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Jeremy Browne MP’s Monthly Update - October

Posted by Jeremy Browne, MP for Taunton, at 15:20, Thu 1 November 2007:

In October Jeremy was elected as Vice-Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Royal Marines Group. He commented;

“I have a special affinity with the Royal Marines because Taunton is the home of 40 Commando. Debates on the deployment of our armed forces can expose sharp political differences, but all parliamentarians are united in admiration for what they do. I am proud to support their role.”

HYDROGRAPHIC VICTORY

The UK Hydrographic Office is staying in Taunton, the government has confirmed. Jeremy has spent the past 18 months meeting with Defence Ministers and UKHO leaders, as well as initiating debates and parliamentary motions in the House of Commons, to lobby for its future. He said;

“I am absolutely thrilled that the Hydrographic Office will be staying in Taunton. This has been my biggest campaign since being elected and I was determined to do everything possible.

“I am grateful for the support that everyone in Taunton Deane has given to keeping the UKHO in our community. The County Gazette helped to give the campaign a high profile and our local councils and Regional Development Agency all supported the efforts.

“I am most pleased for the staff at the UKHO, who can now plan for the future.”

IN THE COMMUNITY

Jeremy’s activities in Taunton this month included;

- Celebrating the 30 year anniversary of Taunton Women’s Refuge.

- Attending the Manieres Disease coffee morning, Taunton in Bloom, Wellington in Bloom, the Salvation Army Photographic Exhibition, Taunton Carnival, the fashion show for Children’s Hospice South West, the Care Leavers coffee morning, and Music Day Live at Wellington School.

- Speaking to Taunton Magistrates, Taunton Rotary Club, the Somerset College Graduation Ceremony, Castle School, U3A, Taunton Oxfam Group, and Reminiscence Learning.

- Opening local business Wessex Malthouse’s new offices, the Conquest Riding Centre visitor day at Bishops Lydeard, and the new ‘Food For Life’ at North Street Congregational Church.

- Meeting with Taunton Peace Group, 10 Parishes Eco Youth Group, the Environment Forum, Abbeyfield Nursing Home residents and staff, pupils from North Town Primary School.

ALSO IN PARLIAMENT

In October Jeremy;

- Questioned the government on the proposed Blackbrook Loop. See the answers at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm071017/text/71017w0005.htm#07101748000034

- Condemned the Chancellors latest tax increases and called for Council Tax to be abolished. - Challenged the government on unfair petrol pricing in Taunton Deane. See the Minister’s response at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm071029/text/71029w0024.htm#07103018000021

- Welcomed Wellington St John’s Ambulance Cadets to Parliament for a personal tour & Q&A.

- Welcomed Exmoor Ales boss Jonathan Price to pull the first pint of his guest ale in the House of Commons Stranger’s Bar.

- Met with the Holocaust Educational Trust.

SPEAKING OUT ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Jeremy is the Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson and sits on the Home Affairs Select Committee.

SERIOUS CRIME BILL

Jeremy led the Liberal Democrats against the government’s proposed ‘super ASBO’s’ during the final stages of the Serious Crime Bill this month. Arguing that the plans would severely infringe civil liberties, he commented;

“We must remember that we are talking about serious sanctions—virtually everything short of imprisoning the individual concerned—such as restrictions on internal travel in the United Kingdom, on the buildings they can visit, and on the places where they can work, so their day-to-day business may be severely curtailed.

“[The sanctions] can be extended indefinitely, so it is within the scope of the Bill for extremely draconian restrictions to be placed on someone’s liberties, and for those restrictions to last their lifetime, without their having an opportunity to escape them, even if they are not convicted of a criminal offence.”

The government also agreed to incorporate an amendment tabled by Jeremy into the Bill which would give third parties the right of appeal against an order being discharged.

Read the government’s concession and Jeremy’s speeches on the Bill at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm071022/debtext/71022-0007.htm#0710223000003

DID YOU KNOW?

 There has been a 400% increase in the use of stop and search under the Terrorism Act, but fewer than 1% of searches result in an arrest?

 There has been a 1700% increase in the use of stop and search for offensive weapons since 1995, but fewer than 0.6% resulted in an arrest?

See the figures at; http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2007-04-17b.131246.h&s=search+speaker%3A11869#g131246.q0 and http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2007-10-15a.156480.h&s=search+speaker%3A11869#g156480.q0

ON THE BEAT

Jeremy has been on night patrol with local police officers to see how they are tackling crime and anti-social behaviour at weekends. He said;

“It was interesting to have an update on how the town centre is being policed at night. Some people were arrested for drunkenly aggressive behaviour and the police response was swift and professional.

“I want to see people enjoying themselves in Taunton town centre without creating an atmosphere which is intimidating or unpleasant for everyone else.”

COMMUNITY POLICING

Jeremy also visited the Asda Police Pod recently. He commented;

“The Police Pod is helping to increase the visibility of the police across the Halcon, Lambrook and Priorswood areas of Taunton. It is important that the police and the community support officers are meeting the public rather than getting stuck behind their desks at the police station.”

SPEAKING OUT ON GUN CRIME

Figures uncovered by Jeremy this month revealed an increase in the number of armed response unit deployments by more than 6,000 over the last decade. He said;

“There is real anxiety in many communities about rising gun crime. Firearms offences used to be rare in Britain and we associated gun crime with America. Now it is a daily concern for millions of people in our country.

“The underlying problem is the huge growth in the availability of guns in Britain. We need proper enforcement of anti-gun laws and enhanced efforts to intercept smuggled firearms.

“Most importantly, everyone has an obligation to challenge the idea that guns are glamorous accessories, because they are not, as we have seen on many tragic occasions.”

See the figures at; <http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm071011/text/71011w0009.htm#07101133003198>

Contact Jeremy at office@tauntonlibdems.org.uk , or write to him at: Masons House, Magdalene Street, Taunton, TA1 1SG