I’m more than a little tired today after taking part in BBC Radio 5 Live’s Up All Night politics phone-in at 2am. I had a great time though and got the opportunity to highlight the risk the Tories pose to our economic recovery.

You can listen here – scroll forward 1hr.

And the campaign is full steam ahead over the weekend too. Tomorrow I’ll be hitting the streets of Market Harborough with Team Labour.

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KEVIN MCKEEVER WELCOMES BUDGET – AND CHALLENGES LOCAL TORIES

Kevin McKeever, Labour Candidate for Harborough, today welcomed the Chancellor’s Budget Statement.

Kevin McKeever said:

“This Budget secures the recovery – rather than putting it at risk

“It builds a future based on growth and jobs – rather than leaving people to a decade of austerity.

“It sets out a clear plan to halve the deficit while protecting frontline services. The Conservatives refuse to match our pledge and continue to conceal their plan.

“We will make these choices in a fair way – standing up for the many, not the few

Kevin McKeever challenged local Conservatives to come clean about their party’s plans:

“ The Conservatives must say how they would meet the challenge that we have set in this Budget.

“How much would the Tories cut from spending in 2010/11? The Tories won’t say.

“How quickly would the Tories halve the deficit? The Tories won’t say.

“By how much would the Tories reduce the structural deficit? The Tories won’t say.

“We’ve set out our plan. It is time for the Tories to come clean.”

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Kevin McKeever pledges support for NSPCC General Election campaign to protect children

Kevin McKeever, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Harborough, has pledged to support the NSPCC’s ‘I stand for children’ campaign which aims to make child protection a priority for the next Parliament.

Kevin said:  “As a candidate in Harborough I’m supporting the NSPCC’s new campaign to ensure protecting children is a political priority: I Stand for Children.”

The NSPCC’s campaign is calling on candidates to commit to a range of child protection measures including:

• Making the internet safer for children
• Continued funding of helpline services for children and for adults concerned about the safety or welfare of a child
• Tackling domestic violence from a child’s point of view
• Ensuring that vital child protection reforms are fully implemented and resourced, following the death of Baby Peter and other child deaths since
• Provision of resources for vital therapeutic services for children who have experienced abuse
• Strengthening the role of the children’s commissioner in England to act as a genuinely independent voice for children.

The charity’s Diana Sutton, head of the public affairs and campaigns unit at the NSPCC, said: “We need to make sure that the next elected Government keeps child protection high on its list of priorities. By signing up to our campaign, candidates in this next general election can help.  The public can play their role by letting the politicians know what they want done.”

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Independent statistics, collated and released by the Labour Party today, show unemployment rates in Harborough District and Oadby & Wigston today and during the previous UK recession in 1992. The figures highlight the importance of maintaining support for the economy and for those who lose their jobs at this difficult time.

During the recession in 1992 the percentage of the working age population who were unemployed here in Harborough stood at 4.1% compared to 2.1% today; in Oadby & Wigston 4.1% in ’92 compared to 2.9% today; and in the East Midlands as a whole from 7.6% compared to 4% during this recession.
Every job lost in Harborough is a real tragedy, for that person and their family. That is exactly why the Labour Government will continue to do everything we can to protect communities across Leicestershire from the recession, support people back into work and to get the economy growing again.

During this difficult period, Labour is taking action to help people here in Harborough back into work and supporting businesses and homeowners. Direct assistance like the business tax deferral scheme and mortgage assistance and advice will provide real help to local people.

While these figures suggest the measures Labour has taken are having an effect here in Harborough, there is absolutely no room for complacency. While the economy is fragile, it is crucial that we maintain support both for the local economy here in Harborough, regionally and nationally. To cut back on the fiscal stimulus, like the Tories are suggesting, would again be the wrong call at the wrong time.

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Kevin McKeever, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Harborough, is looking for a motivated self-starter with an interest in developing community organising skills to assist on this year’s General Election campaign.

This voluntary role will assist with a variety of tasks which may include:

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It was with great sadness that I learned of the sudden death of David Taylor, Member of Parliament for nearby North West Leicestershire. My thoughts are with his wife and daughters at this difficult time.

David was respected for his strong, independent views, and has been described by many as the perfect example of the principled backbencher.

Commenting on the sad death of David Taylor MP on Boxing Day, Gordon Brown said:

‘David was one of the most hard working MPs locally and nationally – a great representative who felt and spoke up for the needs of his constituents.

“David has been a strong campaigner and representative of his community for decades – serving first as a District Councillor and since 1997 as the Labour and Co-Op MP. When I visited his constituency a few weeks ago I found enormous respect and admiration for what he has achieved as a local member of parliament.

“He was voted backbencher of the year in 2007 for his indefatigable campaigning, constant attendance in the Commons and his independence of mind – no greater tribute can be made to David’s lasting legacy as a local champion for North West Leicestershire.

“David’s contribution will be sorely missed by his friends, colleagues and constituents.

“Sarah and I are thinking today of his wife, Pamela,  their four daughters and their wider family.”

Phil Hope MP, Regional Minister for the East Midlands, said:

“I am shocked and saddened at this news and my thoughts are with his family at this time.

“He was a great campaigner in the East Midlands, a very caring person and a popular local MP who believed deeply in the principles of social justice and co-operation. He will be much missed.”

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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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