Why I am vote for a candidate, who can't speak?

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="2da785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>kevin-french.com</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="kevinfrench.com"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="kevinfrench.com"><U><B><IMG SRC="2c00e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="up" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>   </B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="14"><B>     </B><A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="South East Cornwall Hustings."><U><B><IMG SRC="2c10e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="previous" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A><B>  </B><A HREF="id83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Poland by the sea"><U><B><IMG SRC="2c20e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALT="next" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#0099FF" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <IMG SRC="226b8850.jpg" border=0 width="184" height="133" ALT="Candidates for Compton ward, 1997" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="227806c0.jpg" border=0 width="128" height="108" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Why I am vote for a candidate, who can't speak?</I></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="22401010.png" border=0 width="1" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>“When I dream... I can run”.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>An introduction to Kevin French.</B></div> <bR> <div> I am grateful to be given this opportunity to introduce myself. </div> <div> I'd like to tell you a little bit about my life, my ambitions and </div> <div> myself...</div> <bR> <div> First of all however, a quick question. I'd like you to note (in your mind) your first thought (honestly) to the question I ask?</div> <bR> <div> When you see me what do you see?</div> <bR> <div> If we leave political correctness aside for a moment, some people may not like to admit it but the first thing they see is a man in a wheelchair - that's not a problem ... I am, but the point I would make is that I'm in a wheelchair, I am not a wheelchair.</div> <bR> <div> Throughout my life this has been one of my key edicts, even when I was too young to realise that what it was. As a child I was brought up to be self-reliant and to be independent, although I now understand why my Mother's hair turn grey, quickly!</div> <bR> <div> When I left college it was fashionable to live in an institution where I could be cared for. I didn't! I moved into the YMCA in Coventry and worked for a computer firm. </div> <bR> <div> 5 years later some of the staff there moved to Plymouth to set up their own company - I joined them and have lived in Plymouth since.</div> <bR> <div> You may have seen me, wheeling myself about backwards, on my own, with my mobile phone attached to my chair. </div> <bR> <div> This isn't to say my independence stops me enjoying the company of others... far from it. Messrs Yates' and Jack Daniel's are good friends. And my life is made possible thanks to the contribution of a team of carers. </div> <bR> <div> Two weeks ago I returned from visiting friends in Poland. Thanks to the services of British Airways! I could undertake this journey on my own. At the risk of making you envious I have visited Australia, America, Africa, India and Hong Kong. When I am there, as here I need a care helper but I can make the journey alone.</div> <bR> <div> The point I am making is that I refuse to be limited by my wheelchair - despite the difficulties it brings. I have insisted on making a life for myself. This is something I continue to do. </div> <bR> <div> In the last 6 years my interests have moved onto politics and serving others. I understand what it is to have difficulties and to overcome problems. </div> <bR> <div> I have been active in Plymouth Labour Party for 6 years and in 1997 I was a Candidate for Plymouth City Council, in the local Conservative heartland, where I delivered Labour's best ever result. Being a unique candidate can be a considerable electoral asset, especially in a strong Conservative constituency! </div> <bR> <div> I was a member of Linda Gilroy MP and the local election campaign teams. Delegate to Regional Conference, Labour into Power, regional policy forums and Red Rose Event. I was an active member of the Plymouth and District Labour Party. </div> <bR> <div> My communication skills are my best asset because they have allowed me to negate my speech problem. When seeking Labour's European nomination, I was on a mission to explain my capabilities and qualities and now many people in (and outside) the Labour Party, as well as the media consider me to be a 'credible candidate. </div> <bR> <div> Although I believe by becoming an MP I can have a positive effect on society, I do not want to campaign on disability issues, I want to be a Labour MP! By being a good MP, it would illustrate that disability does not have to be a handicap! I passionately believe that Britain should be a land of opportunity for all and a severely disabled MP would hasten this day by demonstrating your determination to see this come to fruition. It would also demonstrate that the Labour Party and its Government is sure that Britain can have a successful modern economy that can afford to pay for an adequate welfare state. This welfare state can look after people from the cradle to the grave and enhance their well-being, and provide a modern, healthy environment for them to live in. So I hope you can envisage the effect, on our society by Kevin French being your candidate! And you will support my campaign!</div> <bR> <div> OK, I may not be able to scurry round the chamber chasing a mouse late at night but I don't need to, the Tory Party need a role! I have a voice, I have a mind, and I can use these to benefit others. </div> <bR> <div> When I dream, I'm not in a wheel chair: I'm running....</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>