Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

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Jim Dobbin MP

This out of touch Prime Minister, David Cameron, is now the subject of a frenzied media attack.

We see Ed Miliband and the Labour Party representing the public in the care in which they approach military conflict.

This Prime Minister, who has little eye for the detail of his own policies, has been shown, yet again, to have poor judgement and to be totally out of touch with public opinion and even with the views of his own party colleagues.

Thankfully, the public, Ed Miliband, the Labour Party and members of David Cameron’s own Coalition government stepped in to stop Cameron. They brought about a halt to the decision that could have led to a repeat of the conditions of the Iraq war.

Ed Miliband’s thoughtful intervention was a pleasing reminder of Harold Wilson’s intelligent decision not to follow the American’s into Vietnam.

Let’s hope the USA realise the error of their ways and step down from this escalation of aggression in Syria and the Middle East.

No one can guarantee that propelling a rocket into Syria will not end up killing thousands of innocent families, the very people we would want to support.

I always intended to vote ‘No’, even before the debate last Thursday.

This is no different to Iraq. Replacing one form of aggression with another is no solution. There has to be a diplomatic, humanitarian intervention in this Syrian conflict.

With care for vulnerable people in mind, I was shocked to read that because of cuts to NHS budgets, some hospital trusts have considered sending their doctors to India to sell their services in return for funding.

It is even thought that NHS. patients could be sent to India for cheaper treatment. This cannot be in the interest of patient care, it should not form a part of a plan for the NHS and travel should only be considered for exceptional cases where treatment by a centre of excellence is essential.

This type of planning for health services must be stopped. The BMA should intervene and campaign against it and proper funding of health care for all reinstated.

Let’s not allow this Government to run down our N.H.S. so that only the richest can afford to be treated close to home.

The recess allows a time to work solely in the constituency.

We were recalled to Parliament early last week, which I thought was unnecessary as Parliament resumed anyway on 2 September. The Syria issue could have been debated then.

I see my constituency casework increasing rapidly with the cuts to services, rise in unemployment for young people and attack on welfare and health care that David Cameron’s government have introduced. More and more constituents are struggling because of the Governments’ legislative programme.

It seems that this millionaires’ government are driven to undermine our community services and quality of life for people. I am extremely concerned about where it will end.

On a happier note, I attended the Summer Fair at St Gabriel’s Church and School in Middleton. Thankfully the weather was fine and it was a resounding success.

I then joined the bikers and members of Boarshaw Working Men’s Club for a short time in support of Gunner Lee Rigby and his family. This was extremely well supported by local people as always.

I also became a ‘Dragon’ for a few hours at the Hopwood Hall Rochdale Campus. The challenge was for a number of teams from the college to present a planned, costed project to the Dragon’s Den for critique and a bid for funding up to a limit of £80.00. I found it stimulating and was impressed by the high quality of the bids and the professional presentation by the students.

Let me congratulate the Heywood Fete organising committee for the superb parade and carnival in Queen's Park. This Victorian park is the ideal venue for such an event. The Fete gets better every year, it’s a lovely day out for families and friends and the parade was the largest I can remember in fifteen years. It’s great to see a community come together in this way.