tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76434311332926655312024-03-14T08:42:11.043-07:00BRIDGWATER LABOUR BLOGNews from the Bridgwater Labour PartyBridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-36323802006818087512011-04-01T05:45:00.000-07:002011-04-01T06:53:21.630-07:00YOUGOV POLL PREDICTS TORIES TO LOSE 1000 SEATS<div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDnQ2qtfQ60/TZXVyPJVidI/AAAAAAAAAa8/SSoFcpextmE/s1600/yougov%2Bpoll%2B29%2Bmarch%2B11.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 192px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590609571486206418" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDnQ2qtfQ60/TZXVyPJVidI/AAAAAAAAAa8/SSoFcpextmE/s200/yougov%2Bpoll%2B29%2Bmarch%2B11.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">A YOUGOV poll this week indicates massive losses at the forthcoming elections for both Coalition parties. With literally hours remaining for potential candidates to get their nomination papers in for the Local Government Elections scheduled for May 5th, it looks like the next month will be a battleground for the Government parties and their programme of cutbacks.</span></strong></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The Poll shows the <span style="color:#000099;">Conservatives</span> on 36% (down 4% on their 2007 result)<span style="color:#ff0000;"> Labour</span> on 42% (up 16% on 2007) and the <span style="color:#ff6600;">LibDems</span> on 10% (down 11% ). </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">This suggests a lo<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqYWQeSX2hc/TZXWFPeHm-I/AAAAAAAAAbE/s_Eb3-Ft-hw/s1600/IMG_6294P.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590609897990888418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UqYWQeSX2hc/TZXWFPeHm-I/AAAAAAAAAbE/s_Eb3-Ft-hw/s200/IMG_6294P.jpg" /></a>ss of 1,000 Tory seats and 700 Lib Dem seats, indicating massive public discontent with the Coalition Government.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Sedgemoor District Labour Party Chairman, <strong>Cllr Brian Smedley</strong> says "<em>This is a major boost to Labours campaign in Sedgemoor where we expect the Tories to lose about 15 seats and the Lib Dems to be wiped out completely. We are standing strong candidates in 34 seats right across the District and with the kind of swing to Labour that have won us some surprising seats in Cornwall, Devon and Gloucestershire recently we can capitalise on the considerable dissilusion with the Sedgemoor Tories and the Collapse of the LibDems to take at least 25 seats and gain control of the Council."</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">To take Sedgemoor Labour will need to sweep the board in their Bridgwater stronghold where they curently have 10 seats to the Tory 6 and then regain their former seats in Highbridge and Woolavington. <strong>Cllr Smedley</strong> says "<em>In Highbridge the Libdems are on the ropes with rival factions standing against each other. This is no surprise as no sooner were they elected in Highbridge last time round their leader defected to the Tories and now with them in Coalition Nationally with the Conservatives people are deserting them in droves. "</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The crucial battle for control of Sedgemoor will be fought in the Rural Tory heartlands where Conservative candidates don't even usually expect any opposition at all. "<em>This time round it's different"</em> said <strong>Cllr Smedley</strong> <em>"Local communities are being hit by the tory cuts and young people are joining us because they're angry at Nick Clegg and the lies of the LibDems. No T<img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 131px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590610517880690482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XIuOeVnVB4Y/TZXWpUvXVzI/AAAAAAAAAbU/WVK3FTsIHzM/s200/Katherine%2BPutnam.JPG" />ory seat is safe this May!"</em></span> </div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Katherine Putnam</strong> (25) , from Fiddington, is standing for Labour in the Quantock Hills ward and says "<em>I have major concerns about the potential impact of Tory policies on rural communities and especially the effect of Hinkley Point and EDF's plans. Also it's about time we injected a bit of youth and vitality into the council chamber!"</em></span> </div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Alex Desmond</strong> (24), from Stockmoor Village , is standing for North Petherton and say<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HQz3xy62dU/TZXW_Ku--MI/AAAAAAAAAbc/jNmQC7VrvaM/s1600/IMG_6269P.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590610893151860930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HQz3xy62dU/TZXW_Ku--MI/AAAAAAAAAbc/jNmQC7VrvaM/s200/IMG_6269P.jpg" /></a>s <em>"We've got a situation where youth unemployment is currently running at nearly 20%. Young people are having to make some serious choices about their Education. For me the student fight is undoubtedly part of the wider fight against the cuts. Whats crucial for me is fairness. For me the Labour Party is the only party with fair policies on Education and taxation."</em></span> </div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-I_ZjX7frc/TZXXbLuNvbI/AAAAAAAAAbk/s2E-YyrymXo/s1600/IMG_6232P.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590611374453407154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h-I_ZjX7frc/TZXXbLuNvbI/AAAAAAAAAbk/s2E-YyrymXo/s200/IMG_6232P.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong>Bertrand Vessier</strong> is a French National who has lived in the Bridgwater area for 13 years and has decided to stand for his home village of Woolavington - now joined to Puriton for election purposes. Bert says "<em>Now is a worrying time. the Tories have just brought in a raft of cuts which are unfair and target the most vulnerable in our community. Our bus services, our policing and social care are all under threat and I will fight these cuts wherever possible, so I have decided to stand for Labour and help build a brighter and fairer Sedgemoor".</em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">The final deadline for nominations is Noon on Monday 4th April.</span></div></div></div></div></div>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-43739547995842318692011-03-30T14:16:00.000-07:002011-03-30T15:07:42.283-07:00TORY SLEDGEHAMMER STIFLES NORTHGATE DEBATE<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zYsD9MQZg0/TZOliZGui2I/AAAAAAAAAaU/S0GOqMxJftA/s1600/Kathy%2BPearce.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zYsD9MQZg0/TZOliZGui2I/AAAAAAAAAaU/S0GOqMxJftA/s320/Kathy%2BPearce.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589993572770155362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >A motion put by the Labour Group to rescind the decision of Sedgemoor District Council to sell the Brewery Field and Northgate site to Tesco stores was dismissed mid debate by Tory leader Duncan McGinty who called for the vote to be taken midway through a speech by Labour member Cllr Julian Taylor. The Tory group voted accordingly to s</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >tifle the debate and the Labour motion was defeated </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >26-11 (the chair abstaining) with only 4 members having spoken.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />Labour leader </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >Cllr Kathy Pearce</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> moved the motion which went into great detail about the legal reasons for overturning the unpopul</span><span style="font-family:arial;">ar Tory decision made at Full Council on 28th january 2011.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >"The Northgate development is one of the most important matters that most of us have ever had to consider. We are entrusted by the public to make sure that we have put in place enough checks and balances to ensure that legal, democratic and constitutional processes are put in place and adhered to because ultimately it is we, as members, who will be held accountable. We have put forward this motion on the grounds that the decision was made in undue haste, without all relevant information being provided to members, adequate scrutiny or proper consultation and is unlawful,undemocratic and unconsti</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >tutional. This motion is being put in </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >order to remind members of their responsibilities and to give a second chance for a full and proper process to take place in view of the points raised. Remember, decide in haste,repent at leisure and you will be held to account."</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > "... <span style="font-weight: bold;">unsafe decision"</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">Seconding the motion, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Cllr Brian Smedley</span> said</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > "The ruling group has got this wrong. For 2 years you;ve tried to</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMSFk-T91bY/TZOl2YE_V5I/AAAAAAAAAac/_i4qUY-8_AQ/s1600/Brian%2BSmedley.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EMSFk-T91bY/TZOl2YE_V5I/AAAAAAAAAac/_i4qUY-8_AQ/s200/Brian%2BSmedley.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589993916091815826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" > make your case for demolishing the Splash , selling the last public open space in the town centre and building a 60,000 square feet monstrosity which will destroy the town centre and you have totally failed to convince the people of Bridgwater. This week there was a 200 strong meeting in the Town hall that called on you to think again - only 1 person voted against. The people don't trust you! The reason I am seconding this motion is because I believe members are being denied access to the information they need to make an informed decision. When it bec</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >ame clear to people that the whole of the Brewery field was being sold to Tesco and not just the 23% suggested , it was hinted that there was a covenant in the Development Agreement which dealt with this. I asked as a member with a 'need to know' to see this full Development Agreement but was refused by the monitoring o</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >fficer - who isn;t here today to answer this. Secondly, the decision taken included delegating the responsibility for considering the objections to this to the Corporate Directgor(Regeneration) - who ALSO isn't here today! The records show that the Public have NOT been consulted over all this and the last time they were they said they wanted NO more supermarkets and a Mixed Leisure use development. on Northgate! The Council is lumbering the incoming council on May5th with an unsafe decision and should rescind it and reconsider it. "</span><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> <br />"suffer like other towns</span>"<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYn7u0EQ5-Q/TZOnfKTO64I/AAAAAAAAAao/1yeKRSROVVY/s1600/splash%2Bsite.bmp"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 177px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYn7u0EQ5-Q/TZOnfKTO64I/AAAAAAAAAao/1yeKRSROVVY/s200/splash%2Bsite.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589995716279724930" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Cllr David Preece</span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span>, one of the Bridgwater Tories who had voted to demolish the Splash and bring in Tescos, said </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >"the town needs capital funding and there had been no other offers. Br</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >idgwater must continue to evolve or it will suffer like other towns of our size"</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >"...This is what voting Tory gets you</span>"<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Cllr Julian Taylor</span> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">(Labour) said </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >"History repeats itself! The Tories said ASDA would regenerate the town centre - but it didn't. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >Sedgemoor got it wrong. The Tories say they entered into a 'dialogue' with Tescos - but what's a dialogu</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cALZ4ykYFSk/TZOnt44fu9I/AAAAAAAAAaw/QddUlskEfBI/s1600/Julian%2BTaylor.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 230px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cALZ4ykYFSk/TZOnt44fu9I/AAAAAAAAAaw/QddUlskEfBI/s200/Julian%2BTaylor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589995969302215634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >e when a Major Multinational comes along and says heres our offer take it or leave it! This is what voting Conservative gets you!"</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">At this point Cllr McGinty suspended the debate and moved straight to the vote without other speakers making their contributions saying "We've heard enough , this is just electioneering". </span> <span style="font-family:arial;">The Tories voted to uphold their previous decision , the attendant crowd jeered them , the acting Monitoring officer nervously shouldered the responsibility for the advice given...in the absence of his<br />boss.</span> <span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >"Sedgemoor is a Tory Dictatorship </span>..."<br /></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />After the meeting </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Cllr Smedley</span> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">said </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:arial;" >"The Tories have got it wrong and they're afraid of the debate. We put this motion because it's what the overwhelming majority of people in Bridgwater want. We put this motion - at this last meeting of this Council, so that the incoming council after May would have a fresh start and not be burdened with a flawed decision. If the Tories had any sense they would have acknowledged the wishes ofthe people and the possible failings of the previous proceedures and put the decision back until it was watertight. Cllr Taylor was right to blame this state of affairs on a Tory administration that doesn't listen and the next battleground will be the elections on May 5th. Sedgemoor is a Tory dictatorship and like all dictatorships that are out of touch with the people it needs toppling. "</span>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-3599507537086766882011-03-27T05:49:00.000-07:002011-03-27T06:08:47.727-07:00BRIDGWATER ON THE MARCH<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qyEd57b8Atg/TY82Hl1CIBI/AAAAAAAAAZo/g3OkQB9sXqM/s1600/26%2Bmarch%2Bkath.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qyEd57b8Atg/TY82Hl1CIBI/AAAAAAAAAZo/g3OkQB9sXqM/s320/26%2Bmarch%2Bkath.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588745166631608338" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >As 250,000 people from all over the Country marched through London in protest against the Con-Dem Coalitions programme of Cuts, they were joined by dozens of coaches from Somerset. Le</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >ader of Sedgemoor District Labour Group <span style="font-style: italic;">Cllr Kathy Pearce</span> was on the m</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >arch and sends this report.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Labour members from the Bridgwater and West Somerset Constituency boarded the many buses leaving Taunton to proudly join hundreds of thousands of others from across the country to de</span><span style="font-style: italic;">monstrate our deep concerns and contempt at the devastating destruction of public services and education which the co-alition governme</span><span style="font-style: italic;">nt are about to inflict on this country.<br /><br />Those who had ne</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2on308gup-o/TY82hkSR6xI/AAAAAAAAAaA/lBGFCv-AQds/s1600/26%2Bmarch%2Bbig%2Bben.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2on308gup-o/TY82hkSR6xI/AAAAAAAAAaA/lBGFCv-AQds/s200/26%2Bmarch%2Bbig%2Bben.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588745612894006034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">ver taken part before in such a mass demonstration marched alongside large union continge</span><span style="font-style: italic;">nts covering all aspects of society and from every corner of the country. The show of solidarity and unity and strength of commitment was heart warming, as was the show of beaut</span><span style="font-style: italic;">iful and varied union and Labour Party banners. The march included all ages, from babies in pushchairs, children, families to the elderly and disabled representatives and those in wheelchairs all united to show </span><span style="font-style: italic;">the strength of feeling. We marched alongside brass bands and steel bands, which helped to keep energy levels and spirits up as we marched along and which reached a crescendo when we approached parliament and passed by Downing Street.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1masPEnHNUg/TY82akjdKcI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/PGTgLvHSoeU/s1600/26%2Bmarch%2Bsomerset%2Bprotesters.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1masPEnHNUg/TY82akjdKcI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/PGTgLvHSoeU/s200/26%2Bmarch%2Bsomerset%2Bprotesters.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588745492706961858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />The march was peaceful, comradely and the carnival like atmosphere belied the underlying strength of will and conviction amongst those marching to continue to the fight to protect our public services.<br /><br />It was a day to be p</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zy-lBWXf9kI/TY82R1KJ6tI/AAAAAAAAAZw/RxhY2Y6ZNZ4/s1600/26%2Bmarch%2Bbankers.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zy-lBWXf9kI/TY82R1KJ6tI/AAAAAAAAAZw/RxhY2Y6ZNZ4/s200/26%2Bmarch%2Bbankers.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588745342545423058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">roud to be part of an impressive show of strength and gave those of us who attended, strength and encouragement in our efforts to fight back against the vil</span><span style="font-style: italic;">e policies of this co-alition government."</span><br /><br />Labour leader <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ed Milliband</span> said <span style="font-style: italic;">"David Cameron, you wanted to create the 'big society' - this is the big society. The big society united against what your government is doing to our country!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dave Prentis</span> (UNISON) said <span style="font-style: italic;">"the turnout was absolutely enormous and showed the anger of ordinary working people". </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ftt0KfcX_e4/TY82tKb2LzI/AAAAAAAAAaI/O6fw8y5SoFQ/s1600/26%2Bmarch%2BGMB.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ftt0KfcX_e4/TY82tKb2LzI/AAAAAAAAAaI/O6fw8y5SoFQ/s200/26%2Bmarch%2BGMB.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588745812113239858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Michael Leahy</span> (TUC president) said <span style="font-style: italic;">"Today brings back painful memories of the 80s. It's the same old Tories - who still think unemployment is a price worth paying."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Billy Bragg</span> (from Dorset) said <span style="font-style: italic;">"It's all about people standing up for what's happening to other people they care about, not just friends and family but everyone. They are marching today because people feel part not of a big society but of a compassionate society"</span>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-88875643154217606322011-03-25T16:48:00.000-07:002011-03-25T17:14:30.661-07:00FOCUS ON LABOUR YOUTH<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HovQgU2GH9A/TY0vBS7vclI/AAAAAAAAAZU/qhFMdAjVSyw/s1600/IMG_6282P.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588174411945439826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HovQgU2GH9A/TY0vBS7vclI/AAAAAAAAAZU/qhFMdAjVSyw/s200/IMG_6282P.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Kayleigh Ashworth</strong> (left) 15 year old student from East Bridgwater school, has just been elected <em>Youth and Student Off</em><em>icer</em> of Bridgwater Labour party.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_Bn3stCRg8/TY0vV_T3IDI/AAAAAAAAAZc/FmpyPnm68IM/s1600/IMG_6269P.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 110px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 156px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588174767455150130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_Bn3stCRg8/TY0vV_T3IDI/AAAAAAAAAZc/FmpyPnm68IM/s200/IMG_6269P.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Alex Desmond </strong>(right) 24 year old graduate, is Bridgwater Labour’s youngest ever candidate in the forthcoming local elections and is standing for his home seat of North Petherton.<br /><br />Together they discuss issues that are relevant to young people today.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Q: How did you get involved in politics and what attracted you to the Labour party?<br /></em></span><strong>Kayleigh:</strong> I became involved in the Somerset Advisory Group of the Youth Parliament through the Rollercoaster youth centre in Sydenham. I have been involved in various projects including a cyber-bullying conference and one on climate change at Hestercombe house.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: Have you met many well known politicians through your involvement in the Youth Parliament?<br /></span></em><strong>Kayleigh:</strong> Well, I was on a Q&A in Taunton with David Milliband.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: Didn’t you once meet Ian Liddell-Grainger?<br /></span></em><strong>Kayleigh</strong>: Well yes, but I don’t count him!<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: What about you Alex?<br /></span></em><strong>Alex:</strong> I've always been interested in politics and for me the Labour party is the only party that fights for social justice. I was never sure what the Liberal Democrats stood for…<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: Well I think that’s been cleared up recently.....<br /></span></em><strong>Alex:</strong> …What's crucial for me is fairness. I think that Labour is the only party with fair policies on education and taxation. I think opportunities should be there for all – we need a country where young people have chances based on their ability and achievement, not just on their connections.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: How have the Con-Dem education cuts affected the younger generation? It seems to me that they're very angry and taking to the streets. Is that a good thing for Labour?<br /></span></em><strong>Kayleigh:</strong> I think it's good to see young people fighting back. It's good to see a large number of young peo<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_JhCgcRErM/TY0smTllyUI/AAAAAAAAAZA/01ZCuWfTYcM/s1600/IMG_6269P.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 116px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588171749241243970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V_JhCgcRErM/TY0smTllyUI/AAAAAAAAAZA/01ZCuWfTYcM/s320/IMG_6269P.jpg" /></a>ple out there.<br /><strong>Alex:</strong> We’ve got a situation where youth unemployment is currently running at nearly 20%. Young people are having to make some serious choices about whether or not they are prepared to take on a large amount of debt to get a degree which may not even guarantee a job at the end of it.<br /><strong>Kayleigh:</strong> Lots of people are now thinking twice about college because of the cuts to EMA and the rise in tuition fees. It’s causing a lot of stress.<br /><strong>Alex:</strong> The student fight is undoubtedly a part of the wider fight against the cuts. I think there will be a lot of young people joining the TUC demo in London on the 26th March. There are a lot of decisions being taken which will affect young people’s lives after education – including pension reforms.<br /><strong>Kayleigh</strong>: I think it sends a bigger message if all ages of society stand together.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: What are the big issues for education locally?<br /></span></em><strong>Kayleigh:</strong> I’d say the BSF (Building Schools for the Future) programme cutbacks will cause a big problem for us at East Bridgwater. Already the numbers at our school are down as people sign up for the BSF schools at Chilton and Blake instead. I told Liddell-Grainger this but he just kept saying I didn't know what I was talking about.<br /><strong>Alex:</strong> I think a big problem is the uncertainty. The decisions about cuts to services are not being communicated effectively. Children and young people deserve continuity and stability.<br /><strong>Kayleigh:</strong> There’s lots of pressure on you now at a very early age.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOriZNvq3f8/TY0tKUXE4VI/AAAAAAAAAZI/gmpOQpfwFMI/s1600/IMG_6282P.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 110px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 207px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588172367924093266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOriZNvq3f8/TY0tKUXE4VI/AAAAAAAAAZI/gmpOQpfwFMI/s320/IMG_6282P.jpg" /></a><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: What do you think of Ed Milliband and the Labour message for young people?<br /></span></em><strong>Kayleigh:</strong> I think it's positive. He's younger, more modern; he’s not married yet he has kids. But he's still not so well known and still needs to get his point across. It's good that he's much less into 'punch and judy' politics.<br /><strong>Alex:</strong> I think he's more in touch with younger voters. It's too early to judge his performance but what's important is the new leader is listening to voters and conducting policy reviews. The government is making decisions at a breakneck speed and we need a considered response.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: Ed faces some criticism for being a bit invisible. Is that fair?<br /></span></em><strong>Alex:</strong> I think we have to get away from the 'cult of celebrity'. Young people get involved in politics because of policies and because of things that affect them. The younger generation is much more educated and in-touch than it’s given credit for. The internet - and social networking in particular - has revolutionised the way young people find information and organise themselves politically.<br /><strong>Kayleigh:</strong> Everything is faster and information is more available, for example the news in Japan was all over people’s statuses on facebook as it happened.<br /><strong>Alex:</strong> It's easier to make your voice heard now than it was 15 years ago. Now anyone can set up a blog. Most young people use the internet as a source of news and there’s a much wider range of opinions out there.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: But is it maybe open to abuse? For instance everything the BNP wants you to hear is out there too. Is there not still a case for ‘no platform for fascists’?<br /></span></em><strong>Alex:</strong> Well, I think the reality of the internet means that censorship isn’t a viable option. Nationalist parties have already got a platform on the internet and I don’t think we can change that. Our country believes in freedom of speech.<br /><strong>Kayleigh</strong>: Some young people make casual remarks and don't realise they're being fascist, but they can also educate themselves against it in the same way.<br /><strong>Alex</strong>: I think that’s a fair point. In some ways it’s more effective to throw a spotlight on these sorts of views and discuss them in the open rather than brushing them under the carpet. That way these views can be exposed for what they are and I believe young people will reject them.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Q: What’s the future for the Labour Party in this bright new world then?<br /></span></em><strong>Alex:</strong> We need to take a lead and cement our position as the progressive party. We need to concentrate less on infighting and more on policy. We especially need to challenge the concept of the ‘Big Society’. Volunteerism and co-operatives are a natural fit with Labour’s progressive values, but I think that the voluntary sector still needs backing and support from the state. The coalition is making the argument that the state represents an unnecessary interference in people’s lives. On the contrary, I believe that the state is a fundamental force for good. It’s where people come together and make the decisions which improve society. We need to win that argument!Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-50670115176680111052011-02-26T13:22:00.000-08:002011-02-26T13:55:06.622-08:00PLYMOUTH CONFERENCE LAUNCHES LABOUR ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN THE SOUTH WEST<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBkKGIJDKbw/TWl16VISxpI/AAAAAAAAAV8/i54a4tOfdKs/s1600/plym%2Bbri.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578119258439861906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wBkKGIJDKbw/TWl16VISxpI/AAAAAAAAAV8/i54a4tOfdKs/s320/plym%2Bbri.jpg" /></a><strong>Sedgemoor Labour Party delegates took part in the 2011 South West Labour Party conference at Marjon University in Plymouth as key speaker Deputy Leader Harriet Harman told them "<em>the South West needs an army of Labour councillors to lead the fightback against the Tory cuts." </em></strong><br /><br /><div><div>Speaker after speaker at the conference spoke about the window of opportunity brought about by the collapse of the LibDem vote due to that Party's treachery in order to get into Government. Bridgwater councillor <strong>Brian Smedley</strong> , Chairman of the Sedgemoor District Labour Party said <em>"It is clear that voter confidence in the Lib Dems has vanished. They said they'd provide 3,000 extra Police then voted to cut them instead, they said they wouldn't in crease VAT then did exactly the opposite and they said get rid of tuition fees and then voted to treble them. The LibDems are no longer a viable alternative anymore in the South West and recent Labour council victories in Cornwall and Gloucestershire show that we're on our way back."</em></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FknDBwHZpgQ/TWl2CTxpWKI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Ofu83EAnpAI/s1600/plym%2Bandy%2Bmerry.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 117px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578119395515390114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FknDBwHZpgQ/TWl2CTxpWKI/AAAAAAAAAWE/Ofu83EAnpAI/s200/plym%2Bandy%2Bmerry.jpg" /></a><br /><div><strong>Andy Merrifield</strong> , Chair of Wells CLP agreed and said "<em>Labour were aiming to stand candidates in all the North Sedgemoor wards and seeing as the LibDems were being blamed for allowing the Tory cuts and now in some places standing against themselves, such as in Highbridge where the official Libdem candidates were up against anti-coalition independent liberals, voters were responding positively to Labour as the real alternative."</em></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oixJR7gvKg/TWl2NZk9V6I/AAAAAAAAAWM/zJAJ4FooEp8/s1600/plym%2Bkath.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 352px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578119586051348386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2oixJR7gvKg/TWl2NZk9V6I/AAAAAAAAAWM/zJAJ4FooEp8/s320/plym%2Bkath.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Sedgemoor Labour Group leader <strong>Cllr Kathy Pearce</strong> (Bridgwater Hamp) said she was taking inspiration from the County Council victory in Cornwall where the Labour candidate had come from 5th place to win and in Stroud ,similarly coming from behind to leap frog over the Libdem candidate to take the seat. "<em>There is now no doubt that voters are returning to Labour. We learnt today that our new membership in the Region since the General election has now reached 3,770. Many of these are young people who feel a masive sense of betrayal by the Lib Dems, who a lot of them voted for last time. The Tories got in on a minority vote and are bringing in vicious and harmful cuts which they wouldn't be able to do without LibDem connivance! Obviously people didn't vote for this to happen and are now angry about this betrayal".</em></div><br /><br /><div><strong>Council elections will be held on May 5th and Labour ,as the main opposition in Sedgemoor, will be working hard to double it's representation and to break the Tory hold on the District.</strong></div></div>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-30325767559133735542011-02-20T07:36:00.000-08:002011-02-20T08:32:26.721-08:00SEDGEMOOR TORIES PUSH THROUGH CUTS BUDGET....and not a liberal in sight!<div><br /><br /><div><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575807590828406098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96_-b3aLJZ0/TWE_dkNA9VI/AAAAAAAAAVU/FZxiFq6psic/s320/tory%2Bconsultation.jpg" /><strong>Sedgemoor Tory leader Duncan McGinty claimed his Council had 'discussed with residents and staff', 'consulted with the public' and 'increased transparency and engagement' whilst announcing a budget cut of 13.8% and a staff reduction of 25%. Echoing Camerons sham 'Big Society' (as a cover for cutbacks) he said "we have found alternative ways of delivery". As Tory councillors fell over themselves to say and do nothing (apart from vote in support at the end) it was down to Councillor for tumbleweed central Paul Herbert to say <em>"when times are tough you got to agree that Sedgemoor delivers".</em></strong> <div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyVZ_NQCglc/TWE_yy3oMZI/AAAAAAAAAVc/V9v3CSTS78I/s1600/kathy%2Bpearce.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575807955542487442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyVZ_NQCglc/TWE_yy3oMZI/AAAAAAAAAVc/V9v3CSTS78I/s200/kathy%2Bpearce.jpg" /></a> Labour members stood in turn to attack the Tory record.<em> "Local authorities today are facing an unprecedented level of cuts and uncertainty</em>." said Leader <strong>Kathy Pearce</strong> (<span style="color:#ff0000;">Labour Hamp</span>)"<em>The Tories are making up policy as they go along and the community is paying the price for the ideology of a Government that fails to understand local Government while boosting the profits of private companies and we arfe left to pick up the pieces! The Tory Sedgemoor budget is a short term budget based on cuts when we should be preparing for the future. We should be taking a more strategic perspective, things like the Labour Governments 'Retail initiative' should be built on,we shouldn't be reducing our economic development function , and volunteer groups depend on core funding yet we're taking it away".</em><br /></div><div>Cllr <strong>Brian Smedley</strong> (<span style="color:#ff0000;">Labour Hamp</span>) said "<em>Nobody believes the Tories when they say they've consulted on anything. The Splash? Northgate? Tescos? And the Tory 'Big Society' is a total con. We already had a 'big society'- thats the Welfare state which the Tories are hellbent on dismantling. They're talking about something thats just an excuse for cuts, sham empowerment without funding and an end to local democracy and accountability."</em></div><br /><div>Cllr <strong>Julian Taylor</strong> (<span style="color:#ff0000;">Labour Eastover</span>) said "<em>This budget doesn't take into account inflationary trends. I can see an 'emergency budget' looming and further cuts to services. "</em><br /></div><div><strong>McGinty</strong> attempted to justify his budget with reference to Harold Wilson "<em>Whichever Party is in office, the treasury is in power"</em></div><br /><div><strong>Cllr Taylor</strong> leapt back to his feet "<em>It's not the treasury it's the bankers! Bob Diamonds bonus alone could pay for 1,000 health workers! Itls bankers kickbacks and the community paying the price!"</em></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PElkF5ARtmw/TWFBTKo8WvI/AAAAAAAAAVs/JtYBMNuTV2I/s1600/lib%2Bdems%2Bnot%2Bthere.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575809611190786802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PElkF5ARtmw/TWFBTKo8WvI/AAAAAAAAAVs/JtYBMNuTV2I/s200/lib%2Bdems%2Bnot%2Bthere.jpg" /></a></div><div>The Tories then voted unanimously to push the budget through.<br /><br />And what of the LibDems who claimed this week that they could take control of Sedgemoor District Council at the Elections on May 5th? Well,actually, they weren't there. Not one of them. Currently with 3 members on SDC their wild estimates of quadrupling their representation in their latest literature "<em>Lib Dems on course to win 14 seats and take Sedgemoor"</em> looks a bit...inevitably..like the usual load of LibDem drivel designed to con the voters. However, next time the people won't be fooled.</div></div></div></div>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-67078302941697160102011-02-04T06:07:00.000-08:002011-02-04T06:33:37.625-08:00TAUNTON CALLING!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUwM4GVaBEI/AAAAAAAAAUs/Jb7847mEB10/s1600/taunton%2Bstudent%2Bdemo%2B2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUwM4GVaBEI/AAAAAAAAAUs/Jb7847mEB10/s400/taunton%2Bstudent%2Bdemo%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569840997063066690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >500 Somerser Students marched through their County town today in protest against the Tory led Coal</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >ition Governments cutbacks in Education including the rise in tuition fees and the abolition of the EMA.</span><br /><br />Marching from Vivary park to the riverside gardens, the group heard speeches from local and National student activists and from protest singer Billy Bragg,who also performed 2 songs.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rob Thompson</span> , a student from Richard Huish College, warned Somerset Lib Dem MPs who had broken their promises on Tuition f ees to <span style="font-style: italic;">"Hold onto their seats because they'd </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUwNbpNQ-_I/AAAAAAAAAU8/0isZsFx5jCQ/s1600/taunton%2Bstudent%2Bdemo%2B3.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 192px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUwNbpNQ-_I/AAAAAAAAAU8/0isZsFx5jCQ/s320/taunton%2Bstudent%2Bdemo%2B3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569841607719582706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">be losing them next time round!" .</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">James Leeman</span>, a Taunton student, read out Lib Dem leader Nick Cleggs broken promise in full before ripping the paper to pieces saying<span style="font-style: italic;"> "Young people aren't to blame </span><span style="font-style: italic;">for this situation, many of us fell for Cleggs lies but we won't be fooled again!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Billy Bragg</span> attacked the ConDem notion of a so-called 'Big Society', the philosophy of which was<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUwNsDD15EI/AAAAAAAAAVE/oWcjP0FGCIs/s1600/taunton%2Bstudent%2Bdemo%2B6.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUwNsDD15EI/AAAAAAAAAVE/oWcjP0FGCIs/s320/taunton%2Bstudent%2Bdemo%2B6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569841889537287234" border="0" /></a> driving these cuts. <span style="font-style: italic;">"My generation came through the 'real ' big society which our parents had created after the war . One where people cared for on</span><span style="font-style: italic;">e another and where health care and education was fre</span><span style="font-style: italic;">e. When Tories say ' why should i pay for these students education' they really mean 'why should they pay for their operations, th</span><span style="font-style: italic;">eir health care, their housing and their right to a decent life' . "</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUwNNJqhX2I/AAAAAAAAAU0/w9rie5G42zI/s1600/taunton%2Bstudent%2Bdemo%2B4.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 174px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUwNNJqhX2I/AAAAAAAAAU0/w9rie5G42zI/s400/taunton%2Bstudent%2Bdemo%2B4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569841358734188386" border="0" /></a><br />As the students marched past County Hall workers rushed to their windows to applaud them and as the procession wended it's way through the centre of Taunton motorists and shoppers cheered them on whilst some joined on.<br /><br />The march was peaceful and well stewarded making the rather heavy Police<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUwN62N5aSI/AAAAAAAAAVM/fqtN0GdIf7E/s1600/taunton%2B%2Bstudent%2Bdemo%2B1.jpg"><br /></a> presence somewhat superflous .Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-86583267859021107872011-01-28T15:55:00.000-08:002011-01-28T16:48:17.999-08:00SEDGEMOOR TORIES VOTE THROUGH TESCO<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUNhvCSFYGI/AAAAAAAAAUg/rltmZDDiyEg/s1600/tescos%2Bcouncil%2B2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TUNhvCSFYGI/AAAAAAAAAUg/rltmZDDiyEg/s400/tescos%2Bcouncil%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567401025054531682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Angry scenes in the Sedgemoor council chamber today greeted the unanimous Tory vote to support the bid for a Tesco Extra store on the Northgate site of the former Sedgemoor Splash. A demo with banners and placards greeted councillors as they arrived for the meeting and was joined by Labour Councillors who led the attempt to get the Council to reject the Tesco bid.</span><br /><br />60 people packed the Council chamber to witness the spectacular site of the Tory ranks remaining totally silent throughout the meeting and then simply vote through the proposal at the end.<br /><br />Labour councillors spoke out against the proposal. <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Pearce </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">"Sedgemoor has not learnt the lessons of previous developments and does not listen to the people"</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span> , Smedley</span> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">"The development should be leisure led with clear linkages to the town centre" </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Taylor</span></span> "<span style="font-style: italic;">The Tesco mission is to close down other retailers!</span>" and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Di Campo </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"The people of the town have spoken but the Tories think they know better"</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">. They were</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span> supported by Burnham and Highbridge Libdems <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Leach</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">"ASDA killed Highbridge town centre</span>" and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Mansfield</span> "<span style="font-style: italic;">Not one Tory voted with us,i'm disgusted!</span>" , but still the Tories wouldn't budge.<br /><br />Finally it was down to Tory executive member <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Herbert</span> to try to justify the decision and at the same time attempt to outline Sedgemoor Tory achievements... <span style="font-style: italic;">"We've refurbished your bandstand" , "We're a forward thinking and delivering council!"</span> ("boo!!"). Trying to rescue the situation, Tory leader <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">McGinty</span> said "<span style="font-style: italic;">It's a risk but we believe we can minimise it."</span><br /><br />Members of the Public , including many residents of nearby Anson Way who would suffer considerably from the ill thought out plan, spoke in vain towards the deaf ears of the Tories .<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"How could any council in it's right mind suggest another supermarket in Bridgwater?" , "What we need is a Marks and Spencers type store", "Cash is king- but after selling the assets the cupboard will be bare!" "Tescos will undercut all traders! It won;t be money for Bridgwater but for Tescos!!", "You are going to sell off FOREVER a public open space for a Supermarket!", "Take care of our Green spaces, they ain't making any more!"</span><br /><br />Labour Councillor <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Brian Smedley</span> called for a recorded vote to put on record those councillors who had voted for and against .<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For the Tescos proposal; -</span><br />Alder ( <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span> ,Kings Isle) Baker (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con,</span> Bridgwater Quantock) Bown (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>,Sandford) Bradford (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>,N.Petherton) Burridge-Clayton (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Burnham North) Cresswell (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Bridgwater Bower) Crow (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span> , Bridgwater Quantock) Davey (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con </span>, Burnham N) Denbee (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Axe Vale) Downing (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>,Cheddar) Dyer (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>,Cannington) Filmer (Con,Brent) Fraser (Con,N.Petherton) Gilling (Con, Brent N) Grimes (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con,</span> Berrow) Hall (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> Con</span>, Bridgwater,Bower) Hamlin (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con,</span>Woolavington) Herbert ( <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Huntspill) Hill (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Cheddar) Jones (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con,</span> Burnham N )Joslin (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>,Cannington) Kingham (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>,W Poldens) McGinty (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span> , E Poldens) Moreton (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Huntspill) Preece (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Bridgwater Bower) Savage (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span> Cheddar) Slocombe (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Bridgwater Quantock) Turner N (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Kings isle)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Against the Tescos proposal; -</span><br />DiCampo (<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Labour</span>, Bridgwater Victoria) Leach (<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Lib</span>, Highbridge) Mansfield (<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Lib </span>Burnham South) Pearce (<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Labour</span>, Bridgwater Hamp) Richards (<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Labour,</span>Bridgwater Victoria) Smedley (<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Labour</span>, Bridgwater Hamp) Taylor (<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Labour,</span> Bridgwater Eastover) Turner J (<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Labour</span>, Bridgwater Hamp)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Abstain</span><br />Scott (<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Con</span>, Axbridge)<br /><br />Uproar greeted the final vote (28-8-1) , pushed through by the out of town Tories that dominate Sedgemoor with the complete collusion of the 6 Bridgwater Conservatives. <span style="font-style: italic;">"We'll sort it out at the May elections!" "Don' t vote conservative, this is what they do to you!" "Disgraceful!" "Get off the Council!"</span> and "<span style="font-style: italic;">Go and get a job in Tescos instead!"</span>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-45919431038311895752011-01-19T08:31:00.000-08:002011-01-19T10:10:38.048-08:00ANGER IN COUNCIL CHAMBER AS SEDGEMOOR TORY EXECUTIVE BACKS TESCO BID<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcowFS-U0I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/rLR7ilva3cw/s1600/tescopoly.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcowFS-U0I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/rLR7ilva3cw/s400/tescopoly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563960671160128322" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A packed meeting of Sedgemoor District Council saw the 100% Tory ruling executive unanimously vote through Tescos plans to bu</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ild a giant supermarket on the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">site of the much</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> loved Sedgemoor Splash swimming pool. The 10 members of the SDC Executive, none of who represent Bridgwater wards, recommended that Tesco be given the go-ahead and the pressure is now on the Full Council meeting on 28th January for ratification. </span><br /><br />The plans submitted by Sedgemoor officer <span style="font-weight: bold;">Doug Bamsey</span>, would see a massive ' Tesco Extra' built on the Northgate site, a 600 space car pa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcm_zHOS-I/AAAAAAAAATo/PUnmc8g228U/s1600/tescopoly%2B2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 91px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcm_zHOS-I/AAAAAAAAATo/PUnmc8g228U/s320/tescopoly%2B2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563958742133656546" border="0" /></a>rk and a reduction of public open space on the adjacent Brewery field. The sale of the land would bring in £5.8m as a capital receipt for SDC which they would earmark for the planned new Swimming Pool on the Chilton School site.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcnb0zV46I/AAAAAAAAATw/pyHkU34vyWY/s1600/big%2Bbilll.bmp"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcnb0zV46I/AAAAAAAAATw/pyHkU34vyWY/s200/big%2Bbilll.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563959223623476130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bridgwaters Labour Mayor <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cllr Bill Monteith </span>said "<span style="font-style: italic;">What the town needed was a flagship Leisure & Recreation development with attached retail development but what we are being offered is a large retail development with a very much reduced leisure facility ! The Splash was key to this flawed development. Any new pool should have been built in </span><span style="font-style: italic;">the town centre. This is NOT the fault of Tesco or of the current economic climate but of the collective myopia and lack of strategy of THIS council. So desperate was this Council to gain a capital receipt that it failed to negotiate the best settlement. Such was the dread that someone may save the pool that they demolished it ASAP. Why? Surely a developer as keen as Tesco would have done that having acquired the site! And what was Plan B? What did they consider for the s</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ite while a sale was being negotiated? Nothing! Tesco must have been sniggerin</span><span style="font-style: italic;">g into their accounts at this ineptitude. The sight of a Cou</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ncil prostituting itself for the sake of a capital receipt, with out regard for the potential damage that it could do is ,frankly, abhorent</span> ."<br /><br />Labour Councillor for Hamp , <span style="font-weight: bold;">Brian Smedley , </span>picked up on a ( presumed) spelling mistake in Mr Bamsey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcnpt9-OYI/AAAAAAAAAT4/uEBLdgayMLQ/s1600/SmedleyBMed.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 178px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcnpt9-OYI/AAAAAAAAAT4/uEBLdgayMLQ/s200/SmedleyBMed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563959462307182978" border="0" /></a>'s report when he described the Evaluation process as the 'Exiting Town centre function'. <span style="font-style: italic;">"This is in reality an 'Exit Strat</span><span style="font-style: italic;">egy' for the Town centre. There won't be a Town centre as a result of this development. Has Sedgemoor really taken on board the likely consequences of such developments in other towns? In Accrington for instance - a town the size of Bridgwater (35,000) and similarly beholden to a Tory dominated District (Hyndburn) was promis</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ed 450 jobs by the Tescos they had approved permission for. 2,000 people applied. 191 jobs were advertised of which only 64 were long term unemployed - the rest being redeployed from other Tesco stores or displaced. The other issue is the total Gridlock that will be created as this site will be right in between the NDR and Taunton rd snarl ups that will be made worse by the planned EDF developments" </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcn-tey8qI/AAAAAAAAAUA/tTKgXGIH9_o/s1600/TaylorJmed.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 195px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcn-tey8qI/AAAAAAAAAUA/tTKgXGIH9_o/s200/TaylorJmed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563959822953673378" border="0" /></a><br />Eastover Labour Councillor <span style="font-weight: bold;">Julian Taylor</span> pointed to the failed ASDA development in his ward <span style="font-style: italic;">"This will have a similar detrimental effect. Jobs created won't be new jobs and won't be good jobs, minimum rate, not long term and just relocating. Some serious questions need answers - Were Tescos invited to contribute to a replacement pool? Did they offer? If they weren't asked , why not</span>!?"<br /><br />Members of the public added their weight to the chorus of criticism directed against Sedgemoor Tories.<br /><br />Local Trade<span style="font-weight: bold;">r Sally Jones</span> said <span style="font-style: italic;">"Once in this town they will undercut all the local traders. We have lots of empty shops and this won;t encourage them to fill up. We've seen in the media what Tescos has done to other towns such as Shepton Mallet. Tesco will do exactly what ASDA did to the other end of town so please Councillors learn from your mistakes and protect what you have. Once in then Tescos will have control !"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Roger Smith</span> , manager of the adjacent Angel Place shopping centre said <span style="font-style: italic;">"this proposal could lead to current retailers in the town centre rethinking the terms of their leases if they think the impact of such a development will be too great on their businesses</span><span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><br /><br />Prospective tesco neighb our,<span style="font-weight: bold;">Eric Pasco</span>, said the vicinity was ".. <span style="font-style: italic;">part of a conservation area and the Brewery Field had been given to the town to use as public open space/recreation in perpetuity."</span><br /><br />Local resident<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Bob Cudlipp</span> pointed to a petition of 1,875 names supporting Town centre swimming and leisure facilities and called on councillors to <span style="font-style: italic;">" look again at the site in the light of Public consultation."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Linda Brigg</span>, ex Splash disabled group, said "<span style="font-style: italic;">We have had consultations but Sedgemoor take no notice!"</span><br /><br />The Tory response was unbending. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cllr Anne Fraser</span> (North Petherton) said <span style="font-style: italic;">"Tesco has embraced the Bridgwater Vision and I've never seen anyone using Brewery fields anyway"</span> (cries of "<span style="font-style: italic;">Rubbish</span>!"). <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Cllr Dawn Hill</span> (Cheddar) said "<span style="font-style: italic;">This council has a reasonable track record in trying to get the best developments"</span>. She cited her involvement in Clarks Village, Street as a good example of a similar development. (to cries of "<span style="font-style: italic;">No Comparison</span>!").<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cllr Paul Herbert</span> (Huntspill) said<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTco9QVXwWI/AAAAAAAAAUY/nTZP9rC-fsI/s1600/bridgy%2Bghost%2Btown.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTco9QVXwWI/AAAAAAAAAUY/nTZP9rC-fsI/s400/bridgy%2Bghost%2Btown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563960897461272930" border="0" /></a> "<span style="font-style: italic;">This is a listening council and businesses need to change to survive."</span><br /><br />Trying to quieten the angry audience tory leader <span style="font-weight: bold;">Duncan McGint</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">y</span> ( East Polden) told the audience "<span style="font-style: italic;">Please listen!</span>" to cries of "<span style="font-style: italic;">Thats the problem - we ARE listening!".</span><br />It was down to<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Cllr Ann Bown</span> (Wembdon) to sum up the Sedgemoor Tory position <span style="font-style: italic;">"Bridgwater is ONLY a part of Sedgemoor. Is it right to put this burden on the tax payers of Wedmore and Cheddar?"</span> (shouts of "<span style="font-style: italic;">yes</span>" and "<span style="font-style: italic;">thats what its for</span>!")<br /><br />Chief Executive <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kerry Rickards</span> tried to sum up by saying "<span style="font-style: italic;">this project has been 7 years in the making. Sedgemoor has a reputation nationally as one of the lowest cost Authorities in the land!"</span> (cries of <span style="font-style: italic;">"cheapest!</span>" and "<span style="font-style: italic;">Resign!</span>")<br /><br />Councillors will relook at this decision at a special meeting on 28th January.<br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTcoN7ICDiI/AAAAAAAAAUI/lPZXqQjljv0/s1600/bridgy%2Bghost%2Btown.jpg"><br /></a>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-45707328369927335122011-01-14T01:45:00.000-08:002011-01-14T01:57:59.770-08:00LABOUR GO FROM 5TH TO 1ST IN CORNWALL BY ELECTION<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTAdrnCGqxI/AAAAAAAAASs/DXcwqM6RCPo/s1600/CORNWALL%2BVICTORY.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTAdrnCGqxI/AAAAAAAAASs/DXcwqM6RCPo/s400/CORNWALL%2BVICTORY.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561978174851951378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >While all eyes were focussing on the Labour victory in Oldham last night a more exciting example of Labours recovery occured here in the South West as Labour came from 5th place to win the Camborne North By Election on Cornwall County Council .</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Labour gain from Conservative</span></span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br />Lab 239 (33.1%, +22.4), Con 203 (28.1%, -8.8), LD 156 (21.6%, +2.2), Lib 61 (8.4%, +6.2), MK 32 (4.4%, -10.4), Green 31 (4.3%, +4.3).<br /><br />Swing of 15.6% from Con to L</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >ab since 2009.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span></span><ul style="font-family:arial;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Champion, Michael Neale - (Mebyon Kernow - The Party For Cornwall) - 32</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Holmes, Paul Thomas - (Liberal Party) - 61</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Merrick, Jacqueline Norma - (Green Party) - 31 </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pascoe, Anna Kerensa - (Liberal Democrats) - 152 </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pascoe, Denise - (The Conservative Party Candidate) - 203 </span></span></li><li style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Robinson, Judith Christine - (The Labour and Co-operative Party Candidate) - 230 Elected</strong></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >Labour were in fifth place in this w</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >ard at the last election May 2009</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Camborne North 2009</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Con 36.9%</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Lib Dem 19.4%</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Ind 15.4%</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">MK 14.8%</span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Lab 10.7%</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Lib 2.2%</span></span></span> <div><br />With elections on the horizon here in Sedgemoor <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kathy Pearce</span>, leader of the District Labour group said <span style="font-style: italic;">" Both of last nights results a re obviously fantastic news for Labour . It is heartening that people are now seeing through the Coalition policies which are hitting public services disproportionately severely, targetting the less well off and the most vulnerable hardest . Locally and nationally , over the next few months, we are about t o see the loss of services on a scale neveer se</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTAd7n_zFRI/AAAAAAAAAS0/eRw04A0vwlw/s1600/kathy%2Bon%2Bminehead%2Bbay.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TTAd7n_zFRI/AAAAAAAAAS0/eRw04A0vwlw/s320/kathy%2Bon%2Bminehead%2Bbay.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561978449988621586" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">en before. "</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"The Tories and Lib-Dems are completely failing to address the issue of the mega-rich tax avoiders and the bankers who got us into this financial mess in the first place by a lack of regulation. They are pursuing a policy of rising unemployment and pressure on the public purse, which will potentially put us back into recession. They already borrowed more in December than the Labour government did the previous year.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-style: italic;"> </div> <div style="font-style: italic;">"Today is the start - people and Labour fighting back and telling this government that this is just not good enough and there is a better way, through Labour."</div>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-62073067100859299682011-01-13T18:16:00.000-08:002011-01-13T18:39:44.971-08:00"I KEEP MY PROMISES" Says Labour winner in Oldham By Election<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TS-2zXPgsxI/AAAAAAAAASc/OtL1wtzRifI/s1600/Ed-Miliband-in-Oldham-007.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561865058354508562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TS-2zXPgsxI/AAAAAAAAASc/OtL1wtzRifI/s320/Ed-Miliband-in-Oldham-007.jpg" /></a> <strong>Labour have won the Oldham East and Saddleworth By-election with a massive 11% swing , 42% of the vote and an increase of 16%. Debbie Abrahams, who won the seat for Labour, said <em>"This is a clear message to Cameron and Clegg. People are sick of broken promises on VAT , trebling Tuition fees, scrapping EMA . People are turning back to Labour because of the Reckless policies of the Coalition, the Unfair cuts and the broken promises. I keep my Promises!"</em></strong><br /><br /><div></div><div>The result-which was better than even the Labour landslide in 1997, saw the collapse of the Tory vote as Camerons followers switched to the Cleggites in a desperate attempt to save their ConDem coalition cronies with 14% of Tory voters changing sides as dissillusioned Libdem voters switched to Labour sick of their parties broken promises.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLuOHRFj6D8xqvagP0jfRl9jyEnwurAio18BiFoMBWb73o-85dEHBY9Pwnq-1Au5XBWH95tM0pHQXD1bwK5Wvcy08hrIOBuSr9ZAQccUASBs1UYHOwFYUC7pxfBlubS79z_TAaqZe3zE/s1600/LibDems+Losing+Here.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561865414310361106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLuOHRFj6D8xqvagP0jfRl9jyEnwurAio18BiFoMBWb73o-85dEHBY9Pwnq-1Au5XBWH95tM0pHQXD1bwK5Wvcy08hrIOBuSr9ZAQccUASBs1UYHOwFYUC7pxfBlubS79z_TAaqZe3zE/s200/LibDems+Losing+Here.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Andy Burnham MP said after the count <em>"Labour are winning elections again. This is a very good result for Ed Milliband who led from the front in a very difficult campaign. "</em></div><br /><div>In her victory speech Debbie Abrahams referred to the founding of the Independent Labour Party by Kier Hardie in 1893 <em>"when working people first realised the Liberals were not for them".</em></div><br /><div><strong>The result;-</strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Abrahams (Labour)</span></strong> <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>14,718</strong></span></div><div><strong><span style="color:#ff9900;">Watkins (Lib Dem) 11,160</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#6633ff;">Ali (Tory) 4,481</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#993399;">Nutttal (UKIP) 2,029</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#000066;">Adams (BNP) 1,560</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#009900;">Alan (Green) 530</span></strong></div><div>FlyingBrick (Loony) 145</div><div>Maurice (Eng Dem) 144</div><div>KLoz (Pirate) 96</div><div>Bishop (BusPassElvis) 67</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-69375515954542685062010-12-13T14:20:00.000-08:002010-12-13T15:18:34.978-08:00'BIG SOCIETY' HERALDED IN BY MASSIVE CUTS<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TQajUdpM-qI/AAAAAAAAASA/rHfCwrzmJgE/s1600/cuts%2Bdemo%2Bkathy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 163px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550303162730871458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TQajUdpM-qI/AAAAAAAAASA/rHfCwrzmJgE/s320/cuts%2Bdemo%2Bkathy.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Tory flagship policy of a 'Big Society' was launched today via Eric Pickles 'Localism Bill' and has set the future agenda with a massive raft of cutbacks the like of which the country hasn't seen in years.</strong></span><br /><br /><div>Tory controlled Sedgemoor District Council had been working on a funding gap of £1.4m based on an anticipated cut of 7.25% and will now have to look at further savings as the Government has finally announced cuts to Local Authorities of 9.9% .</div><br /><div></div><div>Local Labour representatives have attacked the unprecedented harsh cuts of 9.9% .<strong>Cllr Kathy Pearce</strong>, Leader of Sedgemoor District Labour Group said <em>"This is terrible news which will impact especially on children, families, the elderly, disabled, the homeless and the vulnerable, who will feel the brunt of the loss of many of our public services.<br /><br />The notion of "the Big Society" is completely disingenuous. The bottom line is that services need to be adequately funded and need trained people to run them. What we will have is a mass collapse of the structures that keep our society functioning".</em><br /><br />The Tory/LibDem Coalition Government plans were backed today by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg who said the 'Big Society' was the "same as liberalism" , doubtless compounding the feelings of frustration within his own party which surfaced last week over tuition fees.</div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TQaj7gMMDiI/AAAAAAAAASI/nfmMiYgF3kw/s1600/cuts%2Bdemo%2Bsmed.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 271px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550303833429380642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TQaj7gMMDiI/AAAAAAAAASI/nfmMiYgF3kw/s320/cuts%2Bdemo%2Bsmed.jpg" /></a>Chairman of Sedgemoor District Labour Party , <strong>Cllr Brian Smedley</strong>, said <em>"Most Libdem voters didn't vote for tuition fees and they didn't vote for this. Waking up in bed with the Tories is causing some pretty bad hangovers!" </em><br /><br /><p><em>"What we've seen so far with the student protests has just been a starter for 10 for the ConDem Coalition. The next front will be opened by the Trades Unions as the cuts hit the workplace and front line services and by the May elections next year people will need to decide which side they're on . When the Tories are in Government theres no room for an indecisive centrist party."</em><br /></p><br /><p>Labour and Tories are today neck and neck in the polls at 40% while the Lib Dems have slumped to an all time low of 8%.<br /></p>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-31044660070594518812010-12-06T05:03:00.000-08:002010-12-06T05:11:48.241-08:00Labour party PARTY...17th December<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TPzg_MfGr1I/AAAAAAAAAR4/bxIj2GarykQ/s1600/BW%2BLAB%2BXMAS%2B17%2BDEC.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 387px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TPzg_MfGr1I/AAAAAAAAAR4/bxIj2GarykQ/s400/BW%2BLAB%2BXMAS%2B17%2BDEC.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547556217301675858" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >All members and supporters of the Bridgwater Labour Party are welcom</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >e to join us for Christmas c</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >elebrations at the Labour Club on FRIDAY 17th DECEMBER. There will be food, drink,music,a quiz, a raffle and an egalitarian redistribution of festive jollity.</span>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-82836274737639934702010-12-06T04:53:00.000-08:002010-12-06T05:01:29.026-08:00Ed Milliband urges MPs to vote against Tuition fees<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TPzeYRmR9aI/AAAAAAAAARg/IB7Wla7czeo/s1600/Ed%2BMilliband.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TPzeYRmR9aI/AAAAAAAAARg/IB7Wla7czeo/s320/Ed%2BMilliband.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547553349635798434" border="0" /></a>In a statement from the Labour Party in London, new leader <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ed Milliband</span> said <span style="font-style: italic;">" Next Thursday, MPs will vote on the Government's plans to treble Tuition Fees.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I hope that as many MPs as possible will vote against these unnecessary, unfair plans.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">They are cutting money for university teaching by 80%, much more than other services, and are making graduates pay the whole cost of most degrees. Students will be forced to choose the cheapest course, not what’s best for them - and will be paying back debts for 30 years.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">The plans are bad for universities and not the road we should be going down. The Labour Party will be voting again the plans. Labour would avoid the big cuts in the university teaching grants and share the costs of higher education fairly."</span><p>Bridgwater Labour Party Youth & Student officer <span style="font-weight: bold;">Brian Smedley</span> said "<span style="font-style: italic;">With the date of the tuition fees vote now known, Labour w</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TPzekV_RCGI/AAAAAAAAARo/DwDElp-FSDs/s1600/cuts%2Bdemo%2Bbw%2Blab.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TPzekV_RCGI/AAAAAAAAARo/DwDElp-FSDs/s320/cuts%2Bdemo%2Bbw%2Blab.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547553556972767330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">ill campaign more than ever to oppose them. Bridgwater Labour Party is committed to working with Trades Unions , students and all community groups who are willing to fight back against ALL these ConDem cutbacks."</span><br /><br /><strong>The Government’s plans are not necessary, not fair, and not good for higher education.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Not necessary</strong> because the short-term need for deficit reduction does not justify a long term change in Higher Education funding which will be bad for universities and not save any public money. The Coalition have chosen to cut higher education teaching by 80% when other public services are being cut much less.<br /><br /><strong>Not fair</strong> because graduates will now have to pay the whole cost of most degrees (simply replacing the cut in funding), instead of sharing the costs with the taxpayer. Graduates will pay much more, and pay for 30 years. Middle income graduates will be hardest hit.<br /><br /><strong>Not good for higher education.</strong> England’s world class university system has been built on a public investment and trust in the professional academic leadership of universities. This will be replaced by a market in higher education in which many students will be put off university and forced to choose the cheapest rather than the best course.<br /><br /><strong>Labour says: </strong></p> <ul><li>We would not make such a big cut in Higher Education teaching grants, so high fees would not be needed to replace lost income.</li><li>Graduates should share the cost of higher education; by moving towards a graduate tax the highest earning graduates would make a fairer contribution</li><li>We believe that universities should remain public institutions, receiving significant public funding</li></ul>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-91773035587123368072010-11-06T10:12:00.000-07:002010-11-06T15:55:20.411-07:00"THEY SAY CUTBACK-WE SAY FIGHTBACK"<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWUDXNOkRI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/agNWH9opIOE/s1600/demo+lab+group.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536494102411907346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWUDXNOkRI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/agNWH9opIOE/s320/demo+lab+group.jpg" /></a> <strong>Bridgwater Labour Party members joined a large demonstration in Taunton this weekend organised by Taunton and West Somerset Trades Council to protest against Tory Somerset County Councils plans to cut £43 million pounds from public services and around 1,500 jobs.</strong><br /><br />The demonstration marched from French weir to County Hall and received considerable support from saturday morning shoppers in the town centre.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWTDsuUL5I/AAAAAAAAAPw/rdwlAvHE3rs/s1600/demo+crowd.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 298px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536493008676204434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWTDsuUL5I/AAAAAAAAAPw/rdwlAvHE3rs/s320/demo+crowd.jpg" /></a><br />At County Hall speakers received applause for their condemnation of the cuts. Unisons <strong>Nigel Behan</strong> said “<em>This level of cuts will make Somerset as we know it unrecognisable. All areas of spending have come under the axe and there is not a family anywhere that will be unaffected. The people of Somerset are being made to pay for a situation that is not of their making and it is the most vulnerable that will be hit the hardest.”</em><br /><br />Mr Behan added that the proposed cuts w<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWTRlMo6QI/AAAAAAAAAP4/DqPCKv57hYc/s1600/demo+shaun.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 105px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536493247174076674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWTRlMo6QI/AAAAAAAAAP4/DqPCKv57hYc/s320/demo+shaun.jpg" /></a>ere also set to have an enormous negative impact on the local economy, with job loss and fear of redundancy dramatically reducing spend on goods and services. “This is very bad news for small businesses” he said. “There is a real fear that this will turn a fragile recovery into another deep recession”.<br /><br />County Labour group leader <strong>Andy Govier</strong> (Wellington) said the extent of the cuts were unneccesary and stressed that not all councillors supported them.He said <em>"the cuts would hit the adult social care budget , the special education service, subsidised bus services, bus passes and student transport which would all <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNXYmJpfUPI/AAAAAAAAAQg/CY-qS8p3WKk/s1600/andy+govier.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 269px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536569466858459378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNXYmJpfUPI/AAAAAAAAAQg/CY-qS8p3WKk/s200/andy+govier.jpg" /></a>be axed, as will the library budget, forcing some libraries to close. Community policing will be cut, reducing the number of officers on the streets. 75% of funding for youth services will be withdrawn, as well as all funding for theatres and arts groups. Eight household recycling centres will close and the road repair budget will be so severely reduced that an increase in road deaths and serious injuries will be inevitable."</em><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Other speakers stressed their opposition to the cuts, the desire to fightback and the alternatives to the approach taken by Tory leader Ken Maddocks.<br /><br /><strong>Cllr Ross Henley</strong> (Lib Dems) pointed out that Somerset had previously been a 4 star authority whilst Mendip District under Cllr Maddocks had been flagged up as a failing council unable to protect public services. He stressed tha<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWTc5sluYI/AAAAAAAAAQA/y9ORAfK_Prs/s1600/demo+julian.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536493441655355778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWTc5sluYI/AAAAAAAAAQA/y9ORAfK_Prs/s320/demo+julian.jpg" /></a>t not all Lib Dems supported the cuts nationally.<br /><br />However, despite Cllr Henleys welcome support for the campaign, speakers roundly condemned the liberals backing for the Tories. <strong>Rob Thompson</strong>, a Taunton student, spoke particularly well and pointed the finger of guilt clearly at LibDem MPs such as Tauntons Jeremy Browne saying <em>"He came to our college and promised us</em><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWTyCajiZI/AAAAAAAAAQI/V6Tl4EvvIoA/s1600/demo+glen.jpg"><em><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536493804772886930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNWTyCajiZI/AAAAAAAAAQI/V6Tl4EvvIoA/s320/demo+glen.jpg" /></em></a><em> that he would not vote for the raising of tuition fees. People believed him . But he lied. No more so called 'tactical voting'!"<br /></em><br /><strong>Glen Burrows</strong> from Bridgwater Trades Council and the RMT union said there was an alternative. <em>"In 1945 this country was on it's knees but out of that the sons and daughters of miners and factory workers and railway workers built a welfare state. Today there is no financial crisis -this is a rich country with billions in unpaid taxes from the rich. This is an ideological attack by the ruling class on ordinary working people and the welfare state. " </em><br />She urged people not to accept the cuts but to fight back through the organisations they had built up from their Trades Unions to their local Community groups, from the Creche to the workplace. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536568947448103298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TNXYH6saQYI/AAAAAAAAAQY/0y90snGPXv0/s400/fightback.jpg" />Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-75375234681233728362010-10-28T12:45:00.000-07:002010-10-28T12:50:55.890-07:00LABOUR LEADER CONDEMNS CON-DEM CONTEMPT FOR PUBLIC SERVICES<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TMnUFtvT_8I/AAAAAAAAAPg/T8VT42NH6DI/s1600/cuts+demo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 310px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TMnUFtvT_8I/AAAAAAAAAPg/T8VT42NH6DI/s400/cuts+demo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533186811843837890" /></a><br /><strong>As the severity of Tory cuts becomes apparent- backed foolhardily by their LibDems stooges the people are starting to fight back! A series of demos and meetings are being organised across the county over the next few weeks. Sedgemoor District Labour party Leader Cllr Kathy Pearce has committed the Labour Group to support the campaigns and is calling for a united stand against the cuts</strong><br /><br />Kathy says <em>"Join us in opposing the savage cuts proposed by the County Council. Why are the County Council acting in such haste, before any impact has been calculated and when they do not even know the final Government funding arrangements?" <br /> <br />"The scale of the cuts makes a complete mockery of their proposterous decision to impose a 0% increase in their share of the Council Tax, which has only exacerbated an extremely difficult situation. " <br /> <br />"We can only draw the conclusion that the scale of these cuts is being made because of an idealogical contempt of public services."<br /> <br />"Support the Rally on 6th November."</em>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-54744781650613450212010-10-22T04:54:00.000-07:002010-10-22T04:58:30.858-07:00LABOUR FIGHTS THE CUTS<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TMF8XvTTLZI/AAAAAAAAAPY/usrWd3C6bLc/s1600/MUNICIPAL+SOCIALISM.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TMF8XvTTLZI/AAAAAAAAAPY/usrWd3C6bLc/s400/MUNICIPAL+SOCIALISM.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530838564663930258" /></a><br /><strong>Sedgemoor District Labour Group have spoken out firmly against the Coalition Government’s decision to implement the greatest departmental cut to the Communities and Local Government budget by a whopping 51%, demonstrating an utter contempt for public services and the most vulnerable in our society.</strong>In the meantime, Somerset County Council’s announcements of 1500 reduction in jobs and up to 40% cuts in service budgets, even ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review, has shown an complete lack of understanding of the impact on front line services locally.<br /><br />Labour Group leader Cllr Kathy Pearce said "The previous Labour Government’s spending plans were on track to halve this country’s deficit by 2014. We believe that these cuts, being imposed by the Tories and Lib Dems, are being made on ideological grounds rather than necessity and will have a devastating impact on our communities and the economy."<br /><br />Labour group secretary Cllr Brian Smedley said " I would like to see the Labour group supporting workers and communities taking action to resist these cuts. Groups like Bridgwater Forward and the Trades Council need the full backing of everybody in this fightback against Tories using these cuts as a shield to implementing policies that will take us back to the 1980s. No-one can any longer believe the Lib Dems and no one can trust them to do anything other than to prop up their tory masters".Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-79984697332616605162010-09-02T09:09:00.000-07:002010-09-02T09:27:35.205-07:00Somerset NHS workers say NO to privatisation!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TH_QYLHF1SI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/G4tr3f1LFkM/s1600/unite+4+our+nhs+sticker.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TH_QYLHF1SI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/G4tr3f1LFkM/s400/unite+4+our+nhs+sticker.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512353582642746658" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br /><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title>Day 1</title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 2.1 (Win32)"><meta name="AUTHOR" content="Anna Kroutlová"><meta name="CREATED" content="20070420;14480000"><meta name="CHANGEDBY" content="Anna Kroutlová"><meta name="CHANGED" content="20070420;14480000"><style> <!-- @page { size: 21cm 29.7cm; margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0cm } P.western { so-language: en-US; font-style: italic } P.cjk { font-style: italic } H1 { margin-top: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm } H1.western { font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; so-language: en-US } H1.cjk { font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 12pt } H1.ctl { font-family: "Tahoma"; font-size: 12pt } --</style><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><b>Two thousand five hundred of Somerset’s most dedicated NHS professionals, working in the Community Health Service are angry at an attempt to ‘strong-arm’ them into leaving the NHS and becoming a “Social Enterprise”.</b></span> <p class="western" style="font-style: normal;font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#000000;">Angry Health Visitors, School Nurses, local hospital and other workers across Somerset Community Health Services met in Bridgwater on Wednesday 1<sup>st</sup> September, to launch a vital and urgent campaign to persuade the members of the county’s NHS Primary Care Trust to vote to stay within the NHS.</span></p> <p class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="color:#000000;">Community Health Services staff, many with twenty or thirty years’ proud and loyal service to the public service ideal, are also appealing for public support.</span></p> <p class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="color:#000000;">One Health Visitor at the meeting said: <i>“We are being strong-armed and railroaded. No-one I know wants to be transferred to a private ‘Social Enterprise’ employer. We love the NHS and we want to remain a part of it. We are being told that this must be sorted by the end of September and there is nothing we can do about it. Well, we’ll see about that!”</i></span></p> <p class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="color:#000000;">A School Nurse said: <span style="font-style: italic;"> “They are saying that Social Enterprises are good because they are a “not for profit community organisation”. Social Enterprises’ like any other business, could go bust, and would then be taken over by a private health care company.”</span></span></p> <p class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="color:#000000;">A token ‘consultation’ with both staff and members of the public has been rushed through during the peak holiday period, and the PCT are insisting that the final decision must be made at their meeting of 15<sup>th</sup> September. Staff are asking for more time for a proper consultation, involving staff AND public, which will end with the final decision being made by a democratic staff ballot.</span></p> <p class="western" style="font-style: normal; font-family: arial;"><span style="color:#000000;">The key Somerset PCT meeting is being held at Yeovil, headquarters of the Somerset Primary Care Trust, on 15<sup>th</sup> September. The campaign is asking for maximum staff and public support at the meeting, which is held at </span>Wynford House, Lufton Way, Yeovil BS22 8HR<span style="color:#000000;">, starting at 10.00am. Members of the public are invited to put questions to the PCT at the start of t</span><span style="color:#000000;">he meeting. </span> </p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="western"><span style="color:#000000;">A staff petition is being circulated, which states: <i>“We, the undersigned, are extremely proud to work for the NHS in Somerset. We cherish our reputation as having one of the top Primary Care Trusts in the country, and of delivering high quality services to our local population. We want to continue to work with you to transform our local health service from ‘good’ to ‘great.’ We are proud to work for the best ‘not for profit’ organisation, based in the heart of our local community. That organisation is called the NHS and we want to stay in it!</i><i> Please hear our voices!”</i></span></p> <p class="western" style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The press release above was put out by Bridgwater Trades Union Council immediatly after the meeting </span><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title>Day 1</title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 2.1 (Win32)"><meta name="AUTHOR" content="Anna Kroutlová"><meta name="CREATED" content="20070420;14480000"><meta name="CHANGEDBY" content="Anna Kroutlová"><meta name="CHANGED" content="20070420;14480000"><style> <!-- @page { size: 21cm 29.7cm; margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0cm } P.western { so-language: en-US; font-style: italic } P.cjk { font-style: italic } --></style><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>To get involved with the campaign and to send messages of support, people are advised to contact:</span><b>BRIDGWATER TRADES UNION COUNCIL</b> Secretary: Dave Chapple, 1 Blake Place, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 5AU Tel. 01278 450562 davechapple@</span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color:#000000;">btinternet.com</span></span></span> </p><p class="western" style="font-style: normal; text-align: left; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;">SEDGEMOOR LABOUR GROUP BACKS TUC CAMPAIGN</span></p><meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><title>Day 1</title><meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 2.1 (Win32)"><meta name="AUTHOR" content="Anna Kroutlová"><meta name="CREATED" content="20070420;14480000"><meta name="CHANGEDBY" content="Anna Kroutlová"><meta name="CHANGED" content="20070420;14480000"><style> <!-- @page { size: 21cm 29.7cm; margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } --> </style> <p style="margin-right: 1cm; margin-bottom: 0.5cm; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; text-decoration: none;font-family:arial;" align="LEFT" lang="en-US"> <span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Members of Sedgemoor District Labour Group have joined the Bridgwater Trades Council in expressing strong opposition to the government's privatisation agenda for the NHS, which could see vital services provided by Health Visitors, School Nurses an</span></b></i></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TH_Od3ODSYI/AAAAAAAAAPI/hGXFgTJpMIk/s1600/kathy+chatting+%28head%29+minehead.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TH_Od3ODSYI/AAAAAAAAAPI/hGXFgTJpMIk/s400/kathy+chatting+%28head%29+minehead.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512351481359190402" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">d other hospital workers being transferred to a Social Enterprise e</span></b></i></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">mploye</span></b></i></span></span><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><b><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">r.</span></b></i></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none; font-family: arial;">Kathy Pearce, Leader of the Sedgemoor District Labour Group, stated that she shared health workers' fears that if the Social Enterprise does not make a profit, then it would be sold off to the private health care providers who have a history of pricing systems which disadvantage the elderly and vulnerable. Health workers are also at risk of losing their rights after 3 years if this proposal goes ahead.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-decoration: none; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">"We are extremely worried at the speed of the proposed change and the poor quality of consultation over the holiday period, which is allowing this to go through largely unnoticed by members of the public. The NHS is the cornerstone of our society, providing equality of access to all, regardless of income. We cannot afford to let this slip through our hands."</p> <p class="western" style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"I urge anyone concerned about these proposals to write or make contact with the Primary Care Trust Headquarters at Wynford House, Lufton Way, Yeovil BS22 8HR, or to attend the meeting there on 15th September at 10am."</span><u><span style="color:#000000;">
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<br /></p> Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-10960320325248201332010-08-25T08:14:00.000-07:002010-08-25T08:39:09.699-07:00THE CUTS ARE HERE!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/THU3W56liTI/AAAAAAAAAPA/nyvqoXdSdnk/s1600/winning+here.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/THU3W56liTI/AAAAAAAAAPA/nyvqoXdSdnk/s400/winning+here.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509370585800870194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="padding-left: 2px;font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:12pt;"> <div> <div style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Somerset County Council are proposing savage cuts of up to 65% in some support areas.</span></span><br /><br /></strong> <div style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><strong> Please see the email below sent to all Children and Young People Directorate staff, which demonstrates the frightening scale of the cuts to be imposed. It would indicate the closure of the Local Service Teams (Education Attendance Workers, Emotional Health Workers, Team 4 (Social Care), Connexions, Parent and Family Support Advisers - all of whom work to support families/schools).<br /><br /></strong></div><div style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> </div> <div style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;"><strong style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></strong><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Spread the word, forward this link to let as many people as possible know what is happening under this ConDem coalition. </span></span> </strong><br /></div></span></div> <div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't get fooled again!!</span></span><br /><br />Shaun O Byrne<br />Secretary Bridgwater Labour Party<span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" ><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12pt;"><br /><hr align="center" width="100%" size="2"> </span></span></div></div></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;" > </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">I am writing to you so that you are kept as up to date as possible about proposed budget reductions in the County Council’s Children and Young People services. At a recent meeting of the Directorate Management Team, including the new Director, Louise Goll, with our partners (Members, Headteachers, Health and Children and Young People staff) outline suggestions for reductions were considered. The following broad outlines will be proposed to Members for decision after the announcements of Government spending plans later in the Autumn.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">In broad terms, the local authority base budget for the Children & Young People’s Directorate is currently just over £66m and we will, in the first instance, be considering cuts of nearly £17m (approximately 25%) over three years. Children’s Social Care services account for nearly half of the £66m budget (approximately £29m including Disabilities services) and it is difficult to reduce this expenditure. Transport costs generally account for a further £11m and although we are looking at this budget it is currently overspending and is mostly demand led. Therefore, spending reductions will fall more heavily on the remaining services, <strong>the impact will be more like <u>65%</u>. </strong></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">The broad outline suggestions are as follows:</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 54pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Consideration to be given to adjusting the base budget for Children’s Social Care to reflect the current levels of demand locally and nationally. The proposal is broadly for half of the Children’s Social Care current budget pressure of £5m to be met by savings across the service and half through an adjustment to the base budget;</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 54pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">A reduction by almost 75% in Partnership services, reducing the budget from £12m to nearer £3m. This will have very significant implications, particularly for local service delivery;</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 54pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">A reduction in local authority funded school and pupil related services of approximately 50-60%, with remaining services developed in partnership with schools;</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 54pt; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Symbol;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Reductions of 40% in strategic and management budgets.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">In the light of the above, it will be recommended that the Children and Young People’s Directorate should be organised in three services rather than the current four. These would be:</span></span></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Learning and Achievement,</span></span> </li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Strategy and Policy </span></span> </li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Children’s Social Care.</span></span></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">This note is, in a sense, a ‘green light’ for further discussions between staff, their representatives and managers to begin to flesh out these proposals in more detail. It will be important to capture the learning from the developments in Children’s Services over the last few years and to use that to help inform plans for the coming years.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">I hope that now you know these parameters you will be able to see more clearly your own position in relation to reductions, and be able to plan with us the future shape of the service. I also hope that this will not come as a complete shock to you, since the Directorate has had to involve many people as it begins to formulate plans in these very hard economic circumstances.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">This note has been sent to all staff in the Directorate and copied to our Lead Member for Children & Young People, our four key Members, Chairs of SASH/SAPHTO/SAHSP and SGSG, Corporate Directors and the Chief Executive, Chair of Somerset Children’s Trust, Police District Commander, Head of HR and will also be sent to Trade Union Representatives. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=d07d6866c5&view=att&th=12aa9cbc66ca7e5e&attid=0.1&disp=emb&zw" width="144" height="74" /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;" >Bob Clark</span></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Interim Corporate Director</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;">Children & Young People </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;" > </span></span></p>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-43116887233139218022010-08-20T01:37:00.000-07:002010-08-20T01:50:40.057-07:00Labour’s Kathy Pearce elected as Group Leader on District Council<div align="justify"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TG4_UsgFv-I/AAAAAAAAAOY/HqPmoGRsk7w/s1600/kathy+in+pink.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 155px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507409019096383458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TG4_UsgFv-I/AAAAAAAAAOY/HqPmoGRsk7w/s400/kathy+in+pink.jpg" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Following the death of Roger Lavers, the Sedgemoor District Labour Group has elected Hamp Ward Councillor, Kathy Pearce as their new Leader.</span></strong><br /><br />Kathy stood as Labour’s candidate in the General Election held earlier this year and has represented the Bridgwater Hamp ward on Sedgemoor District Council for 11 years. She grew up in the Hamp ward, has always lived in Bridgwater and alongside her Council duties, currently works supporting parents and carers of children with special educational needs.<br /><br />Commenting on her appointment, Kathy said <em>“Roger’s untimely death has left a big gap in the Labour Group and big shoes to for me to fill but I will do my best to match the high standard of leadership he set. I am committed to continuing to fight for Bridgwater’s interests in the face of recent decisions made by Sedgemoor District Council which have been to the detriment of the town. We in the Labour Group will do everything that we can to protect our local services in the face of stringent cuts which will affect the weak and vulnerable in our society disproportionately."</em><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TG5Beb18QnI/AAAAAAAAAOw/EQpL5Ytu15A/s1600/Cllr_Julian_TaylorLRG.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507411385446580850" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TG5Beb18QnI/AAAAAAAAAOw/EQpL5Ytu15A/s200/Cllr_Julian_TaylorLRG.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">The new deputy leader of the Sedgemoor District Labour group is to be <strong>Cllr Julian Taylor</strong> (left) who represents the Bridgwater Eastover ward.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Contact<br />Shaun O’Byrne<br />Secretary/Agent<br />Bridgwater Labour Party<br />01278 732704</div>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-5974729243697395762010-07-20T01:43:00.000-07:002010-07-20T02:06:57.863-07:00A TRIBUTE TO CLLR ROGER LAVERS<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TEVnHr8JpQI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/J6fJtj-BECU/s1600/CllrRogerLaversMED_1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 194px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/TEVnHr8JpQI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/J6fJtj-BECU/s400/CllrRogerLaversMED_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495912302027318530" /></a><br /><strong>Sedgemoor Labour Leader, Roger Lavers, who died recently had been the leader of the Labour opposition in Sedgemoor for the past 10 years and will be greatly missed for his leadership skills, his compassion for the people he served and for his dedication to the cause of holding Sedgemoors Tories to account.</strong><br /><br /> Roger was born in 1943 and grew up in Plymouth. His formal education included an Engineering apprenticeship at the Naval Dockyard. He later worked at a small shipyard at Hamble,Solent and then for CEGB in Plymouth, Didcot, and at Hinkley Point. <br /><br /> As an engineer he became a Union activist in the AEU, a shop steward, and a union delegate. In later years he became a manager concerned with performance improvement. <br /><br /> He first became active in the Bridgwater Labour Party in the mid 1980's and stood for the District in the 1987 election when Labour was at it's lowest ebb locally bedevilled by in fighting and in fact even stood candidates against itself that year. Roger stood in the Eastover ward but was unsuccessful as the Party was reduced to a mere 4 councillors.<br /><br /> 2 years later Labours fortunes were reversing drastically and the party was bouncing back with a new and united determination to get rid of Thatcherism. In 1989 he stood for Bridgwater North in the County Council election and won a great victory with Labour taking 3 out of the 4 Bridgwater seats.<br /> <br /> He remained as a County Councillor until 1997, and during this period, was also elected to the District Council seat to represent Bridgwater Victoria (1995 to 2007).<br /><br /> His wife Christine had won a sensational victory in their home village of Woolavington and when she stood down in 2007 Roger took over the seat and fought a hard battle to keep the Tories out winning by a close margin at a time that Tory fortunes were reviving. <br /><br /> At the time of the Labour landslide in 1997 Roger was adopted as the Parliamentary candidate for the Bridgwater Constituency and at the same time became Labour leader on Sedgemoor.<br /><br /> Roger was also the Chair of Woolavington parish Council and at one time theMayor of Bridgwater 1999-2000. in Millennium Year, and in his robes, he abseiled down the tower of St Marys Church. Almost definitely the only Mayor of Bridgwater ever to have done this. <br /><br /> His key achievements during his time as Mayor was to press the Government to change the status of the Charter Trustees in to a Town Council and as an aide to this, Set up the Bridgwater Forum. <br /><br /> In his final years Roger campaigned hard to save the Sedgemoor Splash in the face of relentless Tory pressure to scrap the much loved amenity and one of his last actions at council was to launch a blistering attack on the Electoral review body for presenting a sham consultation process -which won applause across the council floor.<br /><br /> Cllr Kathy Pearce, Roger's deputy, is currently acting Labour leader.Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-53585144185572427922010-05-06T19:34:00.000-07:002010-05-06T20:07:27.822-07:00BRIDGWATER RESULT 02.32AM<strong>To no-ones surprise, Tory incumbant IAN LIDDELL-GRAINGER has won the safe Conservative seat of Bridgwater and West Somerset. In a night when Tory swings ranged from 8-10% it is of great satisfaction to note that in Bridgwater they dropped by 0.1% - clearly local factors and a clear indication that outside the dyed in the brain tory faithful, ILG is NOT appreciated.</strong><br /><br /><strong>The vote was as follows;-</strong><br />Ian Liddell-Grainger Conservative ..........24,675 .....45.3%..... -0.1 <br />Theo Butt Philip Liberal Democrat ..........15,426 .....28.3% .....+5.7 <br />Kathryn Pearce Labour .......................9,332 .....17.1%......-8.5 <br />Peter Hollings UK Independence Party ........2,604 ......4.8%..... +1.1 <br />Donna Treanor British National Party ........1,282 ......2.4% .....+2.4 <br />Charles Graham Green ..........................859 ......1.6%..... -1.2 <br />Bob Cudlipp Independent .......................315...... 0.6%......+0.6 <br /><br />It's a great shame to see such a high Fascist vote in the constituency for a candidate who doesn't live in the area and well, is a Fascist, and although we won't see her again she's certainly left a bad taste in her wake and a whole spawning ground for her evil creed to be nurtured.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-ODJfX33oI/AAAAAAAAAOA/EWj5j-wqm6w/s1600/result.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-ODJfX33oI/AAAAAAAAAOA/EWj5j-wqm6w/s400/result.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468358571621604994" /></a><br />It was also an inevitable by product of a dirty campaign by the Lib Dems that they hoodwinked the electorate into thinking people should vote for them in order to get out the Tory- that combined with the National lib dem mania has put them in an undeserved second place and inevitably the big promise of a lib dem victory locally and Nationally obviously failed to materialise.<br /><br /><br />Kathy Pearce had a great team of helpers throughout the campaign which was hard fought in the face of a very difficult time in Government for the Labour Party yet held the local vote up by a margin of 2% to buck the regional trend of a swing against labour which generally dropped by 10%.<br /><br />and at 03.43 with the final election results as yet unknown we'll sign out.Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-15518924743835994542010-05-06T02:43:00.000-07:002010-05-06T10:15:18.696-07:00THURSDAY MAY 6TH TODAY IS ELECTION DAY<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-Ljwfhq1GI/AAAAAAAAAN4/vPW7V4cB1Ig/s1600/Kathy+on+the+go.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-Ljwfhq1GI/AAAAAAAAAN4/vPW7V4cB1Ig/s400/Kathy+on+the+go.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468183319817147490" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Despite the drizzle (not to mention the volcanic ash) that covers Britain today the General Election 2010 is off -probably the most important one for a Generation. in Bridgwater & West Somerset KATHY PEARCE was up at the crack of dawn to cast her vote at Westfield church in Bridgwaters West Street before heading off to the Minehead end of the vast constituency and back again throughout the day. </strong><br /><br />"Tory and LibDem rosettes seem to be noticeable by their absence at the moment - which to me shows the Tories are less than convinced by their absentee candidate and the Lib Dems are relying on their x-factor style TV hype as they have absolutely no Party members active on the ground here! "<br /><br /><strong>AFTERNOON UPDATE</strong><br /><br />Turnout in Bridgwater, like elsewhere in the country, is <em>high</em>. Very little sign of the opposition. Polling stations around the country opened at 7am and will close at 10pm - with the first results expected before midnight.<br /><br /><em>Bridgwater is expected to be declared at about 3am.</em><br /><br />Final Opinion Polls showed Tories in the lead with 36% and Labour second on 29% and Lib Dems trailing on 27%. This would translate into a Tory minority Government and of course the Lib Dems failing to gain much more than 10 extra seats showing that in a First Past the Post election <em>a Lib Dem vote is a wasted vote.</em><br /><br />BNP candidate Donna Treanor <em>hasn't been spotted at all</em>-probably because shes standing as a council candidate where she lives in Croydon today as well! Which of course doesn't mean her candidature here hasn't unearthed a dodgy underbelly of racist supporters who have taken to the local blogosphere.<br /><br />UKIP candidate was pictured voting early on but their campaign today has been dominated by ex leader Farages plane crash which occured this morning when he tried to take off with a 'vote Ukip' banner that got entangled in the planes tail and brought it down. His agent said he was 'drifting in and out of conscious, but still talking' (no surprise there). His injuries were declared as 'not life threatening'. Belgium has declared a day of mourning.<br /><br />Every last available Lib Dem appears to have left the Bridgwater constituency (in a Mini Metro) to help in other areas where they have a chance of winning leaving Butt-Phillips wishing he'd been selected in the winnable consituency of Wells (where he lives)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-LjFeFwqLI/AAAAAAAAANw/7iXPVEU0nd8/s1600/polling+station.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-LjFeFwqLI/AAAAAAAAANw/7iXPVEU0nd8/s200/polling+station.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468182580697278642" /></a><br />Tory candidate Ian Liddel-Grainger appears to be trying to combat his non-visibility during the election campaign by driving at top speed around the constituency -but failing to stop for fear he falls victim to a similar stunt that held up his leaders photo op this morning when he went to vote. ( Two men, one dressed in a blazer and boater, unfurled a large banner at Spelsbury Memorial Hall in Witney, Oxfordshire. It featured a picture of the Conservative party leader with the slogan.<em><strong> "Britons know your place. Vote Eton - vote Tory." </strong></em>)<br /><br /><strong>EVENING UPDATE</strong><br /><br />Polling stations are open until 10pm. <em>Turnout is high.</em><br /><br />Labour supporters have been greeting voters at almost all polling stations with seevral Tory, a couple of UKIP and only 1 LibDem presence . Response from the public has been positive.<br /><br />The BNP have not put in a presence.<br /><br />Kathy is having her tea break and is then touring the polling stations again.<br /><br />The office at Unity House is staffed until 9pm.<br /><br />The bar will be open late.<br /><br /><strong>IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO THUS FAR PLEASE GET OUT THERE AND VOTE FOR KATHY PEARCE</strong><br /><br /><br /><br />*Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-5225941710525626352010-05-05T08:28:00.000-07:002010-05-05T13:05:43.547-07:00ABSENTEE MP BREAKS HIS SILENCE "GO ON THEN,VOTE LABOUR!"<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-Ge8r36fcI/AAAAAAAAANI/44nsqDVCUEM/s1600/GO+ON+THEN+VOTE+LABOUR.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-Ge8r36fcI/AAAAAAAAANI/44nsqDVCUEM/s320/GO+ON+THEN+VOTE+LABOUR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467826188011077058" /></a><br /><strong>Bridgwater's much criticised Tory MP, Ian Lidell-Grainger, has finally turned up on the doorsteps to 'meet the voters' but has run into a storm of criticism which he has responded to by giving his public short measure and not helped his chances of re-election one bit.</strong><br /><br /> On doorstep number 1 the elusive little stranger is asked about what he is going to do for them. He responds about how he will look after pensioners (much to the householders annoyance as she isnt a pensioner). Householder is not convinced and then tells him she's already voted Labour by postal vote anyway, he completely blanks her and storms off down the path, muttering.<br /><br /> Doorstep number 2 sees Liddell-Grainger challenged again ( a few doors along and out of sight of the first one) this time about the fact that he has not responded to his letter of 3 years ago. L-G gets on phone immediately, says <em>'oh yes they did respond'</em>. Householder says why didn't he get a copy then. This is now definitely a recurring theme in his method of dealing with the fact that he probably hasn't actually responded .<br /><br /> Next stop and The Right Honourable Ian is challenged as to why he is keeping such a low profile. Does not cope with the question well and his parting shot is '<strong><em> "well go on and vote Labour then".</em></strong><br /> <br />Labour candidate <strong>Kathy Pearce</strong>, who has been out canvassing today in Williton and Watchet said <em>"I'm quite moved by what a good response we've been getting as polling day draws ever near.People are incensed at Liddel-Graingers taking them for granted and equally outraged at the LibDems blatant misrepresenting the voting figures on their glossy leaflets and the fact they could con people into splitting the vote and keeping him in. As Gordon Brown said, it is time for Labour voters to come home. There genuinely feels like there are people out there who want to vote true to their beliefs this time and vote Labour with a chance of ousting Liddell-Grainger."</em><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-HPfd2cpTI/AAAAAAAAANg/SRj7AJ2jYN8/s1600/BBC+POLL+BRIDGWATER+2010.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-HPfd2cpTI/AAAAAAAAANg/SRj7AJ2jYN8/s200/BBC+POLL+BRIDGWATER+2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467879562100385074" /></a><br />As Traditional Labour voters appear to be swinging back to the party in these crucial last few hours before the country could potentially take a disastrous step back in time to Tory rule, this could boost Kathys chances in a bedrock Labour area like Bridgwater and combined with a tactical anti-Tory vote to oust the unpopular former MP, the Conservative stranglehold on the area could be finally broken.<br /><br />On the 'Wheres Ian Liddell-Grainger'facebook page today, independent voter <em><strong>Laura Costello</strong></em> wrote <em>"I hope that all the people that have joined this group and have vented their anger about Mr ILG will use their vote on thursday to do the only thing that will get him out of our area, which is to VOTE LABOUR.<br /><br />I have to be honest and say that I am not Labour supporter in general and do not support some of their general policies and actions, but see voting Labour in our area IS THE ONLY THING THAT WILL GET MR ILG OUT.<br /><br />I have to add also, that Kathy Pearce (Labour) seems the most likely do to the VERY BEST for our town and to WORK HARD; she has been bought up here and still lives IN THE TOWN (not in a posh pile in the countryside or out of the constituency) and she has shown she will work very hard on the LOCAL ISSUES we all most care about."</em><br /><br />Her statement was supported by <em><strong>David Gliddon</strong></em> <em>"Totally agree - and Kathy Pearce has been vocal about supporting Bridgwater and the loss of the Sedgemoor Splash. Where was ILG when the town needed him? "Helping" place the new pool at Chilton Trinity in 2012!! A more inappropritae site you could not have found."</em><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-Gfaf3U35I/AAAAAAAAANQ/O8muQBjRrBc/s1600/kathy+occupy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S-Gfaf3U35I/AAAAAAAAANQ/O8muQBjRrBc/s320/kathy+occupy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467826700183461778" /></a><br />'Wheres ILG 'facebook creator <strong><em>Tom Douglas</em></strong> had to apologise today for deleting pro-Labour comments from his website admitting <em>"It was wrong to do that. Such feelings shouldn't overide freedom of speech".</em> However, the LibDem lie machine stepped up it's attempts to split the anti Tory vote by diggin up the 'Electoral Calculus' website to suggest yet another way that the figures could be doctored in their favour.<br /><br />Labour Party election campaign manager <strong>Brian Smedley</strong> clearly refuted this <em>"The problem with the Electoral Calculus website: it assumes a uniform national swing and does not take any local factors in to account. Although the general election is partly about electing a new government, it's also about choosing who you want as your local MP in 650 very localised and individual contests which will be informed by the context and circumstances on the ground. Any website that doesn't take this into account is deeply flawed and best ignored. Kathy is a popular and elected local councillor already, with 10 years experience and was born ,lives and works in the area. The Lib Dems have been wiped out electorally in the local councils and their candidate is from Wells-even though he pretends his address is Cannington! Don;t trust them - vote for Kathy" </em>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7643431133292665531.post-40721000643062167062010-05-04T01:17:00.000-07:002010-05-04T02:10:58.698-07:00THE TACTICAL VOTE IN BRIDGWATER IS LABOUR<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S9_fiixJC4I/AAAAAAAAAMw/iO3PHgNrroA/s1600/BBC+POLL+BRIDGWATER+2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S9_fiixJC4I/AAAAAAAAAMw/iO3PHgNrroA/s400/BBC+POLL+BRIDGWATER+2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467334257192536962" /></a><br /><strong>This week 'tactical voting' is all the rage. Several newspapers have printed their own guide to which party to vote for in which seat in order to stop Cameron winning and returning us to a new Tory Ice Age where climate change could only be a welcome relief.</strong><br /><br />Bridgwater is NOT mentioned in any of these 'tactical votes'. This is because it's considered a SAFE Tory seat and, not being a 'marginal', won't effect the General Election result . Of course things are different in say 'Taunton' where Lib Dems hold the seat by a just few hundred votes or in Somerset North east-a Labour seat with less than 1% difference between Labour and Tory -where a LibDem vote would let in the Tory.<br /><br />So in this whirlwind of 'Tactical Voting' people are getting confused - especially by the deceptive Libdem leaflets which pick and choose statistics to make people think they can win here.<br /><br /><em><strong>The key deciding factors in the BRIDGWATER & WEST SOMERSET constituency are the following;-</strong></em><br /><br /><strong>The last General election 2005;- </strong>Labour were in 2nd place to the Tories and therefore best placed as the party to 'lend your vote to' to get Liddel-Grainger out.<br /><br /><strong>District Council Election results 2007</strong>;- Throughout the Constituency (thats west Somerset + the South part of Sedgemoor) Labour has 12 councillors-10 in Bridgwater but also 1 in Minehead and 1 in Woolavington. The Lib Dems have just 1 (in Carhampton).<br /><br /><strong>County Council Election results 2009</strong>;-The County election vote swung to the Tories and they took most of the seats in the County wards within our constituency leaving the Lib Dems with 0 but labour with 1. <br /><br />But the most important 'neutral' statistics to look at are on the <strong>BBC ELECTION 2010 website </strong>which shows that in Bridgwater Labour is the best tactical vote . This calculates the previous vote plus the 'Notional vote' which projects figures based on the boundary changes and shows Labour in 2nd place 25.6% to lib dem 3rd place on 22,6%. Combined this would topple the Tory projected vote of 45.4%. There are 4'other' candidates on the ballot paper - which combined are projected at 6.4% (Green, UKIP, BNP & Independent).<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S9_kdHQkxkI/AAAAAAAAANA/SdZR_fBE-tc/s1600/VOTE+KATHY.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_i8NjcidoZzI/S9_kdHQkxkI/AAAAAAAAANA/SdZR_fBE-tc/s320/VOTE+KATHY.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467339661466977858" /></a><br /><strong>The Tactical vote in Bridgwater and West Somerset is LABOUR . Whilst the Lib Dems will try to con people that it's them, the truth is that if we want the Tory out people need to vote for KATHY PEARCE on May 6th</strong>Bridgwater Labour Partyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05389431749359572391noreply@blogger.com0