SPEAKING UP FOR POORER COMMUNITIES IN STOCKPORT

Prospective MP Stephen Holland has called for more to be done to help tackle poverty in parts of Stockport.

Stephen spent part of this weekend talking to residents in Bridgehall and Adswood.

Last December the Audit Commission gave Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council a “red flag” for the quality of life in its most deprived areas, meaning that it has significant concerns. It highlighted major concerns about the pockets of poverty across Stockport borough and called for radical help to deal with the quality of life in the borough’s most deprived areas.

A report from the National Equality Panel, published this month, has revealed that after 13 years of Labour Government inequality has grown to the highest levels seen since the Second World War.

Stephen said, “Under Labour, local communities have been hit hard by the closure of local post offices. It is unbelievable that Labour think they can claim to be the party of aspiration when their failure to tackle the causes of poverty has let down so many lives.

“More must be done to tackle inequality across Stockport in an effective manner. Conservatives will tackle the causes of poverty and inequality, not just the symptoms, through radical policies to address educational failure, family breakdown and worklessness.”

Why did Stockport’s Labour MP vote against the Conservatives’ motion to stop the compulsory closure of local post offices in Stockport?

STEPHEN HOLLAND VISITS STOCKPORT COLLEGE

Prospective MP for Stockport Stephen Holland visited Stockport College and met with College Principal Lynn Merilion to find out more about the way the College is adapting following Lynn’s appointment as Principal last year and the effects of the recession.

Stockport College is a major provider of post 16 education and training in Stockport and a key regional and national centre for a range of specialist courses. The College offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses from pre-GCSE to degree level.

Stephen said, “I am very grateful to Lynn for making the time to meet with me. I was particularly impressed by how the College is evolving to counteract the impact of the recession, not just in terms of dealing with the new build project following last year’s freeze, but also in focusing on providing the right courses to get the right skill set for Stockport’s employers.

“The vocational courses especially are key to Stockport’s local economy and it was clear that the College is working hard with other partners to meet that demand.” 

THANKS GORDON – HOW GORDON BROWN MADE THE RECESSION WORSE

‘This Chancellor is leading the rest of the world in taking us out of recession.’

(Gordon Brown, Hansard, 3 June 2009, Col 268)

Instead, the UK is the last G20 country to leave the recession. The reason is clear – Gordon Brown’s misjudgements have made the recession worse. 

(1). Thanks to Gordon Brown, the UK entered the downturn with one of the largest deficits in the developed world.

(2). The Labour Government is borrowing nearly £6,000 every second – undermining global confidence in the UK economy.

(3). The temporary VAT reduction failed – it undermined confidence, increased in the national debt and created unnecessary administrative costs for business.

(4). Over half of all the businesses that have gone bust in this recession have been pushed into insolvency by the Labour government.

(5). Gordon Brown’s failure to set out a credible plan for cutting the deficit has eroded confidence in the economy, undermined the recovery and put the UK’s credit rating at risk.

(6). Labour’s key recession business schemes have failed.

(7). New red tape introduced by Labour during the recession will cost £13 billion per year.

(8). Manufacturing output is at the lowest level for nearly twenty years, and exports have fallen more than in any other recession on record.

And now his ‘do nothing’ approach threatens the recovery

Stockport’s Labour MP is the Parliamentary Private Secretary of Gordon Brown’s Chancellor and works closely with him. Why doesn’t she resign from this position and back the people of Stockport?

LISTENING TO STOCKPORT’S CHARITIES ON DEBT

Prospective MP for Stockport Stephen Holland today met with some of the key organisations in Stockport to find out more about the impact of the recession on the lives of residents after figures from AGMA (the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) showed the number of jobs in Stockport Borough is not expected to return to the 2008 levels until 2017.

Stephen met with the Chief Officer of Stockport District Citizens Advice Bureau which offers free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on debt and money matters, welfare benefits, employment and housing. Last year Stockport District CAB celebrated its 70^th Year Anniversary.

Stephen said, “At the moment, with the economic recession and the debt worries people face across Stockport, the need for free debt advice in Stockport has never been stronger. Accessibility to this advice can make the critical difference to the lives of residents who find themselves in the most desperate circumstances.”

Stephen also met with the Chief Executive of Stockport MIND which is an independent adult mental health charity that offers friendly, accessible support and information to promote well-being in the community.

Stephen said, “The impact of the recession on the mental health of residents is all too often forgotten. Behind every statistic is a person or family, and the strain of the recession may not show until several months after it has ended.

“When I met these two organisations today, I was touched by the commitment of their staff and the volunteers who genuinely want to make a difference to other people’s lives.”

SAFER ROUTES IN STOCKPORT – MY LETTER TO THE STOCKPORT EXPRESS

Conservative Councillor Les Jones is right to highlight concern about icy pavements and roads during this winter’s cold snap (13 January 2010).

As we deliver our own leaflets at no cost to the taxpayer, I have seen firsthand the dangerous conditions for Stockport’s residents over the past few weeks. Following reports of low salt supplies across the UK, I have asked the Council for an assurance that it has enough grit for the winter.

I have also pressed for better provision of gritting in future, particularly for residents who live on hilly roads, for routes into business parks such as Station Road in Heaton Mersey and Stockport Market, and for Stockport’s pavements. Pavements are often forgotten and they are used by the elderly and children.

The Council workers who put their own lives at risk when they go out gritting are to be commended. They can only grit what they can within the budget set by the Lib Dem-run Council. Whilst the Lib Dem-run Council may not be able to predict the weather, more must be done to protect the health and safety of residents and businesses that pay their rates.

STEPHEN HOLLAND
Prospective Conservative MP for Stockport

WE WANT OUR REPLANTING – STANDING UP FOR STOCKPORT

Prospective Conservative MP Stephen Holland is continuing to stand up for local residents living next to and along the one-mile stretch of track in Heaton Moor and Heaton Chapel.

Stephen has consistently pressed Network Rail over the tree-felling on 7 February 2009, 4 May 2009, 4 September 2009 and 20 November 2009. Stephen also attended a site visit on 14 October with local residents, a representative from Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and representatives from Network Rail.

Stephen has asked for:

• An updated list of outcomes for each of the stretches identified in the list of gaps identified
• The gaps including those at the bridges of Warwick Road (behind Stephen), Heaton Moor Road and Buckingham Road, to be replanted with mature, dense shrubbery including hawthorn, hazel, holly and blackthorn as requested by local residents
• The replanting to take place before the end of February 2010

Stephen said, “I urge Network Rail to provide the list of outcomes and to push on with the replanting before the end of February. I am extremely concerned about the image presented by Network Rail to taxpayers given the delay and I share the anger and frustration of my local residents. The residents living within and beside the Heaton Moor Conservation Area in Stockport have been more than accommodating throughout this whole process.”

SALT SUPPLIES FOR STOCKPORT – STANDING UP FOR STOCKPORT

Prospective Conservative MP Stephen Holland has written to Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to ask for an assurance that the Council has access to enough salt supplies after it was reported that salt supplies are running low in Stockport. 

Last week heavy snowfall caused chaos as Stockport suffered its worst weather conditions in almost 30 years resulting in school closures, treacherous conditions on Stockport’s roads, aborted journeys for commuters, and suspension of refuse collection.  Stockport town centre ground to a complete halt as ice left traffic gridlocked and vehicles were abandoned.

It has been revealed that the Government ignored a report that could have helped prevent grit shortages. The report was published following the extreme weather conditions last winter and held 19 recommendations. Ministers dithered for months and only responded to the report as they saw the weather forecast, days before snow hit, leaving them little time to take any preventative action.

Stephen Holland who has been out leafleting in Stockport for the past two weekends said, “As we deliver our own leaflets at no cost to the taxpayer, I saw firsthand the dangerous conditions for Stockport’s residents. I have asked the Council for an assurance that it has enough grit for this winter.

“I have also pressed for better provision of gritting in future, particularly for those residents who live on hilly roads, for routes into business parks such as Station Road in Heaton Mersey and Stockport Market, and for Stockport’s pavements. I am particularly concerned about the elderly and children who use these icy pavements.

“Finally I would also like to commend the Council workers who put their own lives at risk when they go out gritting. After all they can only grit what they can within the budget set by the Lib Dem-run Council.”

BRITAIN NEEDS RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT

We need change to get the country back on its feet:

• Britain needs a strong, modern Prime Minister leading a united government. David Cameron has proved he offers that.
• Britain needs responsible economic policies that deal with our debts, so we have stability to get Britain working and keep mortgage rates and taxes lower.
• We will cut the deficit not the NHS because a strong NHS is the bedrock of a fair society.
• We will support aspiration so that people from every background, not just the rich, have the chance to get on in life. Our policies on schools and public health are designed to help the poorest in society, not the rich.
• We will support social responsibility and strong families so that we fix our broken society and the crime it brings.

Prospective Conservative MP for Stockport Stephen Holland said, “Britain can’t go on in these difficult times with a weak Prime Minister and a divided government. Both nationally and locally in Stockport Labour is falling apart. This year former Cabinet ministers are turning on Gordon Brown, whilst last year Stockport’s Mayor quit the Labour group after 35 years to sit as an independent. Conservatives are focused on getting Britain back on its feet. Stockport deserves better.”

THE NHS – OUR TOP PRIORITY

The Conservatives are the party of the NHS – it is our number one priority. 

We are the only party committed to protecting NHS spending. We will cut the deficit, not the NHS.

Our reform plans for the NHS include: 

• Protecting NHS spending – we are committed to real terms increases in health spending every year and will always make sure the NHS is supported with the funding it needs 
• A patient-centred NHS – we will scrap all of the politically-motivated process targets; make information available to give patients more choice; focus on tackling serious illnesses; and cut down on paperwork and transfer more resources to doctors and nurses on the frontline 
• A more accessible and accountable NHS – we will end the scandal of mixed-sex wards; increase the number of single rooms in hospitals; provide the drugs patients need; give people access to a doctor or nurse when the local family doctor’s surgery isn’t open; and give every five-year-old a dental check-up
• Improving the nation’s public health – we will deal with Labour’s health inequalities and allow everyone – on retirement – to protect their homes from being sold to fund residential care costs

Stephen said, “A Conservative Government will create an NHS based around the needs of patients, run according to the clinical judgements of healthcare professionals, not the preferences of politicians, with a greater focus on improving the nation’s public health.

“Above all, we are committed to spending on the NHS. I called on Alistair Darling and his team (which includes Stockport’s Labour MP) to protect NHS spending in their Pre-Budget Report, but they did not listen. Stockport’s residents deserve better.”

To see Stephen’s letter, please click here:

http://www.stephenholland.org.uk/2009/12/speaking-up-for-stockport-my-letter-to-the-chancellor-ahead-of-the-pre-budget-report-2009/

2010 – TIME FOR CHANGE IN STOCKPORT

Happy New Year! Last year was a busy year for me and other Conservatives in Stockport as I went round the constituency trying to meet as many residents as possible and pushing for the better quality of life that Stockport’s residents deserve after nearly 13 years of a Labour Government.

Juggling a job and being a parliamentary candidate can be demanding, but it is equally rewarding by being able to speak up for local residents on the issues that matter to them.

Some of my activities in Stockport last year included:

Commitment to National Campaigns: pledging to do my bit with The Royal British Legion for our British Armed Forces past and present and their families; and signing up to Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Commitment to help make the UK’s cancer outcomes among the best in Europe in the next ten years.

Local Campaigns: continuously working with the residents of Heaton Moor Conservation Area after the unacceptable tree-felling by Network Rail; campaigning to protect Stockport’s nine remaining post offices; working with local Conservative councillors for better community facilities in Heaton Chapel; and pushing for highways improvements in areas across Stockport.

Pushing the Labour Government: repeatedly calling on Alistair Darling and his team (which includes Stockport’s Labour MP) to do more for Stockport’s hard-pressed families and pensioners, and to get a grip on the escalating national debt; pressing the Health Secretary over the dirty ambulances and unacceptable inequalities in average life expectancy across Stockport; setting out my expenses’ pledge to the people of Stockport before the Government’s reforms; and calling on Alistair Darling and his team to do more for Stockport’s businesses instead of turning them into art galleries.

Pushing the Lib Dem-run Council: standing up for residents’ concerns about the new wheelie bin scheme in Cale Green, Heaton Mersey, Heaviley and other parts of Stockport; holding the Council to account for removing the public’s right to ask supplementary questions at meetings; pressing the Council to account for how council taxpayers’ money is being spent; and working to protect our green spaces by planting trees in Thornfield Park with local Conservative councillors and asking for all residents to have a greater say on planning applications such as at Woodbank Park.

Events & Meetings: including attending the Thornfield Park Fun Day; visiting the Heaton Mersey Harvest Fair & Farmers’ Market; paying my respects at the Stockport Remembrance Day Civic Service; attending the opening gala night at the Stockport Plaza; and speaking up for Stockport’s residents with the Manchester Airports Group, particularly residents in Edgeley, and the Stockport Neighbourhood Policing Team.

2010 can be the year of change. In Stockport it’s time for change!