Jeremy Browne MP’s Monthly Update - November 2009
Posted by Jeremy Browne, MP for Taunton, at 16:27, Tue 5 January 2010:
In November, Jeremy was re-elected as Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Royal Marines. He has also been a group member since his election in 2005. He said:
“I am delighted to continue in my position as Vice Chair. The Marines, through 40 Commando based in Norton Manor, are a source of great pride in our local community, and I am keen to support them as vociferously as I can, both in Parliament and in Taunton Deane.”
THE FESTIVE SEASON
Jeremy has received a record number of entries to his annual Christmas card design competition. The winner, to be announced in the run up to Christmas, will receive a prize and an invitation to bring their family to London for a tour of the Houses of Parliament with Jeremy. He said:
"It is always wonderful to see the creative Christmas card designs by local primary school children. They have a unique ability to capture the spirit of Christmas.
“ I am grateful to all of the schools that took part and am looking forward to announcing the winner in the run up to Christmas.”
COMMUNITY POLICING
Jeremy’s campaign to stop PCSO funding cuts in Somerset received Government backing this month during his debate in the House of Commons. Jeremy argued:
“Neighbourhood policing teams work extremely well and ensure that the police continue to have a high level of visibility in communities across Somerset.
“Those teams of regular police officers and PCSOs work in concert. A cut of £129,000 in the annual Somerset county council contribution to Avon and Somerset police to fund PCSOs would be a backward step.”
In response to Jeremy’s speech, the Minister said:
"The 11 neighbourhood police beat teams that operate in the Taunton constituency, and the PCSOs who support them, are extremely valuable in helping to drive down crime and, ultimately, reduce the burden on ratepayers as a consequence… any reduction in their numbers, outside the Home Office contribution, would be regretted".
Read Jeremy’s debate at; http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm091103/debtext/91103-0022.htm#09110410000023
IN THE COMMUNITY
Elsewhere in Taunton, Jeremy;
- visited the Royal British Legion, Somerset Care at Home, Taunton Rugby Club, Rethink, the Prince’s Trust, the Mantle Street Youth Centre in Wellington, Cotford St Luke primary school, and Musgrove Park hospital.
- spoke to Richard Huish Politics Society, social policy students at SCAT, local church leaders, the Environment Forum, and Friends of Wellington Park.
- attended Remembrance Sunday services in Taunton and Wellington, the Christmas lights switch on, and the Taunton Round Table Charity Dinner.
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.
TAUNTON DEANE'S ECONOMY
In November, Jeremy gave a keynote speech to the Somerset Institute of Directors and the Somerset Chamber of Commerce. He said:
"It is necessary to borrow money in a recession, and it is true that our total national debt is comparable to other major economies and also has historical precedence. If we cut budgets too fast and too soon we risk suffocating the economic growth which is essential for rebalancing the books and avoiding even higher unemployment.
"It will still be a massive task over the next decade to restore credibility to Britain's public finances. We are currently borrowing an extra £480 million every single day. For every £4 the Government spends, it is only raising £3 in tax. This situation is clearly not sustainable indefinitely.
"At the same time, Britain also needs a positive vision for the future. The General Election campaign should not degenerate into a crude Dutch Auction on public spending cuts. Out of the chaos of the banking sector and the dire state of the public finances we need to track a path to a fairer, safer and greener Britain.
"I am delighted that the Somerset Institute of Directors is thriving and attracting members from different areas of business. Along with the Chambers of Commerce, the IoD is an important voice in helping to ensure that Somerset has a vibrant and successful economy."
BACKING PROJECT TAUNTON
Jeremy has written to Treasury Minister Liam Byrne MP urging him to consider relocating a major government office to Taunton. His letter follows a report in the Guardian newspaper claiming that thousands of government jobs will be moved from the London area to elsewhere in Britain. Jeremy said:
"I read in today's Guardian newspaper that you are leading a relocation programme for civil servants from the London area to other parts of the United Kingdom.
"Earlier this year I met with Stuart Ladds at the Treasury to discuss the suitability of Taunton as a potential site for a newly relocated government agency. In particular, we discussed the Firepool area, which is the main feature of an ambitious development plan called 'Project Taunton'.
"Taunton has many advantages. It has excellent communications, being on the M5 motorway and inter-city train lines to major cities including London and Birmingham. The costs of labour and building rents are lower than in the London area. It is a popular place to live, so relocating existing staff should not be especially problematic. Taunton is also at the geographic centre of the South West region and forms an obvious hub between Bristol and Exeter.
"Most of all, the timing is perfect, with the physical work about to begin on 'Project Taunton'. There is cross-party support for this development, and for the role a government agency could assume as its centrepiece. I would be very grateful if you could look seriously at the option of locating government offices in Taunton, and I would be grateful for your response."
Contact Jeremy at office@tauntonlibdems.org.uk , or write to him at: Masons House, Magdalene Street, Taunton, TA1 1SG
Commenting on this message is now disabled.