Good news in this morning's lastest opinion poll in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
Labour's support amoungst the masses has fallen to its lowest since Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling's bail-out of the banks.
Whilst at the same time, Liberal Democrat support has shot up from 16% to 22% - showing that more people are turning to the Lib Dems for real solutions to the financial mess we are in.
People just don't trust this government anymore. They were elected in 1997 on the promise of real change and a fairer society. But look what's happened - the gap between rich and poor is now wider than it was under Thatcher and Brown has allowed rich cats in the City of London to pay, proportionally, less tax than every one else.
Let's hope at the next General Election people really tell Labour what they think of them.
To read today's article in the Daily Telegraph visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/4548307/Labours-support-falls-to-lowest-level-since-bail-out.html
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Friday, 6 February 2009
Tories (still) in disarray on Europe - 6th Feb '09
The Conservatives still can’t decide where they will sit in Europe!
Readers may remember that David Cameron pledged in 2005 to withdraw British Conservatives from the European Conservative political grouping in the European Parliament. The European Conservatives are the largest political group in the Parliament. Leaving the group would mean a serious loss of influence for British Conservative MEPs who, not surprisingly, are split on the issue.
Now Cameron has said he is going to wait until after the European elections on 4th June this year before deciding whether or not to pull out.
The president of the Group in the European Parliament, Wilfried Martens, has said he wants Cameron to make up his mind before the election campaign starts in April.
However ‘The Parliament’ magazine points out that “any signal by Cameron before the European elections that Conservative MEPs might stay in the EPP-ED (Euro Conservatives) group would infuriate eurosceptics within his party and likely damage the Tory vote in June”.
While Conservative MEPs waste time discussing where to ally themselves, Liberal Democrat MEPs have no such identity crisis. The Liberal group in the European Parliament is widely seen as one of the most forward thinking and hard-working forces in the EU, with British Liberal Democrat MEPs to the fore!
Readers may remember that David Cameron pledged in 2005 to withdraw British Conservatives from the European Conservative political grouping in the European Parliament. The European Conservatives are the largest political group in the Parliament. Leaving the group would mean a serious loss of influence for British Conservative MEPs who, not surprisingly, are split on the issue.
Now Cameron has said he is going to wait until after the European elections on 4th June this year before deciding whether or not to pull out.
The president of the Group in the European Parliament, Wilfried Martens, has said he wants Cameron to make up his mind before the election campaign starts in April.
However ‘The Parliament’ magazine points out that “any signal by Cameron before the European elections that Conservative MEPs might stay in the EPP-ED (Euro Conservatives) group would infuriate eurosceptics within his party and likely damage the Tory vote in June”.
While Conservative MEPs waste time discussing where to ally themselves, Liberal Democrat MEPs have no such identity crisis. The Liberal group in the European Parliament is widely seen as one of the most forward thinking and hard-working forces in the EU, with British Liberal Democrat MEPs to the fore!
Saturday, 24 January 2009
UK Youth Parliament Elections
This Thursday teenagers right across Bath and North East Somerset will have the chance to vote for the person they want to represent them in the UK Youth Parliament.
Now in its 8th year, the UK Youth Parliament is a growing body with represenatives from every Council authority in the United Kingdom.
Here in B&NES we have twenty young people that have put their names forward as candidates (you can view the manifestos here: www.dafby.co.uk) - of which all are extremely skilled and very capable of representing their peers.
For me, it's a great priviledge to have been asked to spend the day at my former school, Writhlington, manning the polling station and trying to encourage as many of the pupils to vote as possible.
More so, because it was with the UK Youth Parliament that I started my political life in 2001 - under the banner of the popular young people's campaign group - DAFBY (Democratic Action for B&NES Youth). Still going strong with almost 40 members, DAFBY is a place that allows young people to learn more about the political process, to take part in the decision-making-processes, and to learn new skills in self-confidence and team-building.
If you are aged 11-18, there is a very good chance you will see a polling station in your school on Thursday. If you do, please go and vote - it can make all the difference!
Now in its 8th year, the UK Youth Parliament is a growing body with represenatives from every Council authority in the United Kingdom.
Here in B&NES we have twenty young people that have put their names forward as candidates (you can view the manifestos here: www.dafby.co.uk) - of which all are extremely skilled and very capable of representing their peers.
For me, it's a great priviledge to have been asked to spend the day at my former school, Writhlington, manning the polling station and trying to encourage as many of the pupils to vote as possible.
More so, because it was with the UK Youth Parliament that I started my political life in 2001 - under the banner of the popular young people's campaign group - DAFBY (Democratic Action for B&NES Youth). Still going strong with almost 40 members, DAFBY is a place that allows young people to learn more about the political process, to take part in the decision-making-processes, and to learn new skills in self-confidence and team-building.
If you are aged 11-18, there is a very good chance you will see a polling station in your school on Thursday. If you do, please go and vote - it can make all the difference!
Monday, 12 January 2009
Sick Tory Activist
I was sickened by the news last week that a youth activist in the Tory Party dressed up as the missing 4-year old Madeliene McCann at a fancy dress party.
What made it even worse is, as well as wearing pink pyjamas and holding a cuddly toy, he painted fake blood onto his face - implying to be the victim of some sort of abuse.
This could be the kind of behaviour we would expect from fascists - but not a member of a mainstream political party that obviously had ambitions to progress up the political ladder.
Anyone who didn't see story can find out more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7820727.stm
What made it even worse is, as well as wearing pink pyjamas and holding a cuddly toy, he painted fake blood onto his face - implying to be the victim of some sort of abuse.
This could be the kind of behaviour we would expect from fascists - but not a member of a mainstream political party that obviously had ambitions to progress up the political ladder.
Anyone who didn't see story can find out more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7820727.stm
Friday, 2 January 2009
People of the Year Awards
I am extremely pleased to have been a runner-up in the Politician of the Year category of the first every People of the Year Awards.
This new venture of the Bath Chronicle is a great way to recognise and pay tribute to various people who have, over the past 12 months, worked hard in their communities, work places and particular fields of study.
It brings a smile to my face to see people like Tim & Sharon Ball, Julie Peacock and Nicholas Coombes listed. They have all made their mark during 2008. I agree completely with the Editor's recognition of Nicholas Coombes - he is definately an MP in the making. Watch this space!
I would personally like to thank Editor Sam Holliday and his team for listing me in the Politician of the Year category. My work in Peasedown St John is for the good of my constituents and I get a genuine buzz out of serving others.
Happy New Year!
This new venture of the Bath Chronicle is a great way to recognise and pay tribute to various people who have, over the past 12 months, worked hard in their communities, work places and particular fields of study.
It brings a smile to my face to see people like Tim & Sharon Ball, Julie Peacock and Nicholas Coombes listed. They have all made their mark during 2008. I agree completely with the Editor's recognition of Nicholas Coombes - he is definately an MP in the making. Watch this space!
I would personally like to thank Editor Sam Holliday and his team for listing me in the Politician of the Year category. My work in Peasedown St John is for the good of my constituents and I get a genuine buzz out of serving others.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Wellow Lane Development - yet more houses for Peasedown!
I am saddened by the news that, despite public opposition, B&NES Council’s Development Control Committee has given approval for 95 dwellings to be built in Wellow Lane, Peasedown St John.
At present, our village does not have the infrastructure or amenities to cater for such a development and the potential extra 350-400 people that would live there.
Already, Peasedown St John is the largest village in B&NES with over 1,000 houses being built in the last 20 years. It is great shame that despite this huge amount of growth planners and developers still want to ‘squeeze a few more in’.
The Labour Government’s ill-thought out proposals to build an extra 21,000 houses in the authority by 2026 will see many communities turned upside down with no consideration to existing infrastructure problems or residents’ concerns.
I would like to thank the residents of Wellow Lane and the surrounding streets for their hard fought campaign – which has certainly shown that community spirit is alive and well in Peasedown. I would also like to thank my party colleagues for not supporting this unpopular application at the committee meeting.
At present, our village does not have the infrastructure or amenities to cater for such a development and the potential extra 350-400 people that would live there.
Already, Peasedown St John is the largest village in B&NES with over 1,000 houses being built in the last 20 years. It is great shame that despite this huge amount of growth planners and developers still want to ‘squeeze a few more in’.
The Labour Government’s ill-thought out proposals to build an extra 21,000 houses in the authority by 2026 will see many communities turned upside down with no consideration to existing infrastructure problems or residents’ concerns.
I would like to thank the residents of Wellow Lane and the surrounding streets for their hard fought campaign – which has certainly shown that community spirit is alive and well in Peasedown. I would also like to thank my party colleagues for not supporting this unpopular application at the committee meeting.
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
60th Anniversary
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Today (10th December) is the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
A lot can be said about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the foundation of international human rights law, the first universal statement on the basic principles of human rights, and a common standard for all people and nations to follow.
It is because of this declaration, and the commitment of national governments to stick to it, that we enjoy many of our freedoms today.
When I think of human rights and our personal freedoms I think of the sacrifice that many of our war heros made in both the 1st and 2nd World Wars so that future generations could live in a society where everyone is born equal and everyone has the same basic rights to education, health care and welfare support.
Today Bath and North East Somerset Council will be planting three trees (one in Keynsham, one in Midsomer Norton and one in Bath) to commemorate this day and remember its importance.
Each of the events will be led by the Council's Human Rights Champion (and my co-Councillor) Sarah Bevan who has worked for many years raising awarness of human rights within the area.#
A lot can be said about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the foundation of international human rights law, the first universal statement on the basic principles of human rights, and a common standard for all people and nations to follow.
It is because of this declaration, and the commitment of national governments to stick to it, that we enjoy many of our freedoms today.
When I think of human rights and our personal freedoms I think of the sacrifice that many of our war heros made in both the 1st and 2nd World Wars so that future generations could live in a society where everyone is born equal and everyone has the same basic rights to education, health care and welfare support.
Today Bath and North East Somerset Council will be planting three trees (one in Keynsham, one in Midsomer Norton and one in Bath) to commemorate this day and remember its importance.
Each of the events will be led by the Council's Human Rights Champion (and my co-Councillor) Sarah Bevan who has worked for many years raising awarness of human rights within the area.#
For a full list of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights visit: http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/lang/eng.htm
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