• Search

Letter from Parliament

Letter from Westminster – Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen MP

This week the House of Commons has elected a new Speaker to succeed Michael Martin. Michael Martin was in my view much maligned by the media and the Westminster set.

We should be celebrating the fact that someone who left school at 15 and worked as a sheet metal worker can rise to the position of Speaker.

Date published: 24/06/2009

Jim Dobbin - Letter from Westminster

Jim Dobbin MP

This has been an extremely traumatic week in the House of Commons.

The expected leadership challenge to Gordon Brown, much hyped by the tabloid press, fizzled out like a damp squib......

Date published: 16/06/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

I have just returned from a relaxing week in France with my family. We had a great time and it gave me a chance to reflect on recent work in Parliament and to relax and enjoy some time with...

Date published: 01/06/2009

Letter from Parliament - Paul Rowen MP

Over thirty five years ago, one of my predecessors, Cyril Smith, famously described Westminster as the “…longest running farce in the West End”.

Tragically, in my view, events over the last few weeks have shown just how flawed our parliamentary democracy is. Like many people, I have been shocked at some of the claims for non existent mortgages, flipping homes or moat...

Date published: 26/05/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

My expenses claims are available for scrutiny. The sooner this process is regulated and clarified the better for all concerned, especially for the democratic system and Parliament.

It is...

Date published: 17/05/2009

Letter from Parliament – Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen MP

This week my work has had very much an education flavour.

Last Thursday night, I held a fundraiser at the India Lounge on Spotland Road to raise money towards building a Primary School...

Date published: 14/05/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin - Heywood & Middleton MP

Members of Parliament are under the spotlight on expenses’ claims and this will continue until the publication of receipts in July. Most MPs make claims within the present rules. However it...

Date published: 03/05/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

The Easter break is coming to an end. Whenever constituents see me in the constituency they naturally think I am on holiday. This is the impression that the tabloid press has painted over...

Date published: 20/04/2009

Letter from Parliament - Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen MP

Easter is a busy time though Parliament is in recess. During the first weekend at home I attended the Heartbeat Ball at the Town Hall. ...

Date published: 15/04/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

I think it is important to make sure that I tell people what is going on at Westminster as it affects people’s lives. This month some very important changes which I supported and voted for...

Date published: 07/04/2009

Letter from Parliament - Paul Rowen MP

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen

This week has been the last week Parliament has been sitting before the Easter recess and the legislative programme has been very light.

I’ve had two oral questions – the first to the...

Date published: 01/04/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin - Heywood & Middleton MP

I begin this week’s letter from Westminster with a plea for support for the campaign to help the Christie Cancer Charity get the £6.5million returned from the Financial Services...

Date published: 23/03/2009

Letter from Parliament – Paul Rowen MP

Over the last two weeks there have been two reports that paint a shocking picture of the way some of our most vulnerable people are treated. They are damming indictments of the managers and politicians involved in our caring services.

The first was Lord Laming’s report into the death of Baby P, the second the Health Commission's report into the running of Stafford Hospital....

Date published: 20/03/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

It was disappointing to see this Liberal Democrat council introduce a rate rise of 3.7% when inflation is running at 0.1%. They unanimously voted against Labour’s proposal for a rise of...

Date published: 10/03/2009

Letter from Parliament - Paul Rowen MP

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen

I have during the last couple of weeks been leading for the Liberal Democrats on the Welfare Reform Bill. During the committee stages of a bill members go through the proposed bill line by...

Date published: 04/03/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin

Jim Dobbin MP

The Liberal Democrat Budget will have been decided a couple of days before this article is printed in the local newspapers. The indications are that a council tax of 3.7% will be levied....

Date published: 03/03/2009

Letter from Parliament - Paul Rowen MP

Parliament has not been sitting this week but at the last Prime Minister’s Questions before the recess I asked the Prime Minister what steps the government had taken in making sure the allegations of war crimes in Gaza are fully investigated.

I was disappointed with the Prime Minister’s response....

Date published: 19/02/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

There is anger in Heywood and Middleton over the decision of the Lib Dem Group to prevent the three Heywood councillors representing their electorate on Heywood and Middleton Townships.

The Labour and Conservative groups both oppose this move....

Date published: 13/02/2009

Letter from Parliament – Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen MP

A couple of weeks ago I went to the open day organised by Care UK of the mobile CATS (Clinical Assessment and Treatment Services) units at the top of Yorkshire Street. These are five brand...

Date published: 04/02/2009

Letter from Parliament - Jim Dobbin MP

Jim Dobbin MP

At the Communities and Local Government Select Committee last week it was disclosed that the Local Authorities are sitting on £38 billion of reserves.

This probably confirms my...

Date published: 27/01/2009

Letter from Parliament – Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen MP

Barrack Obama's inauguration as President of the United States has obviously been the biggest news this week - worldwide. For a black man to become President of the most powerful democracy...

Date published: 22/01/2009

More News