The “right decision” for residents say Liberal Democrats as the Whittington is saved

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Whittington Hospital celebrationIn response to the announcement by the government that the Whittington Accident and Emergency department will not face closure, Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat candidate for Hornsey and Wood Green comments:

“This is fantastic news, and such a brilliant testament to the fact that the power of local people and our campaign has worked!

“This is the right decision for local residents. I have been fighting tooth and nail together with my Liberal Democrat colleagues and local residents to keep our vital health services open since the disastrous plans were leaked to me last October.

“I am ecstatic that we have been successful in forcing faceless health bureaucrats to back down.

“Nick Clegg has given cast iron guarantees that he will not close the Whittington, and I will certainly be holding Labour to their last minute promise – and make sure this is not just a hollow election pledge.

“Thanks so much to all local residents, campaigners and activists who have given so much to help save the Whittington.”

Robert Gorrie, Leader of Haringey Liberal Democrats adds:

“Local residents have forced the Labour Government to listen to them, but let’s not forget that it was a Labour government that let the faceless bureaucrats put these plans on the table in the first place.

“The plans to change health services in north London are still ongoing – NHS London need to come clean on what the remaining plans will mean for people in Haringey.”

Whittington saved – for now!

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Went to speak at the rally outside the Whittington Hospital. Hurrah! It’s saved – for now. But we must remain vigilant. Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for health came down too to speak.

There never was a case for closure. No proper analysis. No community facilities available to take the 35,000 people who could be treated outside of an A&E. No room at the Royal Free for the 45,000 who would still need A&E. No rigorous analysis of cost benefits. No rigorous analysis of travel. It was the worst presented case for change – ever!

And it happened because unelected, undemocratic quangos executing Labour Government instructions think we are just nothing. They make paper solutions that just don’t fit real peoples’ lives. Same as when Labour closed our local sub-post offices. They don’t seem to understand that public services should be based on our needs, our wants -not their charts and graphs.

Let’s hope Liberal Democrats are the ones who will take our health services forward – that way we would know that never again would we have to be dictated to and have the very fabric of our lives threatened by faceless bureaucrats.

Thank you to all the people – who are the stars of this success. Let power flow back to local people and let’s listen to the  doctors and nurses who know so much about what makes our health service work!

Ham & High hustings

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It was the Ham & High, Hornsey & Wood Green hustings last night.

Streets must have been empty of Labour activists – as they were all in the hall! I recognised most of them. Planted questions and prepared answers – very Gordon Brown.

Labour activists in the hall didn’t seem that interested in the Whittington A&E, nor fair funding for our schools or fairness in the tax system – they appeared interested in one thing – whether LibDems would prop up a Cameron Government. Nick Clegg has made it quite clear that our four key pledges on fair taxes, fair funding for our schools, green jobs and clean, reformed politics are what matters and that we have to wait to see what the people say on May 6. It is not for politicians to decide – but the country. He also said he would work with anyone – even the man in the moon – to delivery our fairness agenda.

By the third time of asking another chap jumped up – same question. Same answer – obviously!  This was Steve Hart, Chair of the Hornsey & Wood Green Labour party – not that he mentioned that!

Still as I say – great to see such a large number of Labour activists tied up in the hall and not out campaigning.

Judging by the line Labour were taking in the Ham & High this morning – Labour are clinging to a desperate hope that they can scare people into voting Labour.

Vote LibDem – get LibDem – I say!

Heartwarming stuff!

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Obviously – with Nick Clegg’s helpful contribution in the Leader Debates – the campaign trail has been very exciting with lots of people coming up and talking politics, smiling waving and saying they are going to vote Liberal Democrat.

Through my inbox too come a whole host of kind messages of goodwill and support – so here’s a couple of examples of how kind and wonderful people can be.

From a local parent (I’ve blanked the name for privacy for the son)

‘My son, XXXXXX, is 14. You came to Fortismere school and talked to all the kids about the Lib Dems. XXXXX got really enthusiastic and excited about politics! He really liked what you said about kids issues, and wishes he could vote.  He has watched every debate, and has been talking politics and issues with us and has even talked about becoming a politician! Amazing.. he even calls Nick Clegg a goon. (Trust me, a goon is a good thing.) ‘

And this next one – an email from a life-long Labour supporter! Mr Shuel was happy for me to publish his name.


Dear Lynne Featherstone,

At the last election, I voted for you because I was in effect voting against
Tony Blair. Because the politics of ones parents tend to rub off on their
children and my father was a committed Socialist, his politics rubbed off on
me. I might add that I am now 73 so it’s been a long love affair. Nothing
would ever persuade me to vote Conservative but I loathed Tony Blair and
all that he stood for – so I voted for you.

I have not regretted it for one moment. You have been an ideal Member of
Parliament. I have been filled with respect for the way in which you have
conducted yourself right from the word go. You responded to my worries about
The Digital Economy Bill when many of my fellow worriers got nothing from
their MPs. You keep us informed. You are what we need.

I was however initially torn this time around. The idea of a Conservative
government doesn’t bear thinking about and I felt that in order to ensure
the Conservative candidate for Hornsey and Wood Green was kept out I should
perhaps return to my Socialist roots. On intelligent reflection this was
clearly absurd reasoning . With an MP such as you have proved yourself to
be, I would rather have you around than anyone else.

After listening to endless electioneering, I find myself increasingly filled
with admiration for the Liberals. I wish you and your entire party well and
find that for the first time for years, I really care what happens to the
Liberal Party and will contentedly vote for you because of you, your leader
and his cohorts and not because I loathe the other party leaders.

Yours very sincerely
Sal Shuel

Labour and Conservatives in a spin!

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Despite the desperate efforts of Labour to claim if people vote LibDem they will get Cameron or the Conservatives’ desperate efforts to claim that if you vote LibDem you will get Brown – this time actually if you vote Liberal Democrat – you will get Liberal Democrats.

And that’s why the old parties are in a spin. They don’t know how to deal with a new politics – only that old unfair, scaremongering, discredited type of politics.

You can tell from the roar of anger by old parties at the Liberal Democrats daring to do well – and their outrage that people liked what they saw and what they heard in the Leader debates (when we finally had an even playing field to lay out our stall) that they don’t like a  fair fight. They’re not used to it.

Until now everything from the political system to the media coverage to the amount the old parties have to spend on elections has been all in their favour.

We still don’t have the same level of funding – and the political system hasn’t changed (I’m sure people scratch their heads when they see the graphs constantly in the media that show us top or second on percentage of the vote – but when projected into parliamentary seats getting only about a third as many seats as either of the other two) – but this time we had an equal media platform in the Leader debates. And what a difference that has made.

Out in the streets it is absolutely amazing. I was at a community event in Stroud Green ward on Saturday where local people set out little stalls in front of their houses selling plants, old books and so on – and as I walked around everyone was smiling and wanting to talk about politics and how exciting it was – and yes – voting for us! People ran across the street to talk to me.

In one street in another ward, Crouch End, there is a little hand made diamond poster on a stick in a front garden, handwritten and coloured in: ‘Liberal Democrat and in small writing – Liberal Democrats winning here’ crayoned in our colours. I knocked on the door and met the little girl who had made the sign. She had watched the first debate with her mother and wanted to make a Liberal Democrat stake board for her front garden.

I think there is just such a feeling of relief and hope – that the old order is breaking down – and change is at last really possible.

Lib Dems are only on one side: the side of peace

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Here’s a column I wrote for the Jewish Chronicle:

Lib Dems are only on one side: the side of peace
The blame game is the real obstacle to Middle East peace

In Hornsey & Wood Green in North London, there is a strong pro-Israel lobby and a strong pro-Palestinian lobby. When Jenny Tonge made her disgraceful and ignorant comments in the JC, calling for an inquiry into Israel taking organs in Haiti, I got emails from the pro-Israel lobby saying that the Liberal Democrats were pro-Palestinian.

When Nick Clegg then rightly sacked Baroness Tonge from the front bench, I received emails claiming that he had only done so because the “Zionist conspiracy” had got to him. Both were symptomatic of the polarization by the two sides in the Middle East conflict.

The only side the Liberal Democrats are on is the side of peace. We condemn all acts of violence and urge all parties to negotiate a lasting settlement to this crisis. A sustainable solution will only be achieved with two separate Israeli and Palestinian states, mutually recognized and internationally accepted, within secure borders based on the situation before the 1967 conflict.

Liberal Democrats condemn Hamas violence unequivocally. We believe that Hamas must move to respect the “three principles” set by the Quartet: renounce violence, recognise Israel’s right to exist and accept previous agreements.

However, we are concerned that while Hamas recognition of Israel is a necessary outcome of negotiations, it should not be interpreted so rigidly that it becomes a pre-condition that stops progress towards peace.

Searching for a solution also means swallowing some bitter pills. I hate to see the lesson that history teaches us, but the bitter truth is that dealing with unpleasant, murderous brutes is often needed to bring peace. Remember the IRA? In the end, the promise of peace and prosperity, together with negotiation, is what eventually heralded a break in the deadlock of decades and the hatred of centuries.

Entrenched positions get us nowhere. Being partisan or playing the blame is a hiding to nothing. No change, no solution.

Blame has been hurled back and forth, ricocheting between opposing sides ever since Israel’s painful birth. It is the Palestinians in the refugee camps and the ordinary citizens of Israel who suffer in this terrible game.

If there is one thing that is clear to me it is that none of the players really have the best interests of these peoples at heart. It is all about agendas and interests. That applies to the US and Iran, the UK and those countries in the region, all of whom are going to have to be willing to change the game.

We need the world to roll up its sleeves and commit itself for as long as it takes to focus all its efforts on pursuing peace and a lasting settlement. Blaming those who aren’t willing to do that is the only part of the blame game worth playing.

Liberal Democrats ask local residents to join in fight for fair funding

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Campaigning for Haringey schoolsIn their ongoing fight for fair funding for Haringey’s schoolchildren, Lynne Featherstone and a team of local Liberal Democrats have launched an awareness campaign outside local schools to let local parents know what they can do to support the campaign.

The Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate was joined by Councillor Gail Engert and campaigner Jenny Bouchami outside St Mary’s school in Hornsey as they chatted with parents about how they can respond to a government consultation to help highlight the current funding situation that sees Haringey’s schools getting £1,318 less per pupils than children in Hackney.

The consultation, which is running until the 7th June 2010, looks at two funding options, one which could give Haringey’s schools an additional £10 million per year.

The Liberal Democrat team will in the next few weeks speak with parents at schools around the area to encourage as many local residents as possible to respond to the consultation.

To make the case for fairer school funding, residents need to go to http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations/

The Liberal Democrats have also pledged to put in an extra £15 million into Haringey’s schools, through their so-called pupil premium to ensure smaller class sizes. The additional funds could give Haringey’s schools an extra 490 teachers.

Lynne Featherstone comments:

“This is our big chance to make the case for why our kids need and deserve more money for their schooling. This is an opportunity to give them a better education for the best possible start in life.

“Regardless of the outcome of the election – it is vital that people respond to this consultation. Of course – if the Liberal Democrats won – that would solve our ‘fair funding’ at a stroke – with their pledge of £2.5billion per year to our schools.”

Cllr Gail Engert, Liberal Democrat Schools spokesperson adds:

“It’s been great to get such a positive response when speaking to Hornsey parents here today.

“Bit by bit we are getting residents to see that they can help make a real difference. So for all you residents out there who want to do something about this injustice, grab this chance to respond and help make a fairer future for Haringey’s children.”

Comment on Sharon Shoesmith verdict

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Lynne Featherstone, candidate for Hornsey and Wood Green, comments on the Sharon Shoesmith verdict:

“After what happened to Baby Peter, Sharon Shoesmith’s position was totally untenable – and rightly so.

“From this case we see further evidence that the culture of cover up and secrecy goes right to the top of the Labour government. Key facts have only come to light because of this court case, facts that the public are entitled to know. More than ever it shows the urgent need for a full public enquiry to ensure that we get to the bottom of the failure to protect Baby Peter.”

Nevres Kemal, Haringey Children’s Services whistleblower and Liberal Democrat candidate for Noel Park in Haringey, adds:

“I am standing for election against the Council who failed to protect Baby Pater and to help end the failure in Children’s Services.”

The momentum is still with Nick Clegg

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Despite the best efforts of the right wing press, the fury of the Tories and the pressure that the outstanding performance of the first debate put on him – Nick still came out on top. General consensus shows Nick won the second Leaders’ debate as he tops three polls and comes second in two more.
 
After the first debate – you could feel the nation take a collective deep breath as a sense of freedom from the old political chains began to break through our rotten, unfair and corrupt political system.
Nick spoke directly to the people about the issues that really matter. And he drove home that critical message – reaching out to all from the TV screen into peoples’ homes to say ‘People are beginning to hope we can do something different this time. Don’t let anyone tell you this time it can’t be different: it can’.

It really can. And this time the nation knows it, feels it and wants it.

Guardian/ ICM: Nick Clegg: 33%, David Cameron: 29 %, Gordon Brown: 29%

Angus Reid: Nick Clegg 33%, David Cameron: 32%, Gordon Brown: 23%

ITV/ComRes: Nick Clegg 33%, David Cameron: 32%, Gordon Brown: 32%

Times/Populous: David Cameron: 37%, Nick Clegg: 36%, Gordon Brown: 27%

YouGov Instant reaction: David Cameron: 36%, Nick Clegg: 32%, Gordon Brown: 29%

Tory tantrums!

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Well – the roar of rage by the Tory establishment was all over the right wing press this morning – and then some.

Clearly seeing their chance of gaining power slipping – they reckon their only hope is that old game of smear, smear and smear again.

Have they learned nothing from that first TV debate? 

When people saw the last debate they found Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats to be a refreshing and different alternative to the old abusive politics of yesterday.

And yet – the Tories seem to think that acting like children who have had a toy taken away by stamping their feet in a mammoth tantrum against the young upstart – will help them.  All they really do is demonstrate ever more clearly that they are yesterday’s political party and not fit to govern.

We need a really different sort of politics to change the atmosphere in this country to bring real change and real hope. That is what Nick Clegg embodied in the last debate – and what the nation responded to.