Just holding the line

Liberal Democrat suppport has plummeted since the general election in the North East and South West of England, new analysis of Ipsos MORI polls shows.

As controversy over Liberal Democrat support for the government’s policy on university tuition fees reaches a peak, Ipsos MORI’s aggregate analysis of their monthly polls since the general election shows that support has swung from the Liberal Democrats to Labour across the country, but much more sharply in some regions than in others.

Across Great Britain as a whole, Liberal Democrat support has averaged 15% between June and November, less than two-thirds of the 24% of the vote that the party secured at the general election; the swing has been almost entirely to Labour, with the Conservatives holding the 37% they won in May.

But there have been big differences in the changes in support in different regions. In the North East, Liberal Democrat support has almost disappeared, falling to just 4% of those certain to vote, an overall swing to Labour of 19%. In the South West, the Lib Dems’ strongest region at the election, the swing has been almost as high, 16%, and they have lost half their support in London, with an 11% swing to Labour.

Most recent polls have shown the Lib Dems well below that post-election average of 15% nationally, which suggests that they may well be even worse off now in many regions than these figures show.

However, the party has held on to most of its support in the Midlands and South East, as well in Scotland and Wales where devolved elections are due next May.

Voting highlights government division

There are riots on the streets of the capital tonight as the Conservatives rushed through the tuition fee vote despite protestations from the opposition parties that rushing the proposal would lead to trouble.

The proposals have sparked outrage amongst young people who now see the true malign face of the Conservatives. Cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance will hurt the poorest pupils, rises in tuition fees will penalise thousands of middle class families. The cuts to University funding which will harm the quality of education.

The actions of a minority of rioters tonight should be utterly deplored but there are reasons why we are observing this type of street protest. When governments mis-manage a legislative programme it hs a tendency to create significant public tension. This is a case of government mismanagement.

When government mis-manage a government programme, MPs who ordinarily vote with the government do not rebel.

The policy was approved by a scant 21 votes, with the coalition's majority cut by almost three-quarters following an impassioned five-hour Commons debate.

Three ministerial aides quit the government in order to vote against it.

The coalition motion, backed by 323 votes to 302, would raise fees to a maximum of £9,000 a year.

The debate took place while thousands of students staged protests at Westminster and after the outcome became clear, violence intensified and windows in Treasury buildings were smashed.

Ministers said that the fees increase was necessary and fair, but Labour argued it would deter the poor from going to university.

Some 21 Lib Dems rebelled, while 27 - including the party's ministers - backed the change, and eight abstained.

Medway Labour have waged a significant campaign both on the doorstep and in the Council chamber to ensure our MPs vote against tuition fee increases. We have publicly called for our MPs to oppose the fee rises and successfully tabled a motion to full council which drew support from across all benches.

Today, Mark Reckless MP, did put residents first and did vote against the fee increases. This blog will no doubt receive a letter in due course as to his motivations. He has, like Bob Marshall-Andrews before him, taken an independent stance.

Tracey Crouch MP faced tough barracking from Conservative whips today and decided to abstain on the issue. She has shown bravery, and has gained some respect from this member of the opposition. Many will perceive an abstention as a tacit approval, but in this case, I believe it was as much as could be delivered, given the pressures she was under.

Rehman Chisthi MP has shown no concern for local residents or young people on this issue and fully supported the government. His careerist ambitions are now all but confirmed and it is expected he will become a bag-holder for a minor minister at some point. Alas, he will likely not survive any local re-selection as a result of boundary changes. His standing tonight stands in tatters locally as he has ignored not only the public but also his own Councillors.

Make no mistake however. It is a Conservative and Liberal Democrat Government which has introduced this regressive policy.

They can not hide from this fact in 2015; the public do not make such distinctions.

Medway Labour Group calls on local MP's to vote against

Student Fees Increases

Today sees Parliament vote on the issue of Student Fees.

The Medway Labour Group has consistently spoken out against the proposals, supporting Universities of Medway Student Union (UMSA) in participating in the recent national demonstration, raising questions and a moving a motion on the issue at full council. In contiuing this position, Medway Labour Group are urging the three Medway MP's to vote against the proposed increases in tuition fees.

Cllr Vince Maple, Labour Spokesperson for Children and Young People's Services, said

"The Tories and Lib Dems seem hell bent on attacking young people, whether it is the scrapping of Child Trust Funds, the abolishing of Educational Maintenance Allowance, the axe coming to school sports partnerships funding, the negative impacts on youth employment by stopping the Future Jobs Fund or the trebling of tuition fees whilst seeing an 80% cut in funding.

The Medway Labour Group are calling on the local MP's to listen to the views of the community and vote against fees increases to allow the talent we have here in Medway to florish and not be halted because of financial pressures."

Steve Topazio, UMSA Representation co-ordinator, added

"The UMSA Student executive recently delivered a petition of 500 Students to Mark Reckless MP calling on him to support students and vote against a rise in tuition fees. Students also call on the other local Medway MP's to consider the impact a trebling of fees will have on their constituents and students alike and urge them to vote against the proposals in the Commons vote"

Press Notes

For Interview or Further Comment please contact Vince Maple on 07981 661 451

I-PSA getting on top of things...

The towns' three newbie Tory MPs claimed a combined total of more than £11,000 in their first round of expenses.

This blog raised the matter of expenses last week and highlighted it to local residents, but has since received a few interesting remarks from people who seem unhappy the issue has been raised.

Given this blogger was not an MP in the last parliament, nor did it makes excuses for those that exploited the previous system, surely readers can allow a mere member of the public to pass comment on the expenses of public representatives who 'toil' at the public behest without a charge of hypocrisy.

Chatham and Aylesford representative Tracey Crouch led the way with £6,319.27, with Gillingham and Rainham's Rehman Chishti receiving £4,758.05.

The figure would almost certainly have been higher had Mark Reckless MP submitted his claims as well. Though by how much, we will not know quite yet, because he has been 'getting on top' of constituency work. As opposed to enjoying the delights and discounts of the Palace of Westminster of course...

Mr Reckless said of his £0 expenses:

"They (sic) are zero for the period because I thought getting on top of constituency work was more important than learning how to navigate a rather complex expenses system."

So by implication, anyone who has submitted for expenses, which includes most of his Conservative MP colleagues incidentally, have not been getting able to get on top of constituency work as well as considering it important to um, well pay for staff, stationary, office costs and associated logistics.

For a full and quite comprehensive list of those MPs who were and are able to get their head around the 'rather complex' expenses system please take a look at the Guardian List.

Interesting on Michael Crick's blog this evening

'There was a sudden eruption of outrage at a meeting of the Conservative 1922 committee this afternoon over the new MPs body, Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).

The subject wasn't even on the agenda, but MPs started expressing their anger almost spontaneously.

Their fire was directed at the leader of the House Sir George Young, from MPs complaining that they are losing thousands of pounds, many of them from the 2010 intake.'

Among the two dozen or so who voiced their anger were Adam Afriyie and Nadine Dorries.'

Oh dear... the public will be pleased...

Looks like IPSA is working then.

Success for Luton Recreation Play Area

Residents were tonight happy that Luton Recreation Ground is to see a fully funded new play area within six months after conversations on the doorstep.

The site was included after direct lobbying in the Council chamber for extra funding by this blogger in October.

In October, this blogger asked the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Services, Councillor Doe, the following question:

'The current Conservative and Liberal Democrat Government are slashing education budgets which includes teaching assistants, study support, school advisory teams, Playbuilder and budgets for the Medway Youth Trust. What representations have you made to government to protect the very popular Playbuilder scheme and the funding of new facilities on Barnfield and Luton Recreational grounds?'

Cllr Doe offered no firm response, despite protestations.

Followed up with a question stating that the funding for the scheme was necessary and that given the removal of the ring-fence could he guarantee both projects would go ahead.

It is welcome therefore, that Luton Recreation Ground has seen improvement but it is concerning that residents in Wayfield will still have to look at an husk of a play area because of Tory cuts.

Another nine play areas across Medway are to be renovated after a decision by Medway Council’s Cabinet.

The Cabinet agreed on Tuesday 30th November to allocate almost £400,000

This follows the eleven sites that were transformed earlier this year, bringing the total site improved under the scheme in Medway to twenty.

The latest funding of £381,518 comes from the government’s Playbuilder Programme. A programme introduced by the previous Labour government and which has been threatened by other Conservative Councils.

Changes to the scheme this year meant that councils were no longer obliged to use the funding for this purpose. With the removal of ringfencing, local authorities could use these funds for other schemes.

It is heartening to see that given the cut backs that some projects in some of the more disadvantaged wards are allocated resources. Pity Wayfield residents were not given the same respect, but welcome investment in Luton none the less.

Watts the Matter

The campaign to safeguard the Watts Meadow from land developers, backed by Tories, has stepped up as it became apparent that the Tory controlled Council has published incorrect notices of access on the Watts Meadow, a piece of land left to the people of Rochester in trust.

The Rochester Conservatives, who support the current administration in Gun Wharf, have allowed full development of housing next to the Watts Meadow, and as a result have cut access to this green lung. Dog walkers, elderly residents and parents now have restricted access to land that was left to the community and to be accessible.

Residents are in uproar as Rochester West Conservative candidates and Councillors have stayed almost silent on this major issue for the community. They have made no attempt to challenge the Tory administration publicly and have failed to comfort local residents about the safety of this piece of green space.

Indeed, it is only local independent campaigners and Labour candidates who have been challenging the Tories.

The lack of concern culminated in incorrect notices being placed on prominent display.

The notice (see picture), placed by the Council was a planning application for a high wall and gate at the entrance to Watt's meadow. It stated that,

'Medway Council has received a planning application for construction of wall and vehicular access gates to front of former Priestfields Nursery.'

Rochester West Labour candidates Derek Munton and Sarah Hehir drew this alarming development to the attention of residents who from the notice would interpret that Tories were restricting access to the Meadow on a permanent basis, against the interests of those who left it in Trust.

Labour candidate Sarah Hehir, who has been working hard in the ward led the opposition challenge against the Tory Council,

A pithy response was forthcoming:

'I hope I can provide some clarification to the situation... For your information, an incorrect site notice has been erected opposite the site, but unfortunately the poor weather has meant that I have been unable to affix a revised correct site notice. Hopefully if the snow clears over the weekend I'll be able to get a new one up at the start of next week.'

Given the campaign and the concern amongst thousands of Rochester residents it is a major error of judgement and Labour are demanding that Cllr Mark Reckless and Cllr Ted Baker start to take a grip on this issue which has been self-evidently badly handled. Incorrect legal notices on a piece of land of such a contentious nature is not sensible. It has left residents thinking, quite justifiably, that it is once again evidence of Tory management incompetence

Not taking into account that residents of Rochester are angry that Tories have rubber-stamped this building development and are restricting access, they have failed to effectively scrutinise the process.

Labour believe that the Rochester Conservatives have sold-out on the residents of Rochester by allowing rampant house-building in that part of Rochester. Great swathes of land adjacent to the site have been bulldozed with very little consultation with residents.

It is a slippery slope, something given the weather, and lack of grit, residents are all too aware of under this Conservative Council.

Incidentally, the plans for the wall look like a folly and Labour are opposing. It is a grandiose marketing tool for prestigious houses rather than an entrance to an area of natural beauty.

We need to work together as a community and protect our green spaces

Vote Blue Go Green?

The real face of Tory environmental policy?

Looks like another promise broken. The Tory lip-service on climate change and sustainability is seen to be wholly flimsy tonight as Roger Helmer's poster truly does represent the mainstream opinion of Conservative MPs.

This is a party with a dogmatic view of what is considered to be fact by the majority of the scientific community.

A survey in February 2010, of 200 Conservative PPC’s listed Climate Change as the lowest priority with many, including members of the cabinet simply denying its impacts.

This is important for local government. The people of Medway want a party that accepts scientific reality and acts in a sustainable manner.

Based on Roger Helmers views positive action on recycling, energy efficiency and maintenance of parks and green spaces may be undermined as a principle by individuals and a Party who do not see the scientific merit of environmental sustainability.

This blog opposed the Kingsnorth proposal in 2008/2009 and supported the actions of peaceful climate change protesters. We need a more sustainable energy dynamic, not based on ignoring the truth. That climate is changing, it is anthropogenic and its consequences will harm us all.

The IPCC Policy reports make it starkly clear that the world needs to step up and deal with this fundamental issue.

Sadly, it seems, Cancun is looking to be a bigger flop than Copenhagen.

It is time dinosaurs like Roger Helmer are shown the back door.