
- A flourishing environment, with fair access to nature for all.
- A strong United Kingdom and a fair international order.
- A truly fair democracy, where everyone’s rights are respected and individuals and communities are empowered.
Details are at libdems.org.uk/manifesto and the costings are at libdems.org.uk/sums
People are predicting a large Labour majority after this General Election. That’s not good for democracy. A larger Liberal Democrat group will mean more cross-party co-operation and takes account of the views of a wider cross-section of the population.
What I’ll be doing locally for Huntingdon as MP
Both Cambridgeshire County Council and and Huntingdonshire District Council are now run by cross-party alliances with Liberal Democrat leaders. Achievements there include:
- £40 million of additional spending to improve our neglected roads
- free school meals for our most vulnerable children
- significant progress in reducing CO2 emissions to combat climate change
- support for the must vulnerable, including 100% council tax support
- exceeding targets for new affordable homes
I’m looking forward to supporting this work. In addition, my vision includes:
Promoting business, particularly by working to pull some of the activity of the “Cambridge bubble” into Huntingdonshire by influencing the planning now happening for development of the greater Cambridge region
Improvements to transport, to encourage walking and cycling and securing funding for improve public transport so there is less need for people to drive, to help reduce congestion and CO2 emissions
Sufficient house building to mean that local people are not priced out of the area: this is particularly an issue for younger people struggling to get their first homes
Addressing flooding and the dumping of sewage in the Gt Ouse We are seeing wetter winters and hotter summers, which turns into floods in winter and drought-stricken land in the summer. Part of this is a result of climate change, but there are things that can be done, such as planting trees and altering watercourses and farmland drainage to hold water back from the rivers, easing flooding in winter and drought in summer. Sewage is being dumped into the Gt Ouse: we need this to be addressed.
The NHS is a priority. Plans are already in hand for Hinchingbrooke hospital to be rebuilt by 2030, but we need pressure to ensure that NHS resources increase in line with our growing population. Nationally LibDems have proposals for an additional 8000 GPs, reducing waiting times for GP appointments to under a week (24 hours if urgent), reduced cancer waiting times and free adult social care.
Mark is a regular contributor to Liberal Democrat Voice and has also written for The Independent. He blogs at markargent.com/blog and his videos can be seen on youtube.
email: huntingdon@markargent.com