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PRESS RELEASE: 21st April 2005

Conservatives back new Caerphilly Hospital

Nick Bourne AM, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly, today joined Stephen Watson, Conservative Candidate in Caerphilly, in calling for Labour to finally build the new £100 million hospital planned for the Rhymney Valley and to be located in Ystrad Mynach.

Nick Bourne AM, speaking outside The Caerphilly Miner's Hospital, said;

"The new hospital is desperately needed. The Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly are backing the hospital and committed to getting it built. People in Caerphilly have waited long enough, after years of Labour indecision."

Stephen Watson, the Conservative Candidate in Caerphilly, said:

"The last Conservative Government initiated the plans for a new Caerphilly hospital. Eight years on and still only exists on paper. Labour has been painfully slow in providing Caerphilly with the new hospital we so desperately need. They haven't even agreed a location for it yet!"

Nick Bourne AM was visiting Caerphilly as part of his tour of key Welsh seats in the General Election. He praised the Conservative campaign in Caerphilly and its candidate;

"Caerphilly has a real choice at the election. Stephen Watson is the type of candidate who has the energy and passion to really represent people in Caerphilly. After 5th May he will make an excellent MP for this important constituency".

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PRESS RELEASE:

Candidate Attacked with Eggs

Stephen Watson, the Conservative Candidate, was attacked with eggs outside his Headquarters in the centre of Caerphilly on Monday night.

Stephen had just emerged from the Conservative Club in Bartlett Street when eggs were thrown from an unidentified car. Stephen was wearing his blue campaign rosette and was standing on the pavement with members of his team when the incident happened.

Following the attack, Stephen said; "I was totally stunned. You hear about eggs being thrown at politicians - but I didn't think being the candidate in Caerphilly qualified me for this treatment. I only hope the eggs were organic!"

"The egg attack won't change any of our plans for the campaign. I've been meeting thousands of people locally and everyone has been welcoming and supportive. I only hope that if it happens again they're not hard boiled!"

Monday night's incident was reported to the Police in Caerphilly as a matter of routine.

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PRESS RELEASE: 21st March 2005

Caerphilly Waiting List Scandal

42,980 people are on NHS waiting lists in Caerphilly! Stephen and the Conservative campaign team are furious with Labour, who promised to abolish waiting lists in Wales when they came to power. "This is a tragedy for Caerphilly and the thousands of people waiting for treatment", said Stephen. Outside the Caerphilly District Miner's Hospital on Saturday, he confirmed that Conservatives will put more money into frontline services rather than bureaucracy, to get these scandalous lists down.

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Only 45 days to go - Campaign gets underway!

With only 45 days to go until the anticipated date of the General Election, local Conservatives in Caerphilly can't wait for the start of the campaign! Parliamentary Candidate, Stephen Watson, told members that with only 45 days left to polling day - the campaign for Caerphilly starts now. He also expects the election in Caerphilly to be hotly contested and that the result "could be close".

PRESS RELEASE: 21st March 2005

Watson slams Labour on Caerphilly hospital slur

Stephen Watson, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly, has angrily attacked Tony Blair for suggesting that the Conservatives would scrap the new hospital planned for Caerphilly. The Prime Minster, speaking at Labour's Welsh Conference last week, accused the Conservatives of wanting to cut spending on the NHS in Wales and of putting the planned 266-bed Caerphilly hospital at risk. Stephen Watson is demanding that the Prime Minister tell the truth.

"The Prime Minsiter needs to get his facts right. Last week he suggested that we were going to cut spending on health. This is simply wrong. The Conservatives will actually spend £34bn more on health. To suggest that Conservatives will cut the new Caerphilly hospital is a travesty. The Prime Minsiter needs to get his facts right.

The real crisis in health is of Labour's making. In Caerphilly, 42,980 people are on waiting lists. That's about 1 in every 3 people. In Wales overall the figure is now a staggering 308,221."

On top of this, Labour have lost the trust of the medical profession. The BMA Cymru / Wales, representing doctors, has passed a vote of no confidence in the Welsh Assembly Government. Dr Tony Calland, Chairman of the BMA Welsh Council, said; "The frustration and anger of doctors working in the NHS in Wales has reached new levels."

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BUDGET PRESS RELEASE: 16th March 2005

Labour's vote now, pay tax later budget

Responding to the Chancellor's Budget statement in the House of Commons, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly, Stephen Watson, said;

"This is a cynical pre-election Budget. It is a vote now, pay later Budget. The Chancellor is going to have to tax, tax and tax again of he is to fill the massive black hole in his finances.

Labour has already raised taxes 66 times by stealth despite saying that they had no plans to raise tax after all. If Labour wins the next election, I fully expect them to raise taxes even further. In Caerphilly, hard working families are already £5,000 worse off since Labour came to power.

People in Caerphilly will have a clear choice at the next election - value for money, better public services and lower taxes with the Conservatives or more waste and higher taxes under Labour with Wayne David and Tony Blair."

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PRESS RELEASE: 1st March 2005

Special Constables in Caerphilly

Stephen Watson, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly, welcomes Labour MP, Wayne David's, interest in the role of Special Constables.

"The truth is that our Special Constables are under threat in Caerphilly. Since Labour came to office eight years ago, we have seen a 45 percent decline in the number of Special Constables. In Caerphilly, their numbers are at an all time low.

The role performed by Special Constables is hugely important and a vital part of community policing. Conservatives will reverse the decline of Special Constables by paying them an annual allowance. This will encourage more people in Caerphilly to give up their time to fight crime.

Conservatives will also recruit 5,000 more Police officers every year for England and Wales. That's 40,000 more police over eight years and about an extra 1,000 officers for the Gwent Constabulary."

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PRESS RELEASE: 28th February 2005

Wake Up call for Wayne David

Stephen Watson has been to Westminster on behalf of Caerphilly residents to protest against the government's plans for 24-hour pub opening.

More than 1000 constituents have registered their opposition to Labour's 24-hour pub opening plans. Some 500 residents signed a petition collected in the town centres of Caerphilly, Bargoed, Ystrad Mynach and Nelson. A further 500 letters were received from local residents expressing their concern and anger.

Stephen, the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly, has been campaigning against Labour's plans to change the licensing laws. He personally delivered the petition to Labour MP Wayne David's office in the House of Commons.

Stephen is not surprised by the strength of feeling locally;

"People can't understand why Labour are going ahead with this. No one in Caerphilly wants longer drinking hours. The views of those residents living near pubs and clubs have been ignored and people are now angry.

Wayne David MP has failed to grasp the strength of feeling on this issue. This petition, supported by more than 1000 local residents, is a wake up call for David."

Stephen's office in Caerphilly has been deluged with letters from angry and despairing constituents.

One resident, from Wern Crescent in Nelson, says;

"It would be a good idea for our MP to come and live in my street on a Saturday night. He'd then see the anti-social behaviour and the mindless drunks being sick on my car. Perhaps he'd also like to come and wash my car on Sunday morning."

Another resident, from Commercial Street in Nelson, says;

"We are under siege in a village taken over my under-age drinkers on the rampage. It is not right and it's not fair. This will never stop with 24-hour drinking. What moron thought this would be a good idea?!"

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PRESS RELEASE: 21st February 2005

Watson backs Hunting

Stephen Watson, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly, has confirmed that the next Conservative Government will repeal Labour's ban on Fox Hunting.

Speaking to members of The Tredegar Hunt and their followers, at the meet on Saturday 19th February (the first day on which hunting with hounds is illegal) at The Hollybush, Dreathen, Lower Machen, he said:

"This is a sad day for hunting and a sad day for the Caerphilly countryside. This bad legislation is a result of Labour prejudice - not about animal welfare. The people out supporting the hunt this morning are from a complete cross-section of our local community. It is part of the way of life in Caerphilly - and the Government is trying to change that forever.

It is vital that The Tredegar and other Caerphilly hunts stay within the law. It is also important that we all continue to support our local hunts until such time as the law can be changed.

Our local MP, Wayne David, has voted consistently to ban hunting, against the views of local farmers and much of the community. If elected to Parliament I will vote to repeal this legislation and guarantee that an incoming Conservative Government will make this a priority."

Master of Foxhounds, Howard Jones, thanked Stephen for addressing the hunt and confirmed that The Tredegar Hunt would be operating within the law by 'exercising hounds'. Local police were in attendance.

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PRESS RELEASE: 24th January 2005

Watson backs Caerphilly Farmers and Hunting

Stephen Watson, the prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly, has attacked Labour MP Wayne David and the Government for the worsening situation for local farmers.

Speaking at the Annual Farmers Dinner of the Gelligaer Farmers Hunt, he highlighted the plight of many farmers whose income has dropped dramatically in recent years.

Stephen said; "Thousands of jobs are being lost every year in farming. Farmers are struggling against a tide of regulation and Government bureaucracy. There are now more civil servants at DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) than there are dairy farmers! It's total madness."

More than a hundred local farmers and members of the Gelligaer Farmers Hunt attended the evening, held at The Maes Manor Hotel in Blackwood on Friday 21st January. Stephen also put on record his support for hunting and his determination to continue campaigning against the Government's ban.

Stephen said; "Our local MP voted with the Government to ban hunting. In Caerphilly, his actions will have serious consequences for jobs and the vital task of collecting fallen livestock. February 18th, the day the ban comes into force, will be a sad day for the Caerphilly countryside." He confirmed that the next Conservative Government would urgently repeal Labour's Act banning hunting with hounds.

Photo shows: Stephen Watson (left) with Karen Yates of the NFU and David Burles, Master of the Gelligaer Farmers Hunt at the Annual Farmer's Dinner.

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PRESS RELEASE: 24th January 2005

500 oppose 24-hour Pub Opening in Caerphilly

The campaign to stop the Government's plans for 24-hour pub opening in Caerphilly has gained momentum with a petition organised by Stephen Watson, the prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly.

More than 500 local residents signed a petition on Saturday morning asking Labour to re-think their plans.

Stephen Watson, who was out collecting signatures with volunteers, said;

"The strength of feeling on this issue is growing. People cannot understand why the Labour Government is so keen to see this implemented. Nobody who lives locally wants to see longer pub opening. The police don't want it, doctors have warned against it and now 500 local residents are demanding a re-think."

Many of those who signed the petition confessed to having voted Labour last time.

"People are angry that they're not being listened to. Many traditional Labour voters are urging Wayne David, the local Labour MP, to back them in opposing these proposals", he said.

Photos shows: Stephen with volunteers collecting signitures in Caerphilly

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PRESS RELEASE: 21st January 2005

Police back campaign to stop 24 hour opening

Local Chief Constable for Gwent, Mike Tonge, has today said that his resources would be completely overstretched if 24 hour drinking were introduced.

Under Labour's plans, from 7th February, pubs in Caerphilly and nearby towns would be able to open for 24 hours, encouraging binge drinking and anti-social behaviour.

Stephen Watson, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly, has been leading a local campaign against the plan. He believes it could turn parts of Caerphilly into no-go areas late at night.

Gwent's top police officer has said he fears that 24 hour drinking will become unmanageable. Chief Constable Mike Tonge said, "If all day drinking takes off, we would not have enough officers to police the streets during the day".

Stephen Watson said; "I welcome the Chief Constable's opposition to Labour's controversial plans. It's not what people in Caerphilly want or deserve. We will do everything we can to have these proposals scrapped and call on the local Labour MP, Wayne David, to take a clear stand on behalf of residents"

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PRESS RELEASE: 13th January 2005

Conservatives call for stop to 24-hour drinking in Caerphilly

Stephen Watson, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly, has today attacked Labour's plans for new laws allowing pubs to remain open for 24 hours.

Stephen is concerned about the impact of 24 hour pub opening on the binge drinking culture, which is a growing problem and the cause of much anti-social behaviour. He is calling on Caerphilly's Labour MP, Wayne David, to publicly oppose the new laws and to put pressure on his party to re-think the proposals.

Stephen Watson said;

"24 hour pub opening in Caerphilly would be a disaster. It's not what local people want or deserve. Police chiefs and doctors are against the ideas. These changes in the licensing laws will enhance street violence and the yob culture. If we are not careful, it may turn parts of Caerphilly into no-go areas late at night."

"I am asking Wayne David to take a stand on this issue and defend the interests of the majority of residents in Caerphilly, especially those living near the town centre. These proposals make no sense and Labour should scrap these controversial plans."

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PRESS RELEASE: 11th November 2004

Caerphilly Conservatives Select Prospective Parliamentary Candidate

Stephen Watson has been selected as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Caerphilly in the next General Election.

A Special General Meeting of the Caerphilly Conservative Association was held on Monday 8th November at the Conservative Club in Bartlett Street, Caerphilly. After a selection interview and a ballot of members, Stephen Watson was formally adopted as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.

Stephen is 38 and married. He is a businessman and the managing director of a media and communications company. He has been active in Conservative politics and has been responsible for the production of the recent Conservative Party Political Broadcasts. Stephen is a keen conservationist and is a trustee of Tusk, the wildlife charity.

Following his selection, Stephen Watson said:

"I am delighted to have been selected as the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. Caerphilly is a wonderful constituency, but the problems faced by residents are greater then ever. High taxes, poor healthcare and deteriorating public services are the legacy of seven years under Labour. I am looking forward to campaigning on behalf of constituents for a better deal for Caerphilly and holding the current MP, Wayne David, to account."

Robert Lea, Chairman of the Caerphilly Conservative Association, welcomed the selection:

"We are thrilled to have chosen Stephen Watson as our Prospective Candidate. He has the qualities, ideas and energy to lead a powerful Conservative campaign here in Caerphilly. All members of the Association are enthusiastic about the selection and we are now eagerly awaiting the next General Election."

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