Tuesday, January 30, 2007
A prescription for unfairness
NHS CHARGING OUTDATED AND UNFAIR, SAY LIB DEMS
Most NHS prescription charges in England should be scrapped and applied to "ineffective treatments" instead, according to the Association of Directors of Public Health. They said rising demands on the NHS will lead to more rationing. Doctors' representatives said more NHS care should be rationed, but they were against charging. The British Medical Association is currently drawing up proposals about what the NHS should be providing and will discuss the issue at its annual conference later in the year. [BBC]
Cllr. John Beanse commented: "When in opposition, Labout attacked each successive rise in prescription charges. Yet there have been many rises since Labour came to power. Politicians like to talk about an NHS "free at the point of delivery". In fact with one prescrition item now costing £6.65, this is far from reality and there are other charges, such as for eye and dental treatment also to consider. The system is confusing, outdated and unfair on the many people who rely on regular medication and tests. Time and again, decisions over what types of care should be offered by the NHS have been secretive and hidden. We urgently need an open and honest debate about charging in the NHS."
Cllr. John Beanse commented: "When in opposition, Labout attacked each successive rise in prescription charges. Yet there have been many rises since Labour came to power. Politicians like to talk about an NHS "free at the point of delivery". In fact with one prescrition item now costing £6.65, this is far from reality and there are other charges, such as for eye and dental treatment also to consider. The system is confusing, outdated and unfair on the many people who rely on regular medication and tests. Time and again, decisions over what types of care should be offered by the NHS have been secretive and hidden. We urgently need an open and honest debate about charging in the NHS."
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Troops out of IRAQ !
Lib Dem Leader Sir Menzies Campbell MP has called in the House of Commons for a phased withdrawal of British troops from IRAQ, to begin in May and to be completed by the end of October.
At Prime Minister's Question Time (24.1.07.) he berated Tony Blair for not being willing to take part in the Iraq debate later that day.
At Prime Minister's Question Time (24.1.07.) he berated Tony Blair for not being willing to take part in the Iraq debate later that day.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Tesco Update
The Tesco Public Inquiry finished the presentations, questioning and summing-up on Wednesday (17th.Jan.). The formal sessions were followed by various site visits by the Inspector. She undertook not only to visit the key area of Highams Park, but also other centres, including - at the suggestion and request of Cllr.John Beanse - Ponders End where there is a large Tesco store and where she will be able perhaps to assess the impact on local businesses - i.e. whether the local shopping centre has benefited or not from having a large store nearby.
Cllr.John Beanse gave his presentation on Tuesday, drawing out the key points from the written submission (see report below). This underlined the different views locally, both for and against the proposed development. He expanded on the local concerns and expressed the view that there had not been satisfactory answers to some of the key issues of likely impact on traffic, the environment and the viability of the local shops.
It is expected that it could take several months before we get the final verdict from the Secretary of State after receiving the Inspector's report. Watch this space!
Cllr.John Beanse gave his presentation on Tuesday, drawing out the key points from the written submission (see report below). This underlined the different views locally, both for and against the proposed development. He expanded on the local concerns and expressed the view that there had not been satisfactory answers to some of the key issues of likely impact on traffic, the environment and the viability of the local shops.
It is expected that it could take several months before we get the final verdict from the Secretary of State after receiving the Inspector's report. Watch this space!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Tesco Public Inquiry
Local Lib Dem councillor John Beanse has been attending regularly the Public Inquiry [currently being held at the Town Hall, Forest Rd., E17] into the proposal for a large Tesco store off Larkshall Road, Highams Park (former C & A warehouse site). He has taken part in the questioning of the witnesses for Tesco and the Council.
After 4 days, there is still a good way to go. Various local people still wish to speak and Cllr.John Beanse also expects to address the Inquiry when it resumes on Tuesday. The Highams Park Forum has been represented throughout and has been putting forward a detailed case arguing for a smaller Tesco store than the one proposed. Local opinion remains very divided (about 50:50, we believe) with many wanting the benefits and choice a Tesco store might bring and others opposing the idea. Particular concerns are the implications for traffic, the environment and the future of the local shopping centre.
A copy of the submission of local councillors has been posted for convenience under October, 2006 and can be read by clicking on the archive files for October, 2006 under the profile in column 1.
After 4 days, there is still a good way to go. Various local people still wish to speak and Cllr.John Beanse also expects to address the Inquiry when it resumes on Tuesday. The Highams Park Forum has been represented throughout and has been putting forward a detailed case arguing for a smaller Tesco store than the one proposed. Local opinion remains very divided (about 50:50, we believe) with many wanting the benefits and choice a Tesco store might bring and others opposing the idea. Particular concerns are the implications for traffic, the environment and the future of the local shopping centre.
A copy of the submission of local councillors has been posted for convenience under October, 2006 and can be read by clicking on the archive files for October, 2006 under the profile in column 1.
Save our post offices
Following the government's plan, announced on December 15th, to close 2,500 post offices, the Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign for action to protect the post office network. We are calling on the government to stop the unnecessary post office closure programme, and instead free the business from restrictive regulation, invest in the future of the network and stop removing government business to safeguard our post offices.
Post offices policy in a nutshell
Labour: Removed business such as TV licences, vehicle excise duty and passport authentication from post offices, and are phasing out post office card account, leading to closure of 4,000 post offices since they came to power. Plan to close another 2,500 by 2009 (currently consulting on the plan).
Tories: Oversaw the closure of 3,500 post offices when they were last in power. Now have no policy on post offices. This doesn't, of course, stop them opportunistically attacking the government on this issue.
Lib Dems: £2bn investment in the post office network, funded by a partial privatisation of Royal Mail, plus greater freedom for post offices to undertake new business opportunities.
Post offices policy in a nutshell
Labour: Removed business such as TV licences, vehicle excise duty and passport authentication from post offices, and are phasing out post office card account, leading to closure of 4,000 post offices since they came to power. Plan to close another 2,500 by 2009 (currently consulting on the plan).
Tories: Oversaw the closure of 3,500 post offices when they were last in power. Now have no policy on post offices. This doesn't, of course, stop them opportunistically attacking the government on this issue.
Lib Dems: £2bn investment in the post office network, funded by a partial privatisation of Royal Mail, plus greater freedom for post offices to undertake new business opportunities.
Lib Dem success in 2006
PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTIONS IN 2006
There have been three Parliamentary by-elections and, despite none of them being in a Liberal Democrat held seat (one Tory, one Labour and one independent) it was the Liberal Democrats who topped the aggregate vote share:
Liberal Democrats 27% (+11% on average)
Labour 25% (-9% on average)
Tory 17% (-4% on average)
There have been three Parliamentary by-elections and, despite none of them being in a Liberal Democrat held seat (one Tory, one Labour and one independent) it was the Liberal Democrats who topped the aggregate vote share:
Liberal Democrats 27% (+11% on average)
Labour 25% (-9% on average)
Tory 17% (-4% on average)
