Labour
Norden Ward
I am very pleased to be the Labour candidate for the local election in Norden and I will work hard to represent all the people in Norden. I will not make half-hearted promises that cannot be delivered and I will deliver if I can and say so if I cannot.
Norden has always had two or three Conservative councillors. It is time for a change and I will offer a real alternative and a different political perspective to addressing the many local issues in and around Norden which have remained unresolved by Conservative ward councillors for many years.
The Environment of Norden
The expansion of wind farms around Norden has been a major concern to the community. I share these concerns and believe that Norden has already got its fair share of turbines.
The Labour Party in Norden is campaigning to protect and enhance our environment. The Conservatives have weakened and centralised the planning laws so that the greenbelt around Norden is threatened. I am ready to challenge any planning requests that imperil our greenbelt or the rights of householders. If elected, I will work hard to protect our community from the worst excesses of unplanned development and from decisions taken centrally.
Norden Labour party and I are opposed to plans to allow fracking all over the North West. This will have a devastating impact on our countryside and communities and as a fossil fuel only adds to the serious problem of climate change.
The Family
Families in Norden have been worried about the cost of childcare and the fact that their children are leaving University with large debts. I am pleased that Labour has promised to expand free childcare from 15 to 25 hours for working parents and will introduce wrap around childcare from 8am to 6pm in primary schools. Paternity leave will also be doubled to four weeks. Rochdale Council has protected the family centre in Norden from the savage Conservative cuts to public services and I am pleased Labour will restore the role of Sure Start centres as family hubs. I believe it is right for all children in Norden’s schools to be taught by a fully qualified teacher and Labour’s plans for education will ensure this. Finally students will have their tuition fees reduced to £6,000 a year to help reduce the amount of debt that they will leave University with.
Norden’s health
The perilous state of the NHS resulting directly from the Coalition’s top down reorganisation affects everyone in Norden. Labour’s commitment to the NHS will enable, for example, 8,000 more GPs to be recruited to ease waiting times and it will help our local surgeries to recruit doctors. More people in Norden now require care at home and Labour will recruit 5,000 new home-care workers and extend the limited time imposed on social care visits at the moment.
The Community of Norden
There are several issues that affect everyone in Norden. If elected I will work hard to deal with these and as a result everyday life will be improved.
With your support I will work hard to protect and develop the community of Norden.
I hope that you will vote for me on Thursday 7 May, so that I can speak up and represent ALL the residents of Norden, Ashworth, Birtle, Caldershaw and Red Lumb.
It’s time for a historic change in Norden, elect a labour councillor for the first time.
Thank you.
Ruth Yasmeen.
Twitter@ryasmeen12