Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Photo: Journeaux

Jim Dobbin MP

My last letter from Parliament highlighted the cold weather payments and gave advice on how to claim it for those who qualified. The Government tries very hard to alert pensioners and those on low income families on their rights. A Liberal Democrat Councillor criticised the Government efforts but failed to mention that the Lib Dem Party nationally has opposed many of the anti-poverty initiatives introduced by the Government that would trigger these payments, for example, the tax credit contribution to poor families.

Of course I am aware of the proposed development for the Langley and Hopwood area and the concerns local people have. I have received a number of letters to indicate this. At the moment I will take a lot of convincing to support these proposals. In the end of course the decision will be taken by the Lib Dems who run Rochdale Council. I have been unable to attend the two consultation meetings because of Parliamentary duties in London but I have recently received a copy of the consultation briefing and I shall take advice on this. At the moment I am against the proposals.

At a meeting of the Borough MPs and party leaders with senior officers it was agreed that a thorough review of the gritting strategy and the collection of rubbish during the last few weeks should take place. I made sure that all your complaints were registered for consideration.

In Prime Minister's Question time in the Commons David Cameron is avoiding the economy where he has nothing to offer. As we come out of recession (and that is what all the financial indicators are saying) Mr Cameron wants to start making cuts now and cutting deep and dangerously. This would put the recovery at risk before it is secured. The Government say that even halving the deficit in four years will be difficult and will not be painless but neither will it be reckless. Protecting front line services that you, the public, demand is the Government option.

The Conservative's attack on the teaching profession and Mr Cameron's plan to introduce elitism into our system is a threat he
cannot justify and will only serve to upset teachers and parents. The Eton set seem determined to pursue a ruling class system for schools.

Just before Christmas, Philip Hammond, Shadow Chief Secretary admitted that a Conservative Government would make the front line
suffer to pay for the tax cuts for the 3000 richest estates. Beware of this attack on our front line services. Where is David Cameron's big idea? I have looked hard but it simply is not there. There isn't one and there won't be one.

I was able to ask Tessa Jowell what benefits the Olympic Games would have for the North West. She promised me a list of companies that would be successful with their bids.

Because of the cold weather over the recent weeks I have had to restructure my visits around the constituency, but it will not be too long until we are back in full swing again. In the absence of the chairman of my select committee, I had to step into his shoes last week and chair the scrutiny meeting. It is always a challenge but one I enjoy.

The sad news of Father Jim Ryan's death came as a real shock to Heywood. He had served the parish of Our Lady and St Paul's for 37 years. I was able to attend the three services on Darnhill, including the burial service led by Bishop Braine of Salford. Father Ryan's family, his parishioners and fellow priests turned out in large number to pay their last respects to a much loved priest. The large crowd was a testament to the affection and respect they had for him. I got to know Father Ryan well when I was a ward councillor in Heywood.

In his oration, Father Mullin from Our Lady's in Wood St Middleton told us of Father Ryan's love of Manchester United, where he was a season ticket holder, and his passion for golf. He will be sadly missed.

Father Paul Daly will now take on responsibility in the immediate future for Our Lady and St Paul's.

Finally, I would like to say how good local people have been in contributing to the aid efforts in Haiti after the devastating earthquake. Please keep Haiti in your thoughts and prayers and keep supporting the relief agencies.