Letter from Parliament – Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

My comments in my last article on the floods and other environmental disasters provoked a debate on the environment and climate change. It seems there are still individuals who don’t believe that climate change is happening and that includes our Environment Minister, Owen Paterson. Their assertion is that it is just a coincidence that serious flooding, fires, earthquakes and tidal waves are happening across the globe despite the scientific research offered by some of the worlds’ leading scientific researchers and experts. No doubt this debate will continue.

As a member of the Transport Select Committee, it is important that we strongly influence the Government to continue to invest in the transport infrastructure. The rail, road, air and sea transport routes alongside strategically placed distribution systems is the best way to support large and small businesses across the country. It is essential that the excellent transport provision that we see in London be provided in the Midlands and the North. We could do with learning from our European neighbours. In France and Germany for example, the railways are state owned where regional government works with the private sector. This would be an ideal model to follow. Poor transport systems only lead to job losses, business failures and stagnation of the economy.

There is little or no new legislation going through parliament at the moment. This is the nature of five year fixed parliament and coalition government. The only real issue on the legislative agenda before the election is the referendum on Scottish independence in September this year.

There are, however, a huge number of changes brought in by this coalition government that will impact adversely on people over the coming months and years. One example is the privatisation of the NHS - all the evidence indicates that this is truly under way.

I took part, with Michael Meacher, MP for Oldham West, in a Unison North West Forum last Saturday in Manchester. The Q & A session was enjoyable and worth supporting. I have been a trade union member for over fifty years and value that political link.

Cannon Nick Feist has retired from his parish in Middleton. I thank him for his friendship over the years and wish him well.

Now that the murderers of Lee Rigby have been justly sentenced, I hope that his parents, wife and child are able to live in peace. I know that the Middleton Community will always be around to support.