Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

As the election day approaches candidates will be constructing their arguments and producing their parties’ literature for circulation. It’s fair game to discuss and criticise policies, which I shall continue to do with vigour, but personal attacks on other candidates are not acceptable. The electorate don’t like it and neither do I.

As a Labour and Co-op MP, I am proud of the movement’s long and rich history. It is clear that the Co-op ideals come from radical and working class politics.

Robert Owen the great social reformer inspired amongst others the Rochdale Pioneers.

They set out to create a society that could offer fairness and equality and they challenged the concept that only property owners and the capitalist system had rights. They would never have accepted anyone using wealth to buy political power without paying taxes.

The Co-op ideal of course has spread internationally and consumers and producers continue to flourish overseas as well as at home. The movement has had periods of stagnation in growth in the past. However, it does seem to have enjoyed something of a successful renaissance lately. The acquisition of Somerfields is proof of its success.

We can indeed be proud of the Rochdale Pioneers and the movement they began. We are indebted to them for the Co-ops ethical policies in many areas including banking, the arms trade animal welfare, Fairtrade, global poverty and investment in water systems and sanitation programmes in Third World countries.

It’s not surprising that the Co-op future programme will have a significant affect on our natural politics in the years ahead.

Just a comment on the budget. It was cleverly designed by Alistair Darling and delivered in a cool, smooth, sensible and cautious style. The people that will feel the pinch are smokers, cider drinkers and the very rich. The message is: “Let’s not disturb the recovery. Keep a cool head and protect frontline services.”

I have had a busy period in the run up to the election. On Sunday 21 March I joined the congregation of St Aidan’s C of E Church, Castleton for the visit of Bishop Nigel McCulloch, who used the Commonwealth Games baton as the centrepiece of his sermon and service. St Aidan’s Church is a very socially aware community and I was able to meet up with many old friends.

During the week in Westminster I hosted the visit of new Fire Chief Steve McGuirk and his colleagues for a meeting with Manchester MPs.

The North West Universities held a reception which I attended and the Passenger Transport Authority met with us in the evening.

Although Oulder Hill School is not in my constituency, many young people who live in my constituency are students there. I was able during my visit to see for myself the progress being made and I thank the deputy head John Watson for his hospitality.

On Saturday 27th I visited two Spring Fairs at St Paul’s Norden and Norden Methodist Marmalade Fair, where I drew the raffle. It was good to see Cllr Ann Metcalfe and former Council colleague Pat Sullivan and talk over old times.

In the afternoon I enjoyed the Cherwell Court Heywood Spring fundraiser organised by Sue Coates and her team.

In the evening I spoke at the Pakistani Welfare Association’s dinner with a number of my constituents present.

Thursday 1st April I had lunch at the Desmesne Community Centre and Deeplish Centre joint social organised by Hopwood Hall College. Sisters Mal McColl and Chris Abbott do a superb job running Desmesne and I am looking forward to meeting up with them in London on 6 April when they will be filmed interviewing Andy Burnham, Health Secretary on behalf of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. They work ceaselessly on this national campaign.

Then it is the election Campaign Trail.

I understand that in the wake of the expenses scandal most people feel very let down by politicians and there is the danger that many will not vote as they feel disillusioned with the whole political system. I would urge all electors young and old to use their vote whatever party they vote for.

Democracy is a hard earned concept and to win a vote for every citizen is a huge achievement that cannot be thrown away. Women struggled and gave their lives to gain the right to vote. Men with no land or property took a long time battling against the rich landowners in order to be able to have a say in who is elected to represent them in Parliament.

Now that we have been given the right to vote we should also accept that with the right comes a responsibility and that it is each person’s duty to vote.

Please, whichever party you prefer get out and do your duty, accept your responsibility and put your cross on the voting paper.