Townlands Hospital Campaign: Conservative candidate did NOT help us

1.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 19th Jun 2008

Conservative leaflet showing John Howell outside Henley Community hospital with the caption "John Howell supported Boris Johnson's campaign to save Townlands Hospital" - denied by Hospital campaigners. See the image full size at http://henleylibdems.org.uk/photos/9.html

Claims by the Conservative campaign that their candidate assisted in the campaign to save Henley's Townlands Hospital are in tatters having been refuted by independent Townlands Campaigners. BOTH the current and former Chairs of the Townlands Hospital Steering Group have issued statements denying any contribution into the campaign by John Howell, despite Conservative leaflets claiming otherwise.

In an interview in the Conservative election magazine "People" John Howell said:

"I'm a big supporter of our local NHS. I supported Boris Johnson and local people in the campaign to save Townlands Hospital in Henley".

In another Q&A in the same magazine, answering the question "What's your proudest achievement on the county council?" he said "The campaign and to protect our local environment from excessive house building has also been important, as has supporting Boris to save Townlands Hospital".

In a Conservative "In Touch" campaign newspaper, John Howell is described as having "supported Boris Johnson's campaign to save Townlands Hospital".

Henley Residents Association Councillor and former Chair of Townlands Hospital Steering Group Barry Wood has demolished the Conservative claims saying:

"John Howell has never been heard of until this election started.

"The local Conservative Party has watched from the sidelines, whilst the Henley Residents Group has inspired the Town Council to fund the 'Support Townlands campaign' to the tune of £30,000."

When Ian Reissmann, Chair of Townlands Hospital Steering group, was questioned on the Conservative Candidate's help to the campaign to Save Townlands Hospital, he said:

"The Townlands Campaign has always been a community based campaign led by local people. The first time I was ever aware of John Howell was after he was first selected as a candidate in the by-election.

"No-one I have spoken to on the Townlands Steering Group is aware of any contribution he has made to the campaign to save Townlands Hospital."

Stephen Kearney said:

"One of the things that makes Henley great is the work of voluntary organisations and community groups throughout the town.

"Ten thousand people signed the petition to save Townlands Hospital. I would like to thank every single one of them for standing up for local residents.

"As Henley's local MP, I will always work with local residents to help keep Henley the special place it is."

Related Links:

Article from Conservative In Touch Newspaper where John Howell is described as having "supported Boris Johnson's campaign to save Townlands Hospital" - denied by Hospital campaigners.

Article from Conservative "People" magazine where John Howell in answering the question "What's your proudest achievement on the county council?" said "The campaign and to protect our local environment from excessive house building has also been important, as has supporting Boris to save Townlands Hospital" - denied by Hospital campaigners.

Article from Conservative "People" magazine where John Howell is quoted as saying "I'm a big supporter of our local NHS. I supported Boris Johnson and local people in the campaign to save Townlands Hospital in Henley" - denied by Hospital campaigners.