Jeremy Browne MP’s Monthly Update - June 2008
Posted by Jeremy Browne, MP for Taunton, at 16:09, Tue 1 July 2008:
JEREMY BROWNE MP’s MONTHLY UPDATE
Jeremy has met with the National Trust to back Wellington Monument. He said;
"Wellington Monument is part of the heritage of our area and I am determined to see it restored to its original condition. The National Trust has pledged to report what needs to be done by November, after which funding will need to be found.”
Read Jeremy’s Motion on Wellington Monument at; http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=36065&SESSION=891
IN THE COMMUNITY
Jeremy’s activities in Taunton this month included; Supporting a local resident’s fundraising for Burma, the Think Pants charity event, National Veteran’s Day, Diabetes UK, and Taunton Air Cadet Squadron’s open evening.
Visiting Lindley House, Nynehead Cricket Club, Somerset, Association for the Blind and the Continental Market.
Speaking to Taunton Vale Rotary Club, pupils from Castle School and Priorswood Primary School, and staff at The Beacon Oncology Centre at Musgrove Park.
Attending the opening of The Chapel in Cotford St Luke, the Children’s Education Unit party at Musgrove Park Hospital, and Staplegrove Church’s bell’s festival. Opening Ruishton School Fete, Blagdon Hill Fete, and West Monkton Village Fete.
FIGHTING FOR SOMERSET'S POST OFFICE
In Parliament, Jeremy has slammed the Government’s decision to ignore local protests and close 7 post offices in Taunton Deane. He said;
“West Monkton post office is in a small village, but that area of Taunton has been designated for considerable extra development. Almost 1,000 more houses in Monkton Heathfield have been given the go-ahead. The case for maintaining a post office in that area is overwhelming.
“In Bradford-on-Tone, local residents have organised themselves as volunteers to sustain the post office and shop for many years now.
“In these places and Churchinford, West Buckland, Lydeard St Lawrence, Kingston St Mary and Shuttern, local residents are seeing their post offices being ripped out of their communities.
“Somerset residents are right to conclude that the consultation process for post office closures has been a sham.”
Read Jeremy’s speech at; http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080624/halltext/80624h0006.htm#08062481000501
LIB DEM LEADER VISITS TAUNTON DEANE
Jeremy hosted a visit by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg this month. Nick came to Taunton to see how the new Cancer Centre at Musgrove Park was progressing, and to visit the new sports centre at Court Fields School. Jeremy commented;
“The new Cancer Centre at Musgrove Park is such an important development. At the moment, cancer patients from Taunton Deane are having to make the 100-mile round trip to Bristol for treatment, so it is very exciting that Taunton will have one of the best Cancer Centres in the country when it opens next year.
"Nick Clegg was extremely impressed by the new Cancer Centre and he enjoyed finding out more about the service that Musgrove Park delivers for our community."
"I also wanted to show him what an excellent sports centre has just been built at Court Fields school. It is a superb facility which is perfect for basketball, indoor cricket, badminton, tennis, netball and a huge range of other sports.”
SPOKESPERSON'S NEWS
Jeremy is the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, focusing on issues such as accountability in public spending, personal debt and taxation.
STANDING UP FOR TAXPAYERS' RIGHT
Jeremy has spoken against draconian new powers to allow HMRC unfettered access into taxpayers’ affairs. He commented;
“There is considerable public concern about the competence and scope of HMRC, including security breaches. My party is cautious about extending HMRC’s powers without extending the safeguards to monitor those powers effectively.”
Read the debate at; http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmpublic/finance/080605/pm/80605s01.htm
Jeremy also challenged the Government to provide taxpayers with appropriate leave to appeal against HMRC decisions;
“I am uncomfortable with relying on HMRC officers to decide matters relating to inspection powers and appeals, and it would be more appropriate for the tribunal to oversee matters of appeal, including it having the ability to amend demands from HMRC as it sees fit.”
Read the debate at; http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmpublic/finance/080610/pm/80610s01.htm
SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES
Jeremy joined Cotford St Luke residents to celebrate the opening of The Chapel restaurant in June. He commented;
"The development of Cotford St Luke has been a very successful project and it is a popular village.
"The difficulty for Cotford residents has always been the shortage of local amenities. It was difficult to establish a community in Cotford when it was impossible to even buy a pint of milk in the village. Along with the hall, the shop has become a focal point, but it is obviously not a proper gathering point.
"So I am delighted that the new restaurant and pub has opened after a lengthy restoration process. It is an ideal community hub for Cotford and it will make a big difference to the character of the village. As long as the customers are considerate towards the nearby residents, it should be a great success, and I am sure that it will also attract other customers from across Taunton Deane."
IMPROVING BANKING REGULATION
Jeremy has expressed concern at new laws which could remove important safeguards when building societies are taken into public ownership. He said;
“I do not fully understand why the lending and funding limits [for building societies] are not applicable or relevant when we are discussing an institution that has, in effect, been taken into public ownership—why in those circumstances the governing regulations should be different from when Northern Rock was trading as an entirely independent-from-Government entity.”
Read the debate at; http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmgeneral/deleg1/080602/80602s01.htm
COST OF LIVING
In a debate on the cost of living, Jeremy has criticised the Conservatives for following Labour’s philosophy on economic management. He said;
“The Conservative shadow Chancellor, speaking on the BBC’s "Breakfast" on 3 September—less than a year ago—said: "The Conservatives will spend the same as Labour—if there is a Conservative Government there will be real increases in spending.” I understand the criticisms made of the Labour party, and they are legitimate. What I do not understand is why the Conservative party is determined to ape it.”
Read the debate at; http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080624/debtext/80624-0004.htm#08062489000001
Contact Jeremy at office@tauntonlibdems.org.uk , or write to him at: Masons House, Magdalene Street, Taunton, TA1 1SG
Comments
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Posted by G. Campbell, 18:26, Tue 1 July 2008: (Is this post abusive?) #
Hello to our MP, With regards to the various projects going on in Taunton Wellington etc - surely it must be possible for the Governemnt to us the NATIONAL LOTTERY MONEY for these - crying out for money for this wonderfuly Cancer Unit at Musgrove Hospital for example - the money not claimed by people who have won the lottery is in the Lottery bank possible making lots of interest - so why not make use of this for the benefit of the communities here and UK in general.