Letter from Parliament

Jim Dobbin MP

As Prime Minister Tony Blair approaches the end of his ten years Premiership on the 27 May, it is fitting that I offer a commentary on his ten years in Number 10.  We should reflect on where we were in 1997 and where we are now in 2007.  It also happens to be ten years since I was first elected to represent Heywood and Middleton, Castleton, Norden and Bamford. I remember interest rates of 15% and people losing their homes because of the recession - people were waiting tears for operations -  over 4 million unemployed – mining communities destroyed – crumbling schools and hospitals – boom and bust economic policies – Black Wednesday – it was a total nightmare and there appeared to be little hope. 

Tony Blair’s great achievements are that he won three elections in a row and made Labour electable and recognised as competent to run the economy.  Tony Blair has engineered a massive reform programme affecting every facet of our lives. There were a number of legislative issues that I could not support, probably around 50 votes against during those ten years including, Iraq, foundation hospitals and student fees but I believe that he is the most accomplished political communicator I have ever heard.  Love him or hate him, no-one can take that away from him.  Whether he is talking to Parliament, to the press or to party workers, no matter the topic, domestic or international, there is no one does it better.

Around my constituency, the physical changes of a Labour government are easy to spot.  We have the new Sure Start Centres, Rochdale Infirmary which will continue to provide an excellent service, new school buildings, 16 new health facilities across the borough and a building programme about to begin.  Nationally we see 32,000 more doctors, 85,000 more nurses, 90 new walk in centres, 154 new hospitals open or under construction or in procurement, the most sustained hospital building programme since the NHS was founded. Waiting lists are dramatically reduced, crime figures down by 35%, 14,000 more police officers and 11,000 new community support officers.  I remember staying up all night in 1998 to vote for the minimum wage - a historic night in my political career that benefited so many low paid workers.

All of this investment was opposed by the two main opposition parties including the Lib Dems.  Voting for Labour budgets year after year that invested in our schools and hospitals makes me aware that all the hard work and late nights in Westminster are worthwhile.  The vast majority of my constituents are now better off.  I recognise that there are still individuals and groups that need help and support and that the next few years are crucial but with the economy at its strongest position for over 200 years, I feel optimistic about the future.  Much of this of course has been achieved by Gordon Brown’s stewardship of the economy and his decision to grant independence to the Bank of England (again opposed by the opposition parties).  Brown has a global vision; he believes that by eradicating poverty here in the UK and in the developing world he will make the world a better place for all.  That will be the mark and aim of a Brown premiership which is just about to begin.  Of course as individuals we have to pay for improved services through taxation and locally through council tax, but surely that is a responsibility that we each have to accept in order to improve our own individual quality of life and that of our neighbour, home and abroad.

In the House of Commons on the 1 May along with several other Greater Manchester MPs I met Dr Peter Barrett and members of the review panel to discuss the proposals for the new Health Reconfiguration.  He listened carefully to our concerns and I intend to meet with him and his team again in the near future.  I had lunch with Cardinal O’Brien and a delegation of bishops from Africa, Italy, France and Portugal who were in Westminster lobbying Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in advance of the G8 meeting on world poverty.  I also had a meeting with Lord Adonis about secondary school changes in the constituency and stressed that it was important that the 16-19 provision in Heywood and Middleton had to be balanced and sustainable.  A week later he approved the new sixth form college in Rochdale.  It is important however that provision is evenly balanced across the borough and that the number of students is realistic and achievable.  Accurate logistical planning for the provision is extremely important. 

I have already commented publicly about my disappointment over the Whipp and Bourne announcement.  I have met the Trade Unions and promised to help where I can.  I am now attempting to meet management to get the best deal possible and help to find alternative jobs for those employees directly affected.

The local election results although disappointing in Central and East Rochdale were excellent in my own constituency except for the loss of the Mayor, Councillor Jean Hornby.  It’s one of the drawbacks from spending 12 months being first Citizen of the borough.  This happens to Mayors from time to time.  Jean has been an excellent Mayor, a fact recognised throughout the borough and I am sure we all wish to thank her for the wonderful job she did.  I look forward to Jean’s return to local politics as soon as possible.

This week I had a 20 minute discussion with Gordon Brown in private and I was able to speak to him about the direction of the Labour Party.  He was extremely relaxed and confident.  The selection process for Leader and Deputy Leader begins this week as you read this article.  I repeat my optimism for my constituents and for the country as we move into a new political era.