100yrs to fix #Salisbury roads. How many to fix care services?

Marbled white butterflies enjoying the intentional wild grass area on the steep bank of Harlequins park, Bemerton managed by Salisbury City Council and the view looking out towards Salisbury Race Plain with Bemerton Heath Harlequins Football Club to the right.

It’s the time of year that grass cutting becomes the topical issue, but Wiltshire Council is wheedling its way out of managing this growth problem.

Wiltshire Council like all local authorities is restricted by Government for how much overall funding they have. The current Government is doing nothing to recognise that there are other growing problems.

For example, on the basis of current road resurfacing repairs it would take 100 years to redo Wiltshire’s roads without taking into account the exponential increase in deterioration over time.

I am not sure how many of those years it would take to get the potholes filled, but the current “Wiltshire Council it’s acceptable levels of delamination” continues to put road users at risk, especially those on two wheels or pedestrians at risk of twisting their ankle upon crossing a road or walking on roads without pavements.

Social care services are continually placed under pressure as the Government wants provision to be supplied to an ever growing number of people without increasing investment proportionately.

Carers are expected to dash from to home to home to give a handful of minutes of care to our most vulnerable residents. With all Local Authorities facing the dire consequences of not being able to provide these essential services the Conservatives have given a financial sticking plaster that only allows Wiltshire Council to continue to struggle with further cuts on the horizon in the next year or so. This would not seem so bad if it were not for the fact that we also have a massive bed blockers problem, people who no longer need to be in hospital but who cannot be discharged without a suitable care package put in place.

I have had the privilege of meeting many in care homes and whilst those receiving care know they are valued by their carers, the Conservatives seem to not value the hard working staff who are often on low hours or zero hours contracts and minimal wages. It is therefore no wonder that staff retention and recruitment is challenging and that so many staff are recruited from abroad.

There is a massive difference between saving money and failing to provide services. At the end of the day you get what you pay for and if you are happy with having an ever deteriorating level of services then so be it, but to make things worse in my community is not what I got into politics for.

We should all believe in attaining a brighter future.

#Salisbury’s Bemerton Community

The new fantastic artwork at the Compound in memory of Ben Giorgi has been organised by RISE61 giving an urban sports area a contemporary and exciting feel. Salisbury Journal article here.

I had for about three years prior to standing to be a Councillor considered doing so, so it was not something I did without a strong level of conviction and determination. Guess I have always been one to believe in standing up for what I believe is right. I am now standing again, this time seeking to be re-elected. Whilst there are many times as a Councillor that I have felt frustrated at how little can be achieved at times, I am also struck by just how much I did do in what has been a very quick four years.

Moreover I am impressed at the number of people living in my ward who give of themselves to make their community a better place. Whether it comes from litter picking to helping keep the streets safe to keeping our parks tidy to providing youth clubs and luncheon clubs, we have a core of people who do their bit sometimes a little, although in the main quite a lot to help make their environment a better one.

Sometimes when out and about you can meet people who seem to be completely blind to the efforts of others, you know the ones, the ones who are surprised to learn that you don’t get something for nothing when volunteers have spent months raising money and applying for grants to put on a free family event or that people who give of themselves are really not doing it for ulterior motives and that community service does not mean you’ve recently been through the local magistrates court.

Whilst it can often seem humorous it does make me feel that upon reflection I will have to try harder over the coming months to make the endeavours of others known and better understood as at the end of the day no matter what the group or organisation is, they will always welcome more volunteers and if you don’t know you won’t go.

So here is a helpful list of many of the community activities that take place in Bemerton. Apologies to anyone I’ve missed off.

 

Bemerton Heath Residents Association

Bemerton Neighbourhood Centre

TUBS The Upmarket Bus Shelter youth club Fridays 6pm – 8.30pm term time held at the Bemerton Neighbourhood Centre

Bemerton Luncheon Club for over 60’s Mondays and Thursdays 11.45 to 2pm also at the Bemerton Neighbourhood Centre

Bemerton Scouts Group Beavers Tuesday 18.15 to 19.15, Cubs Wednesday 18.30 to 20.00, Scouts Thursday 19.00 to 21.00.

Little Folly and Big Folly Childrens Centres

St. Michael’s Church

St. Michael’s Church Café as above (Mon to Fri 11am to 2pm)

RISE61 youth project

The Bunker youth project (The Sound Emporium)

Army Cadets

Bemerton Heath Harlequins football club

Salisbury Rovers football for all

Streetwatch read who Sheila spoke to on GMTV

Trussell Trust local centres

Sarum Academy what’s on, a great guide.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust health and wellbeing project

The Richmond Fellowship health and wellbeing project

Typical #NHS Tory divide & rule politics

Having read a couple of Postbag entries in the Salisbury Journal, I find myself feeling quite incensed by the complete arrogance shown, however I will down play it to my usual level of moderate writing. Use the links and make up your own mind.

 

I am disappointed to see John Glen has decided to follow Theresa May and blame Doctors. Rather than taking appropriate action, he has chosen to attack Dr Scott -Jupp a well known and respected health professional voicing his opinion, an opinion borne from his many years of experience.  As if a politician in a Westminster bubble has a much better perspective and understanding? (Dr Robert Scott-Jupp’s letter)

 

One has to question how John Glen came to the conclusion to attack the NHS for its failings when his Government has clearly mismanaged the NHS, whilst blaming Doctors for all their woes and supporting the continued piecemeal sell off of the NHS to private investment and their shareholder profits. Something the NHS and their staff was never set up for. (John Glen’s attack)

 

The caring profession really does care, they care about the treatment of their patients, they care about follow on treatment and they care about their fellow colleagues. The threat of blacklisting means that most health care professionals choose to not speak out, leaving only the unions and politicians able to speak out on their behalf.

 

During the eighteen months prior to the last General Election, I campaigned heavily on The NHS, Mental Health Care and Social Care, meeting many people from all sectors, not once did I meet a healthcare professional who gave me the impression that they were taking the health service for a ride. It is only the Tories taking us for a ride and they are using the dirtiest kind of politics to move their agenda forwards. Playing the blame game against those who cannot defend themselves. This Government seeks to undermine the voices of the working people it portrays to represent, in amongst claims of greater investment and modernisation. As one of the wealthiest Countries in the world the direction taken is purely a political one which benefits only the elite.

 

It is clear to all that the Political allegiances that exist in the Conservative Party are set to destruct the NHS as we know it. Whether that is for shareholder profit or for pure Tory fundamental hatred of public service the end result is the same. The question has to be – what happens next, after the National Health Service has been broken up into tiny pieces. What is the next step of the Tory agenda?

 

Presumably Private Health Care insurance with a £500 minimum excess, which would see people falling desperately ill before they seek help. Or am I just looking to hard into my crystal ball?

 

The picture at the top is taken from Salisbury Labour Party members campaigning for the NHS on Saturday 21st January 2017 in Salisbury. We were given a very warm reception although the weather was bitingly cold. #CarefortheNHS

 

For the love of …

For the love of …

Not my usual starting point I have to admit, but it strikes me as the most appropriate way forward as one tentatively works out how to simply say … Get on with it!

To have at this time of fast moving politics, with lots to gain and as much to defend against, a Tory party that has been completely let of the hook and the only opposition is completely subsumed by its own turmoil that has boiled over publicly for the last twelve weeks.

Cameron will be remembered for Brexit – which for 51% of the Country that is a good result. He should be remembered for being in cahoots with the LibDems for attacking the poorest and weakest in society, increasing the poverty divide between the haves’ and the have nots’,  selling off the NHS piecemeal, bringing councils to their knees up and down the Country in the name of austerity. The thin blue line now barely exists.

As we move forwards into May’s era, false words for mental health parity and increased NHS funding are being sidelined by Hunt’s war with Junior Doctors. Hunt doesn’t want to concern himself with patient safety. The belittling of the Junior Doctors safety concerns can be aligned to the railway dispute by GTR, also a dispute where passenger safety is the prime concern. Is it right that an overworked Doctor should be expected to make life affecting decisions anymore than should it be considered to be safe practice for a Driver to operate a 300 tonne train packed with hundreds of passengers, alone? Nonsense about a 7 day week NHS – show me anyone who hasn’t been treated when needed on a Sunday is akin to the dribble about GTR strikes being only about the pressing of a button. Ask the politicians if they were culpable for the decisions they make if it should lead to lose of life – would they still support such cost saving measures – I doubt they would be so quick to belittle.

Labour politicians have not been mute on these and other issues. However they are completely overshadowed by current events. For Labour activists Cameron will not only be remembered for winning a General Election against Ed Miliband – come back Ed all is forgiven (I actually really liked Ed and thought he would have made a great Prime Minister). Cameron will now be remembered as the man whose actions could have lead to the disintegration of the Conservative party but actually lead to the annihilation of the LibDems in 2015 and if Labour is not quick to recover we could find ourselves in the same position in 2020.

Whichever it is, the Leader of the Labour party to be announced on 24th September will have the unenviable position of trying to move the Labour party forwards without inadvertently hitting the self destruct button. Like a nuclear weapon, primed, ready to launch, another set of calamitous decisions could see yet more damning reprisals and set backs. With MPs and MEPs set to loose their seats in the not so distant future there is little reason for party discipline among the party ranks  for those who have already publicly expressed their opinions.

Not to much weight on Jezza or Owen’s shoulders, eh! Either way get on with it, for the love of Labour.

Population not immigration

Immigration deserves a united policy.

Immigration deserves a united cross party policy, however as the fallout from the EU Referendum deepens, it seems to me that there is little likelihood of this. The main parties were nowhere near to being aligned enough on this to agree a way forward. With the leadership of both sides an open question the future direction is as clear as the murky corridors of power.

As the parties take on their new direction forging a sensible way ahead might well become a real possibility. If not, then where can the immigration argument go? It certainly cannot continue in the same vain as that will have been proved not to work.  And so for all the anti-immigration rhetoric, I feel the case needs to be made by all the parties working toward a consensus for what the future vision for GB is.

If the debates are to reoccur based around points systems, wealth, ability, restriction of numbers and so on. Then we will have failed to attempt to tackle the issues for where communities or sections of society feel that immigration has failed. Masking an issue does nothing for ensuring better integration into society. Integration issues must be further addressed.

Alternatively, is it now the time for us to be working towards a shrinking population, not through immigration control, but through top down financial support for smaller families? I would imagine this to be incredibly divisive and would certainly cause great unrest.

Currently, we are on a path for constantly increasing our population. Our financial growth relies on this. Big if, but if our growing population is the problem then immigration itself is not at the core of the problem. Immigration is a side line issue. Growth is the real issue. How to be financially successful and stop the population increase?

Population growth is the issue that has actually plagued us for several decades. It cannot go away as there is not a single viable solution. So we will have to wait for either the bubble to burst or simply as I expect, we will pass the baton on to the next generation just like those before. The debates will continue to be aimed at side line issues and we will all get angry at inaction for the wrong reasons.

The EU referendum Brexit result will not change our need for growth. Only on how we cast our influence in Europe.

EU reflection. Has the exit started?

Without a doubt, the single biggest issue for those supporting the leave campaign was immigration. All sides of the argument accept that the EU is not the sole cause of immigration concerns. For my part I have always seen the UKIP argument to leave Europe as a sideline issue. Without expanding on this here, the real issue is our population growth. Until we are willing to accept the need to address population & immigration issues holistically, we will only be tinkering around the edges.

Of lighthearted note, our exit from Europe and reducing the alleged flood of migrants may have already started. No, I’m not about to move to Scotland?  However thousands of Europeans living and working in this Country, who had no right to vote must be rethinking their futures? As must those who were considering coming here.

As I understand it the tunnel is already being blocked up as France considers releasing the floodgates before Brexit is finalised.

Europe’s centre of gravity is now undergoing a monumental shift. We were one of the three major players. Now Germany and France will be able to give more direction to Europe, but will two large players be trusted by the rest of the EU nations? France is certainly in a weak political position given the rise to right wing politics. Two world wars and the fear of Germany ruling our shores, was this the third world war Cameron was alluding too?

Time for a quick hindsight moment, had David Cameron resigned when he failed at his EU renegotiation, his legacy would have only been austerity. The suffering he has caused to the poorest and most vulnerable in society is going to be completely overshadowed by his misjudged call. A legacy that will see his name as synonymous as Thatcher.

In 2008 the banks had to be bailed out by Gordon Brown, something that was supported by the Tories at the time, but don’t let that get in the way of politics. Thus followed years of Labour being attacked for causing the run on the banks. Upon announcement of Brexit, Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England injected an initial prearranged £250bn slush fund to prop up the banks. Now you know why in recent months the Tories have stopped blaming Labour for the banking crisis!

Labour of course could have tried harder, much harder, to save him. Lets face it, Labour didn’t want to stay in Europe for the same reasons as the Tories and no self respecting Labour activist wanted to be tarnished as blue. So Teflon Dave’s demise was sealed.

Obviously I did not want to leave Europe, and so I shed a tear, but not for long. The political fallout – Labour, Conservative, UKIP, Libdem & Green parties will be massive as all will have to focus on new strategies and new policies. New movers and shakers will arise.

In Europe the reverberating outcomes will, in time, either make the EU stronger or it will shatter its very foundations. As to what the fallout will be and where it will end? Your guess is probably better than mine, but I am very concerned as to what the ramifications will be.

As we look to the future, I note in no small part thanks to the millions of voters, that Farage has his redundancy package in the bag, he need not ever return to Brussels – he’s no longer looking for re-election as  an MEP. Perhaps Farage is planning his early retirement on the Costa Del Sol. I hear that Dodgy Dave is looking to relocate!

So, will we have another General Election within a year? And more importantly will the Parties reach a consensus on immigration & population issues?

Not likely I hear you say? Then no change is what I forecast!

Is it just me or is it “Productivity”? EU IN

In Politics sometimes nothing is what it seems, and I truly believe that this EU referendum is a case of just that. Whilst David Cameron is derided by those in the remain camp for calling this referendum, the reality for the Conservative party is very different regardless of next Thursday’s outcome. They have already proudly carried out their manifesto with the poorest and most vulnerable in society suffering the most, they are now ready to take on a whole new direction straight off the back of the EU referendum.

 

As a trade union activist I have been alarmed at the consistent murmurings offered by the Conservatives to further increase productivity. David Cameron, Gove, Boris and Osborne. Both sides of the current debate and in fact pretty much every senior Tory politician has mentioned the magic word. Especially on the build up to the Referendum announcement by Cameron. However, “Productivity” in Tory speak is not about producing more crops or selling more products. Productivity is about impacting upon workers’ rights, their wages, their pensions and their working conditions. Productivity is all about reducing staffing costs.

 

Salisbury’s MP, John Glen puts himself as a reluctant IN, perhaps trying to appeal to all sides of his party as Government positions become available in the much anticipated political fallout after 23^rd June. Or perhaps it is just because he recognises it will be easier for his party to progress their wishes as part of a brexit deal. For all the difficulties the EU might create, it does at least restrict our Government from completely rewriting the rules where our employment rights are concerned.

 

Whatever the outcome of the referendum, Britain will remain to be Great. However given our current political climate, I believe Britain will be Greater if we remain IN.

Old Sarum Airfield Housing or not?

At a packed Planning and Transport meeting, Salisbury City Council narrowly passed a resolution to object to an application for housing to be built on the historic Old Sarum airfield. Now I would not ordinarily pass comment on such matters, but this has been politically very interesting.

Old Sarum is outside of the City’s boundaries and lies within the parish of Laverstock and Ford, whose Parish Council have been vehemently against this proposal all along. Salisbury City Council had last year when it first commented, passed a supportive motion for the development with caveats. Queue huge unrest, severe misgivings and outrage from concerned residents of Laverstock and Ford who quite rightly felt cheated. It is, at best, unusual to have parish councils with such divergent views when asked to comment on issues that affect their neighbours.

Politically there may well be a little faith restored in neighbourly love, but its not likely!

Outright war over a boundary review is being played out, however the battles between the Parishes will be resolved on the 12th July by Wiltshire Councillors at Trowbridge. We will have to wait and see if that battle ends there and then or whether it is set to continue. Somehow I cannot see Laverstock and Ford backing down if they are not happy with outcome!

As for the future of Old Sarum airfield – I am sure the concerned residents will have many more meetings to attend before the final application is either given permission or kicked into the long grass. Their Parish Council wielding its influence just might not look the same.

 

 

 

Truths, Untruths and EU Truths

Picture this, you are holidaying on the French south coast, could be Bulgaria by the Black sea? Enjoying a bit of peace and tranquillity, you have picked up your favourite monthly magazine– a thought I’ll come back to.

 

Truths Untruths and EU Truths, spin and counter spin, nonsense followed by complete nonsense. Some days the news has been dogged by the most damaging statements that only politicians can bring upon themselves. Aside from those who are aiming for the headlines there are those who for political ambiguity remain as a quiet as a mouse on the EU referendum. I think the political fallout following the referendum will be more interesting than the result.

 

In the last remaining days of the campaign, it is quite clear to me from the many conversations that I have had that there is a huge amount of scepticism and confusion with both sides of the debate throwing equalising counter arguments which leave many people feeling undecided and if things continue in such vain, unlikely to vote. For me, personally I would find this the most disastrous outcome if large swathes of those eligible to vote decided not to bother.

 

Obviously given my political background I am often asked what my opinion is on the EU referendum and I usually start not by offering all the usual counter arguments but by summing up why I think we should remain in. In line with the Labour party I will be voting to stay in Europe. This is not out of some biased ideology, it is for me a matter of common sense. Simply put we are one of the largest countries in Europe with a proportional sized number of representatives in Europe working on our behalf. Why when we have such a large, direct influence in Europe would we want to consider removing ourselves from being an active player? As a trade union activist I firmly believe that if you want to impart change you have to be a part of it. For all the political weight we have or think we have, why we would we want to end up sitting on the side lines?

 

 

For my part I am very proud to be able to support Labour MEP, Clare Moody who is a fantastic ambassador for Europe and works relentlessly alongside her European counterparts in the socialist and democrats to achieve success in improving the lives, welfare, economy and environment not just in the UK but right across Europe, in the process ensuring that we can all enjoy the same safeguards for us and our children for where ever we may like to travel, live and work in Europe.

 

If that holiday I mentioned was your working holiday, would that change your view on this referendum? This referendum is much more for the future generations than those who are settled in their ways and points of view.

Do I vote on who I believe in or do I vote on who I believe the Country will believe in?

Well, up to now I have kept a very low profile on the Labour leadership battles. I have taken this stance firstly because I myself have been quite undecided who is best for both Leader and Deputy Leadership roles.

Secondly I have felt it is important to allow Labour members and supporters the opportunity to make their judgement calls without my somewhat indecisive insight, for why should my judgement cloud theirs?

So it is with the imminent arrival of ballot papers that I reflect on the press coverage and I have to say that for Andy, Yvette and Liz I feel sorry for them, for Jeremy has over the last couple of weeks trumped the press coverage, merely for being the pollsters’ favourite.

What cannot be ignored is the massive interest in the Labour movement that the leadership contest has created with many new young members, returning former members and countless Labour supporters who have lodged their wish to vote.

Whether the massive rise in members and supporters is down to Jeremy Corbyn remains to be seen, the result will of course soon speak for itself. What I do however take from this post general election surge in support is the fact that right across the country there is a huge appetite to remove the Tory government from power.

So to the vote.

When it comes to placing a cross the decision will have to be – do I vote on who I believe in or do I vote on who I believe the Country will believe in?

If the answer to this question is the one and same then all well and good.

If not then you have to look at the candidates. So to basics – Tom’s opinions – What they have all said doesn’t count – only the way they say it. Well come on they are all Labour MP’s fighting for the one and same cause.

I have plenty of admiration for Liz but she loses out a little bit here, maybe a few more years dealing with her constituents will give her the natural feel.

Short in stature but not in her ability, Yvette is really strong, her experience certainly shows and I have a preference for a woman to lead us against Cameron.

With lots of local support and a genuine Mancunian accent Andy also has lots of experience and a commanding presence.

Then we have the long standing Jeremy who seems to enable an element of trust each time he speaks, which is why I say it is not what the candidates say it is the way they say it or more importantly how they are perceived.

I have no concerns whoever becomes our next leader. Ultimately it is a role that whoever is successful will have to grow into and quite quickly. Their first aim will be to take the Labour party forward and the second will be to take the mood of the Country and give them reason to vote Labour in 2020.