Moira Macdonald - Exeter City Councillor for Pinhoe Ward

Do only drivers fly-tip?

2012-01-15T12:20:00.000Z

After Simon Bowkett and I spent a couple of hours delivering our latest newsletter
I cycled home along one of my favourite routes - Hart's Lane.
There's hardly ever any motor-traffic. It's green and pleasant. You always meet other cyclists or walkers. It's friendly. There's even signs of badger activity.

But then, in the dog-leg for motor-vehicles to turn, near the end of the 'drivable' length of road, I came across these four bags of post-fix concrete: set solid. They had been left too long outside someone's home. Their contents had been wasted, now dumped - without regard to their impact.
For almost anyone it would have been as quick to drive to Pinhoe's excellent new Pinbrook Road Recycling Centre as to drive to this little-visited back lane.
As building waste, and therefore chargeable, the driver would have paid £2 per bag. That's £8.
What sort of person lets £25 -worth of post-fix concrete go solid in the bags they bought it in, but won't pay a third of that for proper disposal?
And, as I was reported this piece of shabby behaviour to Exeter City Council's Fly-tipping phone line the thought occured that only drivers can fly-tip.
How can walkers or cyclists, who like to use Hart's Lane and other remote or less frequented spots, carry the weight of waste that is fly-tipped?
But drivers' fly-tipped rubbish and rubble affects walkers whose children might pick up something dangerous, dog-owners whose dogs might gash their paws, cyclists whose tyres might be punctured.

Snow-free Summerway sunset ... a big plus.

2011-12-18T21:01:00.000Z

Beautiful sunset this evening.

As I watched the sun withdraw its gold I realised I was appreciating the watery gleam on the cars and road as much as I enjoyed the winter-pale sky colours.

Not hard to understand why.

It's a whole year since Exeter suffered serious snowfall.

Twelve months ago driving was treacherous. Too few roads were cleared quickly. Buses struggled.

Cycling was scary - partly because drivers didn't want to share 'their' two parallel tracks with a cyclist.

But no-one, by foot or bicycle, dared share space with the soon-slithering vehicles going too fast for the conditions.

All of which might not have mattered - we might have enjoyed wintery walking through stunning scenic views of our city - if only our pavements had been cleared/gritted. Instead every footway became a churned-up skid-pan.

So, until there's a sensible solution to keeping Exeter moving after snowfall... I'm dreaming of a ~~white~~ wet Christmas, not like the one we knew last year.

Orangutan mince pies

2011-12-01T10:02:00.001Z

Thank goodness for the small shops that bring variety and genuine purchasing choice to Exeter.
I looked for mince pie mincemeat in Pinhoe's Aldi - they had one brand on offer.
I checked out Pinhoe Sainsbury's. They had their own bottle, tub and 'Taste the Difference' jar, plus Robertsons Classic and Duerrs luxury 1881.
Choice surely?
No.
Not one bottle or tub was free from palm oil.
BBC Panorama says this about palm oil - Orangutan survival and the shopping trolley
So I went to Magdalen Road shopping centre, where variety and choice are genuine and often local.
Small traders still dominate and I could buy a jar of palm-oil free mincemeat.
Last year I didn't have this problem.
Sainsbury's know about the palm-oil issue. They are trying to switch to sustainable palm-oil; so far only in their biscuits range.
But Greenpeace points out the problem of being sure whether oil that's called sustainable truely is
I don't want to feel I'm adding to the biodiversity threat to our world's forests and their inhabitants every time I eat a mince pie.
Has anyone else found a mincemeat brand that is palm-oil-free?
Please let me know if you do.

Nature nearby

2011-11-18T17:38:00.001Z

How can urban areas have nature nearby?
Natural England have an inspiring answer - they invite local residents to get together to create "doorstep greens". Exeter City Council calls these "pocket parks".
Whatever the name we're aiming to start up soon in the Whipton area of Pinhoe Ward.
If you're interested in getting involved come along at 10.15 a.m. on Friday 2nd December to Whipton Community Hall Pinhoe Road, near Whipton shopping centre.
I will be there, as will the RSPB and Exeter Wild City.

Thanks to Exeter's street sweepers

2011-11-13T12:19:00.001Z

Autumn winds and rain have been flinging millions of leaves down onto our pavements and roads.

Sometimes lovely to look at.

But as they rot and grow slippery, not always easy to walk or cycle over.

And definitely not easy to sweep up.

So it's a big thank you to Exeter City Council's street sweepers for being out there in all weathers tackling the problem. Very much appreciated.

Tories' sham-green shame

2011-11-13T11:53:00.001Z

Many thanks to The Independent news paper's exclusive - Backlash grows over Camerons green sellout for the following list of the promises that have gone sour as the Govt back-tracks on environment policies and plans.

Planning New rules will strip away protection of the countryside from development – the Government has so far resisted a continuing, widespread campaign against the plans.

Motorway speeds To the horror of environmental campaigners, the Government is raising the limit to 80mph, adding more than two million tons a year to carbon emissions.

Forests Ministers announced last year a mass sell-off, despite no reference in the Conservative manifesto or coalition agreement, but a public campaign forced a U-turn.

Green investment bank A flagship environmental policy has been severely undermined by a Treasury block on it providing loans. It will not be allowed to borrow until 2015.

Eco-homes Another legacy of Labour, but any new homes built with "zero carbon" credentials will not have carbon emissions from electrical appliances counted, undermining the definition.

Quangos The Forestry Commission, Natural England and the Environment Agency have all been prevented from policy-making, while the Sustainable Development Commission and the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution have been axed.

Illegal tropical timber Ministers have scrapped a Conservative manifesto pledge to criminalise the possession of illegal tropical timber.

Aggregates The Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, which diverted £20m in taxes raised from the sand and gravel industry to 200 green projects, has been scrapped.

Daylight lights: what big switch-off?

2011-11-08T15:44:00.002Z

Very many Pinhoe streets are scheduled to switch over to 'part-night-lighting', which is the "glass-half-full" way of saying Devon County Council proposes to create lots of darkness across Pinhoe sometime in the not-too-distant future.

See - Part-Night Lighting: Carbon reducing scheme

The switch-off/on can't happen until each street lamp has been replaced with one more readily controllable.

Which brings up the seeming lack of any control at the moment down Parkers Cross Lane to Orchard Close.

At least a dozen lamps were shining brightly at mid-day today - as I reported to the County Council number - 0845 155 1004 for highways faults /problems.

There was an explanation. Sometimes, as the My Devon voice told me, lamps are deliberately left on for repairs checks. Plausible, I thought.

Except, as I cycled on I couldn't see any repairs vehicles parked anywhere. And the two residents I stopped and spoke to told me the lights were often on. Night and day, that is.

So when part-night-lighting does reach Parkers Cross Lane the County Council will be saving a whole lot more carbon than they thought. Unless, of course, they still leave their lamps on during the day.

Ultra-rapid bicycle rescue

2011-11-06T20:41:00.000Z

Firstly - big thanks to the Pinhoe resident who alerted me to the Claude Butler bicycle. Beside the Exeter-to-Waterloo railway track - below Exhibition Way Bridge.

Secondly - equally big thanks to Pinhoe's excellent PC and PCSO for the speed with which they got the bicycle removed.

They're now trying to trace its owner.

Hope the bike's not too badly damaged and the owner's story of loss has a happy ending.

Let's be clear about drains

2011-10-28T09:36:00.000+01:00

A drain doesn't need to be kept clear just because it's a drain.

Devon County Council, cutting back everywhere, seems to have forgotten that the purpose of keeping a drain clear is to get water off our streets and pavements. Doh!

And - as global warming increases rainfall intensity - we more often need good clear drains to keep water out of our homes and businesses too.

Perhaps I notice more as one of Exeter's many cyclists and walkers, but the last few days have brought us plenty of rain, and too much of it stays around too long.

Puddles turn to pools. Pools turn to lakes. Walking becomes wading.

And as for cycling - some 'lakes' are too large to stop pedaling and coast all the way through. And all that water certainly hides nasty pothole surprises.

But it's driver behaviour that seems to have become decidedly inconsiderate as drain maintenance gets worse.

For goodness sake - just drive at 5mph for five seconds when going through undrained pools. Don't fling up water all over nearby walkers and cyclists.

Fly-tipping gets worse - why?

2011-10-27T18:41:00.000+01:00

We have two excellent recycling centres in Pinhoe.

First is the new, superb Pinbrook Road Recycling Centre

The second is the small group of bins in the corner of Sainsburys car park

So why do people still fly-tip?

Almost anywhere,

but also right beside the Sainsbury's bins.

I asked at Sainsburys enquiry desk how frequently tipping happened.

Far more often now - was the reply - it's since people have had to pay to recycle.

I tried to explain that it was only building waste which was charged for, but really, that explanation needs to reach everyone, not only the person at Sainsburys enquiry desk.

Because he was right.

Purely by making one category of waste chargeable it has some-how sent a message that recycling centres now charge for anything.

As a result, many more people are resorting to fly-tipping. And clearing up the fly-tipping costs a lot of Council money that could be better used.

I wouldn't be surprised if it costs more than the income made by charging for the building waste.

An own goal, Devon County Council?

World warms before your eyes - scary

2011-10-21T09:15:00.000+01:00

Today's Guardian brings a video showing how the world has grown steadily warmer

global warming study - conclusive proof to climate sceptics

it's part of the paper's report of the most massive global warming study yet to be done - billions of records checked and cross-checked.

Report includes the reaction of Exeter University's leading climate system dynamics expert Peter Cox.

Not Scilly to recycle

2011-10-18T08:59:00.000+01:00

We're back from a week with friends on the Isles of Scilly.

The stay was as wonderful as ever - but there's a spoiler.

Apart from glass bottles there's NO recycling of waste.

Eric Pickles would love it - everything just shoved into one bin.

By the end of the week it felt like a desecration of the place you admire for its beauty and peacefulness.

It's high time recycling got started.

And I also mean the recycling of Labour ideals and achievement.

I visited Harold Wilson's grave - saw how lovingly well it is tended.

His legacy contains bold moves and a greatness we need to remind ourselves about.

the Open University
comprehensive schools
a welfare state where ordinary families benefitted from his Government's efforts to make British society more equal.- on a scale never seen since
not being a yes-sir-USA-poodle for calamitous wars - he resisted huge pressure from the States to take Britain into Viet Nam
his government repealed the restrictive laws on homosexuality, censorship and divorce

Harold Wilson inspired everyone with his 1963 conference speech about Britain forging ahead with the 'white heat of technology'.
We now need to use the 'heat of green technology' to grow strong in the 21st century.
The Labour Party pushes for this progressive future.
The Condems don't.

Tories fail green-o-meter test

2011-10-06T09:02:00.001+01:00

Check this link - see the truth about the Tories
greenometer-interactive-greenest-government?
And the Lib Dems can't counter-act the failure.

Not surprised.
Increasingly infuriated.
We can't afford a Government that sees little 'value' in the environment, biodiversity, nature, wildlife.

We don't want a Government that shows no grasp of the urgency of the biggest issue our planet has ever faced - that one of the species upon it is doing it and every other species massive harm.

Sustrans message gets great response

2011-10-03T09:07:00.000+01:00

Ben, Hannah, Sue and I spent a hectic time yesterday at Exeter Uni's main campus. Our Sustrans stall was in the sports hall, though to us Sustrans is about transport rather than sports cycling.
So we split up and took turns covering the rest of the Freshers Day stalls.
As ever, masses of students with ever-growing armfulls/bag-fulls of literature.

And so many of them said "Yes!" and took our cycling leaflets.
Exeter is such a cycling friendly City, it's actually quicker and easier to get to campus by bike than by car.

2011-10-02T22:24:00.000+01:00

Can't praise this company enough.
Seddon Group painters along with Danielle, their Public Relations manager, spent all last Friday and some of Saturday finishing off the painting of the children's play area in Pinhoe's Arena Park.
They gave their time and materials free.

Exeter City Council's parks maintenance team quickly strimmed away the grass growing at the bottom of the railings and we were off! Residents, volunteers and Seddon's painters enjoying the great sunshine weather as we worked hard.
Thanks also to Jean, the volunteer from Exeter Parks Watch who most often gets stuck in with the residents on local projects.
The children's play area is far more attractive now. There's new play equipment. And with the plans in the pipeline there's more to come.

Labour building up everywhere - 2

2010-12-15T17:14:00.000Z

Fab news.
All three of Central Devon Constituency's Labour Branches now are present on the Web

Visit Labourlight
if you live in one of these wards - Boniface, Bradninch, Cadbury, Exe Valley, Lawrence, Newbrooke, Sandford and Creedy, Silverton, Taw, Taw Vale, Upper Yeo, Way, Yeo

Visit East Dartmoor Labour
if you live in one of these Wards - Ashburton and Buckfastleigh, Bovey Tracey, Chudleigh, Haytor, Kenn Valley, Moorland, Teignbridge, Teignbridge North, Teign Valley

Visit Okehampton and West Labour Facebook
if you live in one of these Wards - Chagford, Drewsteignton, Exbourne, Hatherleigh, Lew Valley, North Tawton, Okehampton East, Okehampton West, South Tawton

Labour building up everywhere

2010-11-27T21:02:00.002Z

In September 2010 I was elected as the Exeter City Councillor for Pinhoe Ward.
I won't be posting here any more, but you can find me at my new Facebook page
Moira Macdonald

and I still work with the amazing and fast-growing Central Devon Labour Party - who now have three thriving Branches.

Check out
Labour East Dartmoor Branch

and
Labour Party: Okehampton and District Branch

Tory Tosh About Caring For Rural Areas - 2

2010-06-20T19:47:00.000+01:00

Heard the story about children who don't know milk comes from cows, and think it arrives in the supermarket from a factory that puts it into bottles?

That childish ignorance is in danger of becoming true.

Increased financial pressures on dairy farmers are pushing farmers towards an unwelcome and unhealthily intensive Dairy 'Industry'. More and more cows are seen as nothing but milk production factory units.

Alan Meale, Labour MP for Mansfield, on 3rd June tabled an Early Day Motion

EDM 144 - LEVELS OF INDUSTRIALISATION IN UK DAIRY HERDS
That this House is aware of the pressures building within the agricultural and related industries in the UK towards greater levels of industrialisation in UK dairy farming, with the direct consequence of growing numbers of cows being kept indoors for most of their lives; and notes the 2009 Report of the European Food Safety Authority, which concluded that the factory farming of dairy cows should end, not least because such breeding and practices for higher milk yields are major factors causing poor health and welfare in dairy herds.

.....
In the three weeks since then sixteen Labour MPs and only oneTory MP have signed their support for the EDM

If you want to help prevent the trend towards intensive factory-farming practices harmful to cows you can lobby Central Devon's Tory MP Mel Stride. Ask him to sign the EDM and also to be pro-active on the issue - his contact details are here

But he may not want to upset his neighbouring Tory MP Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton, who has this to say in the 6th April 2010 edition of Meat Trade News Daily

Babies and the reconomic recession

2010-06-17T09:45:00.000+01:00

"There is one area in particular where we both believe there is a need for urgent change. It is shocking that in many parts of Europe women still do not have equal rights in the workplace. [my emphasis] This is not just unfair; it makes no sense - because it deprives our economies of their full potential as workers and consumers."

Amazingly, the "we" who wrote the above are the prime ministers of the UK and Sweden. It is in an article in today's Financial Times - Reining in Europe's deficits is just the first step
It makes you wonder whether David Cameron is fully aware of how our country lags behind Sweden in terms of workplace rights not only for women, but for men too.

It is not good enough to keep the focus on women alone. Urge legislative change on behalf of women all you want, but that in itself won't shift cultural attitudes. Sweden's pro-active legislation for men in the workplace has made
far more difference to the Equal Pay gap in Sweden than any efforts so far in the UK. After it became compulsory for Swedish employers to give men two months' paternity leave to share in baby care women's average pay went up by a startling 7% and Sweden's economy has so far weathered the recession extremely well.

The two Prime Ministers' pledge is that "... in Brussels today we will be pushing this issue in discussions on Europe's next strategy for growth and employment."

If David Cameron and his Swedish counterpart Fredrik Reinfeldt are going to push for Swedish levels of workplace legislation then David needs to start in this country before he lectures the rest of Europe. And that includes Swedish respect for decent, comprehensive public services paid for out of higher taxation of the middle and upper classes.

So come on David, bring Swedish solutions to the UK.

Or are you scared of the Daily Mail brigade?

Tory tosh about caring for rural areas - 1

2010-06-13T12:43:00.001+01:00

Anyone who thinks the Tory-Lib Dem Govt will actually care about - or even understand - rural issues may want to re-think.

One month into the new Govt and here's the first revelation.
Rural poverty will be tackled by voluntary organisations which will help to rescue people from being "stranded on benefits" and get them into work.
Don't ask what work, since it is clear to me when meeting young people across Central Devon that finding a job which lets you live in your own village is nigh on impossible.

Buried in his House of Commons speech on tackling poverty Chris Grayling, Tory Minister for Work and Pensions, made this startling admission
when challenged by one of his own Party's MPs to be mindful of rural poverty, "As we prepare the work programme, I shall seek to ensure that it includes scope for the voluntary sector organisations that specialise in local communities and individual groups in our society that can make a difference. Groups that best understand rural areas can make the biggest difference to ensure that we help people in rural communities into prosperous and successful working lives, and not leave them stranded on benefits".

As if the rural voluntary sector were not as hard-pressed as any other in rural areas!

What is this rural rescue from being "stranded on benefits" going to be called?
Operation bootstraps?

Harold Wilson's choice

2010-06-13T09:46:00.001+01:00

Twice Labour Prime Minister between 1964 and 1976

Harold Wilson is remembered for his Government's

progressive and occasionally radical legislation including

abortion, censorship, divorce, homosexuality,

immigration, membership of the European Community

and especially the abolition of capital punishment.

I remember on my first visit to the Isles of Scilly
seeing him on St Mary's harbour quayside embarking
on one of the off-island trips.

He chose to retire to the Scillies and every time I go back for yet another holiday on those beautiful islands I think what a good choice he made.

To anyone who has not experienced this superb part of the UK - do go!

To anyone who wants to see a progressive and radical Party back in power - get involved in the Leadership contest, join us to restore the Party, help us get re-elected and see your beliefs put to work.

Call this Christian?

2010-05-20T14:26:00.002+01:00

Such intensity of feeling brought so many Newton St Cyres residents to their Parish Hall last night that not only was there standing room only, the standing room included those who were outside the hall leaning in to listen through the open windows.

The reason?

Underneath the well-drained, fertile and

beautiful farmland of nearby Winscott Barton Farm

lie 3 million tonnes of gravel and sand

which could be extracted and sold

to bring in money

for the Church Commissioners

who own the land.

As tennant farmers, four generations of the same family have made Winscott Barton a highly productive dairy and crop-producing farm. If the Church Commission gives them notice to quit and the gravel extraction goes ahead all this will be lost, not just for the twenty or twentyfive years it takes to sell off the gravel, but forever, because the reduced amount of farmable land that is left will drain so poorly.

Why might the Church Commissioners even entertain the idea of ruining forever a good farm - when everyone knows our country falls well short of producing all its own food?

Their investments haven't always been guided by an ethical approach as is now ensured by their Ethical Investments Advisory Board. But recently they did eventually decide to pull out of controversial dam building in India.

So if they can back off from harm in far off India,

perhaps we can persuade them to do no harm in Devon?

Please let the Secretary of the

Ethical Investment Advisory Board

know how you feel about the idea of

Winscott Barton Farm

becoming a gravel quarry.

"Women" won't do.

2010-05-19T09:05:00.001+01:00

So far we have two Eds, two Millibands, one David and a Balls.

Three men, no women.

Does this look like the right kind of leadership election?

Going by theyworkforyou.com's listed voting records

there's not a huge amount to choose between -

Ed Balls

David Milliband

Ed Milliband

Unhelpfully, theyworkforyou.com's list doesn't include a "women's issue" voting record, though of course the whole list is of interest to both women and men.
Contrary to the media's simplistic and superficial 'take' on the gender imbalance in Parliament and Government, "women" does not ..........
mean 'female persons'.
It is short-hand.
It means "people who are more likely to understand how some issues impact more adversely on women's lives than men's".

In theory the gender of the people in positions of power oughtn't to matter.
Experience, sadly, has proved otherwise.
Unless "women" are present in sufficient numbers "women's issues" don't get properly addressed.

It was one of Labour's triumphs in Government that the hugely increased number of Labour women MPs and Government ministers did bring many "women's issues" onto the national agenda - to the benefit of women, children and families across the country.

Child tax credits. The minimum wage.

Flexible working. Sure Start child care centres

Increased maternity leave and parental leave.

The reformation of domestic violence provision

to recognise that both genders are victims

Some of which the new Coalitition Government says

our country cannot afford at the current level

and should be withdrawn from those women and men

on moderate and middle incomes.

So when it is pointed out that we only have men challenging for leadership of the Labour Party, we need to remember we were rightfully scornful of the Tory mantra about "change".

The question "Where are the women in this election?" isn't some silly notion of needing a "change" from a man always being Labour leader. It expresses a concern about getting a leader who understands how Labour's policies and decisions must not unfairly disadvantage women compared to men, or men compared to women.

So far, there is no evidence on which to form an opinion.

But we have almost four months to find out.

Anti-Labour media buries our good news

2010-05-14T07:31:00.000+01:00

Adam Boulton and Sly News showed everyone the media bias that Labour Party members have long recognised.

It is only newsworthy when Labour lose a national election.
But when Labour make substantial gains in local elections....?

The BBC buried the link to the bare statistics on their Elections 2010 main page.
Go compare - the lobbying group Urban Forum Untold Story Of The Local Elections.and the Local Government Chronical Labour encouraged by gains in local elections

Labour - 442 councillors gained. Control 15 more local councils

Tories - 119 councillors lost. Control 8 less councils.

Lib Dems - 129 councillors lost. Control 3 less councils

Most of the Labour gains were from councils that used to be No Overall Control.

So as our Country goes hang,

locally people feel they've been hung out to dry too often

and are turning back to labour.

Across England it is still the Tories who dominate the most councils.

But in the May elections next year

Labour is set to further regain control of local government.

Be part of the return to Labour values locally

Be liberated from zombie arguments. Vote Planet!

2010-05-13T09:54:00.005+01:00

How dangerous is it to wear a T-shirt that says

"Global warming is a lot of hot air"?

I expect such a T-shirt exists.
If worn by a climate scientist on an IPCC working group, or worn on the high street by a global warming denier, its dual meanings couldn't be more opposed.

Do we laugh or despair?
If unchecked our planet will reach lethal temperatures well within the lifetimes of people alive today.
Yet we still behave (Kyoto, Copenhagen) as if the most important sustainablity is the acheivement of yet another moratorium event on the matter.

But there is no point in endlessly, politely trying to persuade a denier.

Ben Goldacre's succinct exposure of climate change denialists in his Bad Science column in the Guardian alerts us to the folly of engaging with denialists' zombie arguments, or as I've always thought of it - "Never wrestle with a pig, You both get dirty and the pig likes it."

We don't need everyone to understand climate change. We just need enough of those people who set trends, make decisions, influence expenditure, etc.

What are the important decisions that need to be made?

Who currently makes them?

Are they getting the message?

If not, why not?

Vote Planet!

In May next year District and Parish council elections

will be held across Central Devon.

We need to start now to ensure that all those who stand for election

get the global warming message

and we need to campaign to make sure

that those with the most positive responses get elected.

Go Labour! Building on our result.

2010-05-08T14:43:00.003+01:00

Factor in the tactical anti-Tory votes and we think our 6.9% vote share could mean as many as one in ten people in Central Devon hold dear the principle of progressive change towards a better, more equal and sustainable society: Labour values.

In Central Devon we have a crucial democratic role to play.

As I made clear at all the hustings meetings - being stuck with two-party, and sometimes single party, dominance of local councils risks a lack of accountability, lack of transparency, and the quality of service provision.

What Labour in Central Devon now aims for is to increase our local impact. We need to challenge, scrutinise and improve local council decisions and services at parish, district and county level.

A massive thank you to all Labour supporters who voted - whether directly for Labour of tactically against the Tories. We now need to tackle the two-party domienence in Central Devon.
Already Labour members are making a difference locally.
And the Central Devon Labour Party is large enough and active enough to support those who step forward to keep local authorities under scrutiny and also to consider taking on council roles.

If you feel you have a contribution to make, whether as a supportive Party member, a local council watchdog, or going for council elections next year to represent Labour values then please email me on munyori@blueyonder.co.uk

Healthy Badgers, Healthy Cattle

2010-05-03T20:17:00.006+01:00

Is it possible to reach a win/win

balance of nature

in the battle against bovine TB?

Speak to farmers in Central Devon, those who care as much about the wildlife on their farms as they care about their animals, and you will soon be directed to a group of people who beleive there is a way forward.

I've had the pleasure of meeting some of them.

As a result, at the NFU run hustings event in Okehampton I was given a DVD.

Bovine TB - A Way Forward

It makes for compelling viewing.

It costs only £4.99 including postage. You can see more details and buy it here

It features the work of the Healthy Badger Project to which not enough media attention is given, and not enough scientific credence.

Get the DVD, watch it with others who share your concern that there should be
a win/win for cows and badgers.
Spread the word.Thank you.

Robin Hood Tax wins by a clear margin

2010-05-01T07:45:00.000+01:00

Lobbying emails are pouring in at this stage of the election.

But in the last two days one huge lobby has come crashing into my inbox - email after email asking will I support the Robin Hood Tax

Absolutely!

I've signed up.
I ask everyone who reads this blog to sign up too.

But we need to do more. The Robin Hood Tax needs to go along side the two proposed IMF bank taxes so that we have three ways of getting the banking system under control.

And by the way - compared to the daylight robbery of us, I don't think of the Robin Hood Tax as us robbing the banks back - I think of it as a kind of redistributive justice.

If we're ever going to save planet earth and the billions of us on her then this has got to happen.

What will these parents do...?

2010-04-28T11:34:00.002+01:00

Sure Start Children’s centres have been one of Labour’s big successes over the last five years, growing rapidly to reach 3,500 across the country.

Here in Central Devon, parents can access services at six centres – serving areas in and around Ashburton / Buckfastleigh; Bovey Tracey / Heathfield; Crediton, Hatherleigh, and Okehampton

What will parents who use these centres discover, if a Tory Government gets in?

The Tories would cut Sure Start from families on middle and modest incomes.

Those same families would suffer a double whammy because the Tories would also cut Child Tax Credits and the Child Trust Fund.
And now we learn that the Tories secret plan is to let nurseries charge top-up fees
The Tory voting record speaks volumes -
Against increasing maternity leave. Against introducing paternity leave. Against flexible working. Against the National minimum wage.

Don't give the Tories the chance to plunge parents and their children back into hardship and poverty.
Vote Labour.

See what Labour will do here....

Labour is pledged to –

Maintain Child Trust funds and Child Tax credits and offeri a £4 a week ‘Toddler tax credit' for the parents of younger children.

Expand nursery provision from September so that parents of three and four year olds will receive 15 free hours of flexible child care thirty eight weeks a year.

Keep Sure Start funding rising with inflation and offer flexible working for older workers and more help for grandparents as well as a "Fathers' month" of flexible paternity leave.

Visible, vocal, going for votes

2010-04-25T08:39:00.002+01:00

Ten weeks since our Central Devon Campaign took off and I'm overwhelmed by the superb welcome and support from local Labour Party members and supporters.

In particular I'm indebted to members who have walked miles delivering newsletters in their area, and to supporters who have put my posters up in their windows, or invited me to have a garden stake in front of their home.

Everywhere I've been, across Central Devon, there are Labour-minded people who greet me and are delighted to see a Labour candidate actively campaigning for votes.

There's an myth the Tory Party promotes that rural seats are 'naturally' theirs.

Not so.

Central Devon is a new constituency voting for the first time in the election. No-one knows how the votes will go.

But it is true that this country's antiquated first-past-the-post electoral system betrays voters up and down the country and often creates 'safe seats'.

That should never be so in any election. It has to be changed. Labour recognise that need and have pledged to do something about it. Everyone should be able to vote postively for who they do want, not negatively against a Party they don't want.

Central Devon has no track record. It is important that voters vote for who they want. If you're Labour, please vote for me - the many other Labour people in Central Devon, who are active in this campaign, would love to see their efforts rewarded.

Student Amnesty

2010-04-22T07:44:00.002+01:00

I know Amnesty International has a strong following
amongst university students.

Last night at Queen Elizabeth's Community College we had a big turnout crowd treated to a first rate hustings organised by teaching staff and

the School's Amnesty International group of pupils.

I was delighted to discover that QECC is also a Fairtrade School.

One of my great pleasures in this election is to find young people very engaged with politics - not necessarily party politics, though there's a big revival in the Labour Party, but in the commitment to making our world a better place - caring as much for others as themsleves.

For thirteen years our Labour Government has worked to foster fairer and more socially responsible attitudes. Now we can see the re-connection of young people to decent life-enhancing values, away from the Thatcher's Children generation's selfish obsessions with its conspicuous consumption and the me-me-me heedlessness that bred inequality.

The Sixth Form students at Queen Elizabeth's Community College are axcellent ambassadors for their high acheiving school. It was a pleasure to be part of their event.

Labour fields more women candidates than ever before

2010-04-21T11:46:00.001+01:00

There are more Labour women candidates in this election than ever before.

And the last Parliament already had three times the number of Labour women MPs than all the other parties combined.

See more about this great news

With Labour back in Government there would be further progress made on making sure that all this country's legislation is looked at from both a female and male point of view.

Result - much better legislation.

For a Government that reflects everyone's interests - Vote Labour.

It's Legal!

2010-04-19T22:48:00.001+01:00

Huge thanks to the dozens of people who
have worked hard on my behalf already.

The crucial step of ensuring I am properly registered as a candidate
was completed today, so all their work has been rewarded.
We can now race on towards polling day - 6th May.

All five candidates in Central Devon have registered and there's been no last minute shock of discovering, as have some of my Labour colleagues, that there's the appalling BNP to contend with.

So far the election contest has seemed fair and decent, without personal rancour as we five meet at the various hustings. I for one intend it to stay that way.

J K Rowling - "I've never voted Tory before...

2010-04-18T05:52:00.000+01:00

"I've never voted Tory before," writes J K Rowling in The Times, "... and they keep on reminding me why."

Fab article - short, cut to the point - brilliant - The Single Mother's Manifesto

EU-Yes!

2010-04-17T11:05:00.001+01:00

Last night's hustings event in Lapford - very well attended after good organisation by David Bragg and the Lapford Churches Together Initiative - again saw attacks from the UKIP candidate and sceptical comments from the Tory candidate regarding this country's membership of the EU.

I said then, what I've said at other hustings events, that it hugely benefits this country to be in the EU.

It is crucial that our Country should be at the centre of things in the EU, as we are now, making sure British business and social interests are at the forefront and that the power of the EU can be directed at global problems like the financial crisis, climate change, poverty, sustainable energy, fighting diseases such as malaria and Aids, opposing extremists.

Here are just a few of the very many highly important reasons why our central involvement in the EU must be maintained -
 Labour signed the Social Chapter introducing measures including

Four weeks’ paid holiday
A right to parental leave
Extended maternity leave
The right to request more flexible working

 Because Labour is at the centre of things in Europe we were able to –

Lead the way in Europe to get an agreed coordinated response to the economic downturn
Secure better deals such as halving the cost of domestic phone calls and halving the cost of air fares for travel in the EU, cutting the cost of mobile phone calls across EU borders and getting proper compensation for air passengers ‘bumped’ from flights.
Strengthen minimum environmental standards across Europe to provide a safer cleaner environment
Secure measures to make Britain safer, including a European Arrest Warrant to make it more difficult for criminals to avoid arrest by moving between EU countries

Too often the reason people express scepticism about the EU is because not enough unbiased media attention is given in the UK. Check out what the European Movement says.

What would the media say if...

2010-04-16T12:51:00.002+01:00

What would the media say if Labour candidates were driving round in lush liveried vehicles? I've seen the cars of two of the Tory candidates now - styled in similar fashion to promote the visibility of the candidate. Do all the South West candidates of every other party have the same expensive styling? No.
Why hasn't this splashing of cash been questioned?

Just suppose that after any election there was a system whereby the amounts spent by each party were compared - and the party that spent the most had to give an amount to charity that was equal to how much more they had spent than the next highest spending Party.....?

And the voting paper would have a space where we could name our favourite charity so that the charity that got the most votes nationally would get that money....?

A fantasy of course.
But the reality of vastly unequal party spending power goes on.
It shouldn't be possible for any party to hugely 'spend its way' towards a victory it desires.

I Stand For Children

2010-04-15T13:49:00.000+01:00

The NSPCC have asked for my pledge.

But they will not send my pledge message to all their members in Central Devon until they can do so with the pledges of all of Central Devon's candidates.

Fair enough I say - the National Charity has to play carefully by the rules and cannot be seen to favour one or the other of us.

So while I'm waiting and hoping that all candidates do pledge - here's what I said

As your Labour Candidate in Central Devon I am wholly committed to the Labour principle that Every Child Matters.

Charities such as the NSPCC and Barnardos need to be able to work with a Government that fully understands the needs of ALL kinds of children and families.

I ask all Central Devon voters to be aware of the Tory threat to families —
they would:

 Take tax credits away from families on middle incomes.

 Scrap Child Trust Funds for families earning just over £16,000.

 Refuse to match Labour’s commitment to protect investment in frontline services like schools and the police.

 Give some married couples a tax break, penalising and stigmatising many families and children where parents are not married or where the wife works as well as the husband.

 Cut inheritance tax for the richest, giving £200,000 on average to 3,000 millionaires.

 Threaten your Sure Start children’s centres.

The Tories are a change families can’t afford.
Look past the warm words and photo opportunities and take a long hard look at what the Tories have actually done when it comes to making life better

for families:

 voted against increasing maternity leave.

 voted against introducing paternity leave.

 voted against your right to request flexible working if you have children.

 voted against the National Minimum Wage.

Tory "Change" hype exposed

2010-04-15T08:48:00.005+01:00

When David Cameron and his nasty party say they'll give power to the people beware. What they mean is they'll leave you alone to take the actions you know you need.

That's well and good.... BUT what if sometimes you don't know? What if you need advice? What if one day you need some-one to turn to?

Giving power to people assumes everyone has the power to solve all their own problems themselves. Labour knows that has never been true and never will be. Labour wants a future fair for all, not just the powerful.

What the Tory promise means is that people will be abandoned to their own fate.

Don't be conned by the Tory "Change" mantra. Wise warnings such as "Don't buy a pig in a poke" or "The grass isn't always greener over the hill" remind us to look closely at what it is we might be giving up without really knowing what we're getting.

A Woeful Wooing of the Gay Vote

2010-04-14T22:48:00.002+01:00

(image - me promoting membership of CTC - national cycling charity - at the UNISON LGBT Conference in Bristol 2008)

David Cameron wants the Gay vote, but he doesn't 'get it'

A good Labour friend tipped me off today about -

Cameron visibly flustered in Gay Times interview
Cameron edits gay reference from pre-election speech
how the Shadow Home Secretary Chris Greyling had to apologise for his B&B Gay Comment

Tory internal strains over LGBT issues have been so bad that I'm voting Labour, founder of Tory gay rights group says See her speaking out in this Pink News article

Why would anyone who is LGB or T ever want to vote Tory?

Only Labour is working for a future that is fair for all.

Foxhunting Tories Go To Ground

2010-04-12T06:53:00.003+01:00

Perhaps feeling hounded by the media, and belatedly beginning to sense

what a vote-loser it is, every Tory candidate in the SW played foxy

on their own issue of voting to repeal the Hunting Act.

Not one of them was prepared to appear on yesterday's

BBC Politics South West Show.

Why?

At issue was – their own Tory proposal

to hold a free vote in Parliament on repealing the Hunting Act.

Supposing they win the election, that is.

Given the total Tory appearance turndown the Politics Show
questioners had content themselves with the solidly anti-repeal answers from Martin Jevon, Labour Candidate for Taunton, and a Lib Dem Candidate who could have been a Tory stand-in, his views certainly not following his Party’s majority on the issue.

Remember, a repeal of the Hunting Act not only lets loose the fox hounds once more, but would once again set dogs upon stags and hares.

So what were the BBC findings? How would the South West’s main party candidates vote on this issue? The BBC got a high reply rate - of 110 candidates only 7 seven failed to reply.

Against repeal – all 22 Labour Candidates who replied, all 15 Green candidates who replied, 13 of the Lib Dems and 3 of the UKIP candidates. No Tories came out as against repeal. (53 Total)

Pro repeal – 18 of the 23 Tory Candidates who replied, 3 Lib Dems, 9 UKIP candidates (30 Total)

The rest (Tories, UKIP and Lib Dems) said they were undecided or would abstain.

If you don’t want foxes, stags and hares

killed by dogs for sport again

don’t vote Tory - vote for Labour.

A Change You Can't Afford

2010-04-11T08:05:00.006+01:00

At every turn George Osbourne and David Cameron made the wrong judgements

on tackling the financial crisis.

They are now getting the big judgements wrong on the recovery.

Thanks to the pro-active good judgements of our Labour Government our Country is now embarked on the road to recovery. The Tory proposals would wreck the recovery.

And here's the independently verified proof -

Independent figures this week showed manufacturing bouncing back strongly in February with output rising 1.3 per cent on the month in February, almost twice as fast as economists’ 0.7 per cent forecasts and its fastest pace for five months.

Car figures last week showed a much better than anticipated first quarter in 2010 – with car registrations up by 26.6 per cent from this time last year – helped by the Labour Governments scrappage scheme. Land Rover announced its UK sales in March saw their monthly sales at an all-time record in their home market. Marks and Spencer also announced strong growth in UK sales in the first quarter of 2010.

And the OECD predicted this week that the UK economy will grow at the second fastest rate of the G7 major economies for the second quarter of this year.

But the OECD also stressed that the recovery remains fragile and that policy support should not be removed too fast. Yet this is exactly what the Tories are proposing to do. Not planning a sensible exit for the stimulus, but a rush for the exits.

The Tory plan to take billions out of the economy straight away would choke off recovery before it is secured. And it is all of us who would have to pay the price in lost jobs, lower living standards, and cuts to their services.

George Osbourne is a change you can't afford.

Keep Fat-Cat claws out of our NHS

2010-04-10T11:06:00.001+01:00

Labour came to power promising to triple spending on the NHS.

And we did.

Here's an independent verdict.

The NHS - our best-loved national institution - has gone from strength to strength under Labour - constantly improving services, drasticly reducing waiting times, always increasing patient choice.

The Labour years have seen so much progress for our NHS that now the Tory Leader thinks he can promote his PR image by posing beside a hospital bed. It's enough to make you sick.

The Tory approach to the NHS, if they are elected, will be to undermine health decision-making. They want to fling open the door to those private businesses that are already trying to worm profits out of our NHS.

Our ill-health, our maternity care, our accident and emergency services must never be cherry-picked for profits. If Tory plans go ahead we'll end up with monstrous post-code health lotteries where the articulate and well-off will make sure they get the best and leave a poorer, second class service for the rest of us.

Only Labour remains committed to NHS principles which have stood the test of time. Under Labour we have an NHS we can depend on where-ever we are, when-ever we need help.
Don't let the Tories attack our NHS.

CND - most impressive lobbying so far...

2010-04-09T18:32:00.004+01:00

Campaigning organisations find election time useful. Their websites ask members and site-visitors to lobby election candidates in their area.

I've received several.

But so far it's Big-UP to CND.

CND members in Central Devon have contacted me three times more than any other campaign group.

But then, my early-80's memories of Greenham Common (that's me in the blue jeans and wellies), were of CND being highly effective - bringing coach-loads of women from all over the country to big mass-protest days at the base.

Here's what they're up to now - CND

And here's my response to their lobby -

“Trident” is a cold-war relic weapon. We’re post-cold-war. When we are still testing Welsh sheep for radiation a quarter of a century after Chernobyl it's not so much the mutually assured destruction that appals as mutually assured, world-wide DNA-mutating damage going down generations.

And isn't the fear now, not of immense bomb blasts destroying property as well as people, but antagonists resorting to mass irradiation? Maybe one day there will be stem cell techniques that can heal an irradiated body? Would that make it more or less likely that aggressive states or well-resourced dissidents would resort to nuclear threats / use?

President Obama is leading the way, pressing Russia for mutual "dramatic reductions" in regard to the process of multilateral nuclear disarmament. The Labour Party is also committed to multilateral disarmament. Joan Ruddock, ex-Chairperson of CND, was one among many rebels when the renewal of Trident came to the vote in Parliament. The scale of the anti-Trident rebellion will ensure that Parliamentary pressure to fully commit to multilateral disarmament stays strong. This is the best way to get rid of Trident.

Students into Politics - Superb!

2010-03-23T10:03:00.002Z

Max congratulations to the innovative and determined students at South Dartmoor Community College.
As some-one with a schools-based background I experienced the under-investment of the Tories, when they were in power - falling far short of ensuring a decent education for every pupil, every student, in every school and college.
I'm so proud that the results of years of massive Labour Government investment in education were so wonderfully
demonstrated last night. Well over 100 students, parents and interested members of the public enjoyed the entrance display featuring major political and social issues while being treated to a fab feast laid on by the College's Catering students.
The hall itself had been stage-lit and set up to accommodate the audience with the Panel on a raised dias and space in front for student performances -

two dance performances evoking the dramatic era of women's suffrage
a politcial drama, doubly effective by means of its understated simplicity
a student band whose intense performance of Rage Against the Machine was relished by all

Inbetween the perfomances a wide variety of challenging questions were to put to the Panel of local constutuency candidates, activists and student representative Sophie Garner: a confident young woman whose views carried weight. For me, to discover that her personal sense of empowerment had a strong feminist base, was an added bonus.
Feminism, like the other '-isms' - socialism, humanism, capitalism - is a world-view about how best we should live together on Planet Earth.
But it is the only '-ism' which from the start includes girls and women as 50% of the picture. If a suffragette could have been present at last night's event, seeing young women and men combining their talents to tackle difficult political issues, she would have known her sacrifices to have been worthwhile.
Whatever political solutions are needed in this 21st Century, South Dartmoor Community College students cannot fail to be amongst the best proponents for a better future. Congratulations.

Eradicating fly-tipping mentality

2010-03-22T11:42:00.001Z

Spring has brought lambs to the 3-acre field in which I have a quarter-share.
It also brought a heap of fly-tipped rubbish - dumped at our gate and including a large mirror which smashed up leaving glass scattered where dogs
and other animals might tread.

Fly-tippers are just as heedless of animals and the environment in towns - as seen last week in this Crediton alley.

Who-ever left their household waste by a bin that is clearly intended for litter only adds to the evidence that some individuals in our wasteful, consumer-driven society still don't care about the consequences of their actions.

Our Labour Government have put in place ways that everyone can use to make sure fly-tippers face justice - the fines can be heavy and even include gaol possibilities.
Don't put up with rubbish- please report it.

Wholehearted support for Hospiscare

2010-03-21T22:33:00.000Z

Whether it is the joy of very lively music in a packed church in Cheriton Fitzpaine, or the great fun of joining with a good Labour colleague and hundreds of other women on a midnight walk, the pleasure to be had in raising funds for Hospiscare is doubled by knowing what superb work Hospices do.

So when Exeter, Mid and East Devon Hospiscare wrote asking me to sign up to their manifesto I did so without hesitation. Hospiscare supports family friends and carers before and after a person's death. The support is invaluable.

Credibility Bypass, not Traffic Bypass for Crediton

2010-03-14T10:21:00.002Z

How patient do the people of Crediton have to be?

We know the patience of the current Conservative administration at County Hall has run out, because they've voted to abandon the best and only logical way of resolving Crediton's intense traffic problems - which is to get on and build the long-promised bypass.

We also know that no-one at County Hall has asked the Devon PCT/NHS Trust about morbidity and mortality data to see any effects of Crediton's citizen's enforced breathing of chronicly high amounts of polluted air.

How many people in Crediton die early because of too long
an exposure to high risk Crediton air? Who knows?

How many people in Crediton suffer more frequent or serious heart and lung complaints than do people elsewhere? Who knows?

How many more people suffer cancer compared with the Devon norm? Who knows?

Why weren't these vital facts found out before the County Council made its astonishing decision to abandon the bypass? Who knows?

I'm helping the hard-working Crediton Traffic Action Group CTAG to push for answers. Land for the bypass route must remain protected whilst the answers are found.
The premature 'release' of the land bypass astonishes me.
Anyone who wants to join CTAG can do so here

What About Women?

2010-03-13T09:21:00.004Z

I've been a Member of the Fawcett Society for several years and admire the scale and quality of their campaigning and lobbying. Last October I went to their AGM and met Fawcett's new Chief Executive, Ceri Goddard.

And I'm fully backing their election campaign designed to ensure women's voices are heard during the General Election.

Fawcett is the lead organisation of a powerful coalition of over 40 organisations, including Gingerbread , Carers UK , End Violence Against Women , the Hansard Society , the Equality Trust , and many more, saying we women want political parties to take us more seriously on the major election issues such as the economy, crime, and renewing political trust.

See here the questions they are asking the political parties - What We're Asking
You can add your voice to the campaign in the pledge column on the right hand side of their web-page.

Walking back to happiness again

2010-03-12T06:51:00.002Z

Spring is in the air. After a hard winter the frogspawn in my pond has appeared two weeks later than last year. Getting around by bicycle or on foot is becoming more enjoyable.

Across Central Devon there are volunteers who work with local councils to make it more attractive for people to get out and about as the weather improves.

In Morchard Bishop footpaths abound and Okehampton's Walk and Talk initiative by Natural England has won

national recognition.

Last Tuesday, a cloudlessly sunny morning saw me join in with the way-sign checking by the national cycle/footpaths paths charity Sustrans along part of Exeter's Green Circle - a 12 mile route round Exeter that anyone can enjoy in its whole or in sections.

We renewed the signs that help walkers follow the route. What a good amenity for anyone who wants to walk the winter pounds off.

Obesity is a growing problem that shortens lives, reduces quality of life and burdens our NHS Getting out walking is good for you, and it's far better to encourage people to walk than chide anyone for gaining weight.

The Green Circle helps people appreciate the countryside too. Win, win.

Red Rose with a Green Stem

2010-03-11T21:16:00.001Z

Labour is committed to action on climate change and the creation of a new low-carbon economy

Our current first-past-the-post voting system means that Green Party votes have next to no chance of putting a single MP into Parliament, let alone the Green Party into power.
With the Tories being as Eco-sceptic as they are Euro-sceptic only Labour will do.

The Green Party Candidate for Central Devon couldn't make the Devon Heartlands Q&A session in Okehampton last Monday but it was pleasant to share the evening with his substitute Catherine Simmons.

NATO, yes, that NATO, celebrates International Women's Day

2010-03-10T07:52:00.000Z

International Women's Day was celebrated by thousands of equality and women's rights organisations - and millions of women - around the world last Monday

.
Though the British media didn't take much notice the Prime Minister and the Labour Government did - such as Getting More Women Into Boardrooms - and Tackling Violence Against Women Worldwide

But finally it seems the potential power of women to influence PEACE worldwide has been recognised by the military.
Check this out this YouTube Women's Day 2010 - NATO

Red Rose among thorns

2010-03-07T07:33:00.006Z

Full marks to the Post-16 teachers at Okehampton Community College.

But nought out of ten to the local Tory for his "Nasty-Party", unfounded attack on Labour's education record. Find out more...
Citizenship studies were added to the curriculum by our Labour Government.
Young people need to know the importance of everyone playing their part in the democracy we all live in, and those in our Armed Forces risk death to defend.

So it was a privilege to be the Labour Candidate be on the Q&A Panel in the College's Octagon Theatre last Monday. The Post-16 students had chosen good probing questions to put to us, concerning fairness, concerning environmental issues, concerning the funding of their education.

And it was on the last point that the Tory candidate let fly his invective against Labour's massive and ongoing boost for schools and learning across the country. Having myself experienced the savage education cuts of the Tory years and the incredible way parents rallied with teachers to fight back I couldn't believe my ears. I asked him to consider how insulting his words sounded against the dedicated teaching staff in the room, against the aspiring Post-16 students. Afterwards he told me I had mistaken his words. But I beleive he exposed the Tory intent to hack at education yet again if they get to power. IF... Don't let that happen.

Tories 'heart' bypass - NOT

2010-03-06T22:35:00.005Z

For a rural town Crediton has some of the worst inner-city level type of pollution.

Too much traffic in too confined a space.

Not surprisingly Crediton was due to get a bypass. In 1985/6 Devon County Council earmarked funds to get it done, but at the last minute the money got diverted to help draw in large funding to projects elsewhere.

Don't worry, people were assured at the time - we'll have the money next year and do it then.

BUT - the next year the Tory Government
changed the national rules on roads development.

The project had to be shelved.

And shelved....

For almost a quarter of a century Crediton has been kept waiting - until now.

Now Tories rule Devon County Council and on Wednesday 10th March they propose to bury forever all hope of a bypass.

Because not only will they officially abandon the bypass promise, but they will 'release' the land that has been put aside all these years. Once that land is 'released' who can ever get it back?

I've been helping the Crediton Traffic Action Group step up their fight to get the bypass promise homoured. This is a fight we must win.
Stop through traffic choking Crediton. Open up the Town to health and growth. A Tory Government let down Crediton's citizens years ago. Tories don't change their ways... don't let the local Tories crush all chances of the bypass.

Get Serious About CO2 Action Day success

2010-03-01T15:34:00.001Z

Despite threatening looking clouds last Saturday, Members of 2020 Vision Exeter set up stalls outside Boots Chemists in Exeter High Street and immediately had loads of passers-by addressing the 'Get Serious About CO2' postcards to their local councillor and the leader of Exeter City Council.

People visiting from outside Exeter also had the chance to send cards to their own councils.
It was a fab opportunity to speak to people of all ages about climate change, global warming and what can be done about it. I'm proud to be a member of 2020 Vision Exeter and to be able to help get their pro-Planet message across.

We're on Facebook here - take a look.

UKIP hates the Landfill Tax - but do they know what good it does?

2010-02-28T14:59:00.002Z

UKIP welcomes web-visitors to their site with the news that "Polar bears are just fine and dandy" so it comes as no surprise that their opinions are equally planet-unfriendly when it comes to landfill tax. Thay want to
scrap it and get the money back.

Up to now our casual approach to throwing things away, has been based on the false idea that there is an away to throw things. But across our entire earth, any living thing's away is some other living thing's here. And most of the away-waste that humans produce is harmful both to other living things and us.

So this is why we need a landfill tax that discourages the away-mentality. And who can quibble when the tax money is actually used for activities that help combat CO2?

Last Wednesday I had a great morning helping the BTCV crew at Sandford Millenium Park plant fence-poles and trees and improve the local environment. And the BTCV work is helped by having landfill tax money to pay for it. Everything was to everyones' benefit.

What is it that UKIP just can't seem to grasp?

I'm back with BTCV on the 19th March. If you'd like to be there go to BTCV Volunteers

Who thinks the media isn't biased against Labour?

2010-02-28T11:31:00.002Z

Thanks to a Labour friend I've discovered that the pensions truth letter featured online in thisisnorthdevon.co.uk has only half the truth
in it.
Here is the whole truth, as it was printed in the Express and Echo.

Dear Editor,

The attack on the Local Government Pension Scheme by Mr B Brewer, Pension scheme is absurdly generous, Echo letters, Monday 22nd Feb, uses figures that would be laughably unrepresentative, were they not so dangerously inaccurate and half-baked.

Dangerous, because his words perpetuate the Tory propaganda that those on Local Government Pensions (LGPS) can live in the lap of luxury. Far, far from true.

Here is the truth about LGPS: -

 The average LGPS pension in payment is around £4,000 a year – far from the £10,500 Mr Brewer would like to pretend it is.

 Scheme members contribute up to 7.5 % of their pay, which means that over 50% of the cost of LGPS pensions is met by local government employees themselves.

 Other employees do not subsidise the LGPS. Only 5% of income from council tax goes towards the pension scheme. And the fact that it is even 5% and cannot be lower is because previous Tory governments encouraged local government employers to take ‘pensions contributions holidays’ so that for years only the employees’ contributions went into the LGPS. Yes, during the vile days of Thatcherism, even Devon County Council paid less than its usual share into the LGPS.

So it is sheer effrontery for Tories now to try to attack public services and the LGPS. The LGPS is funded with actual money, actually paid in, and think about this: because it is real money its investment makes a direct contribution to our economy. There is currently over £100 billion held by LGPS funds being invested, creating jobs and helping to regenerate our economy.

If Mr Brewer wants to attack irresponsible pension schemes then please can he point his finger at those weak private sector schemes which will cost us dearly as tax-payers, because workers in the private sector forced to retire on them will need State support. That is the true pensions scandal. That’s where the legal eagles need to look Mr Brewer.

Cycling is wonderful when spring starts

2010-02-28T08:03:00.006Z

It may be wet some days, but spring is on its way.

Snowdrops in their thousands near Crediton

The truth about Local Government Pensions

2010-02-27T23:16:00.006Z

The Tories continually attack the public sector and intend to 'tackle' Local Government Pensions. So they're spreading a grossly distorted picture of the kind of pensions local government workers actually pay into.
After a biased letter appeared in the Express & Echo I wrote in correcting the anti-LGPS statements.
The Express and Echo published my letter last Thursday and it's now online at the This is North Devon website.
Read here the truth about the Local Government Pension Scheme http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/Pension-plan-attack-dangerously-wrong/article-1869390-detail/article.html

Selection as central Devon PPC

2010-02-27T20:53:00.002Z

I'm excited and honoured to have been selected by the Central Devon labour Party as their Prospective Parliamentary Candidate.
I'll be using this blog so that anyone in this huge constituency of market towns and villages can find out more about Labour, about our campaign and can keep in touch should they wish to.
First off, a thank you to the friendly and knowledgeable staff at West Devon Borough Council, who were immediately available at the end of a specified phone line and have already placed information for voters on their website.