Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

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Jim Dobbin MP

The recent visit of Ed Miliband MP to Rochdale to hear about the proposed mutual policies planned by a new group of co-operative councils including Rochdale Council was in stark contrast to the kite flying empty statements on mutuals by David Cameron. The proposed Housing Co-op which will be owned by tenants and employees of the Council will be the way ahead for some public services, as long as it promises sustainability, democratic policies and structure. David Cameron visualises loose structures and links which would fail and open up the system to his private sector friends. This is his vision for the NHS, Council Services and the Police. Transport has already been deregulated and privatised by the Thatcher Government and that is his preferred model. It was appropriate that the Labour Leader launched this co-operative future for public services here in Rochdale the home of the Co-op. I hope the proposals succeed otherwise we can say bye-bye to public services.

I see that Nick Clegg has noticed that there is a Global Economic crisis affecting Europe and America. He thinks it may cause unemployment to rise in this country. Of course unemployment levels have nothing to do with his austerity budget announced by David Cameron and George Osbourne. Clegg is really fast on the uptake isn’t he? He’ll be announcing soon that it is the fault of the banks and the financial services, no doubt. I’m glad he is such a quick learner.

Young people are facing an uncertain future. Nick Clegg and David Cameron need to do much more to help the next generation. Labour has laid out plans for a new £2billion tax on banks and their bonuses that would create up to 100,000 new jobs for young people. Getting people back to work is the best way to reduce the deficit caused primarily by the banks and financial markets.

I see the doctors are to campaign against the new proposals in the Health Bill. They see these initiatives as the breakup of the service and its privatisation caused by the competition elements in the Bill. I now see longer waiting lists appearing and more cancelled operations. The new top down re-organisation costing £3billion will only open the NHS to the free market. Just watch the vultures pounce. We hear the recent announcement that cuts to our police will see 34,000 staff disappearing including 16,000 frontline police officers, 15,000 backroom staff and the remainder is police community officers. The Government claim that crime will not rise. The logic of that response from the Police Minister is that the fewer officers we have, the lower crime will be. He is a clever clog.

I went to St Anne’s Academy summer Fair and car boot sale. It was their first venture of this kind and the weather was fantastic. It proved to be a great success and well worth repeating. Bamford Chapel Garden Party was again an enjoyable community event. The new minister Richard Bradley and his family have obviously settled in quickly and he is making his mark. He has a great congregation noted for their inclusive and welcoming attitude to everyone.

I met the new public health Director Jane Rossini in a joint meeting with Simon Danczuk MP to be briefed on the future of Preventative Public Health throughout Rochdale.

Back in Westminster I chaired the 2 hour debate in Westminster Hall on the changes the Government are making to school meals.

Then on Wednesday the statement by David Cameron on phone hacking made it evident that there are more revelations to come.

Parliamentary business is now in recess and I will be working in the constituency until September 5. Apart from a family holiday.