Speak your mind and help set the policies that will guide this campaign and change the borough.
Darfield Branch Labour Party Views on the News Winter 2009/10
We believe that political discussion and debate is essential in a democracy, both to prepare for a better future for all, and to counter the spread of fundamentalist and extreme ideologies. This is our latest contribution……
The real choice
The UK government along with other national governments agreed that it was necessary to inject finance into the economy both to stabilise the system and counter the worst effects of the recession induced by the USA financial credit crisis. The UK budget deficit is the result of this recession which has brought a £50 bn drop in tax revenues, a rise of £26bn in social security costs and substantial government spending to prop up the financial systems. The government approach is to sustain the economy now and balance the books gradually as the economy improves whilst safeguarding essential public services.
For political gain the Tories try to blame the deficit on government spending on public services, not on their friends in the city, long standing donors to their party funds. Their answer is to drastically cut spending and it will be local services in Barnsley not Eton or Harrow that will bear the brunt. Sure Start, pre-five services and nursery provision, 16-18 maintenance grants and the new school for Darfield and Wombwell are all under threat. All measures that are designed to reduce inequality and give our young people a better chance.
Equality and all that….
Japan and Sweden have many differences but in terms of the relative happiness of their people, as shown by social indicators, they have much in common. Low violence, low mental illness, low teenage pregnancy, low drug addiction, low obesity, low prison population, high life expectancy and generally high levels of community friendship and trust. They are also economically and socially equal societies without huge differences in wealth.
The USA and Portugal are at the other end of the scale with huge differences in wealth, poor social indicators and a low level of community friendship and trust. Essentially Sweden and Japan have been prepared to sustain taxation policies that reduce inequality. What does our future hold if the Tories return? Cuts in public services but raising the Inheritance Tax threshold to produce more inequality and worsening social indicators.
Jeff Ennis MP
Our MP was not highlighted for over claiming in the Daily Telegraph review and was not asked to make any repayments.
Drug Abuse
What a great pity that our political leaders find it difficult to accept and act upon the advice of our most prominent scientific and medical professionals. Essentially this professional advice highlights drugs such as Heroin and Cocaine as very dangerous and addictive but says that Cannabis and Ecstasy are less damaging than Alcohol and Nicotine. This is not to defend or excuse any abuse of drugs but to base policy on scientific fact not cultural, moral, generational or class expectations. The previous Tory government suppressed the scientific advice on Mad Cow Disease but eventually had to accept it.
Interestingly, the respected magazine, the Economist, has been arguing for twenty years that legalisation and control of sales is the best option that we have, similar to that for Alcohol and Nicotine. Basically the argument is that if you decriminalise drugs you can eliminate the crime and violence related to their trafficking, and use the resources now devoted to policing, and gained from taxation of the drugs, to improve treatment, education and prevention. (see Economist.com)
Vaccination…….the future of medicine
Fifty years ago measles killed five hundred children a year in the UK but vaccination almost eliminated the disease. Then, subsequently discredited research, linked the MMR vaccine with autism. No such link has been substantiated but now two million unvaccinated children are at risk because to prevent outbreaks 95% of the population has to be protected.
Just as the early vaccines overcame infectious diseases research points to the future development of vaccines to protect the population from today’s killers. Most fundamental research into new drugs is done by universities, charities and government agencies but the drugs are produced and licensed by the big Drug companies. The biggest factor in eliminating disease in poor countries is the lobbying power of these Drug Companies, who lobby governments to prevent the production of cheaper generic drugs ……..another political issue!
NHS
In a survey of 10,000 primary care doctors covering USA, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Sweden, the health care delivered in the UK was ranked equal best.
(Home Affairs journal 2009, US Commonwealth Fund)
Iraq and Afghanistan
Whatever arguments were used to justify military action, valid or not, at the start of these conflicts, what are the issues now?
In Iraq there is a democratically elected government, though one fifth of the population, the Sunni Arabs,(the top group under Sadam) find it hard to accept because it is dominated by the majority Shia. Neither Shia nor Sunni support the continued USA presence, only the Kurds were long term USA allies. The future depends on an enlightened Iraqi government bringing these factions together to work in peace, (as was/is needed in Northern Ireland), and US troops leaving. On the positive side there has been a history of a strong state and there are oil reserves to finance development.
In Afghanistan there is a long history of instability and discrimination against women and minorities, with on one side, 42% of the population, the rural, religious, largely illiterate and traditional Pashtun with their own leaders (Warlords), where the Taliban operates. On the other side the urban, educated secular population. Again what unites many Afghanistans is their opposition to foreign troops on their soil and the military bombardment. What is needed is a stable, honest and respected government that can try to unite the factions. As David Milliband said recently we must somehow get the Taliban into the governmental process. But good government cannot be imposed, the internal conditions have to be right for this to develop. Meanwhile brave young men and women continue to lose their lives, exemplified by bomb disposal expert sergeant Olaf “Oz” Schmid, who died trying to diffuse a bomb on the final day of his five month tour of duty in which he had defused 64 bombs. Most people will, sooner or later, come to the conclusion that this has to end. The USA found in Vietnam that you can’t bomb your way to defeat an enemy, well versed in guerrilla warfare, which has the support of most of the local population. We must hope that it won’t be too long before the Afghans are able to determine their own future.
All Women shortlists
Its good to see that the Tory party are introducing all women shortlists to increase female representation in parliament…those with a good memory will remember that they originally criticised the labour party for so doing!
At your convenience…
We have two community stores, a banking service, a pharmacy and a petrol station in Darfield because a Lancastrian came to Barnsley(a long time ago) looking for work in the pits. His name was George Adcroft and he had been a member of the Rochdale Pioneers Co-operative. He convinced his workmates at the Old Oaks Colliery, that a similar organisation would be good for Barnsley. It started with nine men meeting in July 1861 in the Tinkers Temperance Hotel, May Day Green, they agreed to collect subs (1s per member per week) until they had enough to open a shop. Eventually they recruited more members and raised enough (£30) to open a shop in Barnsley in 1862. By 1900 most of Barnsley had joined and the society had moved into many premises and different businesses. Barnsley British lasted until 1971 and then combined with other co-ops to eventually become the Co-operative group, which owns the Darfield businesses. Today’s Co-operative is still owned by its members, who receive a dividend in proportion to their trade. Membership is open to everyone for £1 provided they support co-operative principles.
Migrants and Miscreants
How fortunate we are to have the Ings neighbouring Darfield where we can view a mix of migrant birds, year long residents and families of horses. How fortunate to have the RSPB, with many local members, to look after these areas, how unfortunate that there are miscreants in our midst, who think it is clever to knock down the structures put up by the RSPB to restrain the horses.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is widely used in food products, soaps etc and is a bio-fuel. Its production leads to deforestation, loss of species and increased emissions. Now sustainable palm oil is available but costs 10-20% more. Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer have moved substantially to the green supply, others eg Morrisons, Boots, Birds Eye have done little.
(independent.co.uk/palmoil)
Our Children…our future
Labour Council plans for a new play area for older children, with facilities that they want, will be a big bonus for Darfield if they are delivered.
Planning continues for the new Darfield / Wombwell secondary school (Advanced Learning Centre) which is in phase three of Barnsley’s “Schools for the Future” programme. Anyone wishing to see the plans and related documents should visit Barnsley.gov.uk, go to planning applications and put in a search for 2007/2131. Meanwhile Darfield Foulstone has achieved its best ever examination results with 35% gaining 5+ higher GCSE grades including maths and English and over 50% gaining 5+ higher GCSE grades. To recognise its new status the Foulstone school will be renamed Darfield Foulstone School of Creative Arts.
Late News….Council Tax 2010/11
Barnsley Labour Council is planning to maintain the existing level of services with Council Tax frozen at existing levels for O 65s and increases below inflation for others.
Working for Climate Change
The recent climate-change talks in Copenhagen involved 192 countries: Some large and many small. The small countries included small islands in the Pacific and in other oceans, which are already beginning to be inundated by the seas that surround them and from which they have received much of their food and trade. In the same way as these small islands are being bitten by the hand that has fed them, due to world-wide abuse of resources, so the bigger countries will also be affected.
In the case of Western developed economies it is the burning of fossil fuels which have stored up carbon in the atmosphere over generations, since the start of the industrial revolution, which is coming back to haunt them and others. Developing economies such as China and India look to the Western economies as a model of how to provide an improved standard of living for their population. The problem is the world now knows that model is killing the planet and all who live on it.
Developing economies also have electors of one sort or another. Even under a Chinese-type Communist system leaders need to demonstrate that they have the best interests of their people at heart; even if that interest is in the short-term.
USA is also riven by doubt in the minds of many electors: and those electors have many different strands of interest and multiple motives for doing what they do, in a capitalist economy. The right-leaning religious sector appears to consider that ‘God will provide’ and so they absolve themselves of responsibility. Some others feel that the climate-change agenda is a ‘socialist plot’ to take over the world. Some will simply sense the opportunity to make money while they can and hope they can store up enough cash to buy a place in a safe haven when it all goes wrong. At least there is an open debate in USA, even if it is moderated by finance and economically-driven political engineering.
Within this climate of fear for the future of the world who is better-placed to deliver a breakthrough? Is it USA with its defence-budget-driven economy and its multiple-interest voices? Is it China with its need to ‘save face’ by not stepping back in the face of Western initiatives? The problem will only be solved by a pragmatic approach which enables leaders to recognise their interests are the same as everyone else on this fragile planet.
That approach is most likely to come from a Democratic Socialist Europe which recognises (perhaps too late) that there is more to life than money. As the old saying goes: it is no good being the richest person in the graveyard! In this case it will be the planet in the graveyard if the USA, China and Russia do not realise there is only one boat and we are all in it together. There is no lifeboat to come to the rescue: we need to make one now, together!
The European Union with its mixed economy and pragmatic attitude to finance and quality of life in a post-industrial era is in the best position to facilitate ongoing development of a strategy to change the world. We have the benefit of hindsight. We also have a duty to assist developing economies because with the benefit of hindsight we realise many of our ‘mistakes’ have given us a better quality of life than many others. We in Europe must be prepared to make sacrifices. The problem comes when we begin to work out how those sacrifices are distributed between relatively rich and relatively poor citizens of Europe. Local and national governments across Europe are engaged in initiatives to save the planet.
The workers of Barnsley made a living from mining coal to burn to fuel the industrial revolution and good times for the economy. Now the mines are closed and Barnsley continues to suffer from the effects of unemployment. The irony (not lost on developing-economy’s climate change negotiators) is that not only are Barnsley workers now in an economically weak position but we never really had the benefits of those ‘good times’ for the economy. It was the capitalists who benefited (and continue to benefit) from the work of the miners and other sectors of the workforce.
Many feel it is time to redistribute the benefits of work via maximum as well as minimum wages. Then we might feel better able to take our share of the burden of necessary changes in mitigating climate change. Until more equality is built in to economic systems there will continue to be a scramble for the high ground: whether that is ‘economic’ to buy benefits; ‘moral’, to gain benefits in the ‘next life’; or ‘geographical’, to get away from rising sea levels. The world must recognise that co-operation is better than competition if we are to continue to live on this fragile planet.
YES WE CAN!
When you are down, they say, the only way is up! The issue of MP’s expenses has provided the media with an opportunity to denigrate politicians and politics. The issue has been given more publicity than the economic crisis. Though the sums involved are significant, they hardly compare with the fat salaries and bonuses accumulated by the credit speculators whose activities have resulted in unemployment and misery for millions of people. The media has found it more acceptable to attack corrupt elected representatives than corrupt financial institutions and have been quiet on the need for stronger regulation of the financial sector.
But people have every right to be angry when politicians, paid from public funds, abuse a generous and poorly controlled expenses system and anyone guilty of such practices is unworthy of public office.
People deserve to be represented by committed, able and honest representatives and our role, as a political party, should be to promote such people. There are many politicians who are motivated by the highest ideals and who have made a positive impact on people’s lives. Nelson Mandela is a recent example on the world stage.
The election of Barack Obama offers hope of a better way forward in the USA and in the wider world. In his book “The Audacity of Hope” he explains his philosophy on a wide range of issues affecting the American people and on international issues affecting us all. He is open about his background, personal life and ambitions in a way that is quite unique for someone in his position.
Obama has lifted the Democratic Party and given new impetus and hope to millions at a difficult and crucial stage in world history. We need to do something similar in the UK, and we will try to do our bit here in Darfield, but our numbers are small and we need more people who want to say “Yes we can”.
EURO ELECTIONS ………WHAT DISILLUSIONMENT CAN BRING!!
In Barnsley the labour party polled nearly 25% of the vote, but the second largest vote was for UKIP with nearly 19% and in third place was BNP with nearly 17%. Over our region many traditional labour supporters, fed up with what they had been reading about MP’s expenses, failed to register a vote. This meant that though the BNP received 6000 less votes than in the previous Euro election they achieved a larger share of the vote. The consequence of this was that one of our representatives, the hard working, well respected labour Euro MP Richard Corbett, was replaced by the BNP candidate, Andrew Brons. Brons, aged 62 from Harrogate, has been a right-wing activist for many years and was previously chair of the National Front.
The Daily Telegraph MPs expenses exposure…….What it said about Jeff Ennis, our MP.
Readers will know that the DT has investigated the claims of all MPs and highlighted individual cases. In The Complete Expenses Files published as a supplement on 20 June it said that the former teacher kept his expenses claims low by charging just £300 per month in mortgage interest on a flat in South London and that he once put in a claim for £85 for plumbing saying that his bath had been condemned and he had taken photos showing its condition if these were needed!!
What it didn’t say about Charles Windsor.
Last year Prince Charles spent more, earned more and employed more staff but still managed to cut his tax bill by nearly ten percent. State subsidies for the Prince of Wales went up from £2.45m to £3.03m and his private income went up to £16.4m but his tax bill fell to £3.1m.
Presidents and People……saving the rain forests.
Earlier this year Peru’s right wing President, Alan Garcia, sold the rights to explore, log and drill 70% of his country’s part of the Amazon rain forests to a bunch of international oil companies. Occidental Petroleum are facing charges in US courts of dumping an estimated nine million barrels of toxic waste in the parts of the Amazon they were in from 1972 to 2000. In the Ecuadorian Amazon, toxic waste allegedly dumped after Chevron-Texaco’s drilling has been blamed for over a thousand cancer deaths, mostly in children. The Amazon rain forests are a vital part of the earth’s ecological processes to eliminate carbon dioxide, they are also home to many poor indigenous peoples, who were not consulted by the President. These poor people acted in their own self defence, and in our interests. With their bodies they blocked roads and they captured two vital valves in Peru’s energy pipeline.
Garcia sent in the military and declared a state of emergency. Some of the defenders of the forest lost their lives but their actions won public support and the Peruvian Congress eventually repealed the laws that allowed oil company drilling and Garcia was forced to apologise for his “serious errors”. The oil companies will, no doubt, be back.
Will we be supporting the oil companies or those who fight to save our ecosystems?
What’s the POINT!
Anyone who has survived driving in recent years without getting any penalty points has done extremely well! Most of us have experienced the frustration of getting points and a fine for exceeding the limit by a mere three or four mph. Well there is some good news that might make such events more acceptable. The number of people killed on our roads in 2008 was the lowest since records began in 1926! The Government has met its target for 2010, which was to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured by 40% compared with the mid-1990s average. Every death is a tragedy, and we learn of some horrific accidents, but maybe the speed cameras have helped to achieve this notable reduction in the road accident fatalities.
Our Children…our future
We all want the best for our children and new nursery, primary and children centre provision have dramatically raised the quality of what is on offer in the Darfield area. For older children the Foulstone school, with its new status as a centre of excellence for creative arts, is looking to achieve its best ever academic results this summer. Then in three years time there is the promise of a state of the art advanced learning centre. One thing that does cause some concern is the health of our children. There has been an increased tendency for children to eat more and get less exercise, with a detrimental effect on their physical condition. Again in our area there are football, cricket, athletics and many other clubs offering children opportunities to participate. Darfield is the centre for children’s basketball in the Barnsley area and primary school aged children are invited to attend the “Come and Try It !” sessions at the Foulstone school sports hall from 12.30 to 2.00pm on Saturdays.
Ref. Barnsley NA(Z)STIES Party supporter
I am grateful for the many good and intelligent responses we had from all over the area when I sent out questionnaires recently but the many were spoiled by the few. I might have expected at least one stupid reply but I did not realise just how stupid it would be!
One particularly undignified response was from an obvious supporter of the holocaust-denying BNP Griffen. “Stop pandering to the needs of asylum seekers …” he wrote. How one earth would Barnsley council run if it recognised only the 501 asylum seekers in Barnsley when asking for people’s views on issues? Of course, his mob do not ask anybody for their views: they think they know what people want without asking them.
Little is known about their policies except ‘divide and rule’ and how they will “never engage in the farce of democracy” except with “well-aimed boots and fists“: as Fuhrer Griffen has expressed. Par for the course for the BNP which is part of a world-wide Nazi organisation (involving Russian, American and European fascists) which hopes to cause enough alarm to gain a victory at the polls before making racist laws. If they cannot win at the polls they hope to cause enough hatred between communities that they can stage a military style coup and take over that way.
The BNP is neither British nor nationalist. It is actually an international terrorist organisation run by white South Africans and financed by Americans.
When furher Griffen came to Barnsley recently he was met by more than 200 socialists and church going anti-nazi supporters, telling him to take his filthy politics away. His ‘rally’ must have fallen a bit flat when he found more people against him than supporters. And not an asylum seeker in view.
To see more about the nazis please follow the Link on the homepage to ‘Searchlight’
European night celebration
The members of Barnsley Central Labour Party held a European Night in the Rigby Suite at the Metrodome on Friday night. The date was the anniversary of Labours election in 1997, of the European elections at which Labour MEPs were elected to the European Parliamnet and most importantly the May Day traditional workers’ holiday.
Various European countries with their different cuisines were represented, including drinks. Quizzes on aspects of European life were held and fabulous (?) prizes were won. Linda Macavan MEP attended along with Eric Ilsley MP. All had a wonderful time and the importance of our presence in Europe, for culture and economy and workers’ rights was reinforced.
Barnsley Labour has progressive policies for a progressive borough.
Thanks to Barnsley Labour policy of looking after working people and those on low incomes, Barnsley’s increase in Council tax is the lowest since 1996. The low increase comes as a result of the recognition by Barnsley Labour of the effects the economic downturn will have on Barnsley residents, according to Jim Andrews, Deputy Leader of Barnsley’s Labour Group. Jim added: ‘It is also the first time over 65’s who are not in receipt of housing benefit have been protected against any increase in bills from the council’.
Jim urged everyone to ensure that they and their relatives do not miss out on the free swimming and swimming lessons for over 60’s; introduced as part of Barnsley Labour’s policy to bring access to leisure for all.
In spite of the economic gloom Labour is investing in Barnsley Town Centre to maintain visitor numbers and spending in retail businesses. Together with free weekend car parking this will help to keep businesses open and jobs safe. The ‘Civic’ has re-opened, providing performances in the Assembly Rooms, exhibitions in the Gallery, retail opportunities and a café/restaurant. A full programme of drama, comedy, and family entertainment is programmed for this much-needed venue in Barnsley. Margaret Bruff - councillor for Central Barnsley - welcomed the architectural and cultural impact the Civic will have on the town when she commented that: ‘It will add a new vibrancy to the centre of town’.
Margaret also welcomed the environmental improvements to Eastgate, Regent Street North, Royal Street and Hanson Street which are currently underway and which, when complete, will be followed by a new Town Square and improvements to Market Hill and Church Street. Barnsley Labour policies are bringing a new feeling of confidence to the town with better access to services, improved environment and a relaxed street culture.
Adult Social Services, Children’s Services, Housing and Finance services have all been noted to be amongst the best in England; and ‘Barnsley Labour has agreed to invest even more in enforcement, housing and grounds maintenance to ensure services continue to improve’, according to Jim Andrews. Jim went on to welcome Barnsley Labour’s introduction of free bus passes and library membership for under 18’s, along with free swimming at Barnsley Premier Leisure. A good deal for all from Barnsley Labour.