Friday, 12 November 2010
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Great news for Halton
I am absolutely delighted with the news from this week's Spending Review that the Mersey Gateway project is being supported by the Treasury.
The hard work done by Halton Borough Council, the Mersey Gateway Team (led by Steve Nicholson), and local and national politicians of all parties looks to have paid off. They all deserve great credit for their commitment and endurance during this long campaign.
It is also a great tribute to this Government, who has recognised that although paying down the deficit (after Labour's decade of debt) is our priority, so too is investing in key capital projects which will deliver jobs and prosperity for our country. As I have written many times before, the Mersey Gateway project will benefit not just the people of Halton, but the whole North West region.
In these dark economic days, this is a ray of bright shining light. Well done to everyone involved.
The hard work done by Halton Borough Council, the Mersey Gateway Team (led by Steve Nicholson), and local and national politicians of all parties looks to have paid off. They all deserve great credit for their commitment and endurance during this long campaign.
It is also a great tribute to this Government, who has recognised that although paying down the deficit (after Labour's decade of debt) is our priority, so too is investing in key capital projects which will deliver jobs and prosperity for our country. As I have written many times before, the Mersey Gateway project will benefit not just the people of Halton, but the whole North West region.
In these dark economic days, this is a ray of bright shining light. Well done to everyone involved.
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Chancellor supports Mersey Gateway
I was really pleased to hear the Chancellor's supportive comments last week about the Mersey Gateway project, describing it as an ‘incredibly important project’.
We all know how difficult the economic climate is within government and what a mess the Labour government left us with. We also know how important this project is for Halton and the north west; delivering jobs and investment that will build a long term legacy of growth for the region.
During my time as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate in Halton I gave my full support to the project, trying to use whatever influence I had with the key decision-makers.
I hope that the new government will be able to support the Mersey Gateway despite the disastrous economic situation it has inherited.
We all know how difficult the economic climate is within government and what a mess the Labour government left us with. We also know how important this project is for Halton and the north west; delivering jobs and investment that will build a long term legacy of growth for the region.
During my time as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate in Halton I gave my full support to the project, trying to use whatever influence I had with the key decision-makers.
I hope that the new government will be able to support the Mersey Gateway despite the disastrous economic situation it has inherited.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
New leader. New Labour?
I would like to congratulate Ed Miliband on his election as Leader of the Labour Party.
But the closeness of his victory- only made possible by the strong support of the trade unions- raises questions about whether he really has a strong enough mandate to deliver change for his party. If he now focuses on repaying the unions for their support, ditching New Labour and lurching to the left, then he will take the Labour Party on a huge backward leap. He also has to prove to the country how he can be the solution to our economic and social problems, when he was part of the team that got us into this mess, and one of the few members of the Cabinet who appeared to support Gordon Brown.
His election yesterday begs lots of questions. How he answers them over the coming months will determine whether the centre ground of British politics is a lonely place.
But the closeness of his victory- only made possible by the strong support of the trade unions- raises questions about whether he really has a strong enough mandate to deliver change for his party. If he now focuses on repaying the unions for their support, ditching New Labour and lurching to the left, then he will take the Labour Party on a huge backward leap. He also has to prove to the country how he can be the solution to our economic and social problems, when he was part of the team that got us into this mess, and one of the few members of the Cabinet who appeared to support Gordon Brown.
His election yesterday begs lots of questions. How he answers them over the coming months will determine whether the centre ground of British politics is a lonely place.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Liverpool FC
I have always tried to avoid blogging about Liverpool FC for fear that once I start, I will not be able to stop! But this week I feel I have to break the habit.
Wednesday night's result was desperate. Our start to the season has been awful. Roy Hodgson has inherited a club, and a team,,in a mess.
Until the ownership issue is resolved properly, and the off the field uncertainty is removed, we will struggle to find the consistency we need on the field. But we must also remember that although Roy has made some moves in the transfer market (which look so far to have been very positive) he has a huge job ahead to clear out some of the dross he was left by the previous manager.
This dross not only creates short-term selection problems, but a longer-term drain on the wage bill. We have too many overpaid, under-achieving players. It is very simple. The players we currently have (apart from a small few) are not good enough.
Liverpool fans do not need me to list the players who are not fit to play for the club, or to state the obvious areas in the squad we need to invest. What we do need is to back our new manager with time and support, hope for a speedy resolution to boardroom uncertainty, and hold our nerve through this rocky period. It is a long, dark winter ahead, but I believe there will be a golden sky at the end.
Wednesday night's result was desperate. Our start to the season has been awful. Roy Hodgson has inherited a club, and a team,,in a mess.
Until the ownership issue is resolved properly, and the off the field uncertainty is removed, we will struggle to find the consistency we need on the field. But we must also remember that although Roy has made some moves in the transfer market (which look so far to have been very positive) he has a huge job ahead to clear out some of the dross he was left by the previous manager.
This dross not only creates short-term selection problems, but a longer-term drain on the wage bill. We have too many overpaid, under-achieving players. It is very simple. The players we currently have (apart from a small few) are not good enough.
Liverpool fans do not need me to list the players who are not fit to play for the club, or to state the obvious areas in the squad we need to invest. What we do need is to back our new manager with time and support, hope for a speedy resolution to boardroom uncertainty, and hold our nerve through this rocky period. It is a long, dark winter ahead, but I believe there will be a golden sky at the end.
In Conference!
We are now in the midst of Conference season. Earlier this week I was in Liverpool for meetings at the Lib Dem conference; the first time I have attended our coalition partner's annual gathering.
It was pleasing on two fronts; firstly, to see Liverpool do a magnificent job at hosting such a large scale event (testament to the huge development in hotel and conference facilities in recent years), and secondly to feel a genuine mood of commitment to the coalition delivering its five year programme.
Although politics is a fickle business and the media love to talk about divisions and splits, I saw a real sense of unity and determination to finish what we have started in the national interest. I am looking forward now to Birmingham!
It was pleasing on two fronts; firstly, to see Liverpool do a magnificent job at hosting such a large scale event (testament to the huge development in hotel and conference facilities in recent years), and secondly to feel a genuine mood of commitment to the coalition delivering its five year programme.
Although politics is a fickle business and the media love to talk about divisions and splits, I saw a real sense of unity and determination to finish what we have started in the national interest. I am looking forward now to Birmingham!
Heart speaks unto heart
Last week's Papal visit to Britain was a triumph. It showed the Holy Father at his best; kind, gentle and thoughtful, spreading huge amounts of joy wherever he went.
I hope that the unfair image of him as a stern and cold man will now be banished. For a man in his eighties to keep that hectic schedule during his visit with a constant smile and warmth for those who had come to see him was to his great credit.
The highlight of the visit for me was the Pope's visit to a nursing home in Vauxhall. To take time to go to see some of the oldest and frailest members of our community, who were unable to travel to see him, to spread his message of faith and love was really moving.
I hope we do not have to wait another 28 years for another visit.
I hope that the unfair image of him as a stern and cold man will now be banished. For a man in his eighties to keep that hectic schedule during his visit with a constant smile and warmth for those who had come to see him was to his great credit.
The highlight of the visit for me was the Pope's visit to a nursing home in Vauxhall. To take time to go to see some of the oldest and frailest members of our community, who were unable to travel to see him, to spread his message of faith and love was really moving.
I hope we do not have to wait another 28 years for another visit.
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Northern Ireland
The recent upsurge in dissident republican activity is a cause for concern but we should try and keep it in perspective.
The people perpetrating this recent violence, and probably planning more, have no constituency. They represent no community and no strand of public opinion. They represent only the past and not the future.
The people of Northern Ireland have spoken and chosen peace, democracy and leaders who can work together for the common good. For those of us who love Ireland, north and south, we hope that all sides of the community will continue to reject these extremists who offer nothing but a return to dark passages and sad days.
The people perpetrating this recent violence, and probably planning more, have no constituency. They represent no community and no strand of public opinion. They represent only the past and not the future.
The people of Northern Ireland have spoken and chosen peace, democracy and leaders who can work together for the common good. For those of us who love Ireland, north and south, we hope that all sides of the community will continue to reject these extremists who offer nothing but a return to dark passages and sad days.
A mosque at Ground Zero?
The question of whether a mosque should be built at Ground Zero in New York is not for me a moral question; it is one of pragmatism and sensitivity.
I believe that people should have the right to worship freely and without prejudice, but there can be little doubt that a mosque built at Ground Zero will cause upset and offence, not least to the families of those who were murdered by the 9/11 hi-jackers, who killed in the name of their twisted form of Islam. Those families and all affected by the events of that terrible day deserve to be shown some sensitivity.
I think that common sense should prevail and the mosque be built elsewhere.
I believe that people should have the right to worship freely and without prejudice, but there can be little doubt that a mosque built at Ground Zero will cause upset and offence, not least to the families of those who were murdered by the 9/11 hi-jackers, who killed in the name of their twisted form of Islam. Those families and all affected by the events of that terrible day deserve to be shown some sensitivity.
I think that common sense should prevail and the mosque be built elsewhere.
The Pope’s visit
The build-up to the Pope’s visit to Britain has not been without controversy. I am hoping His Holiness’ visit goes well, not just because I am a Catholic, but because if it does, it will reflect well on our country and our values of tolerance, respect and openness.
The Pope is not just a religious leader but also a Head of State and as such is entitled to be welcomed here with the same grace and respect as any other world leader. He is also entitled to be welcomed and heard without some of the unpleasantness and intolerance that has been shown towards him and his forthcoming visit in recent weeks. Sadly, I expect to see this anti-Catholic, anti-Pope vitriol to increase over the next few weeks. This is regrettable.
I do not expect everyone in Britain to support the Church or the views the Pope takes, or to suppress their strong views in our free society, but I hope that they will be tolerant, respectful and fair to the Pope. I would expect other faith leaders to receive the same treatment; why should the Pope be any different?
The Pope is not just a religious leader but also a Head of State and as such is entitled to be welcomed here with the same grace and respect as any other world leader. He is also entitled to be welcomed and heard without some of the unpleasantness and intolerance that has been shown towards him and his forthcoming visit in recent weeks. Sadly, I expect to see this anti-Catholic, anti-Pope vitriol to increase over the next few weeks. This is regrettable.
I do not expect everyone in Britain to support the Church or the views the Pope takes, or to suppress their strong views in our free society, but I hope that they will be tolerant, respectful and fair to the Pope. I would expect other faith leaders to receive the same treatment; why should the Pope be any different?
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