ACS

10 May 2010

Over 40 of the prospective parliamentary candidates that signed the Local Shops Pledge have gone on to become MPs, including members from all major parties.

During the election campaign, ACS wrote to prospective MPs across the country to ask for their support in recognising the contribution that local shops make to communities and the economy.

The local shops pledge is as follows: “Local shops make a vital contribution to the national and local economy. Shops also provide a valued service at the heart of communities throughout this constituency. As a Member of Parliament, I will work to ensure that this contribution is recognised and supported.”

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “The great response that we’ve had from PPC’s shows just how valuable they see local shops in their communities. Now that the election is over, we will make sure that the candidates who were elected are up-to-date on the issues surrounding local shops and we hope to build strong relationships with these MPs.”

Mr Lowman explained the value of the pledge: “It establishes a link between us and the next generation MPs that will make the decisions that affect local shops in coming years. Our job is to use this relationship to ensure that parliament fully understands the needs and concerns of local shops as they do their work.”

ACS will be contacting the new MPs over the next week to update them on policy issues and will be lobbying hard in the near future to ensure that local shops are at the front of their agendas.