Archive for November, 2009

A recent YouGov poll found that 88% of the public do not want the current review of higher education funding to even consider increasing fees.

The National Union of Students (NUS) is concerned that the review will prevent politicians coming clean about their position on fees at the next election so they are asking all MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to sign up to their pledge so students and their families can be clear about their intentions on this vital issue. Voters need to know where there candidates stand. I am committed to a fairer funding solution for higher education, that meets the twin aims of encouraging wider access to our universities whilst maintaining, and increasing, the competitive strength of British universities.  That is why I have signed up to NUS’ campaign:

“I pledge to vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament and to pressure the government to introduce a fairer alternative”

More information on the NUS campaign can be found here.

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I’ve signed up to the Royal British Legion’s ‘Do Your Bit’ campaign, including the Legion’s general election pledge.

I fully support the Legion’s campaign and steps the Government has taken to address some of the key areas of concern, including the review headed by Admiral the Lord Boyce on the Armed Forces Compensation scheme and the aspiration to reduce the number of cases where servicemen and women are asked to go beyond the harmony guidelines (the frequency at which we ask individuals to deploy).

Our servicemen and women deserve high-quality, comfortable healthcare support. I’m pleased therefore to learn of improved welfare support for casualties in hospitals and the substantial investment in facilities at the Headley Court rehabilitation centre. Recent additions include new 58-bed staff & patient accommodation block and a new Cognitive and Mental Health Unit. We now have six regional community-based mental health pilot schemes operating in collaboration with the NHS, on top of 15 regional rehabilitation centres. We have also extended our mental health assessment programme at St Thomas’s Hospital.

Last year the Government published the Service Personnel Command Paper, which the Royal British Legion welcomed. Among the 40 commitments in the paper are steps to ensure that:

• Service dependents can retain their place on an NHS waiting list when they move to a new area.
• Injured personnel can access grants of up to £30,000 to adapt their homes, without their compensation payments being means-tested.
• Seriously injured personnel are entitled to privileged access to affordable housing schemes in England.
• Service personnel in England and Wales can claim a local connection in housing applications like any other applicants – we hope Scotland will follow suit this year.
• Priority status is given to service personnel in affordable housing schemes, including an ability to apply 12 months after discharge.

The key objectives of the Legion’s campaign can be found here.

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My heart goes out to Jacqui Janes for the loss she has suffered. She is a mother grieving the death of her son, a brave young soldier who died in the service of his country. We must all have faith that Guardsman Jamie Janes’ sacrifice was made in the noble cause of bringing peace and security to a conflict-torn nation, and in doing so securing the streets of Britain too.

But The Sun’s manipulation of Jacqui Janes, who is understandably raw with grief, is as outrageous and cynical as it is grubby and vindictive. I agree with former Sun political editor, George Pascoe-Watson, who asserted on BBC Radio 5 Live this morning that Gordon Brown “cares passionately about the care of our troops.” The Prime Minister’s note of condolence was heartfelt, its errors demonstration of its authenticity. Let us not forget that Gordon Brown’s sight is extremely limited, making a seemingly straightforward task such as handwriting a letter more difficult than for most. And of course the letter was not ‘proofed’ by an aide. This was a personal communication from the Prime Minister to a fallen soldier’s family; a private expression of condolence, which was sealed by Gordon Brown as the ink dried on his signature.

It is clear that The Sun will stop at nothing to bring down this Labour government, but the newspaper is increasingly engaged in a more sinister, personal campaign directed against Gordon Brown himself. If Rupert Murdoch, as stated on Sky News Australia, does regard Gordon Brown as a friend, and if it’s true The Sun’s editor does not take directions from the media mogul, perhaps it’s time for Murdoch to put a call into Wapping and tell Dominic Mohan (editor of The Sun) to lay off the personal vitriol and stick to real politics.

Despite being grubby journalism, The Sun runs the risk of outraging the British sense of fair play and decency, with public opinion turning critical of its personal vendetta against Gordon Brown.

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