Letter from Parliament - Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen MP

One of the first Acts of Parliament that I worked on when I became an MP was The Road Safety Act. Among the many extra sanctions introduced was “causing death by dangerous driving”. I was reminded of this last week when I met Paul and Angela Moran whose son Jamie was tragically killed a couple of years ago by a speeding motorist.

The Road Safety Act had not come into force when the accident happened. However all the motorist was charged and convicted of was having two bald tyres! For the last couple of years I have been battling with the Crown Prosecution Service and the Police to get a satisfactory explanation as to why the motorist was not charged with at least speeding and dangerous driving. I have to say I found the response from the CPS deeply unsatisfactory but we finally got an admission and apology from a senior police officer that they should have pressed the CPS for stronger charges. None of this of course will bring Jamie back but it has left Paul and Angela with a deep sense of frustration and injustice which I share.
Justice Seen and Justice Delivered was very much the theme of the Community Crime Fighters Conference organised by Rochdale Council which I attended at the Village Hotel last Thursday. I particularly agreed with the comments of the main speaker Louise Casey from the Home Office that too often the Justice system ignores victims and the public. I also firmly believe that sentences awarded should be what people serve i.e. life means life. I think at the moment too many dangerous criminals are being released too early and as figures I have obtained for Greater Manchester show are going on to commit more serious crimes. I do not support the release of the Libyan terrorist Al Megrahi for example. This government talks tough on crime but it is actions not words that count.

Though Parliament has not been sitting I have continued to use the time to get out and about and meet constituents. Last Monday I spoke at the Rochdale 41 Club Meeting at Rochdale Golf Club at the request of Club President Geoff Carter. We had a lively discussion about the current political scene and reform of Parliament. On Tuesday I met Mark Donaghy with John Kay to discuss the ongoing problem of water for Rochdale Canal as well as the “Rain tax” which is causing concern with many voluntary groups and charities. I understand now that legislation is needed to provide an exemption to charities and voluntary groups and I have written to the Minister supporting that.

On Wednesday I met John Saxby, Chief Executive of Pennine Acute to discuss the reconfiguration at Rochdale Infirmary. I made clear my concerns at the loss of the children’s play area in A&E and my concerns at current staffing levels on the children’s ward. One way and another I have had cause to visit the Infirmary several times during the last few weeks. I visited Rodney Stott last Saturday for example who is recovering well from a knee replacement.

I was pleased on Saturday to attend the opening of an exhibition by Walter Kershaw at the Waterside Arts Centre, Sale. Described as the first graffiti artist Walter has been a fantastic ambassador for our town.

This week I’ve split my time between meetings in Rochdale and London before today travelling to the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth. As it is the last before the General Election it promises to be very interesting!