Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

I am never surprised when the Lib Dems claim the credit for something in which they were literally years behind other campaigners. The extension of the East Lancs Railway through Castleton and into Victoria is a good example.

Janet Anderson MP for Rossendale, David Chaytor MP for Bury North and myself, plus Heywood Local Councillors, have been lobbying for this for many years. Indeed I began pushing this idea when I was a director on the Board of the East Lancs Railway in the early nineties and before I became leader of Rochdale Council in 1996, which was long before Councillors Taylor, Rush et al were anywhere near the council as members.

It’s only a few months since they were advocating a light rail system in Heywood which would exclude the possibility of freight. Come on guys, make up your minds please!

Their performance on the TIF bid has always been faltering and still is. Even now they are preparing to somersault if politics decrees. What a bunch of political opportunists they are. Come on Alan [Taylor], make it clear to the people of the Borough that the words “Congestion Charge” will not appear in the Referendum in November. They do need to be aware that a Yes vote will mean a Congestion Charge is introduced.

This week I welcomed Crea Lavin, Technical Manager of PEPSI, to the Commons for Prime Minister’s Question Time. Crea was down to attend the launch of a new American Award for Business Enterprise Excellence. At the last election, Crea was my Lib Dem opponent. She was an excellent candidate and I wish her every success in the future if she decides to follow a political career. She could teach a few of the present candidates how to behave during a hard fought campaign.

Labour Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon this week released research to me showing how David Cameron would increase the cost of driving a car, putting 3p on the price of unleaded fuel. The increase on fuel tax which Cameron made to win headlines in July would now add millions of pounds to British families’ tax bills because of changing oil prices. The truth is, Mondeo drivers would now be paying £2.10 a tank more by this school boy error.

Just like his other vague pledges to increase “Green Taxes”, he doesn’t want to come clean with people about his plans.
Labour is freezing fuel duty for the next year. When times are tough and people are worried about the cost of living, this just shows the risk of putting a novice in charge.

Labour's plan to build, improve and refurbish 100 hospitals has been completed two years ahead of schedule. The 100+ hospital scheme opened its doors to class care to patients this week. David Cameron’s Conservatives voted against this investment in health care.

The energy regulator Ofgem highlighted the pre-payment meter rip off. I think this is wrong and Ed Miliband, Climate Change and Energy Secretary of State has made it clear that if necessary he will legislate to prevent the utilities demanding unfair prices. The deadline for this is 1 December.

George Osborne, who would be in charge of a conservative economy, is clearly out of his depth since the banking crisis hit Britain. He opposed the decisions to support Northern Rock and Bradford and Bingley. He opposed the Banking Act to maintain stability. He miscalculated the cost of Tory Health policies by a massive £8 billion pounds. He has shown a lack of judgement now. He looks like a mere novice and out of touch.

As promised I voted against the government’s Embryology Bill, which I am certain is a dangerous piece of legislation and will be tested in the courts in future.

We prevented the greater liberalisation of abortion in favour of a proper review some time in the future, as it is 40 years since it was looked at in depth.

I had detailed discussions with local authority officers on transport and planning proposals across my constituency and made a few suggestions which I shall follow through in due course.

Andy Burnham Secretary of State spoke at a fund raiser for the Rochdale Labour candidate at the Radcliffe Suite at Spotland. It was a most enjoyable political event.

On Saturday 25 October I attended Hey Kids performance of Oliver in the Civic Centre Heywood. No one performer was better than another, a great example of the talent of local youngsters.

In the evening I spoke at the annual Pakistani Welfare Association dinner along with other local politicians. It is always a must. It was good to see all my old friends again.

Chris, Mal and Eric led a deputation of 23 young people from Desmesne Community Centre, Langley for a day in London. It was great to have them in the Palace of Westminster. The young people were attentive and exceptionally polite and well behaved, asking intelligent questions and listening carefully to what was said. Jake Beckett, one of the young people, interviewed me for Pride Local Radio and what a professional job he did in the Commons. They enjoyed a boat trip down the Thames and a ride on the London Eye afterwards.

As I write this article on Saturday 1 November I am still in London because I am travelling by Eurostar to Paris for a high level meeting of all 27 European Select Committee’s. Three members are representing the UK parliament at this session. I shall be back in London on Tuesday afternoon and will return to the Constituency on Thursday.