As the Fusiliers march through Bury Town Centre, the Government has just announced a further deployment of 500 troops to Afghanistan, presumably as part of a deal with Obama who is expected to announce major troop increases tomorrow.

However after 8 years and thousands of deaths across the spectrum, this surely is the beginning of the end of the Afghanistan war - at least so far as direct western involvement is concerned.

There is much talk of starting to bring troops home by next christmas, so much will hang on the new strategy devised to finish the task. At last we are also seeing greater political pressure being applied to the Pakistani Government and the Afghan Government to take firmer action themselves to ensure that military gains can be sustained by political improvements. A must if the sub-continent isn’t to sink closer to widespread civil war and unrest following troop withdrawals.

So with about 9500 troops and more equipment (at last) we must see through the coming campaign BUT it is important that we learn the lessons of Iraq and start developing the exit strategy now and start planning for the support that the Afghan Government will require after we have gone. Support that enables the Afghans to develop a sustainable economy and maintain security and peaceful coexistence.

We owe it to all who have lost their lives or been seriously injured or disabled to ensure we have that exit strategy and support plan in place. Failure to do so would be a damning indictment of this Government.

Last night I attended the first campaign meeting of the Save Our Suite Campaign group formed to fight Bury Councils proposals that threaten the future of the Longfield Suite.

At last nights meeting we essentially agreed what needs to be done to take the campaign forward and volunteers agreed to carry out certain tasks on behalf of the group.

The first key event is the LINK event to form a humain chain around the Longfield Suite to let Bury Council know exactly how local people feel about the Longfield Suite.

The Link is on sunday, December 6th at 12.30pm.

Now a campaign group has been established further activities are being planned which we hope local people will join in with. It is essential as many local people as possible get involved to fight for our community centre, otherwise Bury Conservatives will damage it forever.

Last night the probable timetable set by Bury Conservatives to decide on the fate of the civic venues was also outlined which takes us up til next March at earliest. The Save Our Suite Campaign group pledged to fight the proposals all the way - Join us and make sure Prestwich keeps its community centre.

Keep an eye on postings here and in the local press. For more information visit the web site at www.saveoursuite.com . Also join the facebook Save the Longfield Suite page and tell everyone you know to back the campaign.

The Conservatives are treading dodgy ground indeed with their claims that the Government is effectively funding Islamic schools connected with extremist organisations.

Childrens education and Islam, never mind extremism, are not the areas to be weighing in with irresponsible unconsidered, not to mention unsubstantiated claims. 

However, whilst I do not support the extremist organisation concerned there are clearly questions that have to be asked. Firstly they claim to be a registered political party. If so the organisation although extremist has the same rights to exist as the BNP - regardless as to whether I loathe their views.

If they are not legitimately registered or indeed if they are to be banned then of course there are procedures and protocols to be followed. And indeed if they have supported the killing of British troops then I would be first in the cue to support a ban.

But where is gets really messy and worrying is the Tories allegations with regard to the funding of schools. Last night claims were made which were then unable to be substantiated then they were withdrawn, and today I woke to find that certain allegations have been reiterated.

The Conservatives really do have to be correct with their facts when it comes to throwing allegations around about extremism especially when it concerns schools and the education of our young people. If there is any substance at all then those facts need to be conveyed to the authorities without the need to wave them like some kind of patriotic flag in the House of Commons. Then on receipt of those facts the Government needs to give assurances that they will be thoroughly and rigorously investigated.

I wonder are we seeing an example of what the Conservatives would be like if they formed the next Government?

Would they ban organisations, withdraw funding, exclude people, on the first whiff of an accusation, before receipt of the facts, before asking the necessary questions.

Jumping on the bandwagon of populism carries risks, even more so when they jump to the tune of the red top tabloids as they appear increasingly prone to do.

Remember we are also dealing with young people and their education.

Estimated winter deaths last winter were the highest for 10 years according to the Office of National statistics - who highlight excessive deaths between December and March as compared to the rest of the year.

The ONS estimate that there were 36,700 extra deaths due to winter last year a staggering increase of 49%

In the North West the picture is even worse with winter deaths estimated at 5000 up from 3210 the previous year. An increase of 56%.

It is an absolute scandal that the frail, the sick and the elderly should be put at risk in this country in this century.

The Government has to be more proactive in seeking out the vulnerable and improving insulation, improving heating provision and ensuring that those concerned can turn on the heating without fear of the cost.

With high energy bills many are petrified of the heating bill and understandably put eating before heating. But if they don’t keep warm enough then illness will follow.

The Government has to do better in tackling fuel poverty and supporting vulnerable people in their homes. Its no use waitingfor this winters deaths figures to be announced next year - the Government needs to take positive action now.

A local business I know has a vacancy for an Office Junior. They thought they would use the Job Centre service to advertise the position and rang up to give them the details.

All was going smoothly until the employer stated that amongst the skills required would be “good basic english and maths skills”.

The person at the Job Centre was unsure about this and so went away to consult with his supervisor. On his return he told the employer that he couldn’t ask for “good basic english” it had to be “good communication skills”. The implication being that it would somehow be offensive or racist to request english skills.

Political correctness gone mad. Personally I have come across (sadly) many white english people that can barely string a sentence together and certainly don’t have the most basic grasp of english and many foreigners and black or asian heritage Brits with excellent english skills.

Perhaps we can look forward to English Language at schools being replaced by “communication skills”. 

It has been reported that Labour’s ID card scheme is now up and running. The Governments newly appointed Independent Identity Commissioner has reported that as of last week there were 538 people on the register. Apparently all but 1 are UK nationals.

Why anyone would want to shell out £30 of hard earned readies to obtain a bit of plastic that tells people who you are and tells the Government a good deal more, is beyond me.

The scheme is being piloted across Greater Manchester at present at is expected to be rolled out across the UK from 2011. Labour currently insists that it will remain voluntary. However I suspect the temptation to make it compulsory will become too great, especially following any kind of security emergency, when they will decide it’s in the public interest etc.

However, it remains and always has been a distraction from real investment in security and defences including more police and intelligence officers and resources - it is a colossal wate of public money that is being spent on gathering yet more information on the citizens of this country in a massive database that will be abused and breached and will not stop terrorism.

I will reiterate hear and now that I will never carry an ID card - In a liberal society freedom doesn’t come wrapped in a piece of plastic - it’s a birthright. 

Oppose it and boycott it - then after the next general election lets scrap it. 

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats reveal that 1.5 million people have been claiming Incapacity Benefit, Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance for more than 5 years. Of these, more than half a million people have been claiming for between 5 and 9 years, while 700,000 have been claiming for over 12 years. 

Commenting, Vic D’Albert, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Bury South, said:  “Under Labour people have become trapped in a system where they have to be out of work for a year before getting extra help to find a job. Under Labour you fend for yourself or fall by the wayside for the first year. This is the way to destroy a person’s confidence not boost their job prospects.

“The situation is even worse for people with health problems who are sent away and abandoned on benefits. People who don’t get help from day one find themselves ignored and forced into debt, with the constant worry making it even harder to get a job, and the far reaching impact for their families.

“Ministers need to change the system so that people get real help from the second they walk into a Jobcentre. They need help immediately and are better equipped to respond to help at an earlier stage. This Government has failed too many people just when they have needed help most. How many more will they fail before making changes that will really count.”

Today was one of those incredible days when everything seemed to going on at the same time and almost overlapping into a strange amalgam of politics and community events that occasionally present themselves.

The day started off with me making the first of 3 visits to the Longfield Precinct to drop off a table for the Save Heaton Park campaigners to use for the petition etc. After I had helped them setup I had a chat with the nearby Save the Longfield Suite campaigners - sited the otherside of the Longfield Suite entrance! Then I had a wander round the farmers market to see how things were shaping up.

I had agreed to do a shift collecting signatures for the Save Heaton Park campaign from 1 to 2 pm - and so I found myself back there then with fellow campaigner Brian. I have to say the response was tremendous - at times we were nearly swamped and often there was a queue of people keen to sign. It was extremely heartening to see such support from the local community.

Meanwhile I was delighted to see that the Longfield Suite campaigners were equally busy. With these two high profile campaigns going on it’s beginning to feel like Prestwich under siege!

After my stint with assorted petitioners it was great to spend some time at the farmers market with my better half. some excellent stuff available and more stalls than previously. Finally I returned at 3 to collect my “campaign” table and watch the arrival of our celebrity “becky” from Corrie for the Christmas lights switch on.

All in all  a great days campaigning to protect local community “assets” and to see such a successful farmers market and lights switch-on. I guess Christmas starts here.

I was delighted to have been able to attend the Groundwork Environment Awards last night in Bolton.

I was there mainly as Chair of Prestwich Area Partnership, we were a finalist for a community award because of the success of the Love Prestwich campaign and The Big Clean.

Sadly we didn’t win- so my oscar style gushing acceptance speech remains unused for another year, however it was a tremendous evening. It was fascinating to see so many wonderful projects across the public, private and voluntary sectors highlighted and showing what can be done to improve our environment and work towards a more sustainable future.

It was also great to see Prestwich so well represented. The community category that the Area Partnership was a finalist in had no less than two other Prestwich finalists - the Rainsough Charitable Trust, who were commended for their tremendous work of improvements at Rainsough cemetery and Rooden Court Action group for their community garden and landscaping work.

It goes to show what a vibrant community we have in Prestwich. 

So congratulations to those groups and all the other finalists last night and especially the winners.

Last night The Save Heaton Park campaign held a public meeting to launch the final push to stop Goals Soccer centres building pay-to-use sports pitches on open grass in a corner of the park near to houses.

Following an update on progress so far to the packed St.Margarets Church Hall in Prestwich, a short video was shown of a Goals centre somewhere else so residents could see what they can expect if these plans get the go-ahead.

GET YOUR OBJECTION IN NOW

The plans are set to go before Manchester City Councils Planning Committee on December 17th. If you objected previously you will need to object again. But please in any case if you value the openness and natural beauty of Heaton Park please please get your objections in now.

COMPETITION

Also a competition has been launched for people to take photos of this corner of the park, draw, paint or write poetry with great prizes worth £200 open to all ages.

Details of the competition, letters and suggested actions are all available on the Save Heaton park web site at www.saveheatonpark.org.uk  

ACT NOW TO STOP THEM BUILDING ON HEATON PARK - DON’T LEAVE THE FUTURE OF HEATON PARK TO SOMEONE ELSE