Dealing with Labour smears

I know it is election time, but I have to say the smears in the recent editions of the local newspapers from Labour party activists greatly sadden me. It seems clear that their actions have two purposes: firstly to distract attention away from Bill Rammell's own disappointing role in the MPs expenses scandal, and second; a somewhat sinister attempt to distract from the serious issues in Harlow.

I do thank them for one thing: they have given me a chance to respond tin a straight manner to fair-minded blog readers.

Regarding donations to Harlow Conservatives, it is well known that donations above £500 are declared by law to the Electoral Commission and published on their website for all to see. Unlike the Labour MP, I don't get expenses or thousands of pounds of taxpayers money to spend on literature. Therefore we have to raise funds in order to produce
leaflets, to set out our message to voters.

The only donation Conservatives have ever had from Lord Ashcroft's company was over 5 years ago. It was declared perfectly proper and lawful by the Electoral Commission. It seems astonishing to many that Labour get so worked up about this, yet they turn a blind eye to their own donations of up to £10.5 million from non-domicile taxpayers.

So why is it Labour members try to smear, rather than discuss the serious issues? Well, I think decent residents know the answer to this as well.

After 14 years of a Labour Government, one in five Harlow children are living on the breadline, in workless families - according to the charity Save the Children. [1] Harlow also has massively higher ratesof infant mortality than most other towns in Essex: nearly double the rate of nearby Chelmsford. [2] Alcohol mortality is higher in Harlow

than anywhere else in Essex. [3] Violent crime nearly doubled in Harlow between 2001 and 2009 and burglaries were up by 25% in the same period. [4] [5] As Harlow Renaissance reports, unemployment has

climbed to 5.3% - around twice that of West Essex. [6]

Of course my opponents would rather these things were swept under thecarpet. But the public - correctly - will not allow this to happen. Local residents have a right to discuss and debate issues that matter to them, even if it does make uncomfortable reading to some.

P.S. See Notes below:

#1. http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/why-end-child-poverty/poverty-in-your-area#overview

#2. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTrendView.do?a=3&b=276963&c=harlow&d=13&e=6&f=20395&g=445992&i=1001x1003x1004x1005&l=1700&o=242&m=0&r=1&s=1268604397093&enc=1&adminCompId=20395&variableFamilyIds=5757&xW=964

#3. "Shaping the Future", p28 and p29.
http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/Library/files/planning/Local_Development_Framework/Evidence_Base/District_Profile/FINAL%20Shaping%20the%20Future.pdf

#4. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTrendView.do?a=3&b=276963&c=harlow&d=13&e=3&f=25628&g=445992&i=1001x1003x1004x1005&l=904&o=300&m=0&r=1&s=1268604538421&enc=1&adminCompId=25628&variableFamilyIds=6182&xW=964

#5. http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTrendView.do?a=3&b=276963&c=harlow&d=13&e=3&f=25628&g=445992&i=1001x1003x1004x1005&l=904&o=300&m=0&r=1&s=1268604538421&enc=1&adminCompId=25628&variableFamilyIds=6180&xW=964

#6. http://www.harlowrenaissance.co.uk/news-and-press/december-2009/current-economic-climate---state-of-the-sub-region.aspx

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

The Expenses scandal hits Harlow

As you will see from the Herald and the Star, the MPs expenses scandal has hit Harlow this week, with the local MP, Bill Rammell, coming under the spotlight. His claims for home decoration, kitchen sinks, food, council tax and TV licence fee are claims that most seem to have irked local residents in Harlow.

My own view, was published in the Star, and I reproduce it below:

"As far as the individual items Bill has claimed for, I think it should be left to his constituents to decide whether or not they feel each purchase was an appropriate use of taxpayers’ money.

One of the most disappointing things to have come out of the recent revelations is that he classes his London house as his main residence. It is a bit rich for him to criticise me for living in Roydon instead of Harlow while at the same time deeming his main home to be in London. It’s all very well for him to say he has stopped claiming the ACA and welcomes a shake-up of the expenses system, but it’'s like shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted.”

I feel aggrieved that the MP chose to attack me for living in Roydon - an essential part of the Harlow Constituency (as is Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing & Sheering) - when it has now emerged that he describes his 'main home' as being in London (probably also funded by the taxpayer). Harlow is deemed his 'second home' allowing him to make all the claims - as outlined in the local papers. Contrary, to what has been suggested, there is no 'requirement' on Ministers to make London their 'main home', and many Ministers have 'main homes' in their Constituencies.

As a Parliamentary candidate/Prospective MP, I dont get any expenses or funds from the taxpayer, or even any kind of wage, and I entirely fund my home, by myself (like most people). I live in Roydon for a few reasons, the most important being that I was able to live in a ground floor flat - at reasonable cost. My walking disability makes stairs very difficult, and this ground floor dwelling is an absolute blessing.

In previous columns on my blog, I have been at pains to mention that this expenses problem has afflicted all parties and some Conservatives have found themselves - like Mr Rammell - in very hot water. However, it is very disappointing that the Harlow MP has seemingly taken advantage of the expenses and allowances available, for all they are worth, whilst giving out an image that is somewhat 'holier than thou'.

Even a Labour Party member (Pat Roberts), has been moved to make a public statement to the Harlow Star:

"I have known Bill for many years.........what he has done may be within the law, but as an MP having been brought up in a working class town with huge social problems, he should be more aware that he should not have claimed expenses such as those for a partial makeover on his own home. MPs take a lot of credit for their success stories, they must also face up to and take the consequences when they have failed us".

Mr Rammell should publish all his expenses online, since he was an MP (as many other Parliamentarians are now doing). He should also call a Public Meeting for all his constituents, so they can question him on his expense claims, so he can justify all the decisions he has made, in the way he has spent hard-earned taxpayer's money.

P.P.S. More details of Mr Rammell's expenses can be found HERE and HERE.

P.P.S. The Liberal Democrats' statement about the MP's expenses (also in the Star), was as follows:

“Bill owes his constituents a sincere apology for the way he has spent their money over the years and I think he should pay it all back. The fact he has made these claims according to the rules is neither here nor there; he should have realised his actions were immoral and unnecessary. Why should the taxpayer foot the bill every time he decides to redecorate his home or goes to the supermarket? It’s difficult to have any faith in him as an MP when you see the way he has exploited this privileged position for his own benefit."

P.P.P.S. I have written a number of articles about the fallout from the expenses saga, and what can be done to make a difference. You can read them HERE and HERE.

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com

After the European Elections

In my last posting, I mentioned the good results the Conservatives had in the elections for Essex County Council. This was repeated in the European Elections, with Conservatives coming top in Harlow and across the Eastern Region in general. Nevertheless, looking at the European results again in the cold light of day, it was clear that there was a big swing against the established parties, in favour of some of the smaller fringe parties. I am not surprised that this has ocurred given the expenses scandal in Parliament, and the anger felt by everyone to some of the abuse of taxpayer's money by some of our more greedy MPs.

The good thing about democracy, and particularly mid-term elections, is that it allows everyone to register a protest and say "enough is enough".I wish, though, the BNP had not had had such a good showing - including winning two Euro-Parliamentary seats in the North of England from Labour. The BNP stand for the politics of hatred and division and must be confronted head-on. The Government's failure to develop a coherent immigration policy, its appeasement of extremist Islamism and its populist rhetoric (remember when Gordon Brown said "British jobs for British workers" - now a BNP election slogan), explains some of the rise in BNP vote.

But it was not just expenses or immigration issues that people were voting about: the broken economy, rising crime, failing public services, and disenchantment with Gordon Brown were all motivating factors. For my part, as Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Harlow, it is my job to persuade the voting public, that the only way to get rid of Gordon Brown and the Labour Government is by voting Conservative. The local and European results were an important step in acheiving that goal.

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Reflections on the expenses scandal

As someone deeply involved in politics, I have been following every piece of news about the expenses scandal and, like most Harlow voters, find it deeply depressing. As a Parliamentary Candidate, I get no wages or expenses from the taxpayer - or the Conservative Party - and have been amazed to learn of some of the things that MPs from all parties have been claiming for. A Duck Island, fake mortgages, interior designers, tax accountants etc. etc. It is almost unbelievable.

There is something deeply rotten at Westminster, that so many MPs thought that they could get away with these things for so long. Moreover, all of this has happened at a time, when people are suffering more than ever because of the broken economy. How can it be that some venal MPs have been able to cushion themselves against the economic hardships, faced by so many people?

It has been my dream to be an MP since I was a child. As a boy, I would often go to Parliament and watch comings and goings. I had a romantic view of Westminster with its ancient building and what I thought were its honourable traditions and eccentric ways. I always wanted a chance to serve my country and a constituency such as Harlow. To help people with their problems, particularly the most disadvantaged, whilst having a serious platform (the Commons) in which one could campaign on relevant local issues - as well as other things that I care about such as education, housing, literacy, the rise of extreme Islamism, and mass genocide.

I have to admit that over the last three weeks, my romanticism about Parliament and MPs has taken a severe knock. Can MPs who have milked and abused their expenses, really be called Honourable Members? Do we have a Parliament of which we can be proud - of which once was the envy of the world? I think not. I almost dread watching the news and hearing about the latest scandal.

If there is some good to come out of all this, it certainly won't be achieved just by tightening up the system of expenses and allowances - although of course this needs to happen. Much deeper reform is needed to return Parliament back to the people and to re-engage voters with politics.

For a start, there should be many more free votes for MPs , so they can vote according to their conscience and what is best for their constituency, rather than do what they are told by the party. MPs should not be demonised if they rebel against their party policies.

Second, MPs who have been proven to be corrupt, or have abused Parliament, should be sanctioned by the Speaker. Not only should they lose their salaries, but the Speaker should be able to give permission for voters in the Constituency to collect signatures for an instant by-election. If over 50% of signatures are collected, a by-election would occur.

Third, Parliament needs to be much stronger. The reason why our economy is broken and our public services in decay is because Gordon Brown and Tony Blair had such a big majority in the Commons, they were able to do whatever they wanted without significant checks and balances. The result is disaster. We now live in a country of high debt, high unemployment and high taxes, with huge problems affecting our hospitals, policing, schools and transport system. MPs need to have more power to challenge Government.

Fourth, we should attempt to re-engage voters in politics, by making the House of Lords democratic and 50 percent of the Lords Chamber, handed over to the people. Every voter would be given a pin number in which they could vote on legislation currently before the Lords, with the voting and information being supplied on the Internet. In order not to undermine the legitimacy of the House of Commons, the Lords would still only have amending and delaying power, with the final decision being taken by the Commons.

Fifth, we should scrap all these ridiculous regional quangos and unelected assemblies - many of which are a huge waste of taxpayer's money. All the powers they have, should be pushed down to local Council level. Other Government powers that are not essential to national security and the national economy should also be devolved to local councils. Local people should have more chances to organise referenda on key issues of the day.

Sixth, we should stop handing our powers to Brussels. The Lisbon Treaty (the new European Constitution) is unacceptable). Parliament should have control over its laws and not keep ceding its powers to the European Union, which is far too unaccountable, unwieldy, and too often acts against the best interests of Britain. What is the point of having a Parliament, if we don't control our own affairs?

The expenses scandal gives politicians a real chance to reform Parliament, increase voter participation and elect MPs who are truly honourable men and women. There is a great opportunity here. Lets not miss it.

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com

We need a General Election now

Given the events of recent weeks, I have come to the view that the only way to assuage public anger about the expenses scandal and broken economy is for a general election to be held now.

Like most people in Harlow and the surrounding villages, I felt a sense of trepidation and outrage when I read all the stories about the expenses of elected Parliamentarians from all Parties.

As prospective candidate I don't get any wages, allowances or expenses from the taxpayer. Even worse than the abuse of expenses is the virtual fraud that has been perpetrated on the taxpayer from MPs allegedly claiming for mortgages that have already been paid. This scandal has done so much to add to the ever-increasing contempt felt by people towards politicians of all colours.

When I go out and about on the doorsteps in Harlow and the villages, some people say to me that 'politicians are all the same' and "if voting changed anything, they would abolish it.

As someone who is standing for a third time in Harlow, I am working hard to prove otherwise. Nevertheless it is going to take a long time to repair this damage and rebuild trust between politicians and the public.

The great tragedy of all this is that there are many honest and decent politicians out there who do work hard in Parliament and for their constituencies, yet they are lumped together with all the rotten apples.

As I have said before, I am pleased that Conservative Party leader David Cameron is taking a strong stance on the expenses saga.

Not only has he ordered any Conservative with questionable expenses to pay the money back, but he has warned that they will be sacked as Conservative MPs if they refuse to do so.

Moreover, Mr Cameron has guaranteed that every Conservative MP should publish all their expenses on-line- something I will be sure to do if elected.

This is a necessary step. The Conservative Party is changing. No individual should be allowed to hold us back from being a proper political movement based on decent values - one which leads by example.

The only way for the situation to be resolved is for a General Election to be called now so people can throw out those who have abused the hard-pressed taxpayer.

I f you agree with me and want an early election, please sign the online petition at http://www.conservatives.com/Campaigns/Sign_for_Change/Petition_Item.aspx

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

The Expenses Scandal

I must admit feeling a sense of trepidation earlier in the week - when I read all the stories about the expenses of elected Parliamentarians from all Parties, (as Prospective MP I don't get any wages, allowances or expenses from the taxpayer and have clarified my position in a previous blog posting).

Yesterday I thought it was all over as far as the stories were concerned. I now read in today's newspapers that a former Labour Minister has claimed £16,000 for a mortgage that had allegedly already been paid.

This scandal has done so much to add to the ever-increasing contempt felt by people towards politicians of all colours. When I go out and about on the doorsteps in Harlow and the villages, some people say to me that "politicians are all the same... and if voting changed anything, they would abolish it". As someone who is standing for a third time in Harlow, I am working hard to prove otherwise.

Nevertheless, it is going to take a long time to repair this damage and rebuild trust between politicians and the public. The great tragedy of all this is that there are many honest and decent politicians out there, who do work hard in Parliament and for their Constituencies, yet they are lumped together with all the rotten apples.

That is why I was glad that David Cameron has taken a strong stance on the expenses scandal. Not only has he ordered any Conservative with questionable expenses to pay the money back, but has warned that they will be sacked as Conservative MPs if they refuse to do so. This is a necessary step. The Conservative Party is changing. No individual should be allowed to hold us back from being a proper political movement based on decent values - one which leads by example.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Duties, Allowances and Expenses of a Prospective MP

On the 27 March, I posted this blog, and given the current situation about MPs expenses, I thought I would post it again below:

"Given the controversy over MPs expenses (see the Harlow Star this week), and because I am often asked what I get as Prospective MP, I thought it might be useful to set out to readers what exactly is the situation in my case:

As Prospective MP for Harlow over the last two elections - in 2001 and 2005, I have worked for local residents across the Constituency on a voluntary basis. Since being re-selected as Prospective MP in November 2005, I have continued to do my duties unpaid. These responsibilities include, casework (assisting residents with problems), campaigning on issues that matter to local people, visiting and actively supporting community organisations and working with my local Conservative Party.

I receive no money from the taxpayer for my political duties. I get no salary or expenses, save a very small amount for petrol (£50 per month from private funds) - as I drive around the Constituency on a regular basis. I have no paid staff and rely on volunteers.

Occasionally, when we raise funds, some payment is given to individuals for special projects or ad-hoc work - for example, building an internet site or other forms of communication. All Leaflets and Correspondence sent out by myself or the Harlow Conservatives are financed entirely by private donations, from Conservative HQ and through fund-raising by the local party.

All donations are registered with the Electoral Commission as required by law".

Please email me if you have any further questions about this at halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com

P.S. If you want to read what David Cameron has said about the MPs expenses issue, please click on HERE

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com

New Blogspot from Cllr Andrew Johnson

I have just been sent this blogspot from Cllr Andrew Johnson in Harlow, Essex.
The story is unbelievable, judge for yourself!


Cllr Andrew Johnson