Campaigning for you in 2015

Posted on 3rd Jan 2015 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s an email I sent to my constituents yesterday. If you live in Hornsey and Wood Green – please do fill in the survey!

It’s almost twenty years since I first got involved in local politics here in Haringey. I joined a residents’ group and we protested against an unpopular parking scheme being imposed on us by the Council.

We were successful – and it showed how a small group of determined people could make changes, benefitting a huge number of residents. After this, I became a local councillor and then MP for our area.

I believe in a fairer society – it’s what I work for day in, day out – in Haringey and in Parliament.

That’s why, along with local residents, I launch campaigns to protect and improve our local services: like hospitals, libraries, stations, parcel collection points, bus stops, police front counters and more.

It’s also why my local team and I worked so hard to secure fairer education funding for Haringey – and now we’re pushing for fairer funding for our health services too.

Creating a strong economy is also important, to support our public services. That’s why my party took the difficult decision to enter into coalition in 2010 – to be part of a stable Government, capable of rebuilding the economy.

Now, both the deficit and unemployment are down. Youth unemployment here has halved – giving so many more young people a better opportunity to get on in life. But there is still work to be done.

I am standing again to be the MP for our local area at the General Election in May this year. Do I have your support? You can let me know who you’re supporting by replying to this email, or filling in this survey.

In the survey, you can also let me know of any issues or problems you’d like to raise with me. I’ll get back to you asap.

Thank you, and Happy New Year,
[Lynne Featherstone's signature]
Lynne Featherstone
Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green

Alexandra Palace Station to become accessible for all

Posted on 16th Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP joined Baroness Kramer from the Department for Transport at Alexandra Palace station this morning, to formally announce extra funding for the ‘Access for All’ programme.

The programme – which was given a £60 million boost in the Coalition Government’s Autumn Statement – will allow for work to go ahead on Alexandra Palace station to make it step-free and accessible for everyone by 2019 at the latest.

The Liberal Democrat MP welcomed the announcement as a step towards building a fairer society, where all residents can access rail services.

Along with over 750 local residents – Lynne Featherstone MP has long campaigned for more accessible local stations – and the announcement marks a success in the campaign.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“As a Liberal Democrat, I believe in creating a fairer society. And in a fair society, rail services should be accessible for everyone – including the elderly, the disabled, and those with heavy bags or pushchairs.

“That’s why I started a campaign for more accessible local stations. I’m so happy that over 750 local residents signed up to support the campaign, and that we’ve been successful in securing the extra funding for improvements at Alexandra Palace.

“Of course, there are a number of other local stations – both rail and underground – which also need improvements. But this is a great step in the right direction, and hopefully a sign of more to come.”

Lynne Featherstone celebrates campaign success as Alexandra Palace station earmarked for access improvements

Posted on 2nd Dec 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has expressed her delight at news that Alexandra Palace station has been included in the ‘Access for All’ programme.

This means work will be done to install ramps and lifts – finally making Alexandra Palace station step-free and accessible for everyone.

It marks a success for the local Liberal Democrat MP’s campaign for more accessible local stations – which has attracted the support of over 700 local residents.

The Coalition Government will announce an extra £60 million in funding for the Access for All scheme during the Autumn Statement tomorrow. Part of that funding will pay for the improvements at Alexandra Palace station.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I am so delighted that Alexandra Palace will finally get improvements to make it step free, and also with the Government’s investment in the ‘Access for All’ programme. It will be will be so helpful for the elderly, the disabled, or those with heavy bags, pushchairs, or bikes.

“I’d particularly like to thank all the 725 local residents who signed my petition, calling on Network Rail and the Department for Transport to improve accessibility at our local stations.

“I’ve had discussions with both the Department and Network Rail in recent months and weeks to try and secure these improvements – and I am sure the strength of feeling behind the campaign made an impression on them.

“Of course, there is still a long way to go until all stations are fully accessible – but this is such a huge step in the right direction – and great news for Haringey!”

Lynne Featherstone visits new local businesses

Posted on 1st Sep 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week visited a new café in Alexandra Palace station. The Yard serves teas, coffees, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies and food to take away.

The Lib Dem MP popped in to the Café in between talking with station users about her campaign to make local stations, like Alexandra Palace, more accessible.

Lynne Featherstone commented:

“It’s great to see a new local business opening, especially one serving such a wonderful range of healthy drinks, coffee and food. I’m sure commuters are delighted that the Yard has opened, and I wish the business every success.”

Barclays and Tottenham Hotspur among companies confirmed for MP’s Apprenticeship Event

Posted on 21st Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Eighteen companies, with hundreds of vacancies between them, have signed up to attend Lynne Featherstone MP’s annual apprenticeship event.

The event – which takes place at 2pm, on Thursday 28^th August, at Haringey Civic Centre – gives young people the chance to meet with companies who are offering apprenticeships, and get advice about making applications.

Barclays and the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation are confirmed, alongside the National Apprenticeship Service and companies like Hawk training.

The event, which is backed by Wood Green Jobcentre Plus, is open to all young people – not just Haringey residents. Last year, one young person was taken on the day after the event.

The event follows news that youth unemployment in the Lib Dem MP’s constituency has halved since 2010.

Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am very much looking forward to this year’s event. We have a diverse range of companies attending, and I know Haringey is full of bright, ambitious young people, who will come along to meet the companies and find out more.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to kick start a career. You get paid to learn a trade, and you get a qualification at the end. You also get to make contacts within an industry, which could help secure full time work.

“Youth unemployment here has halved since 2010 – I want to work with businesses and local young people to make even more progress.”

£800 tax cut for 45,090 people in Hornsey and Wood Green

Posted on 19th Mar 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

An £800 income tax cut for people in Hornsey and Wood Green is the real budget boost, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said today.

The budget revealed plans to increase the personal allowance from April 2015 and put an extra £100 back in taxpayers’ pockets.

Lib Dems have already delivered on a £700 tax cut for low to middle earners, but today’s news goes even further for hardworking people.

The number of people who could benefit from a cut to the personal allowance in Hornsey and Wood Green is expected to be around 45,090

Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone said:

“This tax cut is the real budget boost for working people and would not have happened without Lib Dems in Government creating a stronger economy and a fairer society. This was on the front page of our manifesto!

“The Tories are desperate to claim credit, but in reality their focus is on changes such as an inheritance tax cut for millionaires which we blocked, while Labour simply cannot be trusted with the economy.

“We are also helping people with a freeze on fuel duty and new tax-free childcare to help parents.”

Joining the CrossSafe campaign for road safety

Posted on 11th Mar 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP last week met with CrossSafe N10 campaigners to discuss the problems with the junction on Alexandra Park Road, Colney Hatch Lane, and Pages Lane.

The residents have long been campaigning for better safety on and around the junction.

On the site visit, the residents described the problems faced on a daily basis – including drivers not realising that there is a second red light and driving through, pedestrians not being able to see oncoming traffic, poor phasing of traffic lights, and no ‘green man’ signalling to guide pedestrians.

Campaigners say that these problems pose a safety risk – and that they have seen many near misses.

The Liberal Democrat MP – who has previously made representations on this issue – has now written again to both Transport for London and Haringey Council (who share management of the junction) and requested a site visit with them and the local residents.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“These residents have done a fantastic job of raising awareness of this issue and campaigning for better road safety at this dangerous junction.

“I am happy to get involved to support their cause. I have now written again to both TfL and Haringey Council, demanding a meeting with them on site so they can see the problems for themselves.

“I hope this will lead to action – vast improvements on this junction may well be necessary to prevent a serious accident here in the future.”

Meeting on future of Alexandra Post Office

Posted on 24th Feb 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP on Saturday attended a local residents meeting, to discuss the future of Alexandra Parade Post Office. A representative from the Post Office was also there to answer questions.

The Post Office was closed without notice due to a dispute between the Post Office and the Post Master, and residents have been advised to use the Muswell Hill branch instead. The Post Office have stated that the closure is temporary.

Local residents contacted the Liberal Democrat MP, as they were worried about losing the post office for good, and having to brave the queues at Muswell Hill branch on a permanent basis.

At the meeting, residents made it clear that an ongoing Post Office service is needed in the area.

Lynne Featherstone MP is now writing to the Chief Executive of the Post Office to formally raise the residents’ concerns.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Post Offices are a vital part of our local communities. They provide a range of services to local residents and attract people to the high street.

“The residents obviously care a great deal about the Alexandra Parade office – and I’m glad they were able to make their voices heard to the Post Office representative.

“There are still a number of unanswered questions about the closure, and about when the service will return. On behalf of local residents, I will contact the Chief Executive to get some answers.”

Growing economy – Good news for Haringey!

Posted on 28th Jan 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Great news – the economy is growing at the fastest rate we’ve seen since 2007 – according to the Office of National Statistics.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also increased its growth forecast for the UK economy from 1.9% to 2.4%.

The UK has also seen a sharp drop in unemployment, and there are now more people in work than ever before. All good signs that the economy is recovering.

And we’re really leading the way in Hornsey and Wood Green. There are now over 1100 fewer people claiming Job Seekers Allowance than there were in 2010.

Youth unemployment here is now 3.8% – almost halved since 2010.

And finally, the number of registered enterprises in Hornsey and Wood Green is on the up, from 4,855 in 2011 to 5,450 now.

The plan is working – and so are we!

What changes would you like to see in Haringey?

Posted on 27th Jan 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s my latest Muswell Flyer article – on the changes I want to see in our borough this year. Also available here.

The Christmas festivities are over and I hope everyone had a great time welcoming in the New Year. Alongside my usual resolutions, there is something specific I want to see in 2014.

This year, I want to see a change in how our local services are run and how our council tax money is spent. And with a local election taking place in May – change is a real possibility!

Our borough has so much potential – it is a truly vibrant and diverse area. But, like many Haringey residents who contact me, I am fed up of paying one of the highest rates of Council Tax in London and receiving a poor service in return.

Last year, Haringey Council (which is currently run by Labour) failed to deliver on many key local services.

On housing, the Council allowed £3.7 million to be spent on bonuses for housing staff while cancelling vital and long-overdue repair works for local homes. I receive so many complaints from local residents in social housing about the lack of repairs – and I just cannot believe that millions have been spent on bonuses for failure.

Our local streets are also not up to scratch. A survey I ran last year on rubbish collections turned up over 400 complaints about missed collections, bins in the wrong place, and piles of rotting rubbish.

Another survey revealed hundreds of complaints about potholes and lighting, too – despite the Council promising a ‘pothole blitz’ earlier in the year.

And also – the Labour-run Council is still refusing Lib Dem calls for an independent review into Children’s Services, despite further shocking failures to protect some of the borough’s most vulnerable children.

This is a small summary of the problems we have in Haringey. Labour has had 40 years in charge of Haringey Council, and I think it’s about time that changed.

In contrast to Labour, the local Lib Dems are constantly campaigning for improved local services. They’ve been instrumental in saving our parcel collection points and local train services, alongside pushing the Council into action on numerous issues – forcing them to consult on 20mph roads and to build new homes to ease the housing crisis, for instance.

The local Lib Dems are also committed to continuing the fight against development on Pinkham Way, and to improving the state of our streets. We’ve fought hard for independent shops by campaigning for thirty minutes free parking, and free parking over the entire Christmas period. And, the Lib Dems are committed to supporting our local Credit Union as an alternative to payday loan shops.

For me, the choice is easy. What we need is a Council that listens to residents and works for them. I will be campaigning hard to help the Lib Dems take control of the Council so that we can see real, positive changes to Haringey in 2014. Now, that really would be a happy new year!