Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

A sincere thank you to everyone who sent cards and good wishes for a speedy recovery after my recent operation. My thanks also to Sir Cyril and all who wrote to me congratulating me on receiving a Papal Knighthood. It was much appreciated.

While Paul Rowen MP and I differ on many areas of politics, we sing from the same hymn sheet on defending life and I was pleased to read his comments on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. The future will prove how right we were to oppose this Bill and just how dangerous this legislation will be for the future of our society, exposing the biased and misleading propaganda led by an unscrupulous bioethics industry. The Bill will complete its legislative process over the next few weeks and the campaign continues.

I am finding it frustrating to be confined at home until my mobility returns and I have had to cancel all my engagements for the next few weeks. I can still do some work from home and keep in touch with the London and Heywood offices. My home computer system is linked to Parliament and I can keep abreast of emails and briefings.

Congratulations to Graham Morris and the Board and all the players, staff and supporters of Rochdale Football Club. Sadly I was unable to go to Wembley but I saw the game on TV. The team gave a valiant performance just short of success. It is very encouraging for the future success of the club and I am sure this experience will get the adrenalin going and I wish them all the luck in the world.

There is nothing the British media like more than persecuting those in the public eye whether it is sports, politics or entertainers and they have certainly gone for the scalp of Gordon Brown. They have succeeded in getting rid off various party leaders in the Lib Dem and Conservative parties and now their attention has turned to the Prime Minister. They are oblivious to his redistributive running of the economy over the past 11 years, beginning with the introduction of the minimum wage, tax credits for families and pensioners, additional child benefit and winter fuel allowances, all introduced by the Prime Minister. They blame rising fuel prices and food prices and the slump in the housing market on one man. They ignore the fact that every country in the world is in the same boat. They ignore the fact that the stability of the British economy means we are better placed to withstand total failure than any other developed nation. Yes there is pain, yes, people are struggling but we could be much worse off and Britain will come through this. I wonder who will get the credit then.

The Government has struck a new deal for agency workers which in turn will protect the rights of full time employees. I know that working for an agency can be a convenient route into work for many people but I have been concerned to hear that some people are exploited by unscrupulous agencies. The government has agreed a deal between employers and unions that will see agency workers in the UK receive equal treatment after 12 weeks employment. This will give enhanced protection and guard against unfair wage cutting. I think it is important that you should know that the Conservatives claim to be in favour of rights for working people but have opposed increasing protection for agency workers. David Cameron says he supports flexible working but he actively voted against it.

I welcome a report into how the public can better express support for the armed forces. The report recommends an annual parade and strengthening cadet organisations in schools. The Government is taking these recommendations forward. A few years ago I asked a question of the Prime Minister Tony Blair on whether he would appoint a Minister fro War Veterans Affairs. He responded positively at his question time. The government was the first to appoint such a minister and have invested much more money supporting veterans. I was glad to have played a role in this initiative.

The Government also outlined measures to make it a reality to make quality living a right to the end of life. People are living much longer and care of the elderly will be a major challenge in future years. I want to ensure that older people living in my constituency see their local services improved and to see that access and use of these services is made easier. The other great challenge is to see that all young people , including those who are troubled and challenging get the best possible education. The recent spate of stabbings make this an imperative and society as a whole needs to take on this challenge

What has Heywood and Middleton done to come under attack from the Lib Dem Council? Not satisfied with forcing cuts to the waste collection services and two weekly services, not satisfied with vicious cuts in adult care and the voluntary sector, not satisfied with the imposition of congestion charges on the people of Heywood and Middleton, against the wishes of the two townships, they suddenly attempt to move Hollins and Gladewood across the motorway and into Heywood, to prevent the 3 local councillors supporting their electors in each township. The existing arrangement was a decision of the last Boundary Change Commission and any future changes are their responsibility. Their next verbal attack came via a crime survey carried out by local Langley Lib Dems and was highlighted as a front page crisis in the Middleton Guardian. This has angered not only many local residents but all the agencies involved in the multi million pound regeneration of the estate. A drive around Langley makes it obvious how the estate has improved. The crime and community safety police reports show how Langley is the safest area in the entire borough. This survey is a sham and those who produced it have done much damage to the future prospects of the community, especially at a time when its local schools are performing so well and its network of support services are developing fast. I reject whatever has clouded the LibDem thinking in my constituency. They even try to give the impression it is not a Lib Dem Council that runs local service provision. Come on Lib Dems, get real, the people deserve better consideration.