Tory calls for more permanent school expulsions

http://www.runcornandwidnesweeklynews.co.uk/runcorn-widnes-news/runcorn-widnes-local-news/2008/11/24/tory-calls-for-more-permanent-school-expulsions-55368-22332952/

EDUCATION chiefs have rejected claims that more pupils should have been expelled for incidents in the borough’s schools last year.

Figures released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families show that 630 pupils were temporarily excluded from school in Halton during 2006-07.
Of these, 123 were sent home for assaulting other pupils, 41 for assaulting adults, and 13 for alcohol and drug offences.

That year also saw 194 excluded for “persistent disruptive behaviour”, 133 for verbal abuse against adults, 17 for bullying, 11 for sexual misconduct, and five for racist abuse.

Ben Jones, prospective Conservative MP for Halton, said that more excluded pupils should have been permanently expelled. He said: “Many teachers are doing their best to maintain discipline, but it’s unbelievable that, here in Halton, so many bullies are being allowed back into the classroom. “The victims of bullying shouldn’t have to put up with
seeing their tormentors stroll back into the classroom after a few days away from school.”

A Halton Borough Council spokesman, said: “The incidents leading to the fixed term exclusion of pupils exist on a wide spectrum of seriousness. Permanent exclusion is a sanction that is rightly reserved for incidents at the most serious end of this spectrum.

The hard work starts here

Last night I was given the honour of being adopted by the Halton Conservative Association as their prospective parliamentary candidate.

I am absolutely delighted and humbled by the faith they have put in me and will repay that faith with 100% commitment and dedication.

I am looking forward to working with all our councillors and members to give Halton the representation it deserves, in Parliament and on the Council. Together we will take the fight to Labour and Liberals- the hard work starts here!

I would also like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates who were unsuccessful last evening. They are all outstanding individuals who will do our Party and our country proud when they are selected.

A lifetime of service

Senator John McCain showed this morning the dignity and good grace in defeat that many of us have admired in him for many years. He came up short on election day but his outstanding contribution to this campaign and his years of service to his country are undimished.

I like so many others think how different the last eight years could have been if he had won the Republican nomination in 2000.

"Renewal as well as change"

Regardless of your politics, today is a truly historic day.

Barrack Obama's stunning victory in the US Presidential election sends a clear message to politicians around the world. His message of hope, renewal and change has resonated with the United States, and in parts few thought he could reach. The sight of thousands of Americans, some of whom were voting for the first time, queuing for hours (often in the rain), to have their voices heard was moving and humbling. I hope this renewal of the democratic process in the US, after engaging and enthralling primary and election campaigns will now be felt in Britain. We need to reinvigorate our politics and offer the British people the sort of hope and choice that the US has been given.

That, however, is for another day. Today we should congratulate President-elect Obama on his magnificent victory and wish him every success as he prepares to take up his great office.

Eight days out

We are just over a week from the US Presidential election and Barrack Obama looks to be on course for a historic victory.

It is incredible how the course of the campaign has changed so dramatically along with the economic turbulence gripping the world. As attention switched to the economy (stupid!) John McCain has struggled to convince America that despite all his experience and years of service he has the answers and can provide the change Americans are looking for. Given Gordon Brown's current poll ratings (despite the frankly ludicrously positive press coverage he has received in recent weeks) it may be that Britain will draw the same conclusion; to get real change you need to vote for it.

Economical with the truth

Despite living through the last 14 years of New Labour I admit to being surprised at the extent of the recent spin over economic policy. It is amazing (although I know I should not be surprised) that suddenly the Prime Minister and his Chancellor tell us that this was part of the master plan all along; the massive borrowing and mountains of debt was all for a logical, sensible reason. It was all because that's what Keynes advised governments to do in a downturn.

I think most of us are finding that a spin too far, even allowing for Peter Mandelson's recent return to the fold.

Gimmicks

I am delighted to see Gordon Brown following David Cameron's lead in taking key meetings out of London with a proposed Cabinet meeting in Liverpool in early 2009. I do think however the people of Liverpool would be more impressed if the Prime Minister showed the sort of commitment to the city that David Cameron, Chris Grayling and the Conservative Party have been showing for the past three years. They have been listening to the people of Liverpool and proposing real solutions to our society's problems that would make a real difference across the city.

The people of Liverpool will not be fooled by this cheap political stunt by a desperate Prime Minister, who is more worried about lost Labour votes than tackling real issues for Liverpool.

Deckchairs on the Titanic?

Today marks an extraordinary day for Gordon Brown and his government with the re-appointment of Peter Mandelson to the Cabinet. As the country is crying out for answers and leadership in the face of the current financial crisis and following the Prime Minister's promise of an open and spin-free approach to government, he has turned to the twice-resigned, former spin doctor to revive his economic and political fortunes. This looks a desperate act from a desperate man.

In creating a new national economic committee, the Prime Minister claims to be "reinventing government". This is frankly bizarre. I believe the British people would simply settle for Gordon Brown managing the government as it stands and tackling the problems we face with clarity and purpose. Today is further evidence that Gordon Brown may know the questions we face as a nation but he has none of the answers.

Overdue change

I welcome the news today that Sir Ian Blair has resigned as Commissioner of the Met. I also welcome the role that the Mayor of London has played in bringing Sir Ian's increasingly flawed reign to an end.

What I do regret is that Sir Ian did not feel that his conduct in the role over recent months and years had warranted resignation before the Mayor's welcome intervention this week. As someone who lives in London and wants to see the highest standards in public life maintained, I have watched with growing despair as the Commissioner has limped (arrogantly in my view) from crisis to crisis undermining public confidence in the Force (not a Service!) and the office he has held.

I welcome this chance for fresh leadership. I hope that the Mayor and the Home Secretary can work together now to make a speedy and positive appointment. Call me old fashioned, but I would like someone appointed who focuses more on catching criminals and making London safer than political correctness and social engineering.

Come together

It was clear to those of us in Birmingham this week that the Party Conference was overshadowed by the global financial crisis. That was both understandable and right. Britain, along with many other countries, is facing uncertain economic times that don't just affect the bankers and the money men of the City, but our own financial circumstances, mortgages, and pensions. It is right for the media and the public to be concerned and look to the Conservative Party for it's response and ideas.

This week I have been very proud of my Party and our Leaders who have risen to this challenge and put the national interest before party politics. I hope to see this continue as we work with the government to steer Britain through these turbulent economic waters.