Release of Michael Turner - 11:15 am, Mon 1st Mar 2010
I’m really pleased for Michael Turner and his family that he has been released from detention in Hungary.
His family, along with many supporters, have worked extremely hard campaigning for his release. I know at times they have been frustrated that I and others have not done more, and more quickly, to get Michael released.
As Michaels MP, I’ve done everything I can from supporting the campaign to contacting the relevant UK and Hungarian authorities on his behalf.
I’m delighted that he’s now free.
Week in Westminster - 11:07 am, Mon 1st Mar 2010
The main event for me in that week was the latest unemployment figures. Happily the headline rate of unemployment and youth unemployment fell for the second month in a row. There was an increase in numbers claiming jobseekers allowance but that is expected at this time of year. With job vacancies rising by 10% and redundancies continuing to fall the underlying trends are positive and a sign that Government action is working in minimising the unemployment effect of these tough economic times.
This has also been reinforced by the adjustment to the growth figures to show the economy grew by more than had previously been reported at the end of last year and the recent crime and teenage pregnancy statistics. As I’ve said before crime is falling. I don’t think it has ever fallen in a recession before, but on every single measure except bike theft crime fell – including violent crime. Similarly last week it was reported that teenage pregnancy fell significantly. If ever there was independent evidence that the Tories are wrong to talk down Britain and talk up “broken Britain” this is it. David Cameron yesterday talked about his “patriotic duty” – perhaps he should start by being proud of what the country is achieving!
Last week also had the latest attempt to smear Gordon Brown. I work closely with Gordon and have been with him during some very difficult political moments for him. I’ve never seen him bully anyone – cross? Yes; frustrated and impatient? Of course; challenging? Very much so. But never bullying, that is a serious slur suggesting that he set out to undermine and humiliate individuals and that is simply not credible from my experience. These attacks also suggest that the Tories claim that they would end “Punch and Judy politics” were empty promises and that this election campaign will be personal. I know the public want to see that change but that doesn’t appear to be the sort of change being offered by David Cameron.
More locally, there has been good movement on a number of issues.
As ever I spend a lot of time trying to protect services from council cutbacks and damaging decisions. I am still trying to get some progress on funding the Swanage railway, this needs movement from local councils and we’ll see where we get to. I am also confident that we have found a more permanent solution to protect the minor injuries unit at Swanage hospital following useful discussions on Friday. The Tories at Dorset council will decide the fate of James Day care home this week and we are meanwhile looking for other options to keep dementia care in the town.
In Weymouth and Portland we have a glimmer of progress on the womens ‘refuge. This has languished for a while a few tried to find a solution without informing the rest of us, apparently for political reasons. I am delighted that Weymouth Housing Forum have now taken the initiative to find new premises and funding on a non-political basis.
On Portland the controversy around the power plant and Portland Port continues. I am very clear that it must not proceed with the use of unsustainable fuel, especially from palm oil exploited at great cost to the environment and endangered species. I have been given reassurances from the Port and advised that there are conditions on the planning permission to ensure this happens, but I know suspicions remain. I was very disappointed at the way planning consent was given for the new supermarket on the island and now feel the same about this plant. This public debate should have happened before consent was given not after when it is much more difficult to get anything changed.
More positively the academy proposal appears to be continuing well. I am regularly in touch with the project and helping where I can to get to the next stage of approval, hopefully next month.
