A few weeks ago Parliament voted to privatise key parts of the probation service and Labour MP's sitting opposite me cheered because they had narrowly forced this controversial measure through. More recently still Conservative and New Labour MP's - including all but Dennis Skinner here in Derbyshire - combined to ensure that Britain took a premature decision to renew the UK's nuclear deterrent for another 40 years.
Four British soldiers were killed today in a bomb blast in Basra, Iraq. Next Monday is the fourth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad in the Iraq War, the day the statue of Saddam Hussein in Firdos Square, Baghdad, was toppled, and the reign of Saddam was declared ended. It is also the day the Iraq government has designated as 'Iraqi Freedom Day'.
The New Romney and Lydd referendums have produced a massive response against Lydd Airport expansion. On a big turnout, the combined vote was 2 to 1 against the expansion plans with 2204 voting against the plans and 1137 for them.
After visiting the A & E department, and meeting key staff at the Royal Surrey, Sir Menzies Campbell, Leader of the Liberal Democrats has given strong support to the campaign to save the hospital.
Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary Nick Clegg MP and West Midlands Euro MP Liz Lynne came to Park Ward to support Robin Lawrence's "We Can Cut Crime" campaign. Robin told Mr Clegg that after hundreds of residents had returned his Crime Survey he had taken up their concerns with the Police and other authorities. Very many residents are now displaying his Community Safety cards.
Eastfield Lib Dem Councillors Brian O'Flynn and Brian Simpson are online with their blog http://eastfieldfirst.blogspot.com
