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by Joe Anderson

Redcar Labour “delighted” at relighting of Redcar Blast Furnace

April 13, 2012 in Save Our Steel

Redcar Labour Party today (13 April 2012) announced its “delight” at the news that Redcar’s SSI Blast Furnace will be making its first cast this weekend.

A spokesperson said: “The credit for this victory belongs to SSI, Tata, the workers of Teesside, as well as the people of Redcar. This successful campaign, led by the late Geoff Waterfield, Community trade union activist and Multi Union Committee Chair, shows how much we can achieve when we work together to fight to protect jobs in Teesside.”

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop, in a statement, said: “I know that one thing that will stand out for the SSI managers will be the enthusiasm and Teesside grit of their workers. Today is the start of a new industrial revolution for Teesside – a Teesside spring – that could see thousands of potential new jobs created, and, given this, it is certain to me, that this is a great day for everyone after all the pain we as a community have had to endure.”

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by Dale

NHS activists condemn cuts to North East nurses

March 20, 2012 in News

NHS activists and Redcar Labour Party have today condemned the news that the North East has lost almost 400 nurses and midwives since the Lib Dem-Tory Coalition formed in 2010.

Figures made available from the Health and Social Care Information Centre revealed that between May 2010 and November 2011, 370 nurses – almost 2% – have been lost from the frontline of the NHS in the North East.

Labour councillor Dale Quigley, member of Redcar & Cleveland Council’s Health Scrutiny committee, said:

“This news is clear evidence that the Lib Dem-Tory Coalition’s wasteful reorganisation of the NHS is having a serious impact on frontline services here in the North East. Losing almost 400 nurses and midwives will have a terrible impact on both staff and patients.

“The Government said they would cut the deficit, not the NHS. They’re keeping neither promise. Since May 2010 we have already seen a 63% increase in Redcar and Cleveland in the number of patients waiting longer than 18 weeks for treatment since the Coalition formed.”

The controversial Health & Social Care Bill is currently in its final stages through Parliament and has seen almost unanimous opposition from GPs, nurses and other health professionals as well as 1000s of signatures against the Bill.

“It’s a kick in the teeth that almost £30 million has been spent in the North East reducing health managers, yet many will be rehired for the new clinical commissioning groups. In the meantime, nurses and doctors will be distracted from frontline services due to the surge in bureaucracy the reforms are bringing.”

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by Dale

Local Labour “angry” over South Bank delivery office closure proposals

March 20, 2012 in News

Following the news that the Royal Mail intends to close its delivery office in South Bank as part of a cost-cutting exercise and to merge with Middlesbrough Delivery Office, South Bank Labour councillors have hit out over the proposals.

South Bank ward Labour Councillor, Ian Jeffrey, said:

“This move is a huge blow for the area, both in terms of the jobs under threat, and also in terms of the valuable loss of local services for residents.

“Following discussions with members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), I know that they will do all they can to fight the closure and are already campaigning hard to keep this local service in South Bank.”

Redcar Constituency Labour Party chairman and CWU activist, Neil Bendelow, added:

“Putting profit before people represents how the Royal Mail is changing in the run-up to the privatisation backed by Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. There is a real risk that a privatised Royal Mail will see more delivery offices close, and services worsen.

“I am delighted that Labour in Redcar is fully backing the CWU’s campaign to save South Bank Delivery Office, and that many Labour members locally are supporting the campaign to Keep the Post Public.”

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by Dale

Come On Mr Swales, Drop The Bill!

March 1, 2012 in News

Labour today made a direct challenge local Liberal Democrats to join the campaign to oppose the government’s controversial Health and Social Care Bill.

Shadow Health Minister Jamie Reed visited Redcar as part of the growing campaign to Drop the Bill.

Redcar’s Lib Dem MP previously signed an Early Day Motion calling on the government to publish the risk register detailing the potential effects of the changes. He then failed to back the motion when brought to a vote in the floor of the House of Commons.

Jamie Reed joined Labour Party campaigners on the streets of the town to collect hundreds of signatures for the Drop the Bill petition.

Jamie Reed said:

“The Tory-led government is completely out of touch on the NHS. Their changes will cost over £190m in the North East alone and are opposed by doctors, nurses and patients. The Lib Dems can stop this Bill. Without the Lib Dems’ votes the Tories will not be able to swing their wrecking ball into our NHS.

“I’m here today to call on Lib Dem MPs like Ian Swales to help stop the Bill. Mr Swales flunked his first opportunity but he will get another chance to do the right thing.

“We were told that the Lib Dems would be a moderating influence on this government. So far they haven’t been and you have to wonder if these changes go through just what is the point of the Lib Dems?”

Notes:

1.Figures from the NHS reveal that £191,290,466 has been set a side for re-organisation in the North East with £10,096,252 being set aside by Redcar & Cleveland PCT.

2.Ian Swales signed Early Day Motion 2659 which stated that the government should abide by a judgement of the Information Commissioner and publish the risk register. http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/business-papers/commons/early-day-motions/edm-detail1/?session=2010-12&edmnumber=2659

3.Ian Swales then did not vote in the House of Commons vote asking the government to publish the risk register on Wednesday 22 February 2012. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120222/debtext/120222-0004.htm

4.‘Drop the Health Bill’ e-petition: People are being urged to add their name to the Government petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/22670

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by Dale

“Delight” at Labour by-election victory

January 20, 2012 in Election, News, Redcar wards

Redcar Labour Party today (20 January 2012) expressed “delight” at the result of the Newcomen by-election, which saw Labour candidate John Hannon win a seat from the Liberal Democrats following the sad death of Cllr Glynis Abbott.

Newly-elected Labour councillor for Newcomen ward, who is a former firefighter and who used to be a Liberal Democrat, said: “When Nick Clegg sold the Liberal Democrats out to the Tories, I left the Lib Dem party”.

“The result in Newcomen shows that the people of Redcar are also leaving Nick Clegg’s Liberal Democrats, instead wanting elected representatives who will fight for them, rather than those who will accept blatantly unfair Tory/Lib Dem cuts.”

“And what is also shows is that the people of Redcar certainly do not want elected representatives who espouse intolerant, Islamophobic views.”

“The Redcar Labour team and I ran a very active campaign in Newcomen ward, and I look forward to continuing to work hard with my Labour colleagues and local residents to move West Redcar forward.”

“I would like to thank everyone who voted for me for their support, and assure everyone that I will work hard for Newcomen residents all-year-round, regardless of whether they vote Labour or not.”

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by Joe Anderson

Vote in Newcomen by-election

January 19, 2012 in Election, Redcar wards

Polling stations are open for the Newcomen by-election today (19 January 2012) until 10pm.

Be sure to vote for Labour’s John Hannon.

Polling stations are at:

9’0 Club, West Dyke Rd
Westmorland Community Centre, Westmorland Rd
Newcomen Methodist Church Hall, 55 Mersey Rd

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by Joe Anderson

Redcar Constituen​cy Labour Party “shocked” by Lib Dem candidate’s “Islamopho​bic” comments

January 6, 2012 in Election, News, Redcar wards

Redcar Constituency Labour Party today said it was “disgusted” at the Islamophobic comments made by Lib Dem Newcomen by-election candidate Dave Stones, which were reported yesterday (5th January 2012) by the Political Scrapbook blog.

Political Scrapbook reported that Mr Stones suggested on Facebook that a strip bar named after Islam’s holiest city, Mecca, and a “pork rib restaurant” be built next to a mosque and that “then we’ll see who’s tolerant”. Mr Stones also posted a statement about the sale of poppies in Britain, saying they would not be sold in “certain areas… because some minorities say that it will upset them”. The Royal British Legion categorically denied this.

A spokesperson from Redcar Labour Party said:
“This is not about political pointscoring, but about what is best for Redcar.
“You have to seriously question the judgement of someone who would think it appropriate to suggest that a strip bar named ‘You Mecca Me Hot’ and a pork rib restaurant be opened next to a mosque, and that of a man who would post a factually untrue statement that could create racial tension.

“The Liberal Democrats claim to support multiculturalism. It is time that they condemn Mr Stones and his disgusting comments.

“A man with ignorant, Islamophobic views like these, and such a lack of respect for Muslims, should have no role to play in local government, or in the Liberal Democrat party.”

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by Joe Anderson

Tom Blenkinsop: Redcar Lib Dem MP is lying about steelworkers

November 22, 2011 in Save Our Steel

Tom Blenkinsop, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, hit out at Ian Swales, the Liberal Dempcrat MP for Redcar for ‘reckless comments’ today about the steel union, Community Trade Union and its members.

Tom said “Ian spoke to me on the train yesterday about some recent disturbances outside the steel house roundabout.”

“I told him clearly that these very few men had nothing to do with the SSI workforce, were outside contractors and were not members of not the main SSI Union, the Community Trade Union.”

“Its a pity he has deliberately ignored these facts to attempt to lie to the public and score cheap political points in a Tory-union baiting fashion.”

“He should be continuing to thank Community Union who led the Save Our Steel campaign,which he was so happy to jump on board last May, after all the hard work had been done by men such as Geoff Waterfield-himself a Community Union member.”

“It is just a shame the MP for Redcar is more interested in scoring cheap union-baiting points, whilst misleading the public, rather than constructively helping our local steel industry.”

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by Dale

Unemployment Hits 17 Year High

October 12, 2011 in News

Day of judgement on Government’s economic decisions as unemployment soars and youth unemployment higher than ever

Commenting on today’s (12th October 2011) unemployment statistics, Kirkleatham ward Labour Councillor Dale Quigley said:

“This is a day of judgement for the government. With Redcar there are almost 14 people chasing every job, Redcar now needs a change of direction.

“Youth unemployment now stands at 991,000 in the three months to August. This is the highest level since comparable records began in 1992. Whilst women’s unemployment stands at 1,069,000.

“Labour’s 5 point plan for jobs and growth would get our area moving again. We need to get people back to work and off benefits, or the scar of unemployment will do long term damage. At the moment we are stuck in a vicious cycle, with more people on benefits and out of work the deficit is harder to get down.”

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne said:

“Today’s figures are the clearest proof yet that the government’s decision to cut too far and too fast is hurting and just not working. Unemployment is soaring, and more young people are out of work than ever before.

“Today Labour has summoned the Chancellor to the House of Commons for an all day debate on jobs and economy. The question he must answer is simple: will he now change course?”

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by Dale

A statement from Redcar Constituency Labour Party on the resignation of Redcar and Cleveland councillors Jim Rogers and Ron Harrison

October 10, 2011 in Election, News, Redcar wards

“The resignation of Jim Rogers and Ron Harrison is long overdue. The law is crystal clear–they were never eligible to stand for election in the first place.

“The behaviour of Jim Rogers and Ron Harrison is disgraceful on many levels. They, along with their proposer, Ian Swales MP, and agent, Cllr Chris Abbott, should have checked the law before they stood. Legally, the responsibility firmly rested on Jim Rogers and Ron Harrison to ensure they were not disqualified from being elected councillors; if they had read the nomination paper fully, they should have realised they were disqualified from standing.

“The Lib Dems’ incompetence will cost the taxpayer at least £6,000 in legal fees and election costs, plus the £4,000 in allowances Messrs Rogers and Harrison claimed. In addition to this, the people of Zetland ward have been left without an effective voice for several months.

“Mr Harrison, Mr Rogers and Mr Swales have failed to apologise, instead trying to make cheap political points against their opponents. Mistakes happen, but in similar situations elsewhere in England, such as in Redbridge, the people in Mr Roger’s and Mr Harrison’s position have had least had the guts to admit their error and say “sorry”.

“The law applies to everyone: councillors, MPs, and the general public. It is about time the Liberal Democrat party, especially in Redcar, realised this.”

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