Will the Tories answer questions?

There are a number of questions that have been placed on this site by voters in the Grantham and Stamford constituency aimed at candidates in the election. In fact, the site was designed to provide a public platform for questions and debate between candidates and the electorate.

You can see for yourself the answers but most notable by his absence is Nick Boles the Conservative Party candidate. Labour and the Lincolnshire Independents have responded. But given the majority the Tories polled at the last election it would be a reasonable expectation that they would engage with the online community. But as the correspondence below suggests, it isn’t that simple:

Nick Boles  made his intentions quite clear  on the 8th April when initially asked to participate in the project:

It looks like an excellent initiative. The best way for you to keep up to date with my campaign will be to look at my website, which will be updated most days from Monday onwards. I hope you will understand that I am keen to encourage people to contact me directly, if they have any questions, rather than communicate through intermediaries, however well-intentioned or worthwhile.

Best wishes

Nick

On the 11th April, I sent the following questions to all candidates:

What do the candidates think should be the rate for the highest band of income tax and why?

Given SKDC has upheld objections to virtually all wind farm applications within the district, what is the candidates position on this and the broader issue of renewable energy production within the constituency?

Thanks

Rob

Rob Shorrock

There were direct responses from Labour and Lincolnshire Independents, but Nick Boles did not respond. On 27th April, I followed this up with an email to the Grantham and Stamford Conservative Association and Nick himself:

I have asked Nic Boles the PPC for Grantham and Stamford a number of questions but he has failed to provide any answers.

Others have raised questions on http://citizen2010.wordpress.com but Nick has not participated. He said he wanted to deal with people directly rather than through a site. So be it, but I have emailed him directly with questions but no answers, to date.

Does he think this seat is a walk in the park?

Nicks response was:
Dear Rob

You have so far sent me one email containing two questions – see below. As I explained, I prefer to respond directly to questions from potential voters. If you are are interested in helping voters get the information they need to make up their minds how to vote, please can I suggest that you refer them to my website www.nickboles.com and my direct email address nick@nickboles.com

Contrary to your suggestion, I have been spending 8 hours a day knocking on doors in every part of this constituency since the election was called. I meet dozens of voters every day and am working hard to earn every vote.

Regards,

Nick Boles

and on the 28th April, I got back to him with:

Thanks for your reply.

I sent you a number of questions directly in my name and as a voter in
the Grantham and Stamford constituency would welcome an answer.

The website contains links to all the candidates sites and enables
voters to place a public question for public answer. As you would
prefer you answers not to be public I will make that clear on the site
and send you the other questions from potential voters.

Thanks

Rob

I have still had no reply.

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