The Foxes Trust has continued to receive positive replies from local Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, here is the third set of responses to an e-mail which asked the following two questions
· Do you support the principles of increased supporter engagement, influence and ownership at their football clubs within a system of better overall governance?
· Do you commit to working with your local supporters’ trust and Supporters Direct nationally to help achieve these objectives?
This article features one respondent from each of the parties, with the earliest received of these from Liberal Democrat's Prospective MP for Leicester South, Parmjit Singh Gill.
“Thank you for your email, my response to both of your questions is yes.
- I do support the principles of increased supporter engagement, influence and ownership at their football clubs within a system of better overall governance?
- I also wholeheartedly commit to working with you and local supporters’ trust and Supporters Direct nationally to help achieve these objectives?
Football is an integral part of our culture in this country, but we must never forget that it is only successful because of the invaluable contribution of its supporters. Better governance and engagement will enhance the sport.”…..
Parmjit also offered to meet the Trust in the near future
Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Melton and Rutland, Alan Duncan became the first Conservative candidate to respond as follows:
“Big government, high taxes and politicians up in Whitehall won’t solve Britain’s problems. I welcomed David Cameron’s impressive blueprint for a Conservative Government. Its key message is that everyone across the country should get together and get involved to solve Westminster’s broken politics, fix Britain’s broken society and get our economy moving.
One example we gave was letting local people save valued community services like local pubs, parks or post offices from closure, and help supporter groups buy into football clubs. I am therefore quite happy to support greater involvement by supporters' groups in their local club”
The final response in this article comes from Labour Parliamentary Candidate for South Leicestershire (Formerly Blaby), Sally Gimson who said:
“I support both your principles and Labour is committed as you know to supporters being able to own their football clubs in the right circumstances. If I was to be elected I would very much welcome an early meeting with you at the Foxes Trust.
Can I take this opportunity of wishing Leicester City Supporters every success in the play-offs. All of us are looking forward to premiership football next season!!”
So with a week to go until the election, the Foxes Trust has received 11 commitments (6 Labour, 4 Liberal Democrat & 1 Conservative) from the 30 candidates.
However if you live in the constituencies of Leicester East or Harborough we have yet to hear from any of your candidates.
The Foxes Trust as an organisation is not supporting any political party, these articles are published to allow members (and website readers) to be aware of candidates views on fan involvement in their clubs, it is up to individuals whether these views will influence their vote.