Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

I begin by sending my sincere sympathy to the family of Jean Edwards from Middleton who died tragically of a heart attack on Thursday morning. Jean’s family have worked tirelessly with my office to successfully bring Jean home after she fell ill in Turkey. The travel insurance company eventually made a contribution on humanitarian grounds. There are some outstanding issues that we still have to deal with in the weeks ahead.

My view is that individuals taking out travel insurance should always check the small print and obscure clauses before they travel. The insurance industry needs to exhibit greater transparency and clarity towards its customers. The financial hardship to families and individuals cannot be underestimated.

Thankfully the people of Middleton continue to rally round Jean’s family which is much appreciated.

Each day brings fresh concerns about David Cameron’s proposals for the Conservative Party manifesto for the General Election in 2010. Conservative proposals for the business community would mean hardship for local businesses. Having opposed the government’s financial stimulus and the successful car scrapping scheme, they announced they would raise £4billion from taxes on business investment, abolish Regional Development Agencies which are supporting our local economy through investment and place the UK on the fringes of Europe. This would upset the CBI and the British workforce. The Conservatives’ estimate would impose increased tax on industry by £815 million in 2009/10.

They have also recently pledged to bring back hunting with dogs and scrap inheritance tax for the very rich. They don’t change do they?

Our Lib Dem Council continues to pursue some vicious cuts in adult care. My casework in this area is increasing weekly. I attended a lobby of staff and clients of H.G.Care, the only specialist provider in Rochdale, outside the Town Hall on Friday and it is obvious that this care service should be supported by the Council because of the specialist nature of their provision.

We are in difficult times and the recession has hit hard. However, I am confident that come the beginning of 2010, as the Chancellor has indicated, we will emerge and growth will begin to happen.

As Chairman of the All Party Group on Tranquilliser Addiction from prescription drugs, I agree with the removal of Professor David Nutt. His statements on cannabis and ecstasy were bizarre to say the least. My group has been in correspondence with him and I was not impressed with his views and his lack of concern for the 1.5 million tranquilliser addicts, nor his closeness to the pharmaceutical companies.

Scientists do get things wrong as we all know from the serious confusion caused by the measles vaccine which led to children not being vaccinated for fear of developing autism. This has led to an increase in cases of measles across the country.

On 18 October I attended the British Irish Assembly in Swansea where issues of Border security and the economy were debated. The Assembly Body exists to encourage dialogue between interested partners as part of the continuous Peace Process in Northern Ireland.

On the afternoon of 20 October I met with Archbishop Nicholls to discuss some very sensitive legislation that is in progress at the moment like The Assisted Dying Bill and the Equalities Bill.

I had a meeting with the new Fire Chief Steve McGurk at the Swinton HQ. He asked me to host a meeting at Westminster for all Greater Manchester MPs in the near future.

The production by Hey Kids in the Civic Centre this year was Footloose. Anyone who was present could not fail to be impressed with the quality of the entertainment on offer and the obvious talent and hard work of our local young people. Director Joanne Marshall and her team do a fantastic job. Congratulations, it was one of the best musicals I have seen.

Many congratulations also to Jack Lofthouse our Member of the Youth Parliament who visited the House of Commons on Friday 30 October. They debated in the Chamber in the presence of the Speaker. Young people like Jack Lofthouse are a credit to our generation. My office will support Jack during his year as MYP in any way we can.

On Saturday 31 October I visited the British Legion Poppy stall in the Middleton Shopping Centre a week before Remembrance Sunday. I shall be in Heywood this year.

On Saturday evening I attended the fundraiser for Jean Edwards held in the Lancashire fold Pub in Alkrington. The event was packed. I hope they raised plenty of funds for a very worthwhile cause.