Letter from Parliament

Jim Dobbin MP

Wednesday 21 March will be the Chancellor’s last budget before as expected he becomes Prime Minister in a few months time.  Let me assure you that Gordon Brown is a heavyweight politician of exceptional quality and intellect.  There is nobody else in any party with his experience of Government.  He has produced an economic period of stability unheard of since the Second World War.  His budget this week will demonstrate his prudence following eight years of unprecedented investment in order to provide improved public services. 

The recent Budget introduced by Rochdale Council’s Liberal Democrats does provide some serious concerns and I highlight two decisions that were unnecessary because of the favourable Government grant the Council received. Firstly the cuts to Adult Care provision will directly affect some of the most vulnerable individuals and families in the borough.  I understand that some elderly people who are receiving support at present will instead be given tutorials in how to look after themselves.  Most people will see this as arrogance of the highest level.  I find it also disingenuous of the Liberal Democrats to suggest that reducing the bin collection service as a recycling initiative.  It is misleading to pretend that this is more than a cost cutting exercise to save money. It has nothing to do with recycling.  Other authorities in Greater Manchester, namely Liberal Democrat Stockport have achieved their recycling targets keeping their weekly bin collection in place.  So come on Liberal Democrats - be honest with the local tax payers.  Both these decisions have more to do with reducing services to local people in order to save money.

I also remind readers that the National Minimum Wage will rise top £5.52 per hour and will mainly benefit low paid women workers, with rises for 18-21 year olds to £4.60 and £3.40 per hour for 16-17 year olds.  The National Minimum Wage is one of the promised achievements realised by the Labour Government.  Since 1999 it has gone up by almost 30% more than inflation with the number of jobs increasing by almost 2 million in the same period of time.  Underlying business investment is the strongest since 1998, supported by strong profitability and firm growth in the economy.  A fact the UN confirmed in a recent report that in 2005 for the first time in 30 years, Britain led the world in direct foreign investment.  The highest level of any European country, double the US and three times the combined total of Italy, France and Germany.  The growth in the economy since the 2006 budget has surpassed expectations.  Gordon Brown will not put any of this progress under threat in his last budget as Chancellor.

Last week, as a member of the British Irish Inter Parliamentary Committee, I was part of a delegation to NATO taking evidence on security within Europe that affects the island of Ireland. Back in London I met with representatives of the Learning and Skills Council to discuss change to education in my constituency.  I conveyed some concerns I have about proposals for sixth form provision in Heywood and Middleton.  On the evening of 2 March, I attended St Stephen’s Church in Middleton to celebrate Woman’s Day of Prayer.  There were women present from different churches and different faiths across Middleton.  It was a moving experience to see any differences disappear in the communal worship. 

I then had to be in London to catch a plane from Heathrow in order to attend the British Irish Group two days before the Northern Ireland Assembly elections on Wednesday 7 March. The Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Eire) gave a speech and answered questions.  The hope is that the politicians on all sides in Northern Ireland will reassemble and reintroduce their own governance.  So far so good.

Jane Neary and her mother Pauline from Middleton were welcome guests for Prime Minister’s Question Time.  Jane is in charge of publicity for the Transport Authority and we had a working lunch with my good friend Graham Stringer MP for Blackley and Councillor Roger Jones, Chairman of the Passenger Transport Authority, discussing among other issues the topic of congestion charges.  I made my views against them very plain.

On Wednesday evening we voted on the reform of the House of Lords.  I voted firstly for abolition and then for a 100% elected chamber which surprisingly was carried.  The Lords themselves have since voted for 100% appointed membership.  The Bill will now be re-considered by the Commons soon.  I feel the Parliamentary Act will eventually be used to decide this issue.  The Liberal Democrats voted to retain the 92 hereditary peers for the time being.

On Thursday 8 March I attended the Prayer Breakfast in Manchester Town Hall hosted by the Lord Mayor where I was able to inform the gathering about the National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast I am chairing in Westminster in June. 
On Friday, I met with members of Middleton Traffic Initiative for an update on progress of their proposals for fewer Heavy Goods Vehicles movements through Middleton.  In the evening I was a guest at Rochdale Online Awards Evening.  Congratulations to all the deserved awards winners. 

The week beginning 12 March I took part in a Press Conference on a Bill to be introduced by the conservative Angela Watkins on the need for parental involvement indecisions on abortion and contraception for under 16s. At present schools need to have parental consent for treating grazed knees at school but children can be referred for abortion without parents’ knowledge.

I feel it is wrong to exclude parents from these life changing decisions for their children.  Angela’s Bill highlighted the huge increase in sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers that has become apparent over the last few years. 

On Wednesday morning I attended breakfast meeting on Trident where Bianca Jagger, Annie Lennox and Katherine Hamnett were present.  I voted against the renewal of Trident because I felt the decision was premature since  the UK are signatories to a non-proliferation treaty that does not end until 2010.  The £20 billion plus cost could be better spent on improvements to social care for the elderly and many other needy areas. 

On Thursday evening in the constituency I attended the Samaritans AGM where they were celebrating their 40 years in the borough.  They are dedicated volunteers who provide a listening ear and support for vulnerable people.

Friday lunchtime I was a member of a panel on education issues at Hopwood Hall College organised by the Universities and College Union. The audience asked some searching questions and focussed on the proposed changes to education in the Borough that will have an impact on their contributions to the system.

Following that discussion I made my way to Gelderwood Country Park in Ashworth Road to celebrate British Tourism Week and congratulate Peter and Joyce Chadwick and their son Paul who own an exceptional caravan site in Heywood and win many top awards of national standard.  It is in a beautiful setting with an extensive garden lovingly cared for by Joyce.  We are very lucky to have such a tourist attraction in the area and visitors come from far and wide to enjoy the scenery and the amenities provided.

I had two surgeries on Saturday morning, both fairly quiet which was a blessing.  In the evening I enjoyed a performance by the Rochdale Youth Orchestra in St Mary’s the Baum that illustrated the young musical talent we have in the borough.  Congratulations to Sue Verity and Chris Gill and other tutors. The time spent with the young musicians reaps rich rewards.

On Sunday, after Mass at St Vincent’s, we went back to London and were invited to a Mother’s Day Dinner with our eldest son who lives in London.