Jeremy Browne MP’s Monthly Update - January 2009
Posted by Jeremy Browne, MP for Taunton, at 10:09, Tue 3 February 2009:
JEREMY BROWNE MP'S MONTHLY UPDATE
Jeremy has called on the government to ensure that food labelled ‘British’ actually comes from Britain. He commented;
“Thornfalcon farm rears pig to the highest welfare standard and uses two local slaughterhouses so the animals are only transported a short distance. So it is absolutely right that consumers should know the difference between that sort of production technique and the mass production techniques that often take place, with lower welfare standards, in other countries.”
Read the debate at; http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090120/halltext/90120h0001.htm#09012030000001
JEREMY'S LAW
Jeremy is proposing a new law to help people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. His Organ Donation (Presumed Consent) Bill was introduced in the House of Commons this month. He commented;
"I was inspired to introduce this legislation after meeting Sean O'Brien, who owns Buff Urban Day Spa on Station Road in Taunton. He has liver cancer but is not able to receive a transplant because there are not enough organs available.
"Britain currently has an opt-in system for organ donations, with people signing-up to carry a donor card. The problem is that more people need transplants than there are organs available.
“My Organ Donation (Presumed Consent) Bill would introduce an opt-out system. That would mean an assumption would be made that people were willing to donate their organs unless they had expressed an objection to doing so.
"There would be rigorous safeguards put in place, which observed family and religious sensibilities. People would also be able to decide if they wished to donate some organs but not others.”
The Bill is due to be debated in the House of Commons on Friday 13 March 2009.
COMMUNITY PRIDE
This month Jeremy celebrated the contribution young people and adult learners are making in Taunton Deane. On attending the Pride of Somerset Youth Awards he said;
"The overwhelming majority of young people in Somerset make a positive contribution to our community. The 'Pride of Somerset Youth Awards' are a fantastic idea. Taunton Rotary Club, the Somerset County Gazette and BBC Somerset all deserve credit for organising and supporting this initiative.
"The wide range of different achievements were an inspiration. Some young people had demonstrated extraordinary ability to triumph over adversity, while others had displayed great courage or kindness.
"There are also many very talented young people in Somerset, with great academic or sporting ability."
On presenting adult learning certificates to A4E learners Jeremy said;
"I admire people who undertake adult learning courses. They have taken the tough and courageous decision to improve their literacy, numeracy and computer skills. A4E has helped many adults in Taunton Deane. I was impressed by the positive outlook of the people who completed the courses." ELSEWHERE IN TAUNTON
Jeremy’s activities in Taunton this month included;
- Attending the opening of the Pink Garlic restaurant, and the consecration of St Michael the Archangel Church in Galmington.
- Visiting the Dyslexia Clinic at the Exchange Centre, Trull Primary School, the new South West Fire Control Centre, Heathfield School, and Richard Huish College.
- Promoting post-Christmas recycling at Tesco.
- Meeting with Devonshire Homes, Connexions, Business Link, and local church leaders.
- Presenting Victoria Park with £500 from Barclays.
- Enjoying the pantomime at Wellesley Theatre in Wellington and the Brewhouse.
TOUR OF THE MONTH
This month’s special mention is to the Royal British Legion who visited Parliament on 13 January. To book in your own group contact Jeremy’s Taunton office on 01823 337874.
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, taxation and affordable housing.
FIGHTING THE RECESSION
WELLINGTON
Jeremy has visited local retailers in Wellington to discuss how local businesses are coping with the economic downturn. He said;
"The last few months have been very difficult from many Wellington retailers. The development at the junction of Longforth Road and the High Street has caused huge disruption and wider economic factors also do not help. Wellington is clearly not immune from recession and the closure of big national chains like Woolworths is having an impact.
"The positive note for Wellington is that the town continues to have an attractive range of independent retailers. So many High Streets in Britain look the same but Wellington offers something different for shoppers.”
WORLDWIDE
In Parliament Jeremy also spoke at length about the importance of global action. He said;
“We have got used to [the Prime Minister] lecturing other EU member states on how he brought an end to boom and bust and how they should follow our example in the UK, but we now find ourselves in a rather more humble position.
“The EU’s economic recovery plan offers some useful pointers to the way forward. One of those is the fiscal stimulus. If it is co-ordinated, it will have added effect. The economies of Europe are interdependent to some degree, so there is scope for co-ordinating not only a fiscal stimulus but interest rate policy where that is applicable and likely to be effective. The immediate aspiration is to boost demand in a way that is advantageous to businesses across Europe. It is right to support viable businesses, including through measures such as aiming to speed up the payment of invoices.”
Read Jeremy’s speech at; http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090120/debtext/90120-0007.htm
BACKING LOCAL BUSINESSES
Jeremy has visited Quantock Brewery, the new Somerset brewery based near Wellington. He observed;
“Traditionally brewed ales are part of the heritage of Somerset and are enjoyed by thousands of local residents. Quantock Brewery is producing some excellent new beers and I enjoyed discussing their plans for the future.
“I hope that Taunton Deane residents will continue to support our producers of beer, cider, meat and cheese. Buying their produce is great for our local economy and the environment. Taunton Deane now has Exmoor Ales, Cotleigh Brewery, the Taunton Brewing Company and Quantock Brewery all producing popular beers.”
FINANCIAL EDUCATION
Jeremy has urged the Government to end spiralling personal debt and support savings schemes for low-earners. He commented;
“To have a more socially mobile society and to have greater opportunity for people to have a stake in society, we need to ensure that more people have assets and do not live on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis in terms of their finances, and that they have a more entrenched and permanent stake in the society in which they live.”
Read Jeremy’s speech at; http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090113/debtext/90113-0005.htm
He is also calling on the Government to consider the positive long term impact investing in support schemes for children and their families can have. He said;
“There are schemes such as Home-Start—I am familiar with Home-Start in Taunton—which is an excellent organisation. Under the scheme people, mainly mothers, mentor new mothers who are in less fortunate circumstances and try to pass on mothering and life skills.”
Read the debate at; http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090113/halltext/90113h0003.htm#09011363000467
Contact Jeremy at office@tauntonlibdems.org.uk , or write to him at: Masons House, Magdalene Street, Taunton, TA1 1SG
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