Duncan Hames for Chippenham

  

I remember feeling quite proud when London won the race to host the Olympic Games in 2012. From my work with the South West Regional Development Agency, I was well aware of the efforts that many people had put in to support the bid, not just in London, but here in the South West too - where the sailing events will be hosted at the National Sailing Academy in Dorset.

The 2012 Games bring many benefits: economic, cultural and sporting, but above all they showcase some great role-models who challenge to the next generation to raise their aspitations, and to be the best they can.

The good news is that even in Chippenham we may get a slice of the action. I recently met with local sports and business people in the town who have come together to bid for International teams to make Chippenham their base and training ‘village’ for the Games, utilising facilities such as Scott Mackay’s Gym UK (pictured).

Already, the Koreans have expressed their interest but, as Sandie Webb explained to me, it is hoped that Chippenham will be promoted to the world in a brochure to go to all competing teams at next year’s Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

This kind of initiative is commendable, and I wish the volunteers co-ordinating our bid the very best of luck. The Olympics promise to inspire a whole generation of our young people to achieve their very best. Bringing top athletes and sports people to Chippenham could make that dream a reality here in Wiltshire.

The Liberal Democrats have pulled off some stunning victories in parliamentary by-elections over the years. They provide an excellent opportunity for people to send a powerful message to the government.

During the last Tory government, massive swings to the Lib Dems in by-elections were credited with persuading them to abandon to hated Poll Tax, and ultimately demonstrated how far Margaret Thatcher had lost the confidence of the people. This summer, voters in Ealing Southall and Tony Blair’s own constituency of Sedgefield will have the chance to send their message to Gordon Brown.

I’m really pleased that our candidate in Ealing Southall, Nigel Bakhai, is campaigning on the issues of hospital deficits, safer streets, and the waste of lives and money that was the disasterous decision to go to war in Iraq. If Gordon Brown really wants to “let the work of change begin”, he could start by helping NHS Trusts burdened by debt, funding more police officers instead of wasting money on the ID card scheme, and setting out a plan for bringing our troops home from Iraq. Another Lib Dem victory on July 19th in Ealing will tell him exactly that.

Ealing Southall really isn’t that far away for us here in Chippenham. I went along to help the campaign all this weekend, and I’m recommending it to all our local campaigners too, if you possibly can. There’s always a great team spirit at a by-election headquarters, and it’s a great way to learn the very best practice from our party’s leading campaigners.

Don’t leave it for someone else - it will all be over in less than three weeks - so your help is needed now.