HearFromYourMP

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• Posted by james wishart, 18:02, Mon 13 November 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  There are some big numbers floating in the ether at the present time that add up to a colossal amount of money--

  Trident replacement which has no conceivable target in the forseeable future and would in any case be unusable at any time, possibly £75 billion

  The NHS computerisation which is odds on not to work, possibly £25 billion

  The ID card project with its problems of practicality and doubtful worth if it ever comes to fruition, possibly £25 billion.

  I make that £125 billion little of which has yet been spent.

  Has our MP got any ideas for a better use for this money?

• Posted by james wishart, 22:12, Mon 13 November 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  Further to my contribution above:- It is very hard to imagine what £125 billion can actually do. One way of understanding it is to actualise it, to assess what that amount of money could do if spent usefully. In 2000 a group of nations got together under the auspices of the World Bank and made a plan which would benefit the World. The Plan was called the Millennium Development Goal. Eight goals were identified:- Goal 1 Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 2 Achieve universal primary education Goal 3 Promote gender equality and empower women Goal 4 Reduce child mortality Goal 5 Improve maternal health Goal 6 Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases Goal 7 Ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8 Develop a global partnership for development Details can be found here http://tinyurl.com/w9gz5

  The World Bank has assessed how much this programme would cost the World and the estimate is £30 billion per year up till 2015. This means that the United Kingdom could pay for the whole world's share of this programme for the first four years without any effort if it decided that the three massive and useless programmes previously referred to were cancelled. [http://tinyurl.com/y97ov8]

• Posted by Cllr Peter Evans, 17:37, Tue 14 November 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  Brian, youth matters are important and I am sure you will agree with me the sacking of youth workers from the County Council that you are also portfolio Holder for was in the main wrong and immoral. I would therefore ask you to ask the question in the house, was this expectable behaviour by a Tory run County Council, or just the same old stuff i.e. same old story same old Tory!!! Many thanks. Cllr Peter Evans Northampton Borough Council

• Posted by Brian Binley, 16:22, Mon 20 November 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  'Dear Councillor Evans. I decide what questions I ask in the House and I certainly will not be a mouth piece for someone who is solely interested in scoring cheap political points.

  'As to the question of the youth service, we were adjudged by the regulators set up by a Labour Government to be one of the worst youth services in the country. We are recreating that youth service and have received initial plaudits for the work we are carrying out, which both are surprising at this early stage but most welcome.

  'Finally, I am not the Portfolio holder for the youth service and I would have thought you would have known that. If you really want to talk about improving the life of people in Northampton, who suffered so badly for 12 years under Labour Administration at County Hall and more especially in the Borough, then talk to me sensibly and cut out trying to be clever!

• Posted by Brian Binley, 16:25, Mon 20 November 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  Dear James. Thank you for your contributions to the website, in response to mine. I had hoped by posting on this website I might create a forum for sensible ideas and I am grateful for your suggestions.

  I understand the size of the figures to which you refer and the impact they might have if spent in other areas.

  With regard to Trident this decision is a very important one. No-one can accurately predict the threats the UK will face in 20 to 30 years time and it is no secret that the majority of the Labour and Conservative Parties support an updating of the Trident programme. However, I have not come across the figure you mention and will certainly consider that cost when the debate arises in the House. I will however continue to support multi-lateral nuclear disarmament and the Nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty.

  The NHS computerisation is to my mind a bigger problem. The Government hardly has a good record with IT projects and that links in as well to the proposed ID cards, which I continue to oppose.

  Government sums will always be huge because of the level at which national Government works and it is not always a question of doing things more cheaply, but making sure the money that is pledged is used effectively.

  The recent scrapped Police mergers are a case in point. The money that was spent on consultation and by local police forces on this matter is not to be fully refunded by the Government.

  I hesitate to say where the money could be better spent but in many areas it could be more effectively used.

  Brian

• Posted by james wishart, 14:05, Fri 24 November 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  Dear Mr Binley, Thank you for your considered reply to mine. To take your points one by one---

  You say that "Government sums will always be huge because of the level at which national Government works and it is not always a question of doing things more cheaply, but making sure the money that is pledged is used effectively." I am of course aware that government expenditure is huge. I was trying to show just how large it is and what could be achieved with different objectives. I guess that not many of the public have a clear understanding of the concept of a billion and is useful to compare practical examples to cast light on the matter.

  On the Trident replacement question--- You say that "No-one can accurately predict the threats the UK will face in 20 to 30 years time" True, but not a sufficient argument for us to contravene the Non Proliferation Treaty. It is an appalling example for the rest of the world. Also there is a question of efficacy. It is hard to see how being able to destroy large areas of a country with atomic weapons could ever help to control terror and it is not true to say that we would never use them, that we only have them as a deterrent, because the government must have the will to use them or they do not deter. The moral argument was stated the other day by the Catholic Bishops Conference and can be read here http://tinyurl.com/ymczpq. As an aside it is outrageous that the government is not even going to consider a non-nuclear defence programme as an option.

  We are at a turning point. We have a golden opportunity to be an immense force for good in the world but for narrow populist reasons this government is going to throw it away. History will condemn the decision to replace Trident and our descendents will curse us.

  regards James Wishart, Northampton

• Posted by Cllr Peter Evans, 11:29, Wed 29 November 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  Dear Brian

  Many thanks for your response, as usual in the manner one has come to expect from an aligning Tory who wishes not to answer questions, and in this case not ask any questions on behalf of his constituents be they political or not!!

  You are my MP!!! All I asked was can you ask the question in the house! But alas clearly not. So where’s my democratic rights then Brian, clearly you feel I don’t have any!!

  You are the portfolio holder for finance and if you are thinking that you had nothing to do with the FINANCES of the debacle of youth services then you truly are deluded? One is not being clever, one is being factual! the hatchet fell on your watch, you axed the youth service, own it!

  Another question Brian, Sixfeilds? I am appalled that this situation is being allowed to continue. Your Tory chums on NBC clearly have no vision for this town and I am equally appalled you have stayed silent on this issue! You who attend most games and state to be a proud supporter how do you think Tim and Co have handled this issue. I will say, I do feel for Cllr Phil Larratt, who clearly was ejected from office due to his stance on Sixfeilds. Truly a man with conviction!! People before developers, town before profit. The first time I’ve seen a Tory think of others before himself. Alas however, he was then subject to an internal cope it would seem, and the night of the long knives took place, the said Cllr was out of the country when the rush for power took place!!! Just an aside Brain, when are you out of the country next?

  Again on the County, Tory run, and again failing its charges!! Education, Social Services, well was going to say youth services but they have already gone! The most vulnerable in our society, all being failed by your group, we see yet again another failing Tory run council! Which lacks vision and stamina, but blames others for its failing attitude to its charges.

  Now Brian if you think this is a political pot shot then you are much mistaken!! If these groups are not being targeted for cuts etc then prove it! The truth is, however, you cant because your group is and are targeting these groups. Closures of homes, reduction in care, reduction in home provision, reduction frankly all over the shop!

  Furthermore, do you agree with Cllr Harker that Northamptonshire should be a Unitary Authority, or do you agree with your NBC Tory chums that Northampton should be a Unitary Authority?? People that you service would I am sure like to know where you stand on this issue!

  Your answers please would be appreciated, I know your are a very busy person, being a County Councillor, Portfolio Holder for Finance, an MP, Shadow Trade & Industry team member, which must take you out of the country a lot, be careful there Brian you know what happened to Phil, and a Business Man and “franchise” to boot for Northampton’s finniest shoes to your MP chums! I await your response during your busy schedule!!

  Yours

  Cllr Peter Evans NBC

• Posted by Cllr Peter Evans, 11:52, Mon 4 December 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  Monday 4th December and i do have a response?

  Cllr Peter Evans NBC

• Posted by Brian Binley, 10:08, Mon 11 December 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  Dear Peter

  I am more than pleased to answer your questions but if you play politics when so-doing do not expect me to do any differently. In other words the tone of the question dictates my response.

  Now let me deal with your questions. We disagree about the youth service. You will remember that it received the most damning report in its existing form and had to be changed. We believe that we are building a more meaningful youth service that includes most of the activities that our young people involve themselves in and we are proud of that fact. Whilst I reckon the Hatchet fell on my watch it is true to say that our initial plans would have meant that we would not have acted in such a precipitate manner. Unfortunately we were forced to do so with a Revenue Support Grant well below the rate of local government inflation and considerably less than the level of support given to the previous administration.

  My position on Sixfields is very clear and I would have wished for a different outcome but you well know that political parties don’t work in the hierarchical fashion that your question suggests. Incidentally you are wrong that I have kept silent and have indeed added my thoughts to those of Tony Clarke in a press release. The truth is they did not publish those thoughts but I am sure tony will tell you what they are.

  Your point about my role on the select committee is a cheap shot and one which I will pay no attention to and say that by the nature of the work in the House of all MPs there do occasion foreign visits and I pay no more or less than other Members.

  Finally I do not need a lesson in compassion from you. The twelve years of labour control on the County Council left us with one of the worst performing County Councils in the country and I can produce all the figures to prove that. Let me quote just one.

  The Ombudsman has stated that one of our most vulnerable citizens has had her wellbeing undermined because the County Council didn’t carry out proper assessments in the years from 1999 – 2005 and the Council was forced to pay a sizeable sum in compensation for that lack in care. Furthermore since we have carried out a full assessment we have found many examples where people were either paid money which was not due to them or were not paid money they should have received, causing sizeable harm and damage to the most vulnerable in our society.

  The conclusion I draw from that fact is that the monitoring of good management on the Council is a vital part of its administration and that responsibility we are taking very seriously indeed.

  Finally I recognise the fun involved in such correspondence but I really do feel neither you or I have the time for such fun bearing in our mind our various responsibilities. Consequently I make it clear that I will answer your genuine questions but I really do not have the time to participate in this sort of badinage. I am sure you understand.

• Posted by Cllr Peter Evans, 12:58, Tue 19 December 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #

  Dear Brian

  Again thanks for your responses. They are an interesting read however do not answer for one moment what the Tories are doing to support Youth Work, the most vulnerable in our communities and those in most need.

  Unlike some, I prefer to stay the course rather than storm out and refuse to answer questions! Or wait my turn to ask questions! It is a pity thus that you will not answer fully to my questions, I notice you stay silent on Unitary status!! I do find this fascinating as I am well informed you have an opinion on most things? Again do you support your Harker Incorp chums or your NBC Hadland and Co on Unitary Status or do you have your own opinion? Which differs from both.

  In relation to SixFields, I gather your Office, where ever that is, will be press releasing your support even though it goes against your Tory Colleagues on the Borough. And this will happen forthwith and our MP will undoubtedly state that his Tory Chums are wrong to delay this further! I await with baited breath

  Youth Service provision, well need I say more! as a Qualified Social Worker, I am sure you will appreciate I cannot stay silent and that cutting this service was indeed inept and perhaps another angle would have been to review internally and put right what u claim to be wrong, not take away the service completely. Matter of moral conviction perhaps separates us their Brian! One based on true care, compassion and recognition that young people matter to, and the other base line, profit and book balancing?

  Another question Brian, will you be concentrating solely on one job soon following your “flurry walkout” of a Council Meeting? As I have said as an MP Portfolio Holder and other jobs to boot surely you don’t have time to do all of these properly and thus it is showing by such outbursts, however, I might even loose it as a result of Gena but hey Brian we have to be gentlemen, professional to the last!

  Answers by return would be good! Have a good Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

  Peter

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