Gordon Brown

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So – it’s to be a coronation! Guess the clunking fist from the future Prime Minister and the spineless consent from the ranks of Labour MPs (the same spineless ones that voted through the war) will deny members their say, the party a proper debate and Gordon a mandate.

It would have been so much better if David Miliband or Charles Clarke or anyone had had the balls to fight Gordon. Even John McDonnell would have been better than nothing and no one. It feels wrong and will do so unless and until there is a General Election. And Gordon (middle name cautious) is unlikely to go for it immediately. Unless he really is new Gordon!

Gordon’s first (and only) hustings saw him present himself as ‘new’ Gordon, for a ‘new’ Britain, with ‘new’ ideas and ‘new’ challenges, etc. etc. ‘Scuse me for thinking he was the bloke what was there all along, hiding head below parapet whilst signing the cheques. Iraq, tuition fees, cutting benefits for the disabled, tube privatisation, and on and on. He was there, at the centre of power, all the time. Not so new Gordon!

What can we expect under Gordon? More announcement, re-announcements and then announcement for a third time of the same pots of money – and a dark, brooding, master pulling the central strings from behind closed doors. I hope I’m wrong, but …

Lib Dems reveal Labour's hidden housing waiting list

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Haringey Council has come under fire for its hidden housing waiting list. Correspondence to local MP Lynne Featherstone from Haringey Council officials has revealed that over 1,400 housing applications are waiting to be processed before even getting on to the housing register. This is in addition to the 25,000 people waiting on the official housing register itself.

Recent figures have shown that the number of people on Haringey Council’s housing register has leapt by 10,000 in 2003-6. Haringey’s Liberal Democrats have pointed to Haringey Council’s own admission that the promise for 1,000 new homes in Haringey is not enough to quell the surge in demand and have criticised Labour’s failings to bring the figures under control even before the missing 1,400 are taken into account.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“On top of the thousands of people already on the growing official register, we discover another 1,400 who are waiting simply to wait. Labour’s policy on housing is completely out of control and it is the people who are desperately in need of a permanent roof over their heads who are suffering.”

Councillor Catherine Harris, Haringey Lib Dem Housing Spokesperson, adds:

“Broken manifesto promises on decent homes, a hundred years to be housed and now this hidden waiting list – failure is too soft a word for Haringey Labour’s housing fiasco.”

Haringey Liberal Democrats call on Government not to take away Council powers on new superstores

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Local Liberal Democrat councillors are calling on the Government not to reduce Haringey Councils’ decision powers over huge new superstore developments.

Small businesses in Haringey have come under increasing pressure from big superstores, but the government is now considering removing a crucial tool of Haringey Council in defending Haringey’s unique shopping areas such as Green Lanes or Crouch End.

The Government’s review of planning suggested that they scrap the ‘needs test’, which allows local planning authorities to decide supermarket planning applications based on need, but local Liberal Democrats have hit back saying that scrapping it would stop Haringey Council objecting to supermarkets taking business away from local shops.

Cllr Jonathan Bloch, Lib Dem planning spokesperson, comments:

“Every local shop I visit is concerned about the effect that more gigantic supermarkets setting up will have on their business and the high street generally.

“If Haringey Council cannot say ‘No’ to supermarkets when they are not needed, how will they ever be able to stop them undermining our treasured independent shopping areas across Haringey? From Highgate to Tottenham the individuality of shopping that gives each area its character could be under threat. ”

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, adds:

“Whilst Haringey residents are campaigning to protect our high street and local community, the Labour Government is seeking to undermine our efforts and make it easier for big businesses to drive local shops, like the Post Office, newsagents and independent shops, out of business.

“I’m calling on the Government not to scrap the ‘supermarket needs test’ and to give power back to our local community so we can save our independent shops from the spread of supermarkets and help it grow into the hub of our sustainable, vibrant community.”

Fortismere School's future

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Tonight is the meeting on the way forward for Fortismere School, to which my colleague Cllr Gail Engert is going on behalf of the Lib Dems (as I can’t go) and putting forward our proposals.

There is a great deal of angst and bad feeling grown up in response to the school’s seeming desire to move to foundation status. The concerns are around moves to selection; reduction in intake of statemented children; and changing the criteria to enter the sixth form to only those students attaining A or B grades. People are worried that it will cause disharmony in our community of schools. However, the Government’s policy is to allow such applications.

There are, as I said, very strong views against the proposals – and yet a seeming determination from Head and Governors to go forward. The consultation is coming to a close. I asked the school to at least hold an all-parent ballot – but they have refused at this point in time.

So, what is to be done? What the Liberal Democrats have proposed is a five-point plan:

1) The closing date for the consultation should be extended and the consultation should be widely publicised in order to gather the views of the whole local community.

2) The Head and the Director of Education should meet urgently to try to resolve the conflict between the school and the Council. I’ve offered to facilitate the meeting in the hope that a way forward can be found that avoids the school pushing for foundation status.

3) The school should hold a proper public meeting to allow all points of view to be presented to parents and local community.

4) The school should be transparent and undertake to publish all the results of its informal consultation.

5) The Head and Governors should make their intentions on selection clear – and guarantee Fortismere remains a school for the whole community.

Gail’s comment for the press on this issue was, “Our five point plan ensures that all groups are properly consulted on the future of this successful school and that the results of the consultation are fully transparent. This school is a fundamental part of the local community and decisions on its future direction should take their concerns fully into account.”

Whilst I said, “It is clear that there has been a breakdown in communications between the school and Haringey Council, which has resulted in Fortismere pushing for foundation status. I want Fortismere and Haringey to resolve their differences and start working together for the benefit of parents and the local community. I have offered to broker a meeting between the two sides so we can resolve this dispute. I am hopeful that this issue can be resolved if all sides focus on what is important – the future of the school and the children.”

Litter spotting in Highgate

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First Lynne Featherstone MP spotting litter in Highgate Wood with the children from Avenue Nursery, Highgatething visited Avenue Nursery in Highgate. Definitely the Rolls Royce of nurseries – and in fact, not just a nursery, but going up to 6/7 year olds now. Beautiful premises (good design) and facilities (amazingly huge garden)! I am there to accompany a class on a litter observation outing. So eight youngsters, their two teachers and myself and Ed Butcher (councillor and my Head of Office) headed for Highgate Woods.

The children had clipboards with a sheet where they would mark up and tally how many pieces of litter they found. Cans, cigarette butts, plastic bits, sweet wrappers and so on. One sheet was for Highgate Wood – and the other sheet was for Highgate Station car park and then the Archway Road up to Highgate Wood.

Well – the car park and the walk up Archway gave the children a feast of possible litter. We examined cigarette butt after cigarette butt – and whilst in the Highgate tube station car park they wanted to know what an MP was. So I was explaining that the House of Commons was where laws were made and that recently we made a law which will stop people smoking in doors etc.

I congratulated them on their environmental work. They were bright as buttons – and they said why weren’t there any bins? So we decided that they are going to write to me (or email me officially as constituents) and I will then take it up with the relevant authorities and try and get more bins. I did explain that station bins had virtually disappeared for security reasons – but there’s plenty more places they could be put.

Then we arrived at Highgate Wood. What a contrast. Whereas the children were excited every two seconds by various horrible bits of litter before we got to the woods – in the woods we were hard put to find anything. So huge congratulations to the woods keepers for a fantastic job – and to those who use the woods who clearly respect their absolutely beautiful surroundings.

So – definitely one of my pleasantest duties this week – and fun too. And very heart warming to see how dead keen the kids were and how much they learned from this practical action. I am sure they will get another environmental award to add to the two they already have. If only all nurseries could be this good!

Brown on Darfur

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I notice that Gordon in his hustings yesterday defended the principle of overseas military intervention in Darfur – saying that he wanted to see a joint UN / African Union force in the country almost immediately. Well – yes – don’t we all? But we are being taken for fools by the Khartoum government who clearly think they can play with us with no consequences. So – this is a test for Gordon: is he an action man or is it just talk, talk?

Comment on the stabbing of a police officer in Wood Green

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Commenting on the stabbing of a police officer in Wood Green in the early hours of Sunday morning, Lynne Featherstone says:

“First and foremost, our thoughts are with the officer and his family.I am shocked and appalled by this senseless act of violence against someone who devotes their professional life to protecting our community.

“There must now be an investigation of the circumstances of this incident to see what lessons can be learnt and to make sure our officers are safe.

“This is a sad reminder of how dangerous knives are and why knife crime should be treated as seriously as gun crime – particularly in sentencing.I wish a speedy recovery to the officer and very much hope the perpetrator is brought to justice.”

Local MP helps out on kids' Highgate litter survey

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Pupils from Avenue Nursery School, Highgate, were accompanied by Lynne Featherstone MP on a litter survey of Highgate Wood and Highgate Station.

Lynne Featherstone said:

“Teaching young people to treasure the environment is so important.Climate change has rightly taken centre stage in green issues, but we cannot forget the damage done to our surroundings by simply not putting litter in the bin.

“The kids did a fantastic job of spotting rubbish and we discovered the number one culprit was cigarette butts – particularly around Highgate station.I am very grateful for them inviting me along and I hope they will keep up the good work!”

Local Liberal Democrats pioneer possible links with Independent Schools

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Liberal Democrat councillors in Haringey working on a scrutiny report into the ‘extended services’ provided by schools in the borough have potentially opened the door to valuable partnerships between independent schools and community schools in the borough.

As part of their review, Lib Dem councillors proposed that Haringey Council should seek links and partnerships with independent schools. Councillors have discussed their ideas with the Masters and Bursars of both Channing and Highgate Schools, who responded very positively to this pioneering proposal.

A number of possible pilot projects were discussed with Highgate, with Haringey Council being asked to follow this up with urgent discussions with the schools to get these exciting projects off the ground – for the benefit of pupils from both the state and independent sectors.

Cllr Martin Newton (Liberal Democrat, Fortis Green), who chaired the review, comments:

“The scrutiny review was an opportunity to see if potential links and partnerships with Haringey schools were possible. I was absolutely delighted by the wonderfully positive response we received from both Channing and Highgate to this idea. I hope that the Council follows this up with constructive talks with the schools to see how this can be developed.

“While pilot projects would have to be worked out, the very real potential benefits for local students could involve tuition in more specialist subjects not available elsewhere, or sporting activities.”

Cllr Gail Engert, member of the review, and Lib Dem spokesperson for Children and Young People adds:

“Some of the ideas coming forward have the potential of making a real contribution to the future of Haringey’s pupils. I am pleased we have been able to get agreement for talks to take place and hope that these will result in trials of these projects in the near future.”

Liberal Democrats launch five-point plan for the future of school

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Haringey Liberal Democrats have demanded a full public meeting as part of their five-point plan for the future of Fortismere School. Governors of Fortismere recently started an informal consultation process regarding the proposals for the school to move for Foundation status, giving until 18th May 2007 for views to be returned. The Liberal Democrats have suggested that more thorough consultation is needed and have provided five steps that need to be addressed:

1) The closing date for the consultation should be extended and the consultation should be widely publicised in order to gather the views of the whole local community.

2) The Head and the Director of Education should meet urgently to try to resolve the conflict between the school and the council. Lynne Featherstone MP has offered to facilitate the meeting in the hope that a way forward can be found that avoids the school pushing for foundation status.

3) The school should hold a proper public meeting to allow all points of view to be presented to parents and local community.

4) The school should be transparent and undertake to publish all the results of its informal consultation.

5) The Head and Governing body should make its intentions on selection clear – and guarantee Fortismere remains a school for the whole community.

Liberal Democrats support community schooling that is inclusive, not selective, and does not compromise on Special Educational Need (SEN) or Additional Education Need (AEN) provision.

Cllr Gail Engert (Lib Dem Spokesperson for Children and Young People) comments:

“Our five point plan ensures that all groups are properly consulted on the future of this successful school and that the results of the consultation are fully transparent. This school is a fundamental part of the local community and decisions on its future direction should take their concerns fully into account.”

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green adds:

“It is clear that there has been a break down in communications between the school and Haringey Council, which has resulted in Fortismere pushing for foundation status. I want Fortismere and Haringey to resolve their differences and start working together for the benefit of parents and the local community.

“I have offered to broker a meeting between the two sides so we can resolve this dispute. I am hopeful that this issue can be resolved if all sides focus on what is important – the future of the school and the children.”