Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

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Jim Dobbin MP

There has been shock and disgust across Parliament at the disclosures about phone hacking with Ed Miliband branding the alleged behaviour of some journalists as immoral and a disgrace. The idea that anybody could hack into the voice mails of Millie Dowler or the families of fallen servicemen and women is simply revolting. For too long political leaders have been too concerned about what people in the Press would think and fearful of speaking out about these issues. That is the power of the press. The newspaper industry has in recent times lost touch with the British public’s sense of decency. That is why Ed Miliband was speaking for a lot of people when he called for a change. Ed called for a judge led enquiry into phone hacking and David Cameron has reluctantly had to agree. David Cameron is failing to show the leadership the country expects on this issue. He has refused to apologise for the catastrophic mistake of bringing ex News of the World editor Andy Coulson into the heart of his government. He needs to admit he made the wrong judgement. David Cameron also said that he was ploughing on regardless with Rupert Murdoch’s plan to take over BSkyB. Labour has constantly said the bid should have been referred to the Competition Commission for an independent enquiry. We need to have faith in important decisions about the future of the media. We cannot accept a decision being made by politicians on the basis of assurances received from the same company whose assurances on phone hacking were not worth the paper they were written on. This is a Prime Minister who clearly doesn’t get it except when he wants to protect his own tarnished reputation. It also looks like Gordon Brown’s phone was being hacked during the period that Andy Coulson was in charge of communications at No 10. There is more to come on this disgraceful issue. 

I have been appalled this week at what looks like a deliberate attempt to hide evidence. The Coalition Government’s policy on the benefits cap would make 40,000 families homeless. This would cost more than it saves and is another example of a chaotic and careless Government. It will create distress and concern for those losing their homes and put further burdens on the taxpayer. Parliament must take the time to set these changes right.

The recently reported crisis in care for the elderly will need to be tackled sensitively. There are difficult choices ahead but we must move swiftly as events at Southern Cross have shown. Councils have their budgets cut and will be spending less on social care for the elderly. Ed Miliband has offered cross party support to take this out of the political arena. I support this suggestion. Any constituent who wishes to sign Labour’s petition on this should go to http://www.campaignengineroom.org.uk/faircare

The NHS plans since the pause for reflection have been described as causing irreparable damage to the NHS. This comes from the Royal College of GPs which represents 42,000 GPs. The Coalition Government’s re-thought NHS plans are back once again in disarray.

David Cameron and Nick Clegg are sitting on their hands whilst our gas and electric bills soar. Customers’ household budgets are at breaking point and this latest British Gas price hike will rise by £190 per year. Come on David and Nick get off your hands and do something.

Locally I attended St Martin’s Church, Castleton’s Summer Fair. It’s a good way to meet constituents. I then travelled to Middleton Cricket Club to sponsor a match against Rochdale. The club contribute a great deal to young people in the community and is worthy of support. The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale visited me in the House of Commons. They attended Question Time and had lunch before going on to the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately I was unable to attend the Hopwood Hall Awards Evening but I sent my congratulations to all the students. I did attend the Hopwood Hall Uniform Course display by all the students and staff, the highlight being the appearance of the Red Arrows.

All Saints’ Church Wood St Middleton held their Summer Fair and as always it was well attended and enjoyable. Canon Philip has a strong congregation supporting him. I joined the people of Darnhill for their annual festival efficiently organised and supported by Cartwheel Arts. On Thursday 7 July I had a speaking engagement on a cruise up the Thames in support of the Right to Life charity. We arrived home in Rochdale at 3 am on Friday and I opened St Paul’s Norden Flower Festival in the morning. The displays were magnificent and it made me feel totally inadequate as a flower arranger or a gardener. I do not have green fingers.