“Exciting photo finish is in prospect” – Charles Kennedy September 28, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedSpeaking to Lib Dem supporters at their Hartlepool by-election headquarters, Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy predicted a close result.
He said:
“There will be a very close finish between Labour and the Lib Dems here on Thursday night. A really exciting photo-finish is in prospect.
“If everyone who doesn’t want Labour to take Hartlepool for granted now unites behind Jody Dunn, then she will win.
“Labour have had it all their own way for far too long. After representing the seat for forty years and being in Government for seven years they have had nothing positive to say.
“Jody Dunn and the Liberal Democrats offer a positive alternative based on guaranteeing Hartlepool Hospital’s long term future, getting a better deal for pensioners and scrapping the unfair Council Tax.
“Labour’s by-election campaign has been highly misleading, negative and personally abusive. They have distorted totally Jody Dunn’s remarks about a very small number of Hartlepool residents. Labour are clearly running scared.
“Labour have now failed to re-assure people about the long term future of the hospital. It is only the fear of losing the seat to Jody Dunn that has forced them to offer any re-assurances.
“It is clear that Hartlepool people do not trust Labour on this issue. They want to use this by-election to help keep crucial services at Hartlepool’s hospital.
“The best way to guarantee the hospital’s future is to elect Jody Dunn as Hartlepool’s MP.”
Jody Dunn appointed to top crime-busting board September 28, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedJody Dunn has been appointed by the Government to a top crime-busting board – the Courts Board – that includes Hartlepool.
“I am really delighted,” says Jody. “This is a senior post and a sign of how I am regarded as being a strong and effective voice on issues of crime, law and order and know about the administration of the courts.
“The Courts Board are looking for motivated people who can work effectively to consider issues about the administration of the courts. Clearly my experience in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough Courts stand me in good stead.
“This will of course make Labour’s claim that I am soft on criminals all a bit daft when their own Government have made this appointment.”
Jody Dunn is a family law barrister working at Amicus Chambers operating principally out of Hartlepool and Middlesbrough Court.
Dirty tricks reach new low as fire brigade and police called to Lib Dem HQ September 28, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedThe dirty tricks that have marred the campaign to become the next Member of Parliament for Hartlepool reached a new low when the police and fire brigade had to be called in the early hours of the morning.
Expanding polystyrene was sprayed down the length of the front doors and the double doors then chained shut making exit from inside impossible – although staff were still working at the time (approximately 3am).
Agent Richard Pinnock said: “This was an extremely stupid and dangerous stunt. I still had staff working in the back offices when this took place. Had there been a serious incident they would not have been able to made an exit via the front doors.
“We are grateful for the police and fire brigade but regret that they have to be called out because of stupidity and vandalism like this. Obviously this attack was politically motivated – I just hope that this is the last of these silly stunts.
“The people of Hartlepool are bored and fed up with this sort of thing – people want an honest debate about the issues.”
With just a week to go, Hartlepool by-election is looking to be a close call September 26, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedJust one vote may separate Lib Dem Jody Dunn from Labour on Thursday: Labour themselves have admitted that one vote could make the difference.
Labour remain hopeful that local people will want a loyal servant for Tony Blair at Westminster.
But the future of Hartlepool’s hospital has dominated the campaign. Doubts about Labour’s commitment to the hospital have been confirmed.
Labour candidate, Iain Wright, lost support when he couldn’t remember if he had signed the “Save our Hospital” petition. According to the Sunday Times (26 September), “Labour nerves rattled … Labour’s campaign to retain Peter Mandelson’s seat in Hartlepool is showing increasing signs of nervousness.”
Meanwhile, Hartlepool’s Conservative Leader, George Morris, won praise for his honest admission that the Conservatives could not win.
Conservative and UKIP voters are switching to the Lib Dems. That could tip the balance Jody Dunn’s way.
Today, the Conservative co-chairman even told the News of the World that, “The Liberal Democrats are destroying Labour”. He was commenting on a Populus opinion poll for the paper which saw the Liberal Democrats’ support soar by seven points, while Labour dropped by eight.
It’s going to be close September 23, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedWith just days to go to election day, Jody Dunn is gaining ground on Peter Mandelson’s Labour man.
Even the Labour campaign manager has admitted that there could be just a SINGLE vote in it. The Conservatives and UKIP are scrapping it out for fourth place.
More and more people across our town are saying Labour has taken Hartlepool for granted and that it is time for a change.
Local campaigner Jody Dunn said: “I have been delighted by the response I have received from people across our town. Local people want an MP who will really stand up for our town.”
Kennedy in town
Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy last week made his third recent visit to Hartlepool to back Jody Dunn’s campaign. Charles and Jody visited the Manor College of Technology, before meeting local people at Middleton Grange shopping centre.
Charles Kennedy said: “I was delighted at the reaction Jody and I received. There is a real mood for change in the town. Jody Dunn will be an excellent MP who will really fight to save the local hospital and for tough action on crime.”
Labour candidate “cannot remember” – Hartlepool Hospital latest September 22, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedThe Hartlepool by-election took a dramatic turn on Monday night with the latest revelations over Hartlepool Hospital.
The independent Save Our Hospital campaigners held a public question and answer session for the candidates. The meeting was held at the Corporation Club, Whitby Street, Hartlepool, and was chaired by former Hartlepool Mail Editor Harry Blackwood (now a columnist on the Mail on Sunday).
Speakers included Keith Fisher (Chair of the Save Our Hospital Campaign and Labour party member), Iain Wright (Labour), Jody Dunn (Lib Dem), Jeremy Middleton (Conservative), John Bloom (Respect) and Stephen Allison (UKIP).
There were 102 people present.
When asked if he had signed the petition to save the hospital, the Labour candidate admitted, “I can’t remember.”
An independent panelist said: “We have a Labour candidate who just doesn’t seem to care about the hospital”.
The Northern Echo reported that “Labour was savaged by candidates and campaigners” and “Even Labour party member, Keith Fisher … accused Prime Minister Tony Blair of misleading people by saying the University Hospital of Hartlepool is not under threat.”
Labour duck big issues September 22, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedPost office closures, Iraq, rising Council Tax bills and the truth about crime are just four of the big issues Labour are trying to avoid in Hartlepool.
Many residents are asking whether Labour’s candidate Iain Wright has anything to say on these issues.
People are also concerned about the negative attacks that have characterised the Labour campaign so far.
Jody Dunn said: “It seems like Labour are not proud of their seven year record in government on these and other issues.”
“Just 12 police officers in Hartlepool is not sufficient” – Jody Dunn September 20, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedJody Dunn has today called for more police on the beat to make Hartlepool a safer place:
“Local people will be shocked to learn that there are as few as 12 police officers on duty of a weekend for the whole town. It therefore comes as no surprise that so many people say that they have not seen a police officer for over six months.
“Also, the New Deal for Communities has purchased entire streets of the town, boarded them up and left them to rot.
“The safety of local people is being put at risk.
“With so few police on the streets in the entire town it is no surprise that people feel unsafe on the housing estates where there are often no police at all.
“Women in particular that I have spoken to feel unsafe. It is now urgent that the political leadership is provided in Hartlepool to address these serious and substantial concerns.
“If elected as your MP, policing in Hartlepool will be at the top of my agenda – more police, greater personal security, making people feel safer.”
Flooding Action needed September 20, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedFlooding is causing to misery to residents in many parts of our area – especially around the Fens estate.
Poor planning of housing developments is largely to blame. Together with Lib Dem Councillors, Jody Dunn is campaigning for action.
Jody Dunn said: “We have a real problem and Northumbrian Water are dragging their heels in doing anything. They have money earmarked for 2006 but that means local people have two more years of flooding to endure. Put simply that’s not good enough.”
Pensioners let down September 19, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedPensioners across Hartlepool have been let down by Labour, says local campaigner Jody Dunn.
Soaring Council Tax bills and the rising cost of living has wiped out tiny rises in pensions under Labour. Older people have also been hit by recent Post Office closures in Hartlepool.
Jody Dunn is backing new Lib Dem proposals to give Hartlepool pensioners a better deal. These proposals include a big rise in pensions, less means testing and the introduction of free personal care for the elderly.
Jody Dunn said: “For too long Hartlepool pensioners have been ignored. If elected to be Hartlepool’s local MP, I will fight to get a better deal for elderly people in our town.”
Building a safer Hartlepool
Jody Dunn is also campaigning for action on crime and anti-social behaviour in our town.
Jody Dunn said: “Many peoples’ lives are being made a misery due to anti-social behaviour. We need more Police on patrol to really crack down on crime in our area.”
