Letter from Parliament

Date published: 09 January 2008

I hope that 2008 sees everyone fulfilling their potential. My new year was spoilt by the news that my sister’s mother-in law Anne Grumbridge died over the weekend. She will be well known to many people in the Tweedale Street area and to older members of the Catholic Club where both she and her late husband Paddy were members. I remember in the 1990’s she came to my school in Oldham to do some supply teaching. She was an excellent teacher in the old school. Her funeral is Friday (10 January) at St John the Baptist on Maclure Road.

Public Sector pay has been very much in the news this week. On Wednesday, the Government tabled amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill to prevent Prision Officers from going on strike. At the moment there is a voluntary agreement but the Prison Officers Association have given notice of their intention of withdrawing from the agreement from May. I know from talking to Councillor Irene Davidson that Prison Officers feel very strongly about the way their pay and conditions have been handled by the government. Personally I very much regret the way the government are using Public Sector workers pay as a way of controlling inflation. Many public sector workers are poorly paid and the government should not be interfering with established arrangements for public sector pay. That said, there is no way that I can vote for MPs to have a massive pay rise (deserved or not) when other less well paid workers are not getting a deserved rise. On the 24 January therefore I will be voting against the recommendations of the Senior Salary Review Board.

Events in Kenya and Pakistan have also been in the news recently. I feel for what is happening, having many friends in these countries. It is sad when political differences divide along tribal lines. My office has been in touch with Prem Joseph about his wife Elizabeth and have offered my support. The good news is that she is set to arrive back in Rochdale by the end of the month.  Many people with relatives in Pakistan will be similarly concerned about what is happening there. The decision to postpone the elections following the death of Benazir Bhutto was the right one. I hope that, unlike Kenya, elections there pass off peacefully. 

The regeneration of the Town Centre is a key priority for 2008. In the next few weeks we should get government approval for a new bus station and work on the new shopping centre is continuing. Getting more facilities in the town centre is in my view a priority. That includes BOTH a new Leisure Centre and an Arts Centre.

Back in the late sixties the opportunity to provide an Arts Centre in the area around what is the Memorial Gardens was blocked by public protest. My former ward predecessor, former Liberal Councillor Walter Ridway, led the fight then. I am delighted therefore that Councillor Dale Mulgrew is leading the fight for an Arts Centre at the back of the Town Hall.  A task force of all local interest groups made up of arts and music groups will have a role in working up these vital proposals.

On Wednesday, I met up with our new Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg.  I am pleased to have been promoted and my new job will cover work, welfare reform, and disability employment.  I have also been appointed to the new position of "Communities adviser" to Nick as Leader.  Nick has made a good start to the job – in his first Prime Minister’s Questions he tackled Gordon Brown on the dramatic increase in fuel prices.

I have written an Early Day Motion (EDM) requesting that the Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Committee considers the growing problems of fuel poverty.

Finally, last weekend was the Orthodox Christmas so may I wish all our Ukrainian and other eastern constituents a happy Christmas. I am due to attend the traditional Ukrainian Holly Supper at the Ukrainian Club.