Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

The Easter break is coming to an end. Whenever constituents see me in the constituency they naturally think I am on holiday. This is the impression that the tabloid press has painted over the years. That view could not be further from the truth.

I have the largest electorate in Greater Manchester, producing a huge amount of casework, which requires a total of four staff split between the Parliamentary office in Heywood and my London office. In addition I have a clerk who is paid for from outside Parliament to administer the All Party Pro Life Group issues on which I lead as Chairman and a further administrator to deal with the work on Tranquilliser addiction which I also chair. He is funded from an outside source. 

From time to time I have interns/volunteers from schools or universities seeking work experience.

I have responsible positions on other Parliamentary Groups as well as my membership of the European Scrutiny Select committee which scrutinises around 10,000 European documents and directives every year. Until recently I was a member of the local government select committee but my workload was too great and I came off it.

I tell you this to give you some idea of the range of issues that I am involved in. I still maintain a great interest in Health issues because of my background in the NHS and in local government issues because of my time on Rochdale council.
The support I receive from my staff is tremendous and invaluable. Good quality staff are worth their weight in gold.

I try not to get involved in personal criticisms from other politicians either from the opposition or from my own party. However I do believe that disagreement over party policies are legitimate areas for intense debate both privately and publicly. Attack the policy but not the individual. I am therefore not a fan of blogs and twitter. Dialogue by computer is a dangerous pursuit at times and can lead to dangerous outcomes as we have seen recently in the news.

It is one thing to distribute a political leaflet giving a view or an opinion but to distribute a leaflet making up stories or claims that are not true “because it’s all in the game” is abhorrent.

The economic downturn may be starting to improve, is the view of a number of financial commentators. President Obama sees some positive markers which will support a recovery here in the UK. Admittedly it is very early days but it is welcome news.

The budget will take place on 22 April. This will be a tough budget designed to support recovery and I shall comment on its contents in my next article. The Government’s intervention to stimulate the market was the correct approach. The do nothing proposal is not acceptable and shows a distinct lack of political leadership.

I attended the re-planting of the tree that had been stolen in the Memorial Gardens. John Farrington and Steve Cook are doing a worthy job focusing young minds on peace. It was good to see children from St John’s RC Primary School celebrate the event with us.

On Tuesday 7 April, Doreen Travers, Chairman of Back o’ th’ Moss Tenants and Residents Association, organised a celebratory party for Betty Fisher who had given so much of her life as a volunteer in Heywood and around Crimble Croft. Betty well deserves all the praise she gets for her long support of the life of the local community.

In the evening I attended the AGM of the Rochdale and Oldham Samaritans, an organisation that depends on volunteers like Jervis a local postman whom I see offering his services to different organisations around the town. Wherever I go in the area I am constantly reminded of how fortunate we are to have so many people willing to give up time to help others.

The Easter weekend was spent at home with my family where we celebrated my daughter’s 40th. My grandchildren were there and it was total chaos but lovely.

I held a surgery at Brookside Community Centre in Middleton. There was a good turnout of local people who raised a number of issues concerning the local area. Councillor Donna Martin and Councillor Malcolm Boriss, along with the local community police officer, were present to help with some of the problems. I promised to repeat the event in a few months. 

On 17 April I visited Heywood Fire Station for the handing over of two new modern high powered vehicles to the local commander. The event received some publicity and I am pleased that the fire service should make this kind of investment in creating a much safer local environment for local people.

On Saturday 18 April, we attended a Gala Concert in support of Springhill Hospice featuring the Black Dyke Band and the Greater Manchester Police Choir. Also in aid of the Hospice I was at the Spring Fair, an event I always enjoy and at the Victorian Court held in the Town Hall on Sunday 19 April. Hey Kids drama group did a marvellous job re-enacting court cases involving children in the 19th century.

Middleton Guides and Scouts celebrated St George’s Day on the same afternoon and I attended the service held at St Martin’s CE Middleton.

Now it is back to London to see what the next session brings.