Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

This is a defining period in our political calendar. We have just had the pre-Budget proposals in Westminster and the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, both political events creating clear differences between the major UK political parties.

At least now we are beginning to see how the government on one hand and the Conservatives, with public support from the Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, on the other, will handle the global economic problem we now face.

In the pre-Budget Report the Chancellor set out a plan to secure recovery and go for growth, halving the deficit within four years while at the same time protecting public services. Schools, the NHS, Children’s Services and the Police will all be protected.

The plan is to offer continued support to pensioners by extending cold weather payments this winter, increasing pensions in April 2010 and boosting pension guarantee.

The Chancellor has also increased child benefit to £20 for the first child and £13.40 for other children. The working tax credit and child trust fund will be available to all children born after 1 September 2002 equal to £250 and he extended free school meals to more children in primary schools.

At the same time he extended Government schemes for free or discounted insulation.

The support for small businesses will continue to 2011 as Britain emerges from recession and moves into growth.

The Tories continue to lack the critical judgement needed in tough times. They were wrong on the recession with their anti-stimulus stance and they are wrong on recovery. Their demand to cut now and cut deep before recovery is reckless. This would do lasting damage to the economy leading to a decade of austerity and low growth.

They fail the fairness test by giving £10 billion of unfunded and unfair tax cuts to the wealthiest including a giveaway of £200,000 to each of the 3000 wealthiest estates and they would do lasting damage to our public services, including guarantees in the NHS such as the right to see a cancer specialist within two weeks.

Remember Norman Lamont before 1992 promising no new tax cuts and then after the election hitting middle income Britain with 22 tax rises.

Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems of course endorse the Conservatives with their support.

My comments on the Copenhagen Climate Conference will come in my next newsletter.

On Saturday 28 November I attended St Paul’s Christmas Fair in Norden and St Luke’s and St Margaret’s Christmas Fairs and they were all well attended and pleasant social events.

In the afternoon it was the Christmas Lights switch on in Middleton where our Youth Member of Parliament, Jack Lofthouse took part. He is certainly building up a busy schedule during his year of office.

In the evening it was Heywood’s turn to switch on their Christmas lights. It is always good to see the youngsters queue up for their gift from Father Christmas.

I was able to attend the Further Education Awards so ably organised by Councillor Donna Martin and her team from Hopwood Hall College. Well done to all who received awards, they were richly deserved.

On Friday I visited Parkfield Primary in Middleton where the Headteacher and the members of the School Council made me feel very welcome.

I then had a brief meeting with John Pierce, the chairman of the PCT, to discuss local health matters.

Saturday 15 December meant a few more Christmas Fairs at Bamford Chapel, St Michael’s Bamford (conveniently just round the corner from each other) and St Mary’s Birch where their small church was heaving with people enjoying their Christmas fundraiser. I appreciate the opportunity to meet people socially and to stock up on homemade cakes and jams.

I drove down to London in the evening for a Christmas lunch next day with my son’s family who live in Brixton. It was lovely to see my youngest grandson Danny who has just started walking.

In the evening of 8 December I had dinner with the All Party Cleaning and Hygiene Group, which represents companies like Robert McBride’s in Middleton. It was a good opportunity to discuss the industry.

On Wednesday 9 December after Prime Minister’s Questions and my select committee on European affairs, I met up with Mal McColl and her sister Chris Abbott from Middleton. They were in London for a Breakthrough Breast Cancer launch. They organise numerous Health Seminars in Desmesne Community Centre.

I came back to the constituency on Thursday for a busy weekend of surgeries and diary dates.

Christmas is fast approaching and I have a few Carol Services to attend. We’ll have all the family home again for Christmas and although it’s pandemonium at times with 17 of us it’s great to see them altogether under the same roof.

I wish you all a Happy and Holy Christmas.