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Tory candidate selection August 31, 2004

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Liberal Democrat agent Richard Pinnock said, “I understand that the Conservatives have finally announced a candidate who will now appear on the ballot paper. At last the race for the bronze medal can begin for good between the Conservatives, Respect and the UKIP.

“For our part we are going for gold – more and more people accept that we have a good chance to beat Labour here in Hartlepool. After 40 years of a Labour MP, it is time for a change. More and more local residents are backing Jody Dunn to win.

“It is refreshing that the Conservatives in a moment of political honesty have admitted that they can’t win. They know that the race will be between the Liberal Democrats and Labour.”

Note: Speaking on the World At One on 19th August, Conservative Group Leader on Hartlepool Borough Council, Councillor George Morris (Park Ward) confirmed that the Conservatives cannot win the election. In response to the direct question, “Mr Morris, do you think you have any chance of winning in Hartlepool?” George Morris replied “No”.

Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor in town to support Jody Dunn August 31, 2004

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Vincent Cable, Liberal Democrat shadow chancellor, is in town supporting Jody Dunn’s campaign for Hartlepool.

Mr Cable’s visit is to launch the survey of local business interest groups that Jody is undertaking.

In a move that is the largest consultation exercise in the town of the pressures facing local businesses, Mr Cable is launching surveys that are being sent to Post Offices, small businesses, hairdressers, hot food takeaways and newsagents.

Labour confirm Hartlepool by-election is neck and neck with Lib Dems August 29, 2004

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Commenting on yesterday’s press reports that Labour officials in Hartlepool say their canvassing shows only 1,000 votes separate Labour and Liberal Democrat candidate Jody Dunn, Liberal Democrat agent Richard Pinnock said:

“It is an astonishing admission from Labour, still over six weeks away from the likely polling day, to be telling journalists that already Jody Dunn is only 1,000 votes from snatching the previously safe Labour seat of Hartlepool for the Liberal Democrats.

“Labour’s frank admission means that already their own canvassing shows the Labour vote has plummeted by over 13,000, with a swing of over 20% from Labour to the Liberal Democrats.

“Labour have only confirmed what everyone knows, that Hartlepool will be a photofinish between Jody Dunn and Tony Blair’s man. Over the next six weeks the Liberal Democrats will be working flat out to win over those last 1,000 votes Labour say we now need to elect Jody Dunn as Hartlepool’s first ever female MP.”

Toxic waste threat – local people deserve to know the facts August 27, 2004

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Jody Dunn has called for a full and real consultation to take place with local residents about the plans to use the Brinefield caverns for the storage and disposal of toxic waste.

Speaking down at No 5 Brinefields, Jody said, “It is crucial that local residents, and indeed the whole town are given the facts about what is planned. At the moment there is a fear that the consultation will be a sham.

“We have concerns that Hartlepool is used as a dumping ground for the rest of the country, or indeed other parts of the world. Handling and managing our own waste is one thing, having hazardous waste from elsewhere transported here is a different matter altogether.

“I am calling for a full independent assessment of the safety and security of any likely storage of such waste. The people of Hartlepool and Billingham are losing trust in being told what is good for them, and independent guidance is essential.

“Today I went to Brinefields with Independent Councillor Geoff Lilley and spoke with leading Lib Dem MP Simon Hughes about our concerns. We agree that local residents must be given the full facts on this issue before a decision is made and crucially before the consultation closes on 10th September.”

Jody Dunn has set a series of eight key questions:

1. What is proposed to be disposed of?

2. Are there any radioactive/toxic concerns?

3. Where will the waste material be coming from?

4. What means of transport will be involved?

5. Are there any geology concerns?

6. What is the depth of the well-cap?

7. What is the capacity of the brine well?

8. Are there any possible interactions between the waste and materials in adjacent brine wells?

Labour tries to dodge hospital closure issue August 27, 2004

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Recent weeks have seen frantic activity as Labour politicians try to stop discussion on the future of our local Hospital taking place BEFORE the by-election.

Now the Government has announced that it will set up YET ANOTHER review into the future of local health services! This means that no decision will be taken for months.

Lib Dem Jody Dunn said, ” If Labour really want to keep our hospital and the services it provides open, why don’t they just come out and say so?”

“This new review means more months of uncertainty with the axe hanging over our local hospital and the services it provides.”

Anger as crime soars across Hartlepool August 25, 2004

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Seven years after Labour came to power, crime is rocketing across Hartlepool. In particular, violent crime has trebled in just 3 years.

Local barrister Jody Dunn is campaigning for real action to tackle crime and Police underfunding.

Jody said: “Many people are angry at Labour’s lack of action on crime in the seven years that they have been in power. Despite plenty of tough talk from Labour politicians, things just keep getting worse.”

The Lib Dems are fighting for better funding for our local Police. Under Labour our local Police force is facing cuts due to a £7 million budget debt this year.

Jody Dunn said: “We want to see more Police Officers on patrol in Hartlepool to really crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour. Sadly, while Labour continue to underfund our local Police, this is unlikely to happen.”

Save our Post Offices August 23, 2004

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FOUR Hartlepool Post Offices have closed in recent weeks. Many local people are asking: “Is our Post Office next on Tony Blair’s hit list?”

Despite promises by Tony Blair to protect the Post Office network, thousands of Post Offices have now been closed by Labour. Every month fresh closures are announced.

Jody Dunn said: “We will fight any attempt to close any more Hartlepool Post Offices.I believe that Post Offices are at the heart of our local communities.”

Conservatives admit defeat in Hartlepool August 19, 2004

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Tory Leader on Hartlepool Council Cllr George Morris has conceded that the Conservatives have NO CHANCE of winning the Hartlepool by-election.

Speaking on Radio 4 news, Cllr Morris said: “The Conservative campaign isn’t going for Hartlepool.” Asked whether the Tories had any chance of winning the by-election he said: “No.”

The election will be a close fight between Jody Dunn and Labour.

Lib Dems launch Hartlepool NHS inquiry August 18, 2004

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Local barrister Jody Dunn has today launched the first ever comprehensive NHS Inquiry in Hartlepool. Jody who will chair the inquiry was joined at the launch by Edward Davey MP, Shadow Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Sarah Teather MP, winner of the Brent East by-election and Shadow Health Minister.

Jody has set up the inquiry to find out the views of local people on key issues such as the future of Hartlepool Hospital. The survey will be delivered across every household by supporters of Jody Dunn’s campaign.

Local barrister Jody Dunn said:

“Too often politicians think they know what’s best for local people. I want to know what local people think of the state of the NHS locally. I will be putting the state of Hartlepool’s NHS at the heart of my campaign.

“At a time when so much uncertainty surrounds the future of Hartlepool Hospital, this survey will give Hartlepool residents a genuine chance to express their views. For too long the people of Hartlepool have had their views ignored by Government officials in London. I want to take the views of local people to Westminster to argue for what’s best for Hartlepool.”

Lib Dems call for full and honest answers to questions over future of Hartlepool Hospital August 18, 2004

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Local Barrister Jody Dunn has today called for Labour to come clean over its plans to downgrade Hartlepool Hospital. Jody Dunn is demanding that all the papers regarding the future of the hospital are made public immediately.

Local Barrister Jody Dunn said:

“Local residents deserve the truth over the future of Hartlepool Hospital. The announcement yesterday shows Labour’s accusations of ‘scaremongering’ to be completely misleading, it appears there has always been a secret plan to downgrade Hartlepool Hospital.

“Labour must apologise immediately to the people of Hartlepool for leading them down the garden path and promising them that everything will be okay. This announcement does nothing to answer the questions still hanging over the hospital.

“Local people must be allowed to see all the papers relating to the future of their local hospital. Labour cannot keep on hiding the facts about the hospital’s downgrading, the people of Hartlepool deserve their chance to have their say on the future of the hospital.

“Clearly Labour are hoping that this issue will merely be kicked into the long grass during the by-election campaign. I will not let this happen. I’m determined to be a strong voice for the people of Hartlepool and I will keep on fighting to safeguard Hartlepool Hospital and its services.”