The Government announcement that there will be no change to civil partnerships because the consultation did not present a united voice in favour is not a surprise.
However – it is Liberal Democrat policy – and it will be in our manifesto!
Author Archives: Lynne Featherstone
London bounces back!
The most recent statistics are out, and they show yet another dramatic fall in unemployment. From February – April this year, 46,000 extra people were employed in the capital alone.
103,000 people have found work here in total since April last year.
London really is bouncing back!
Nationally, the numbers are just as good. Across the UK the increase in employment averages out at 1.6% (2.8% in England). That means, since the same time last year, 445,000 men and 315,000 women have found a job in the UK, the great majority of them full time.
The numbers are clear: there are now more people with a job than there ever have been.
In terms of percentages, as a nation we are now only 0.2% away from the record for lowest ever level of unemployment – set back in 1974.
When Gordon Brown and Labour left office in May 2010, unemployment was at its highest since 1994 (which is the last time the Tories were in Government on their own). Labour also managed to preside over the lowest levels of economic activity since records began in the same year.
With wages also going up too, the recovery is significantly more stable that it would be had we let either of the other parties go it alone. There still a lot of hard work to do, but we are getting there.
The last two crashes were caused by Conservative and Labour-only Governments and I am proud, as a Lib Dem, to be helping to get the country back on its feet.
Haringey Council in (another) mess of their own making
The controversial plans for Hornsey Depot have been challenged and halted – leaving Haringey Council with a £15m hole in their budget.
It’s another example of the Labour-run council failing to listen to residents and opposition councillors – with disastrous results.
Along with many residents and the Haringey Lib Dems, I raised concerns that the Hornsey Depot application was deeply flawed.
That’s why so many residents objected, and that’s why the Lib Dem opposition councillors voted against the application.
But instead of listening to concerns, local Labour councillors ignored our pleas and ploughed on regardless.
This has now prompted a Judicial Review of the plans, which could delay the development for a long time to come.
It’s also created a financial mess. Haringey Labour prematurely factored £15m from the sale of the Hornsey Depot into their budget, to ‘underpin’ the council’s capital for projects like new school buildings. So now they have a £15 million gap in their budget.
Banking on money that isn’t assured is the height of risky planning – and sadly, it will be local residents who suffer the consequences now the money isn’t available!
And Haringey Labour only have themselves to blame. If only they had listened from the start and taken a short time to agree an application that is both suitable and acceptable to residents – this could all have been avoided.
Once again, Haringey Labour have proved that they simply cannot be trusted to act in the best interests of the residents of Haringey.
Discussing charity projects with local supermarket
Lynne Featherstone MP last week visited the Sainsbury’s store in Muswell Hill to discuss and encourage their local community projects.
The Liberal Democrat MP talked to employees at the store who help to promote Age UK’s Advice for Carers guide during Carer’s Week 2014. The booklet offers a wide range of information to those who may be caring for a friend or loved one, ranging from practical tips, to telephone numbers to call for further help.
The local MP also spoke to the Store Manager about the local store’s work with a variety of charities. Sainsbury’s work with a number of charities nationwide; and the Muswell Hill branch also work to support local charities, such as Action for Kids, for whom they hold regular bag-packing and charity collection days.
As well as this, all food which has passed its shelf life (but not its sell by date) is passed to the Soup Kitchen in Muswell Hill, and the store has a no food waste to landfill policy.
After the visit, Lynne Featherstone MP commented:
“It was encouraging to discuss the current projects that Sainsbury’s are involved in. It is community based work, which is so important for the area and local people. They are setting a great example and it is great to the see the work they are doing to highlight the Advice for Carers guide.
“I look forward to visiting some of the projects they are working on and attending their fundraising events.”
Still liberal – still radical – still the good guys
It was good to hear Nick begin to set out our real narrative – not the one written for us by other parties.
He said in a speech on Monday: “We may be the smaller party, but we have all the biggest ideas,” crediting the team who have brought so many good things into the coal – including:
- Ground-breaking pensions reform – Steve Webb.
- Dragging maternity and paternity leave into the 21st Century – Jo Swinson and Jenny Willott.
- Getting our schools motivated to stop the poorest children from falling behind – David Laws.
- Putting infrastructure front and centre of the Coalition’s economic strategy – Danny Alexander.
- Equal Marriage – Lynne Featherstone.
- The world’s first ever bank devoted to green investment – Vince Cable.
- The biggest ever investment in renewable energy – Ed Davey.
- An £800 tax cut for millions of ordinary people – every Liberal Democrat who ever campaigned for it.
And there is much more obviously. For example – one thing I will be forever proud of in my national work is my campaign on FGM. Of course it is now talked about on a daily basis (and on this I also have to thank the media particularly the Evening Standard) but hardly known about a year and a half ago when I came to the Department of International Development and said ‘we are going to campaign on FGM’. Working with all those campaigners who had campaigned tirelessly for years with no take up – now I would work with them to make sure that ending the cutting off of girls’ genitals was at the top of the political agenda. And now it is.
Even the Prime Minister has now recognised how important this is and chosen this as the subject of our Development World moment in July on FGM and Child Early and Forced Marriage which he will be hosting.
The economy was the reason we went into Coalition – and that is looking really good as are the employment figures. And make no mistake – without LibDems – that would not have happened. But the list above just shows how effective we have been at delivering our fair, green and liberal agenda – even in a Coalition.
Lib Dems celebrate police front counter breaking news
The local Liberal Democrat campaign for a new police front counter in Muswell Hill is on the brink of success. At a Police panel meeting yesterday evening, police representatives revealed that plans to put a front counter in the Odeon complex in Muswell Hill are now in their final stages.
Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats have campaigned for a replacement front counter since Conservative Mayor of London closed Muswell Hill Police Counter last year. The closure was forced through despite vehement criticism of the plans, from both local Liberal Democrats and residents.
That’s why, together with residents, local MP Lynne Featherstone and Lib Dem councillors presented petitions, met with top local cops and pushed so hard for the replacement.
Like the previous front counter, the new one will be manned by volunteers.
Muswell Hill Councillor and Haringey Lib Dem Deputy Leader Gail Engert commented:
“I am so pleased that we will soon have a replacement police front counter in the Muswell Hill area. It was a travesty to lose the previous one last year, which was relied upon and used by so many local residents.
“I’d like to thank Odeon and the local police for their hard work in facilitating a new counter – and look forward to seeing it open!”
Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone commented:
“We all hope never to have to report a crime – but it’s reassuring to know that a local police contact point is there, if you needed it. That’s what we’ve been fighting to get back.
“This fantastic news about the replacement counter in Muswell Hill comes after some relentless and ongoing campaigning. Yet again, it is the Lib Dems in Haringey working on the ground with residents to protect and stand up for our local services – with great results.”
Calling a meeting with new rail bosses
Lynne Featherstone MP has requested a meeting with Govia, the company recently awarded the management contract for the new Thameslink rail franchise – which covers rail stations and services in Haringey.
From 14th September this year, Govia will replace current service providers, First Capital Connect, in running services in and out London, via Haringey. Govia have committed to provide new trains, 50% more capacity and extra services at peak time – alongside promises of free wifi at stations and extended staff hours.
From December 2015, services from Alexandra Palace, Hornsey and Harringay will run in and out of Moorgate from 6am – midnight on weekdays, and also at weekends, to reflect the demand for more Moorgate services.
The changes are funded by a multi-billion pound investment by the Coalition Government.
A campaign by Lynne Featherstone MP and local residents last year secured a guarantee from the Department for Transport that no local services from Hornsey and Harringay would be lost.
Lynne Featherstone MP commented:
“Many residents have contacted me over the last few years, expressing their dissatisfaction with local rail services provided by First Capital Connect.
“I of course welcome the Government investment in our local services, and hope to see positive changes as soon as possible.
“I have called a meeting with new providers, Govia, to discuss the timescales for changes made and to make sure they are fully aware of the improvements we need at our local stations. If you would like me to pass on any comments about our local rail services and how they can be further improved – please let me know.”
Opening a pre-school in Rwanda
Yesterday I got back from Rwanda. I visited in my capacity as Minister for International Development, and on the final day, I opened a new school:
There’s an amazing sense of positive energy and happiness as you come in to the school I’m here to open. It’s a brilliant space filled with bright colours and content children and it’s set against the most dramatic backdrop of peaks and valleys of the Rwandan hills. It all combines in a way that makes me want to set aside my packed programme of meetings ahead and play on the swings with the children all day instead.
I’m here with Noala Skinner, Rwanda’s UNICEF representative and the Honourable Minister of State for Education, Dr Harebamungu Mathias, and we’re surrounded by a sea of little faces – I must confess that they look a little bemused about all the fuss of having so many visitors to their school, but they sit very quietly and patiently whilst the grown-ups make their speeches and officially declare their pre-school to be open.
Initiatives like this one are so important. The early years of life are crucial in a child’s development, and investing in young children can have so any benefits. As I walk round the compound and watch the children busily building houses and skyscrapers with their wooden blocks, I think about how many doors a good start in life will open for them in the future. I’m really pleased when the Minister of State for Education tells me that the Government of Rwanda has made a commitment to expanding access to pre-primary programmes across the country. The UK is helping too – the school I’m visiting today is only one of ten community based childhood facilities that we’re supporting.
During the speeches, there’s lots of formal talk about education sector plans and government commitments, but what it all really comes down to is families and teachers. The desire for children to have the best start in life is one I think will resonate with all parents, and I’m really pleased to see that many of them are joining us for the opening of the building. It’s great that they are seen as partners in the school and they’ve worked just as hard as anyone to get it all up and running. The teachers keep a close watch on the children – and without their expertise, enthusiasm and dedication, we wouldn’t be here today. Providing the foundation for learning for young children is a very specialised and important job, and one that deserves the utmost respect.
I leave the school feeling uplifted and happy. I feel very lucky to have been a part of this pre-primary. I’m sure this is where the journey starts for the leaders, professionals and politicians of Rwanda’s future.
Genocide – Never Again.
I’m currently in Rwanda in my capacity as Minister for International Development. Here’s my first blog from the three-day visit:
On arrival in Kigali this morning, I went straight to the genocide memorial at Ntarama Church to lay a commemorative wreath for the Rwandans who lost their lives in 1994. Only twenty years have passed since the Genocide, and – understandably – it remains an episode that defines and shapes the political, social, economic and development context of the country today.
At Ntarama church, the story of the genocide unfolds before me as my guide from the Aegis Trust explains the harrowing events that took place in April 1994. The militia told Tutsis in and around Ntarama to stay together on the church compound so that the government could guarantee their safety. As large numbers of Tutsis sought protection, they thought they would escape unharmed.
They did not.
Soldiers and militia attacked the church where the Tutsis sheltered. Five thousand people lost their lives as violent atrocities almost too difficult to speak of took place.
I knew that visiting the memorial would be distressing, but nothing could have prepared me for the sight of coffins filled with multiple bodies, or the rows upon rows of skulls of those who had perished, some small enough to fit in to the palm of my hand. Most upsetting of all – a corner of the church’s Sunday School room remains forever stained by blood where children were swung by their legs and smashed repeatedly against the stone until dead. I cannot bring myself to imagine the terrified screams of the little ones who were faced with such brutality.
As I laid the commemorative wreath amongst the remnants of clothes and shoes belonging to those who perished, I reflect that Ntarama is just one of many similar sites across the country. It is truly sobering to visit a genocide memorial, but it is so very important that we remember – it’s vital in making sure these terrible events are not repeated. With UK support, the Aegis Trust is working to turn the site at Ntarama in to an exhibition that – alongside the main Genocide Memorial in Kigali – will provide a space for reflection, remembrance and healing.
In the bloodied Sunday School building, there is a large banner where the school children of today write messages to the children who died. One simply and bravely reads “I will stand in your place”, and – although communities are still coming to terms with the tragedy, the country has made remarkable progress and people are looking to the future. A stronger, more cohesive future where the motto of my hosts for today – the Aegis Trust – rings loudly: ‘Genocide. Never Again.’
Nick must stay!
The inevitable letter to the papers calling for Nick to go was bound to happen. It always does when things get tough – and they don’t get tougher than the elections we have just been through.
But that is why Nick must stay. He is brave and capable – and taking us into government has achieved remarkable progress. I won’t rehearse all our achievements here – but even if you just take turning round the economy – which would not have happened without the Liberal Democrats – for that alone he should be applauded. Putting the country’s interests before party interests is the right thing to do.
Nick has taken so much flak from the moment he became Deputy Prime Minister – and borne it bravely. He is always focused and has a phenomenal strategic understanding. And right now when people are saying that he shouldn’t have given Farage exposure in the debate – I say well done Nick. Standing up for what you believe in is something the cowardly leader of the Labour party is incapable of and something we need politicians from all parties to do more of. Staying silent simply lets evil prosper.
Thank goodness there are still more progressive MEPs elected in Europe from other countries to hopefully hold it safe. I find UKIP and the rise of the right a terrifying prospect. Sending a message to government is one thing – but sending MEPs to Europe who want its destruction is quite another.
However – the country has spoken and we will see what happens next.
Lynne Featherstone 