The historic victory for the Lib Dem motion in the House of Commons yesterday was a victory for justice.

Whilst it was a good day for the Lib Dems it was an even better one for the Gurkhas and justice for people that have been prepared to lay down their lives for this country and its freedom across the generations.

It was also a great day for Nick Clegg who said that, “This is an historic victory for the Gurkhas who have served our country so bravely.

“This Government has now lost its moral authority. From the first moment I challenged Gordon Brown on this over a year ago, he didn’t understand that there was a simple moral principle at stake.

“People who are willing to die for our country, should be allowed to live in our country.

“The Government must listen to Parliament and scrap these shameful rules immediately and grant justice without conditions to all retired Gurkhas.”

This was the first occasion that the Government has been defeated on an opposition motion.

Vic D’Albert added “Whilst we must now wait for the Governments response, one thing is clear they have to address this issue now or lose all moral credibility to lead this country. If they cannot accept basic principles of justice then they shouldn’t be running the country.”

“It’s a shame Bury North MP, David Chaytor couldn’t bring himself to support the Gurkha’s cause unlike some of his colleagues.Yesterday was all about justice for the Gurkha’s, I hope he’ll reflect on his position and ultimately come to recognise the deeply felt principle at the heart of the Lib Dem stance on this.”

I attended the associations latest meeting last night, along with representatives of Six Town Housing and the Police.

It was very assuring to hear from the Police of a number of positive improvements taking place on the estate, especially following a crack down on anti-social behaviour.

In addition the TRA is pushing ahead with its own plans. Starting with a joint Councillors surgery on Saturday May 16th from 2pm to 4pm at Heaton Park School. Ostensibly this is being run as a sort of tea and cakes afternoon and will also have a raffle. Councillors, TRA reps, Police and Six Town Housing will all be on hand to offer advice or at least a cup of tea! All welcome.

Meanwhile a suggestion and problem box has been installed at the school for residents to let us know anonymously abut issues or make suggestions for the TRA to pick up on.

In addition a number of activities are now being planned for the summer hols, so watch this space!

For those that may be concerned about Swine flu and travel to Mexico etc please go to the page on the left menu for advice on travelling to Mexico and how to obtain more information about the virus and its symptoms.

A successful wind farm close to the Lake District national park is one of the sites recently approved by the Government for a new generation of nuclear power plants.

The site at Kirksanton in Cumbria - home to the Haverigg turbines – was one of Britain’s first wind farms and is also one of the most efficient.

The site’s owners, local environmental groups and the British Wind Energy Association have spoken out at the lack of early consultation and the speed at which nuclear plants are moving through the planning process.

You can read the full story in the Guardian: http://tr.im/jUbp

NO TO NUCLEAR POWER!

PS Remember: you can help our campaign against nuclear power by encouraging people you know to sign the petition at http://ourcampaign.org.uk/no2nuclear

Local residents packed into St.Margarets Church House in Prestwich tonight to let local councillors know their views on the proposed development by Manchester City Council of a commercially operated sports zone at the St.Margarets corner of the park.

Over 80 residents attended the meeting chaired by Cllr Tim Pickstone and assisted by Cllr Vic D’Albert. Sedgley Lib Dem councillors Andrew Garner and Ann Garner were also present as was the Vicar of St.Margarets, The Reverend Debbie Plummer.

Cllr Pickstone outlined the proposals that have led to the meeting and that as councillors we needed to know the views of constituents.

The vast majority of residents were opposed to the proposals although there were some strong supporters in favour of the proposals.

The main reasons for opposition cited by residents were:

• The impact on local traffic - especially on St.Margarets Road
• The impact on parking in the area - with the fear that many visitors will try and park in side streets.
• Increased traffic late into the evening
• Noise and light pollution (floodlights) in the evening from the sports zone activities
• Loss of historic public open parkland

Cllr Vic D’Albert told the meeting, “What I struggle with on this issue is that when the park was first being proposed for refurbishment and regeneration years ago the Councils consultants told us that he aim was to restore the park to its original splendour, to restore the “vistas” of the original park. I fail to see how a sports zone fits in with those plans. Its a difficult issue, on the one hand we desperately need 21st century sports facilities in this area, but we also want to retain our park. On the balance I think its wrong - it boils  down to location, location, location.”

Voluteers were sought at the close of the meeting to collect signatures for the campaign against the plans and also to form a small action group to lead the campaign.

Remember you can sign the petition online at www.campaigns.libdems.org.uk/saveheatonpark or via the community web site www.myprestwich.org.uk

I had the pleasure of attending the annual Simister Fare and St.Georges Day parade yesterday.

Despite no band (apparently the plague has hit Besses O’th Barn band - get well soon),  and worsening weather, it was its usual success. Lady Wilton Hall was packed to the rafters  with lots of stalls including some fine home baking on display. Thankfully it was also packed with villagers as well so much needed funds will have been raised. The traditional crowning of the Simister Rose Queen also took place outside St.Georges Church which also played host to more stalls. With a bouncy castle and other outdoor stalls and entertainments there was something for everyone.

Congratulations to the organisers for another successful and enjoyable event. 

This was the week that…

·         The Budget was unveiled to severe criticism, revealing the dire state of the nation’s finances [more]

·         Labour broke their election manifesto promise by raising the top rate of income tax to 50% [more]

·         The Education Minister and the General Secretary of the Labour Party were drawn into the email smears scandal [more]; [more]

·         The Education Minister faced further criticism for allegedly ‘sexing up’ evidence given to an inquiry [more]

·         Francis Maude became the latest Conservative politician to become embroiled in an expenses scandal [more]

·         A former Labour MP resigned from the party, citing the culture of spin as her reason [more]

·         The Lib Dems new tax proposals were well received by influential political figures [more]

·         Unison, a Labour supporting union, attacked the government over their “childish venom” [more]

·         Allegations of ballot-box tampering threw the selection of a Labour parliamentary candidate into further controversy [more]

·         A leading think-tank said that the government’s income tax rises could lose the Treasury money [more] 

Over the last week we learnt that…

·         Unemployment has hit a new high of 2.1m [more]

·         The national debt has crept over 50% of GDP [more]

·         Deflation has arrived in Britain for the first time in 50 years [more]

·         The IMF are far less optimistic about the economy than Alistair Darling [more]

·         1 in 10 households are struggling to pay their council tax this year [more]

·         The care system is “catastrophic” for vulnerable children a report concludes [more]

·         The number of burglaries has risen for the second quarter in a row [more]

·         UK youth are some of the unhappiest in Europe [more]

Over the last week the Liberal Democrats…

·         Launched tax proposals including a pledge to cut income tax £700 for low and middle income earners [more]

·         Attacked the Budget as “a political supermarket sweep of random promises” [more]

·         Reacted to the Budget’s proposals for housing [more], broadband networks [more], car scrappage [more], energy [more] pensions [more], child poverty [more] and college funding [more]

·         Gained council seats from Labour, the Conservatives and an Independent in a spectacular week of council by-election results north and south of the border [more]; [more]

·         Nick Clegg rejected Gordon Brown’s proposals for reforming the system of MPs expenses [more]

·         Warned that the UK was facing a “credit crunch crime wave” [more]

·         Demanded that David Miliband corrects the Parliamentary record over torture allegations [more]

·         Led a debate calling on the government to provide greater support to armed forces veterans [more]

·         Criticised banks for charging exorbitant credit card interest rates [more]

·         Called for greater support for the children of nuclear test veterans [more]

 I have attached the latest report from our local Prestwich neighbourhood Police.

During March there were 74 violent acts against the person, Reported crime would appear to be up on last year with 441 incidents reported in March compared to 539 for the 3 months from January to March 2008.

Similarly anti-social behaviour incidents seem to be on the rise with 355 reported incidents in March.

Sergeant Campbells update is below meanwhile you can read the full Crime and ASB report for March here:police-report-march-09.pdf 

Sergeant Campbell writes:

“Hope you all had a peaceful Passover and Easter Break.I am pleased to attach the latest Prestwich Neigbourhood Policing Team and a contact details of all my Prestwich Neighbourhood Police Team.

I can tell you that the graffiti offender who committed over 60 offences throughout Prestwich recently has been caught and legal proceedings are in progress.

May I remind you that as we approach the nicer weather please take time to keep your property secure.  Don’t leave doors and windows open, this just invites burglaries. 

It is fact that reported burglaries increase during the nicer weather due to home owners own insecurities during the summer.

Let’s work together to fight crime.“

Sergeant Ian Campbell

Telephone 0161 856 4528/9 (Answer Phone Facility)
e-mail : prestwich.npt@gmp.police.uk

Don’t forget the local police are represented at meetings of Prestwich Area Partnership at which you have an opportunity to raise issues directly. The next meeting of the Partnership is May 14th from 6.30pm at Heaton Park Primary School, Cuckoo Lane.

Responding to Alistair Darling’s Budget, Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg said:  
 
“Today we got a pick and mix Budget of recycled announcements from a government skilled in raising people’s hopes but incompetent at actually delivering help. 

“This Budget is a political supermarket sweep of random promises, without even a hint of a plan or any likelihood the promises will be put into practice. 

“Britain’s taxes are too heavy on those who can least afford it. And too easy to avoid for those who know how.  

“The Liberal Democrats would get practical help to people who are struggling and cut the vast majority of people’s Income Tax bills by £700, paid for by taking aggressive action to clamp down on all the loopholes and exemptions that benefit the richest people and biggest businesses. 

“With a shocking deficit this year of £175bn we need a national debate about what the state can and cannot afford in the future. 

“But Labour is out of ideas and out of steam. 

“Today they have condemned us to years of unemployment and a decade of debt. 

“The country deserves something different.” 

Read a summary of the party’s Economic Recovery Plan at www.LibDems.org.uk/RecoveryPlan

You should be able to read Nick Clegg’s Budget response in the House of Commons at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmtoday/cmdebate/home.htm from around 5pm today

TAX
• Income tax for those earning more than £150,000 to rise to 50% from April 2010• Tax relief on pensions to be reduced for people on more than £150,000 a year from April 2011

(source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8011882.stm)

So today we finally saw the death of dear old prudence, once held so dear as a treasury principle by Gordon Brown. The chancellor weighed in and with his second budget gambled the future prosperity and economic fortunes on a roll of the dice and a spin of the wheel.

The big big gamble is that he tells us the economy will start to improve (grow) by the end of the year and much of what he is putting in place is designed to reap the rewards of growth from 2010/11 - so precious little support for those struggling in the hear and now.

The second gamble is that he is trying to maintain spending at reasonable levels through massive record level borrowing, both in the hope of a speedy turn round in the economy but also in the hope of turning round Labours fortunes especially at the next General election.

Well I suppose now we own most of the banks we should be able to borrow plenty, but the sums just don’t add up. He has tried to please environmentalists - perhaps successfuly re:wind farms, not so with car scrappage scheme, and no Green tax switch. No easing of the tax burden with personal taxation and precious little else.

He has spun the wheel, but he can’t tell where it will stop. However it will cost us dearly when it does. It became clear today that this Labour Government is as bankrupt on ideas to get out of this mess as they are financially. But they are prepared to gamble everything on getting re-elected . Whoever gets elected next May/June - the first budget in a new parliament would be very interesting indeed.