Issues and Politics
Friday 9th
Five years ago a young American woman who was studying law came to help in my London office and get to know more about law-making in Britain. She is now a lawyer practicising in Pittsburgh.She supported Obama in the Presidential elections. Yesterday she informed us that she will take a week off work, fly across the Atlantic and help the campaign here in
Leafletting and door knocking in Sharlston today.
Thursday 8th
Morning
Yesterday Labour's team in my constituency went into action immediately. Large parts of Hemsworth, and Kinsley were leafleted. Canvassing teams were also in action in Featherstone and Sharlston. Many people said they remembered the Tory days which left our area so badly damaged and they don't want a return to those times. There are going to be at least 6 candidates in the ballot box in our constituency. At the end of the election period and when people come to vote, it will be a straight fight with the Conservatives and voters will have to ask themselves if they really want to go back to the old days when our country was left divided and embittered by the Thatcher years
Afternoon
It is possibly not widely understood that the House of Parliament effectively close when an election takes place. Today is the last full day when the Commons will meet until after the election. This afternoon all the Members and their staff are manically filling boxes and loading up their vehicles to take back to the constituencies. At the same time, we are keeping our eyes on developments in the Commmons where there is a last moment struggle to secure the Government's final pieces of legislation.
A final surprising ceremony takes place when the Commons are summoned by Black Rod to attend the Lords where the Queen has agreed to the dissolution of Parliament so the election can take place. Before doing so the Lords approve the Government's legislation and the Queen's representative signals her agreement - but in French not in English. This apparently dates back to the time when the country was ruled by a monarchy which was French (Norman) in origin.
Evening
Parliament now coming to an end, I drive north and get back home at 11 pm. On the way I see the sun setting over
W eds 7th April
Last time to prepare for Prime Minister's Question Time and No 10 feels quiet and highly focussed on the job in hand as the election timetable bears down on us. At PMQ's David Cameron continues with his phony anger while Gordon looks Prime Ministerial. Later the Commons runs late and all Members are gradually packing their offices and saying goodbye to friends and comrades.
Tuesday 6th April
It's 7 am and I am in my office in the Commons. The media are reporting that the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown will go to the Palace this morning to seek the dissolution of Parliament. If so when I get to
Friday 2nd April
The hard-working Featherstone Rovers' Directors are very progressive and have enabled such a lot to happen at the club and I especially appreciate the way they have orientated all their activities to the wider community. I very much hope that the Council will help the club to achieve all their ambitions.
Congratulations to the team, the manager and all the staff!
Thursday 1st April
I attended an evening organised by Ian Clayton in memory of his Daughter, Billy. Every year he organises a concert given principally by local young people such as the Wakefield Youth Choir. The event is to give selected young people a musical instrument.
It was a really excellent evening and I am certain that everyone who went experienced a variety of emotions. The e vening was made extra special because it marked the publication date for Ian's book about Billy which that day was No 1 in the Amazon chart. My friends Colin Burgon MP and Yvette Cooper MP also attended as well as a number of councillors. But the stars were the young people who sang or played musical instruments.
Wednesday 31st March
Important Information:
It has come to my attention this week that the deadline to claim money back for former miners and their relatives is fast approaching. Money that was wrongly deducted from their compensation payments by unscrupulous solicitors can be retrieved by a couple of methods: either by contacting the Legal Complaints Service (LCS) for help or by complaining directly to the firm that you dealt with, as many will pay the money back if you complain. If you have any problems at all then feel free to get in touch with my office.
To date, the LCS has upheld 112,709 complaints against firms, which have amounted to well over £8 million. However, the LCS will be closing towards the end of 2010 and they have a cut off date of 31 July, so all claims must be put in before then.
The LCS can be contacted on 01926 822 227 or at the following address:
8 Dormer Place
Warwickshire
CV32 5AE
Tuesday 30th March
On the way to
Elections are about choice between different visions and different policies and I simply do not believe that the British electorate will allow them to continue to fail to speak about their own intentions to lauch an emergency budget within 50 days of the election - drastically cutting our public services. They can run but in the end they won't be able to hide.
Monday 29th March
Today a group of students from St Wilfrids School in Featherstone came down to Parliament as part of their A Level Politics course. They had a tour of the Houses of Parliament and then I popped in to say hello and do a Q&A session with them. They were a bunch of bright students and, as I said to them today, it was clear that the education system had done them proud. I was failed by the school system as a young person, which drove me into politics because I wanted to change the way people from backgrounds like my own are treated. It's always a pleasure to meet young people who are so articulate and passionate about learning because they've had a decent education delivered by a Labour Government.
Sunday 28th March
On Friday I met a man from
It is ridiculous when David Cameron claims that
Saturday 27th March
I left Yorkshire at 6.30 am and went to
Friday 26th March
Today, the newly elected town councillor for Featherstone Central Richard Taylor took me on a tour of his area and also the town centre. We were accompanied by Cllr Bill Munroe. There is much for the council to do in the town. Lots of people who were driving past, tooted their horns in encouragement as they saw Richard.
This afternoon, I was at a cheque presentation ceremony in Fitzwilliam. The cheques were from the Coalfields social welfare Organisation (CISWO) to local groups from Crofton, Hemsworth, Elmsall and elsewhere.
I took the opportunity to thank the head of CISWO personally for their excellent and rapid response to the request that the fishing pond at Streethouse should be fenced off following the recent tragedy.
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Yesterday, an independent report by the Low Pay Commission confirmed what a lot of us have been saying for some time now - that the recession has been handled well under Labour. In its annual report on the minimum wage it said:
The labour market has been remarkably resilient with employment and hours falling by less than output. This is in stark contrast to the 1980s and 1990s recessions when employment and hours fell by more than output. The latest data suggest that the labour market has already begun to recover…compared with previous recessions, private sector firms’ financial balances are much healthier.
It just goes to show that Labour made the right decisions in protecting jobs and young people, whilst the Tories thought that people from lower income families were worth sacrificing for the sake of speedier economic growth. Unemployment is half what it was in the 1980s, despite the recession being the worst we've had since the '30s.
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This morning I heard the news that the Independent newspaper was sold to a Russian. Last night the Independent candidate in Featherstone was resoundingly beaten by Labour
Bad day for the Independents!
Thursday 25th March
11 pm Stop press
The voters have spoken. In a four way contest, Labour's candidate for Featherstone central ward, Dick Taylor, has stormed home in today's election in a very high turnout. He was able to get about 63% of the votes cast in a seat we had lost not too long ago. I believe that this means that Featherstone will come home to Labour big style in May. I met many, many people today who told me this wherever I went. Thanks go to an excellent candidate with a brilliant Labour team. Also that the country is ready for the general election whenever Gordon Brown decides we should go for it.
I have had a curious week. On Tuesday I began the day at the normal Cabinet meeting, only later to find that David Cameron had branded me a 'liar' with no opportunity for me to respond. It turns out that I had written to a local lady saying that the Tories "could" cut benefits to elderly people. I said "could" not "would" beause the Tories have said that they are going to introduce all kinds of cuts but they still haven't said what these will be. So I identified the proposals which Labour have introduced but which the Tories have opposed. This is perfectly reasonable. If they want to avoid people arriving at false conclusions, then they are free to say what their real intentions are. Everybody around here knows perfectly well what the tories are. Let's hope that people elsewhere don't forget what an appalling Government they were. If people don't bother to vote we "could" wake up after election day with another nightmare on downing street. By then it will be too late to find out what cuts we will face, because they will already be happening.
Wednesday 24th March
Yesterday Mr Cameron called a press conference during which he effectively accused me of not telling the truth. This is in today's Telegraph and Daily Mail. I do not believe that politics should descend so low that party leaders engage in this sort of language. It contributes to the coarsening of political and public life. I will blog later with the true facts but needless to say I totally refute the things which Mr Cameron said about me.
Monday 22nd March
I've been notified that Pinderfields Hospital, which many of my constituents use, will retain its name. The Hospital Board had wanted to change its name to Wakefield Hospital, completely scrapping the use of 'Pinderfields', which many local people were understandably upset about. People from my constituency are very proud of where they come from and the communities they live in, I am delighted that our campaign to demonstrate this pride through the local Hospital has been successful.
Sunday 21st march
Later today I will drive to London for the start of the Budget week.
I have just been looking at the internet where President Obama is seeking to create a health service which serves the poor as well as wealthy Americans. We have a good system already. It was created by one of our greatest socialists, Nye Bevan. It is called the NHS.
On Friday I spoke to a man whose son is recovering from cancer. He said that his son had been kept alive by the NHS thanks to all the money which has been invested in it by the Labour Government.
Obama told his supporters in Congress that they should remember the words of Abraham Lincoln. He said: "I am not bound to win, but I'm bound to be true. I'm not bound to succeed, but I'm bound to live up to what light I have."
Politicians, especially those on the Left, should act according to these words. Our principles should drive our actions. Good luck to Obama and Congress tonight. I hope they pass the Health Care Bill.
Saturday 20th March
This morning a number of us went to help the Labour candidate in Elmet constituency, James Lewis. It was cold, wet and windy in Kippax, but we posted information in the form of a newspaper to about 1000 people in the area. Excellent fish and chips at the home of Colin Burgon MP was followed by campaigning in Featherstone Central where there is to be a by-election on Thursday. If the vote on Thursday goes the same way as the poster war, we will win since the majority group in Featherstone, the Independents, seem to only have a few posters up. People we spoke to want the town to go forward and not be always squabbling. That is exactly Labour's view.
Friday 19th March
Today in Kinsley I met a lady whose grandad was involved in the Kinsley lockouts and evictions. For those who don't know about it, the miners went on strike (100 years ago) and the owners of the mine also owned the houses which the miners lived in. Everyone who was in the union was kicked out of their houses including elderly male relatives, women and children. They got no help from anyone except trades unionists throughout the country and the landlord at the Kinsley Hotel who looked after the children. The aunt of the lady I met had been one of those very children. I was very moved to meet someone whose family was involved in this struggle. We should never forget the struggles which our forefathers experienced.
Tuesday 16th March
Today I pledged my support to the NSPCC's General Election campaign to prioritise the protection of children. I can proudly say that I stand for children not only in Hemsworth but across the country and even the globe!
This Government has made unprecedented levels of investment in the NHS and education to ensure that children from all walks of life are treated equally and receive the best possible education and start in life. The Sure Start facilities across the country are an example of this and there are four excellent centres in my own constituency.
The Tories, on the other hand, would cut funding to Sure Start and make immediate cuts to schools. They refuse to match Labour's guarantees to pupils and parents and would force all 11 year olds who don't make the grade repeat the year, whilst their classmates move on.
Saturday 13th march afternoon
On this beautiful, sunny spring day, the City of Wakefield awarded the freedom of the city to the 3rd battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment. By the time I arrived there were huge crowds of local people who had come for the ceremony. After the ceremony, the soldiers fixed their bayonets and raised theirs standard to parade through the streets. They were cheered and applauded wherever they marched. And when their colonel said to the crowd that they recruit from the West Riding of Yorkshire and that such West Yorkshire people make the most professonal and toughest soldiers in the British Army, you could almost feel the pride of the surrounding crowd. We always thought that Yorkshire was a great place. It was good to have it confirmed.
I did not like the presence of a handful of people wearing EDL badges, They are an exteme right wing political group who have no right trying to proclaim that the Army belongs to any particular political group.
Finally I talked to someone in the crowd whose grandson is shortly serving his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. I salute his courage and wish him safe passage.
Saturday 13th March morning
It now seems that there will be six candidates for Hemsworth at the election because in addition to the main enemy who are the Tories, there will also be Liberals, Independents, UKIP and the BNP. The BNP appear to have decided to fight every seat in the local elections for Wakefield.
Our area suffered more than any other under the Tories, I hope that people remember that fact. Any vote for any other candidate can only serve to diminish the Labour vote and allow the Tories to get nearer to electing their candidate. I predict that if the Conservates were ever to get into power, then our area would be neglected once more.
The odd thing is that all the other candidates for Hemsworth are to the right side of politics, even the extreme right. Do you remember the old song: "Which side are you on, boy, which side are you on?"
It's time for people to stand up and be counted.
Friday 12th March
A few weeks ago I issued a warning to the public to be very wary about any approaches by companies which they receive in the post or on the internet. This warning was printed in some of the local papers. I have now received a warning letter from a company which is saying that I shouldn't have sought to give my advice to constituents. Let me publicly tell the company who have written to me that I will not be bullied by threats of legal action. As a Member of Parliament I will continue to speak out on behalf of local people. It is my duty to do so. if you are in receipt of an unsolicited approach by anyone, including from people who claim to be solicitors, you should not respond directly and if you are worried you should take proper professional advice.
Wednesday 10th March: Afternoon
The tory's policies are becoming clearer every day and I am sure that when the country understands what Mr Cameron stands for they will reject his party as they have done every election since 1997. One example is the NHS treatment of cancer patients. At the moment I am getting lots of letters and cards from local people who want us to do more for cancer sufferers. Labour wants every suspected cancer sufferer to have a guarantee that they will see a cancer specialist within 2 weeks. The Tories will cancel this promise. How cruel!! Remember with the NHS you don't have to be wealthy to be healthy. I suspect the Tories have a different point of view.
Monday 8th March: Evening
I attended a very large meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party which commemmorated the passing of Michael Foot. Gordon Brown and Neil Kinnock both addressed the meeting in memory of a great parliamentarian and a great socialist. Gordon said that Michael had embodied great socialist values and he was 'generous to all and subservient to none'. A good way to conduct politics and indeed a good way to treat everyone in all walks of life. At one of the great demonstrations against unemployment organised during the Tory years, Michael Foot had quoted the Red poet, Shelley. Here are Shelley's words 'Rise like Lions after slumber In unvanquishable number - Shake your chains to earth like dew Which in sleep had fallen on you - Ye are many - they are few.'
Monday 8th March: Afternoon
During the day a group of very intelligent young students from St Wilfrids in Featherstone came to the House of Commons. They had a tour of Parliament and then received a briefing from staff in my office and the office of Yvette Cooper about how Parliament works. I joined them in what was a busy day for a question and answer session. I have to say that they were very tough in their questioning but also fair.
Saturday 6th March: Afternoon
I visited a group of local residents in Sharlston to discuss Road Safety issues.
Later I had a conversation with a local doctor about his plans to improve local health provisions. I also met Sean Hodgson the leader of Upton Council to hear about plans for Upton village.
Saturday 6th March: Morning
This morning I went into Featherstone and spent the morning with Dick Taylor, our excellent local community activist. It is fair to say that everyone I met said they would vote Labour this time. One young man I met was wearing a Featherstone Rovers shirt and he told me that he thought one of the best things about Labour is the minimum wage as some local businessmen are saying that they don't want to pay people the proper amount of money
Friday 5th March: Afternoon
I visited two local primary schools in Moorthorpe and
Friday 5th March: Morning
I went to Wakefield to meet senior members of the District council with the leaders of the community group in Agbrigg. I am determined to make sure that Agbrigg has a voice. Many local people have told me that local Tory councillors seem to have decided that they dont care about what happens in Aggbrig as long as they look after Sandal which has more Tory voters. In my view all elected members including both councillors and MPs should look after every area whether or not they vote for you.
NHS WAITING LISTS DOWN UNDER LABOUR! 18 weeks with Labour, 18 months before Labour.
The loss of Michael Foot is felt deeply across the country, a great man and a true socialist.
The Economy: Osbourne and Cameron would put the economic recovery at risk. This weekend saw the Tories' spring conference: manipulating crime figures to make Britain appear 'broken' and promises to cut public spending immediately, in spite of international warnings that this would harm our chances of getting out of recession.
