Paul Rowen MP has slammed the decision of Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Health to close vital services at Rochdale Infirmary. Mr Johnson, despite asking for more time to consider the decision has merely rubber stamped it. As a result of Mr Johnson's decision Rochdale will lose it A & E, Maternity, Child-care and other vital services. Rochdale Infirmary will now become a cottage hospital.
Detailed research by the Liberal Democrats into the May election results across Shepway has shown that Labour got less that 2% of the valid votes across the district. Labour came SIXTH in terms of their vote across the area, trailing the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Shepway Independents, People First and Independents!
At the Liberal Democrat party conference next month, Sir Menzies Campbell and Shadow Home Secretary Nick Clegg will launch an attack on Britain's "surveillance society''. The party will use the conference to launch a campaign to roll back legislation which has gone too far. This includes the Identity Cards Act 2006, the creation of a national identity register and proposals for wide ranging data-sharing powers across Whitehall departments. At a rally on Sunday, and during a debate on Thursday, Liberal Democrats will also demand greater safeguards on CCTV cameras, DNA database, the Information Commissioner and intercept warrants.
Liberal Democrats Leader Sir Ming Campbell today launched a withering attack on the government for failing to learn the lessons of the recent floods. Sir Menzies visited a TriService Emergency Centre commended for dealing effectively with the flooding, but now threatened with closure. The same fate is faced by equally valuable fire and rescue services across the country. These closures are part of government plans to move the functions of 46 fire and rescue centres to just 9 regional command centres.
Local residents have been raising concerns about the future of rural post offices on MP Tim Farron's annual summer tour. Tim is visiting around 50 smaller towns and villages across the constituency as part of his summer tour, allowing him to visit some of the places which he doesn't normally reach with his regular advice surgeries.
Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Tuesday 21st August) gave their backing to comments by Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Nicol Stephen MSP who has has urged the Scottish Secretary to reconsider his view that there is no need to review the Scotland Act and no need for more powers for the Scottish Parliament.
