Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Want to buy this photo?

Jim Dobbin MP

I was aware of the infighting, the personality clashes and scheming that was going on in the Lib Dem party locally but did not realise how nasty and vindictive it had become. The collapse of the coalition council in Rochdale could be mirrored elsewhere as the reality of this Con-Dem government’s massive cuts programme that is just about to engulf us.

The UK is emerging from the biggest economic crisis in generations, a deficit caused by bankers and financial markets across the globe. During that time Labour chose to take action to support families and businesses, keeping people off the dole and businesses open. As a result growth returned and unemployment, repossessions and business insolvency ran at half the rate of the 1990s recession. The deficit needs to be handled responsibly as growth returns and the economy strengthens. In contrast the Con Dem Government cuts public spending. These cuts are unfair but even worse they are economically reckless putting the fragile economy at risk.

We are NOT in this together. The coalition plans will force families to pay more than twice the amount that the banks are contributing to the deficit reduction. That is simply unfair. Those who bear the most responsibility for the crisis must be seen to pull their weight. I note that the Chancellor George Osborne has caved in to the banks already and allowed them to pay out more massive bonuses. Our NHS is under attack as never before and now Michael Gove has decided schools are to be invaded by ex armed forces personnel to keep order at the same time as our Police and Fire numbers are being reduced.

Mr Cameron’s “Big Society” looks like a pipe dream and despite exhorting us all to be happy he will soon wipe the smiles from our faces. Please Mr Cameron do something that will make us really happy, come off your cloud in cuckoo land and face the reality that these cuts in public spending are unnecessary and that by introducing a financial activities tax you could raise £25bn extra a year. End tax breaks for the top 2% of taxpayers, look again at tax havens overseas and instead of cutting jobs in the public sector start a job creation programme to build affordable houses.

Last week I attended the Awards Evening for St Annes Academy in Middleton Arena. Many congratulations to all the staff and students on their achievements. Saturday 20 November was the Middleton Christmas Lights Switch on and in the evening I was at a most entertaining Scouts and Guides Gang Show in Heywood Civic. On returning to London I went to the Isle of Man as a member of the British Irish Assembly for two days. The Irish Delegation was called home because of the economic crisis.

As Chair of the UK Cleaning Products Industry I welcomed Colin McIntyre Managing Director of McBride’s whose HQ is in Middleton. He was guest speaker at a dinner in the Churchill Room in the House of Commons. There were over 70 guests from the industry present at the event.

I joined Ann Widdecombe, who had a break from Strictly come Dancing , as guest speakers at a Right to Life Fund raising event in London and then it was back to Rochdale for the Man of the Year Lunch in aid of Springhill Hospice.

On Saturday 27 I visited St Pauls, Norden, St Martins, Castleton, Bamford Chapel and United Reform, Middleton to enjoy their Christmas Fairs. At 5pm it was Heywood Christmas Lights Switch On and then back to London.

I send best wishes to Councillor Irene Davidson for a full recovery after her operation and thank her for her friendship during her time as Mayor and Leader of the Council. We may have different politics but that never came into our friendship.