THE question was recently asked in this newspaper – had I lost my political mojo?

The answer is absolutely not.

I have spent the summer working for Neighbourcare, which has been an extremely humbling experience. My admiration for the volunteers and management who run the organisation grows on a weekly basis.

However, I am more confused than ever as to why Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council are not backing this and other worthy charities. Recently Hampshire County Council refused an application to my own Grants Fund for £4,000 to Neighbourcare.

Consequently I have been doing everything possible to raise funds for this charity.

My concerns for the town’s future continue to grow. The current council has failed to produce any coherent plan for the town’s rejuvenation, and after two years Ian Carr’s moribund council has turned to a West Midlands consultancy to do the job for him.

Make no mistake, the legacy this Tory council will leave us in May 2015 will be empty shops, beggars and bird poo.

In May 2015 I feel sure this town will reject the incumbent Tory group and replace it with fresh faces.

UKIP have put together plans for the new council which will include a radical overhaul of the senior grades pay.

All councillors will have their allowances capped at £2,999 irrespective of position in the council.

The town council will be abolished.

The police station will be reinstated and made fully functioning again on a new site. The planning department will be revamped and the planning system will be made fair for all.

I will also make it a policy centrepiece that all residents adjacent to the A303 will benefit from adequate new sound barriers.

Councillor Tony Hooke, Chairman, UKIP North West Hants.