Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

Last week David Cameron once again blundered his way through the Jimmy Carr tax avoidance issue and put his own wealthy colleagues and contributors to the Tory Party in the front line. He did this as a P.R. stunt and not being a man for detail, probably was not aware that British Conservatives in the European Parliament had recently voted against demands to combat tax fraud and tax evasion. They are refusing to legislate against their own, supporting tax dodgers. Why should we be surprised by this. David Cameron has lost control of his ministers. It appears that both the Prime Minister and his deputy knew nothing of Michael Gove’s decision to bring back a two tier exam system.

As Cameron strides the global scene, lecturing other countries on economics, he allows U.K. banks to be downgraded and a double-dip recession, made in Downing Street, to hurt the least well off.

Under Labour, a poll taken before the last election showed very high levels of satisfaction with the N.H.S. A recent poll, two years into the Coalition Government, highlights the largest ever drop in public satisfaction in the N.H.S. It illustrates a damaging level of incompetence, turning levels of satisfaction into chaos, fear and demoralisation. Patients and staff will not forgive this coalition for the damage they are doing to what was the best Health Provider in the world. My office is dealing with increased numbers of constituents who have experienced cancelled operations due to cut backs and the push towards privatisation.

Child poverty, which had been falling under the last Government, is returning to new, worrying levels. With long term unemployment rising and cuts to child tax credits and child support happening, these poverty levels are bound to rise and of course, the milk snatchers have returned.

I am the chair of an All Party Group in Parliament that looks at involuntary drug addiction, which is better described as prescription addiction. 

Debbie Abrahams MP for Oldham East and I had a meeting with Health Minister, Anne Milton, at a clinic in Oldham that supports victims of this problem to withdraw from the need for these anti-stress substances. We estimate 1.5 million people in the U.K. are affected. We hope to convince the Government that investment in more of these clinics across the country is required. Michael Jackson and other celebrities have died from over prescribing and the Government needs to realise the dangers. We shall continue to press for change.

I was able to judge the shop windows in Norden, prior to the Norden Carnival. The theme was the Queen’s Jubilee. There were many imaginative windows, but I chose the local Pharmacy on this occasion. The weather was not so good but the local community turned out and supported all the hard work that had gone into the days programme.

I was able to attend the Mayor’s Civic Service in the Parish Church. Councillor Gartside has been a long time friend despite different politics and I wish him and June, the Mayoress, an enjoyable and successful year as our civic representatives.

Matthew Moss High School Students visited the Palace of Westminster on June 18 and I was able to meet with them and explain what my job is and answer questions. They had obviously been well briefed by their teachers. I enjoy it when schools come down to Westminster, it’s part of developing knowledge and understanding of the decision making process.

On Wednesday 20 I chaired two debates in the second chamber. One on Farming and Employment and the second on required legislation on ‘Gangmasters’.

Exciting family news was that one of my Grandsons, who is 16 and is wheelchair bound, became the British disabled Karate Champion and will now go to Paris in July to take part in the World Championships. I am very proud of his determination.