Category Archives: Lib Dem (local)

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26 Feb 2016

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Affordable and Social Housing, Democracy, Lib Dem (local)

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Nick Clegg lambasts Cameron and Osborne: no social housing because Labour voters live in them an Tories rig rules to stay in power

“George Osborne and David Cameron blocked plans to build more social housing because it would “produce more Labour voters”, Nick Clegg has claimed,

According to the former deputy prime minister, the chancellor and prime minister rejected repeated Lib Dem attempts to get more money to build homes for people on low incomes.

Clegg quoted the chancellor and prime minister in an interview with The Independent today as telling him: “All it does is produce more Labour voters.”

The former Lib Dem leader also said Osborne blocked his attempts to expand childcare provision for two-year-olds for poorer families in favour of offering 30 hours of free childcare for older children as it would score a political victory over Ed Miliband.

Clegg claims the chancellor told him at the time: “All we want to do is to shoot Labour’s fox”.

Labour MP Jess Phillips MP told The Huffington Post UK: “Nick Clegg complaining about a Tory government which he propped up for five years would be funny were it not so serious for the millions of working people who have suffered at the hands of him and David Cameron.

“That said, amidst all the self-serving bluster Nick Clegg has stumbled upon one truth: the Tories are trying to rig the rules of the game in their favour.

“Whether its attacks on opposition funding or changing constituency boundaries to help themselves, David Cameron’s is a government which puts its own interests before the country and it’s Britain that is paying the price.”

In the interview, Clegg also accused the Conservative Party of “rigging the rules” in its favour in such a way that could lead to a Tory “one-party state”.

He said: “If you look at the way the Conservatives seek to hobble and neuter Westminster, the bullying swagger with which they treat the BBC, the general air of hubris, there is a feeling that politics is being reduced to the whims and mood swings of one political party. That is not healthy.

“A combination of US-style game playing by the Conservatives and Labour’s self-indulgence is conspiring to leave millions of British voters completely voiceless.”

His criticism comes as officials have announced details of how the UK’s electoral map is to be re-drawn, but an analysis of the Boundary Commission’s proposals suggest it could cost the Labour Party 10 MPs to the Conservatives at the next election.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/26/george-osborne-didnt-want-to-build-houses-that-produce-labour-voters-claims-nick-clegg_n_9324920.html

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31 Jul 2015

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Austerity cuts, Devolution, East Devon Tories, General Election, Hugo Swire, Lib Dem (local), Police (local), Rural communities

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Is it time the West Country had its own party!

Is the West Country being best served by either Conservative or Labour or Liberal Democrat national parties? Should we be following the SNP by attempting to look after ourselves after being overlooked and penalised in just about every major area of life?

A correspondent writes:

NHS
The decision was taken by the NHS CCG last Thursday to axe beds from both Ottery and Axminster hospitals, together with the minor injuries units at Seaton and Sidmouth.

An article in The Times in June 2015[1] reports that ‘patients in the countryside are left at a “severe disadvantage” by an NHS funding system that is skewed towards cities.’ It further states, ‘There’s diminishing availability of district nurses not because there are fewer of them but because they can do less if they travel further.’

Perhaps a report[2] by The King’s Fund, April 2013, entitled “Improving the allocation of health resources in England” can throw some light on the matter.

1. Oxford and London are “relatively over-funded compared with the rest of England”.

2. ‘In the mid-1990s, a decision was taken not to apply an updated weighting for need across all services, in particular not applying it to community health services.’

3. ‘The materially more significant political motivation is that all political parties have abided by the unwritten rule that no area should receive a real-terms cut in NHS funding as a result of resource allocation decisions. The political fallout from this would be immense and no party has had the courage to take such decisions.’

Education

Another important area where Devon receives insufficient funding relates to education. An article in the Western Morning News (WMN) of 13th March 2014, was headed ‘Westcountry schools get £23m extra next year to tackle under-funding.[3]

‘Education Minister and Somerset MP David Laws announces the money, available for 2015/16 was the “biggest step towards fairer schools funding in a decade”.’ The article later states, ‘The hand-out will act as a “bridge” until a new formula is developed to be introduced after the election in 2016, Mr Laws said.’

‘The South West in particular has been a long-standing loser. Devon sits sixth from bottom in a national league table of 150 education authorities in terms of funding.’

Rail Transport

This year, the WMN reported[4] (6th January 2015) ‘Trains serving the Westcountry are the oldest of any inter-city fleet in the country, figures have revealed against claims of massive under-investment in the region’s railways.’

‘Since the collapse of the rail line at Dawlish, critics have pointed to the chronic lack of rail investment in the South West. There has been growing criticism the response has been too feeble, with the promise of a review into an additional Dartmoor line the only clear pledge to date.’

Police

Finally, an article this week in the WMN of 20th July 2015[5] entitled ‘Scandalous divide between police funding’ states ‘Police in Devon and Cornwall receive less than half the funding per person enjoyed by forces in the capital, new figures reveal, as politicians continue their campaign for fair funding of rural services.’

‘Mr Hogg said these numbers revealed “the in-built metropolitan bias” of the current funding system.’

“The information that my office researchers have uncovered is scandalous. It is no wonder that policing is so stretched in Devon and Cornwall when Government funding is so unfair,” he said.’

Anyone else spot a trend here? The Westcountry and Devon in particular have been systematically denied adequate funding.

Now the government has announced a further round of swingeing cuts. How are they to be meted out? As our region has suffered historically from unfair funding formulas, just how does the government intend to implement these cuts in Devon?

The questions to ask are:

1) Why has our region been denied adequate funding in so many areas for so long?

2) When will Devon receive its fair share?

For example, if only the NHS in Devon had received proper funding, would the CCG have decided to axe beds or MIUs in local hospitals?

References:

1 http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/health/news/article4478425.ece
2 http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/improving-allocation-health-resources-england
3 http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Westcountry-schools-23m-year-tackle-funding/story-20805848-detail/story.html
4 http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/West-s-inter-city-trains-oldest-country/story-25812028-detail/story.html
5 http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Devon-Cornwall-Police-receive-50-funding/story-26932344-detail/story.html

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7 May 2015

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Claire Wright, General Election, Hugo Swire, Lib Dem (local)

Hugo Swire did not vote in East Devon

As he does not have a home in the constituency.

Maybe if he had he could have considered voting for someone who really lives here, which would have cut his choice to Lib Dem or local-born, raised and raising her own family here, Independent Claire Wright.

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5 May 2015

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Claire Wright, General Election, Lib Dem (local)

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Former Senior Lib Dem urges local Lib Dems to vote for Claire Wright

From the blog today of Mike Simpson, who stood against Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt in the 2010 Parliamentary elections (our highlighting):

Five years ago I was the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate against Jeremy Hunt, the Tory Minister who then became Health Secretary, coming second but by a wide margin. I did not expect to overturn his large majority but I DID expect that the Liberal Democrats would keep their word on tuition fees and that in any coalition with the Tories they would secure a change in the electoral voting system. To say I was disappointed with what happened is an understatement. The election this week will demonstrate just how much damage has been done to the Party I believed in. The betrayal of students and of the electorate in general has left a very bitter taste for many of the 6.8 million people who voted for them. Current projections are that the number voting for the Lib Dems will reduce to below 4 million on Thursday.

I grew up in Sidmouth in East Devon and went to school in Ottery St Mary. I still have family living there and I love this beautiful corner of the West Country. I have been watching the election campaign there and have been very impressed with the campaign of one particular candidate who appears to be a strong antidote to the cynical and deceitful manipulations which have so badly corrupted British politics in the last few years. She is the Independent Claire Wright and she has an excellent chance of beating the sitting Tory MP in what has always been a true blue constituency. Even the Daily Telegraph think so!

Claire is a strong advocate for local community hospitals. She will fight for better support for carers including home based care and respite and for improvements to underfunded mental health services. Her support for small businesses includes a demand for fairer business rates for small traders.

Probably the biggest reason for her growing popularity is that she has a strong record of independent campaigning in favour of the local community at a time when the Tory-controlled East Devon District Council (EDDC) has ridden roughshod over the concerns of local people as exemplified by their  foolhardy plans to move their headquarters at vast expense. On her website Claire says she will:

  • Pressure EDDC to scrap its risky, wasteful and expensive relocation plans
  • Insist that EDDC listens to local people and carries out genuine consultation when change is proposed
  • Campaign to amend the National Planning Policy Framework, so it is less about economic growth and more about balanced communities
  • Listen to local people’s views on protection for the countryside and nature
  • Hold Conservative-led EDDC to account for its failure to achieve a Local Plan acceptable to a planning inspector
  • Campaign for new rules for developers to properly recompense communities for development

I admire and applaud Claire Wright’s independent spirit and community based campaigning and I am therefore urging all those who would normally vote Liberal Democrat or Labour to give your support to Claire on Thursday.

https://shakinguppolitics.wordpress.com/2015/05/04/claire-wright-deserves-to-win-in-east-devon-this-thursday/

 

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26 Mar 2015

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Claire Wright, General Election, Hugo Swire, Lib Dem (local)

Sidmouth Herald on Hugo Swire’s “jokes” and opponents comments

Swire’s benefits gag is no joke to election rivals

Hugo Swire’s election rivals have called on him to apologise after he was secretly filmed joking about welfare claimants at a Tory fundraiser.
The East Devon MP made the comments at the Cabout welfare claimants at a Tory fundraiser.

The East Devon MP made the comments at the Conservative ‘black and white’ fundraising ball last month, which raised millions for their election campaign.

The footage was part of a Channel 4 Dispatches ‘sting’ into election funding screened on Monday.

Before a wealthy audience, Mr Swire, a former Sotheby’s director, led an auction at the Grosvenor House hotel in Mayfair.

Mr Swire was trying to persuade wealthy donors to bid more, and at one point said: “£60,000 … Ian, persuade him … He’s not on benefits is he? Well if he is, then he can afford it … £55,000?”

Mr Swire told the Journal this week: “This was an off-the-cuff dig to raise money for the party. It was not an attack on the welfare state.”
East Devon’s Labour candidate, Steve Race, said: “These comments show just how out of touch he, and this government, is. I’ve been to a food bank, one of three operating in East Devon, and I know that poverty is no laughing matter.

“Ordinary people talk to me about the struggles they have to pay the bills.
“We need real solutions not these callous comments from an MP who thinks poverty is worthy of a cheap joke at a fundraiser with his millionaire pals. I hope Hugo Swire does the decent thing and issues a public apology”

Liberal Democrat candidate Stuart Mole said: “I was appalled by the sight of a wealthy Conservative minister mocking people on benefits at an exclusive Mayfair ball.

“He insults some of his most vulnerable constituents and shows the disconnect between some politicians and the people they seek to represent. I think he should apologise.”

Independent candidate Claire Wright said: “What is funny about people who face a daily battle trying to survive on benefits?

“It is not funny for those who struggle to scrape together the funds in an attempt to make ends meet.

“It shows him in a poor and callous light. His comments reflect a worrying lack of compassion that characterises this government. Mr Swire should apologise for his crass remarks.”

UKIP candidate Andrew Chapman said the comments were in ‘extremely poor taste’.

He added: “Mr Swire’s joke, albeit in private company, shows just how little people in the ‘Westminster bubble’ understand about the realities of life in the UK.”

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23 Mar 2015

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Democracy, East Devon Tories, EDDC, Lib Dem (local)

Roll up, roll up: just a week left for politically-mindec councillors to get their names into the papers!

“Purdah” – the period when all serving councillors (and their supporting officers) have to stop placing party politically-targeted stories and photographs about their party-politically motivated actions in newspapers, journals etc when they involve using council resources and not their party resources.

No more “politically sensitive” press releases, no more pictures taken by press officers of our local majority party councillors doing what they do best .. er .. though not sure what that is!

Expect a raft of mutual back-patting stories and press releases of local do-gooding in this week’s local and regional newspapers!

Once again, here is our guide to what can and cannot be done during this period.

The first question to ask is ‘could a reasonable person conclude that you were spending public money to influence the outcome of the election?’ In other words it must pass the ‘is it reasonable’ test. When making your decision, you should consider the following:
You should not:

• produce publicity on matters which are politically controversial
• make references to individual politicians or groups in press releases
• arrange proactive media or events involving candidates
• issue photographs which include candidates
• supply council photographs or other materials to councillors or political group staff unless you have verified that they will not be used for campaigning purposes
• continue hosting third party blogs or e-communications
• help with national political visits (as this would involve using public money to support a particular candidate or party). These should be organised by political parties with no cost or resource implications for the council.

http://www.local.gov.uk/documents/10180/6869714/L15-91+Unpacking+Purdah_04.pdf/c80978b9-dc0b-4eee-9f81-49bd47afeb2d

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27 Feb 2015

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Development Management Committee, East Devon Electoral/Returning Officer, Environment (local), Lib Dem (local), Planning System, West End: WestClyst BroadClyst/ Pinhoe

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Tribute to Broadclyst Councillor who fought for years against inappropriate development

The Full Council meeting at Knowle this week, opened with a warm tribute to District and County Councillor Derek Button, who died last month. Representing the people of Broadclyst, he was strongly opposed to the massive development nearby at Cranbrook. And many Councillors listening to the acknowledgements of Derek Button’s dedication to his electors’ concerns, will have recalled his courage in standing up against what he saw as irregular planning matters. He was one of the three Liberal Democrat members of the Development Management Committee (DMC) who temporarily resigned in protest over alleged procedural irregularities in the Waldron’s Farm case. The Ombudsman found no evidence of anything untoward, however, and the controversy lingers on. More info here: https://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/waldrons-farm-application-stirs-bitter-memories/

And those following the Task and Finish Forum set up to do an “in-depth report” into EDDC’s relationship with the group then known as the East Devon Business Forum, would also remember Cllr Button’s part in trying to progress this so-called Business TAFF, which never pursued its original aim. See the voting recorded here: http://saveoursidmouth.com/2013/03/29/planning-issues-are-within-the-scope-of-the-business-taff/

As Council Leader Paul Diviani put it, in a tribute in the Midweek Herald (27 Jan 2015), Derek Button’s colleagues “will mourn the loss of a good man”. http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDEQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.midweekherald.co.uk%2Fnews%2Ftributes_paid_to_respected_east_devon_district_councillor_1_3935704&ei=CGHwVOn3KML3UoWHgYgL&usg=AFQjCNESXXA6c5muF1a_V-2EscfoUkUD7w&bvm=bv.87269000,d.d24

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24 Feb 2015

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Claire Wright, General Election, Hugo Swire, Lib Dem (local), UKIP (local)

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Claire Wright’s odds on winning the General Election rise enormously as those of Hugo Swire and UKIP fall!

Ladbrokes odds last week and this week:

Hugo Swire last week 1/12 now 1/8

Claire Wright (who started at 66/1) last week 12/1 now 6/1

UKIP unchanged at 12/1

Lib Dem unchanged at 50/1

Labour, Greens unchanged at 100/1

To make a bet go to Ladbrokes/Politics/General Election/Constituencies/Devon/Devon East (NOT East Devon)

If you want to make a bet REMEMBER: bet responsibly and you must be over 18

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17 Feb 2015

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Claire Wright, Hugo Swire, Lib Dem (local), UKIP (local)

“Free Vote and Recall Pledge”

The Free Vote and Recall Pledge

http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/the-free-vote-and-voluntary-recall-alliance-pledge

At present, an MP can change parties, vote against everything he or she said that they stood for before election – they can’t even be removed if they have done something criminal and been jailed for more than 12 months!

“Why are our MPs told how to vote by the party whips on most bills that go through the House of Commons????

David Cameron MP gave us the answer: “[A Bill] gets sent to the House of Commons where it’s debated without diligence–because automatic guillotines cut time short. It’s passed without proper scrutiny–because standing committees for Public Bills are stuffed with puppets of the Government. And it’s voted through without much of a whisper–because MPs have been whipped to follow the party line”.

The above quotation from a party leader whilst in opposition, shows that political parties are stern critics of the whipping system in parliament when in opposition, but then use exactly the same methods themselves when elected to government.”

This Party Whips system which is used to enforce party decisions on our elected MPs, combined with the fact that the membership of all major parties has been reduced to very small numbers, has left our democracy locked into a situation where a very small elite of party activists have control over our political parties, our government and our country.

This is the Pledge that ALL candidates of ALL parties are being asked to sign:

The Free Vote Voluntary Recall Alliance Pledge (FVVRA)
As a prospective Parliamentary candidate for the [your] constituency in the Westminster Parliament General election, I herby give this pledge on my word of honour to the voters of the aforesaid constituency.

I pledge that if elected to be your Member of Parliament in the election on 7th May 2015, I will pursue the aims and policies presented to the voters in my manifesto. I will maintain a continuous review of these policies in light of any change of circumstances that will affect the viability or desirability of these policies during the Parliamentary term and inform my constituents of any change in my support for any of these policies. I will work diligently to advance the interests of the people of my constituency, my region and my country and I affirm and promise that all of my voting decisions in the Westminster Parliament will be cast as a Free Vote (not on the instruction or direction from my party or party whips) and I will not abstain from voting in any parliamentary division.

I confirm that as your Member of Parliament, I will be guided by the Seven Principles of Public Life “selflessness, accountability, objectivity, integrity, honesty, openness and leadership”. as drawn up by the Nolan Committee and endorsed by parliament. I also confirm that I will always represent the interests of my constituents and my country above the interests of my party, the Executive or any self interest groups of Lobbyists or Special Advisers who may exist inside or outside of parliament.

If elected, I will expect to be personally judged as your Member of Parliament on my voting decisions in Parliament, my service to my constituency, region and country and my adherence to the “Seven Principals of Public Life”. If at any time, I am presented with verifiable evidence through the FVVRA Standards Committee that I have broken this pledge to my constituents. I will resign my post as your Member of Parliament and initiate a new constituency election.

Having signed this the FVVRA Pledge myself, I will support the right of any other prospective Member of Parliament or present Member of Parliament to adopt and make this pledge to the people of our United Kingdom.

Signed __________________

Date

Witnessed ________________

Date