VIDEO: LibDem minister praises Harlow Conservatives

Today the LibDem Minister for Local Government agreed with me that freezing Council Tax was the best thing local Councils can do to help those with low incomes.

He went on to praise the Conservative Harlow council for freezing council tax not just for one year, or for two years - but for THREE YEARS RUNNING.

Please read my question and his answer below:

Robert Halfon (Harlow): Is it not the best way to help those on low incomes to freeze council tax, and is the Minister aware, that Harlow Conservative Council has frozen Council Tax not just for one year or two years, but for three years?


Local Government Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Andrew Stunell OBE): Clearly a good way of reducing the cost to the state, the Council Tax benefit system and the cost to the house holder is to freeze council tax. And I commend his Council for the work they've done. 

by Robert Halfon MP - Working Hard for Harlow.

Praise for Nick Clegg for taking swift action

Nick Clegg did the right thing today, by asking Baroness Tonge - the rogue Lib Dem peer pictured above - to "apologise or resign".

Following a video of her making outrageous comments about the democratic state of Israel, I wrote the following open letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, earlier today:

Dear Deputy Prime Minister,

As you may be aware, several media outlets are displaying videos of Baroness Tonge, the Liberal Democrat peer. The video shows her making the following comments:

“Beware Israel,” she says. “Israel is not going to be there forever on its present performance. One day the United States of America will get sick of giving £70 billion a year to Israel.” The Lib Dem peer goes on to say that she thought of Israel as “America’s aircraft carrier in the Middle East” but that one day people in the United States would say “enough is enough”.

She added: “It will not go on forever, it will not go on forever and Israel will lose its support, then they will reap what they have sown.”

Baroness Tonge has an appalling record of strong anti-Israel rhetoric. Too often, her remarks carry an offensive anti-Semitic tone. You will know this from personal experience, as you were forced to ask her to resign from the Liberal Democrat frontbench in 2010 following similar comments. As the time, you said that her comments were “wrong, distasteful and provocative”.

I know that, like me, the Liberal Democrats are supportive of a peaceful two-state solution in Israel and Palestine. Baroness Tonge’s remarks are hugely damaging and disruptive to those efforts. On this basis, I would ask that you consider withdrawing the whip from her with immediate effect.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Halfon MP

Nick Clegg deserves real credit for acting so quickly on this. Nothing should be allowed to undermine the Coalition Government's efforts to support a peaceful, two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.

by Robert Halfon - Working Hard for Harlow.

First Day in the Commons

A busy day, as I drove from Harlow to the House of Commons to get there for 0830 to begin induction for new MPs.

After showing various proofs of identity, I was given my House of Commons Pass, and various other documents and materials - in order to inform me as to what I needed to know about Parliamentary business. James Clappison MP (Hertsmere), kindly showed me around the voting lobbies, the Table Office (where MPs table Parliamentary Questions), and the Public Bill Office (which looks at Legislation). There is another two days of induction to go, with briefings and advice as to employment of staff and the like.

Although I have worked in and around Westminster for many years, much of this was new to me and it was fascinating to see the the mechanics of Parliament.

After dealing with many letters and emails, I then attended a meeting of the Parliamentary Party and David Cameron. The Tory leader explained to the party the decision to agree to a referendum on changing the voting system, in order to achieve a coalition with the Liberal Democrats. Our aim is to try and bring about a stable Government, and there has inevitably had to be some difficult concessions.

The next few days will show whether the Liberals agree, or prefer to prop up an ailing and failing Labour Party.


by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Victory in Lower Sheering

It has been a long Thursday. After many weeks of campaigning, it was the final day of the By-Election in Lower Sheering.Harlow and Epping Conservative activists were in Lower Sheering from 0700, campaigning for Charlotte Edwards, who was our candidate.

What was astonishing was that Labour did not even put up a Candidate to stand in this election - a symbol of how their grassroots infrastructure is falling apart. The Liberals, also, almost gave up the ghost. Despite putting up a Candidate (who, unlike Charlotte lived miles away from Sheering), did no real campaigning, not even bothering to put a leaflet around the ward.

I was really pleased to see that Charlotte romped home. She will make an excellent candidate. Part of Charlotte's victory was due to former Cllr Heather Harding who worked so hard in Lower Sheering - and did so much to lay the foundations for tonight's success.

The response we got on the doorstep was great - and a good sign for the General Election next year.

P.S. The Lower Sheering results were as follows:

Conservatives 302
Liberals 93

Charlotte's majority was 209


Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Harlowsave Credit Union in good health despite letter in the Harlow Star

I was pleased to visit the excellent Harlowsave Credit Union this morning and meet all the people who work there, to make the organisation such a success. I wanted to visit following the letter in the Harlow Star (the letter is in the E-edition- you will need to click on at the right hand side of the page), written by a Liberal Councillor who now lives far away from the town. Her letter implied that Harlowsave would be damaged by the compensation payment that it has to pay to the Financial Services Authority. Inevitably, those members of Harlowsave who read the Councillor's Letter would be significantly concerned that their savings or loans would be affected.

However, it is now clear that the Councillor's letter - no doubt well intentioned - is mis-informed. On the Harlowsave Credit Union website, they have published the following response:

"Open letter in response to the Star’s letter
-Levy on credit unions is unfair-

Contrary to the letter written by Councillor Lorna Spencely, the compensation payment, which Harlowsave is due to pay the FSA in September, will not adversely affect us. The amount due (of approximately £450) is well within our budgeted contribution which we regularly make to the FSA to protect our members (like all other credit unions). Therefore, this will not affect the services offered to our members and the wider community."

This is great news. Harlowsave does such tremendous work and is deeply rooted in the community. So many people depend on it for good value and fair loans, which means that they don't have to depend on loan sharks, or so called financial institutions offering loan interest rates of 160%.

What is brilliant about this Harlow Credit Union is that it is not owned by big business, or by shareholders, or even one or two wealthy individuals. It is an institution entirely owned by its members, all of whom are local to Harlow. Members' savings are pooled to form a sum of money, in which members can borrow when they need extra cash. Savers also get healthy dividends. when s many people are suffering becuase of the recession and unemployment, Harlowsave Credit Union represents an essential lifeline, that gives people a lifeline during difficult times.

I was struck by my visit just how passionate, all the staff members were, and also by the volunteer staff member, whose efficiency and organisation in signing me up could not have been better. In fact, I certainly wouldn't have got such service if I had queued up at a bank. I am very pleased now to be a member of Harlowsave and have now agreed to put aside a small sum every month to try and save some money.

P.S. The picture shows me at Harlowsave with staff and volunteers, as well as Emi, the youngest member of the Credit Union! Emi is the daughter of Jackie, who works as Membership Secretary in a professional capacity.

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