Archive for June 3rd, 2009

Hazel Blears’ Record of Failure For Salford People

Published by Iain on June 3, 2009 in National Comment and Salford. 0 Comments

Hazel Blears has jumped before she was pushed, and has resigned from her Cabinet post. She says she is “glad to be going home to the people that matter, the people of Salford” – but what has Hazel achieved as a Secretary of State for the people of Salford? What has Hazel supported as a Minister?

  • As Communities Secretary, Hazel was directly responsible for the closure of the much-valued Post Offices at Adelphi, Patricroft and Langworthy Road.
  • Also as Communities Secretary, she is responsible for providing one of the worst grant settlements to Salford City Council in decades, considerably worse than many of our geographical and statistical neighbours.
  • Her department also promised huge funding for Greater Manchester, particularly the East Manchester super-casino, only to have it whipped off the table.
  • She has been a prominent member of a Government which is closing the vital maternity unit at Salford Royal (Hope) Hospital, a decision she described as “good news”.

I am of course pleased that Hazel thinks that the people of Salford matter, so why when she had access to the levers of power did she endorse (or directly make herself!) so many decisions which disadvantaged the very people she claims to represent.

Hypocrite.

Who Governs?

Published by Iain on June 3, 2009 in National Comment. 4 Comments

So, who is running the country at the moment? It certainly doesn’t look like the Government is doing so. We are still in the middle of a deep economic crisis, and confidence in the political process is at an all-time low, but rather than showing leadership the Labour Government is paralysed. Our Ministers are too busy resigning or briefing against each other to provide the leadership our country needs. This can’t go on.

Britain needs a fresh start. That means a General Election – now.