Seaton Carew Tourism September 18, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedSeaton Carew already has a great name as a resort for tourists and families.
The money earned through tourism is key to the local economy of Seaton Carew.
If elected to be our next MP, Jody Dunn has pledged to work hard to boost tourism.
Jody Dunn said: “I will work closely with local traders, hoteliers and other groups to help find new ways to boost tourism in our area.”
“Labour must stop dumping on Hartlepool” – Norman Baker MP September 13, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedNorman Baker MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, is today meeting with leading Friends of the Earth members and local campaigners to discuss key local issues relating to ghost ships and toxic waste.
Speaking in Hartlepool, Mr Baker said, “There are serious issues regarding the safety of the people of Hartlepool which need to be addressed. Hartlepool should not be expected to deal with waste from developed countries such as the United States.
“I am pleased to be back in Hartlepool but sorry that so little progress has made in clarifying the legality of the ghost ships still festering away in the town docks. The community must be involved in the decision-making process
“I am also aware that there is also an outstanding application to use the Brine Fields for the storage of hazardous toxic waste. Fortunately my colleague Jody Dunn has facilitated a public meeting to discuss this and enable local residents to express their views. I understand the meeting was extremely successful.
“There is concern that the safety issues have not been addressed and residents do not trust this application from a US-owned company.
“I know that this question of environmental safety is a vital issue in the Hartlepool by-election campaign, and I hope that people will give Jody their support to stand up for Hartlepool as a good MP should.”
Notes:
*
Norman has been Shadow Environment Secretary for the Liberal Democrats since 2002.
*
Norman is the MP who asked the question regarding the Hinduja brothers which forced one of Peter Mandelson’s resignations from the government.
Time to debate September 13, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedLiberal Democrat candidate for Hartlepool Jody Dunn is challenging the Labour candidate Iain Wright to a public head-to-head debate.
“A number of organisations have invited us to debate and I keep hearing stories that Iain is turning down the invitations.
“It is clearly important that we allow the people of Hartlepool to choose the best person who they want to be their MP – that’s why I think a debate will work.
“I am prepared to take part in an open debate between myself and Iain and am challenging him with a ‘golden gauntlet’ to accept and take part in that public debate.
“There are many issues facing Hartlepool and it’s the role of our MP to speak up for the whole town, villages and all the residents.”
“We deserve the truth about Hartlepool Hospital” – Dr Evan Harris September 10, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedThe Liberal Democrats have taken their campaign to save Hartlepool Hospital and to protect local services on the Holdforth Road site to Parliament.
Dr Evan Harris MP said: “If we can’t get the straight answers from the Labour Party in Hartlepool then I will take the fight to floor of the House of Commons. I have tabled a series of questions which will appear in the Order Book today in order to try and get to the bottom of the issue.
“I still don’t trust the statements Labour have made so far. They are now being explicit that their plan is to have services at Middlesbrough and Stockton that are used by the people of Hartlepool. Local people want their hospital to be in Hartlepool on the Holdforth Road and that’s what I am pushing for.
“What we want is real replies to real issues. We don’t want spin – the people of Hartlepool deserve to know the truth.
“Of course, the farce of all this is that the former MP for Hartlepool, Mr Peter Mandelson did not use the basic tool of submitting questions to get answers from Ministers in this way. In 2001-02 he tabled no written questions, in 2002-03 he tabled no written questions, in 2003-04 he tabled one written question.
“I leave it to others to judge whether or not the Labour MP has served the town well in this respect or whether in fact a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament will be able to tackle these issues and get the answers.”
The questions being asked in Parliament are:
To ask the Health Secretary
1. If there will be a) in-patient paediatrics, b) consultant obstetric deliveries c) A&E treating trauma and major injuries, d) emergency surgery at the University Hospital of Hartlepool at Holdforth Road after the Tees Services Review is implemented?
2. If the U. H. of Hartlepool is compliant with the E.W.T.D. and what steps are being taken to ensure compliance?
3. If he has a) received and b) considered the draft consultation paper produced by the Tees services review?
4. What terms of reference he has set for Professor Darzi’s review of the Tees Services Review?
Further, Dr Harris has also put down an oral for health questions on Tuesday 14th September:
“What advice has he issued to the NHS about public consultation under Section 7 and section 11 of the Health and Social care Act 2001 in respect of election periods?”
“The future of Hartlepool’s hospital is now the major issue” – Jody Dunn September 10, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedSpeaking to Liberal Democrat supporters at her York Road HQ, Jody Dunn told them that:
“The future of Hartlepool’s hospital is now the major issue in the battle to choose Hartlepool’s next MP. Labour want to save their seat. Lib Dems want to save the hospital.
“Labour keep changing their minds about what to say about the hospital. Before elections, they say they want to keep it. After elections they take steps to close it or cut the major services. They seem prepared to say anything just to try an win the election.
“It now seems that Peter Mandelson has got Tony Blair to say something about the hospital. But similar words before the last election were followed by actual steps that threaten the future of Hartlepool’s hospital.
“This is now the major issue in the by-election. The Labour candidate has not signed the petition to save the hospital. That says everything about Labour’s real position.
“Saving Hartlepool Hospital and the services that local people really need there will be my first priority. We need to use the by-election to send a message to Tony Blair that he cannot take Hartlepool for granted.”
In 2001 Labour accused the Lib Dems of scaremongering and then started a review of health facilities in Hartlepool which included the prospect of closing the hospital.
The hospital campaigners launched the campaign and raised 30,000 signatures – the Labour candidate has not signed or supported that campaign.
The Tees Review was due to report last June, and then November and then June and now this too is being delayed.
Now there is a parliamentary by-election we have Ministers and now the Prime Minister intervening to make all sorts of promises. But:
- The Tees Review has a plan that has a proposed closure of the hospital. Dr Reid and Mr Blair seem to be rejecting that plan.
- There are concerns over Accident and Emergency, Paediatrics and Maternity remaining at Holdforth Road. Dr Reid has refused to clarify this issue and has suggested these might yet move to Middlesbrough or Stockton.
- Land at the Holdforth Road site is being sold which could prevent full investment in the hospital services here in Hartlepool.
- Last week Dr Reid announced that we were having a new review chaired by Professor Ara Darzi, yet we have Mr Blair saying that nothing is going to change what has happened to that review?
- Mr Blair is claiming that there never was any plan to close the hospital, but that is wrong. Ken Jarrold at the SHA and Alderman Bryan Hanson at the PCT have both accepted that closing Hartlepool and Stockton Hospitals is the long term aim.
Jody Dunn visits Women’s Refuge to help to lift the lid on domestic violence September 9, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedToday Jody Dunn visited the Hartlepool Refuge, an umbrella project of North Tees Women’s Aid. As a Barrister in family law, Jody works regularly with women who have experienced domestic violence in their homes and has a real understanding of the issues facing them.
The police report on average there are six incidents a day in Hartlepool with between 30 and 40 after weekends.
Jody said: “The most important message to get across to families in these situations is that there is help available to them. I’m not suggesting for a minute that it is easy to walk away from an abusive relationship, but it is possible, and it’s important that families are aware of the support on offer. The refuge offers excellent facilities, is staffed by dedicated and committed workers, and deserves the full support of the people of Hartlepool.”
The refuge offers safe and secure accommodation for women and children who have been the subject of domestic violence. There is no time limit on how long families can stay. Hartlepool Refuge can now accommodate up to six families at any one time. In addition, services include a playroom for children, advice on benefits, a teenage room and advice on resettlement issues.
The outreach service also offers advice and support to women and children who do not wish to enter the refuge itself.
Workers at the refuge highlighted the difficulty they have with child benefit for the people they are helping. This can sometimes take up to two months to sort out, leaving women with no money on which to live.
Funding for the project comes from the local authority, but any extras, such as welcome packs for women and playground facilities are financed through the refuge’s own fundraising. The refuge is currently looking for donations of tin of food and toiletries, to assist women in their first days at the refuge, when they have often arrived with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing. Those wishing to donate can call (01429) 270 110. There will also be an action month across the town starting in October to raise awareness about the facilities on offer.
Lib Dem MPs flood into Hartlepool to support Jody Dunn September 9, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedLiberal Democrat MPs have been flooding into town to support Jody Dunn’s campaign for the Hartlepool by-election.
Shadow Minister for Health Paul Burstow is in Hartlepool and will be issuing a detailed statement regarding the future of Hartlepool Hospital.
Paul follows what has been a steady stream of MPs to-date led by Charles Kennedy MP. MPs so far have included: Vince Cable, Lembit Opik, Simon Hughes, Professor Steve Webb, Paul Keetch, Alan Beith, Alastair Carmichael, Ed Davey, Sarah Teather, Sandra Gidley, Dr Evan Harris, John Pugh and Andrew Stunnell.
Extra £25 a week on the pension will help Hartlepool’s over 75′s September 9, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedJody Dunn, the Liberal Democrats’ candidate in the forthcoming Hartlepool by-election, has welcomed the new boost of £25 per week for the over 75′s pledged by the Liberal Democrats.
Jody Dunn said: “This is good news for local pensioners. I have spoken with many people locally and they agree that the current pension does not cover basic costs.
“With Council Tax increases most years, the pressure is always on for many pensioners. I am really pleased that the Lib Dems have placed the significant of our pensioners are the heart of our plans.”
Professor Steve Webb MP, the Shadow Work and Pensions Minister, joined Jody Dunn in Hartlepool to meet with pensioners to promote the new policy.
Professor Webb said: “This is about fairness for all pensioners. Overnight our plans will lift one million pensioners out of means-testing.
“It’s great to be here in Hartlepool supporting Jody’s campaign – she is truly a first rate candidate and will be a really strong and effective voice for local people. I hope that they will give her their full support.”
Details of the plan include:
SIMPLIFYING SAVING – making occupational schemes “opt out” schemes rather than “opt in” schemes so that employees have to make a conscious decision not to save in the scheme;
FAIRER PENSIONS – righting an historic injustice. The current system is stacked against women who stay at home to care for their children and/or work part time and who have patchy NI contributions. Based on residency, the Citizen’s Pension particularly benefits women;
REDUCING THE SAVINGS GAP – slashing means-testing and ensuring that every penny saved is a penny better off;
OFFERING CHOICE – removing the requirement to buy an annuity at 75, so that people can decide for themselves how to use their savings;
TRUST IN PENSIONS – offering new, low-cost pensions run by National Savings;
SIMPLE GUIDANCE – establishing a kite mark system for occupational pensions so that all employees and job applicants can see the rating that a company’s scheme has been given.
Jody Dunn’s campaign for Hartlepool swings into full gear September 9, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedJody Dunn’s campaign moved into full gear today with the confirmation that the election has now been called and set for 30th September.
Jody, who herself this morning hammered in the 100th garden stake board in Hartlepool, said:
“We have got off to great start. Local people are being very supportive and giving me real encouragement in the campaign. We are taking nothing for granted and will be working hard over the coming weeks to speak to as many people as possible.
“What is clear is that people are very unhappy with the way Labour presume that they will always win in Hartlepool and they are very concerned about the future of Hartlepool Hospital.”
By-election called for Hartlepool – Lib Dems off to a flying start September 8, 2004
Posted by in : News , comments closedResponding to the news that the writ is to moved tomorrow (Thursday) for the Parliamentary by-election for Hartlepool, Liberal Democrat Agent Richard Pinnock said:
“At last after months of speculation we can start the campaign. I can tell you that the Lib Dem campaign is off to a flying start and that in Jody Dunn we have a first-class candidate. Jody is getting a great response from the people of Hartlepool. More and more people agree that here in Hartlepool it is time for a change.”
Jody Dunn said:
“This is a campaign I am enjoying. We have been getting a great reception from local residents and huge support across the town as well as in Seaton, Greatham and Elwick.
“Clearly the main issue is the Hospital and with just 21 days to save Hartlepool Hospital I am urging everyone who agrees with us on that issue to give me their support.
“Another Labour MP will make no difference and will just ensure that Labour will continue to take the town for granted.
“I am pledged to be a strong and independent voice for the town. If elected I will live and work in the town. I will represent the whole community.”
