It was great to see another huge turnout for today’s walk in Irlam, from Cutnook Lane to the peat extraction works on Irlam Moss.
The sheer scale of the peat works was a real eye-opener, and I think it would be very difficult to justify any further planning permission for more extraction. Acres of bog have already been decimated by the works.
The “Save Our North West Green Belt” group are continuing to do a fantastic job in raising the profile of the local environment, not just in Irlam and Cadishead but across the local area. They continue to have my full support.
I’m really pleased that the local residents fighting Labour’s plan to bulldoze Barton Moss continue to go from strength-to-strength, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to attend their meeting yesterday at Higher Irlam Social Club.
It’s brilliant to see so many community-minded people standing up for their local environment – fantastic to see. I’ll be heading back to Irlam on Saturday for the vigil walk out onto the moss and I will continue to give every support that I can.
Don’t forget that a Conservative Government would abolish the Labour Government’s daft planning targets which have contributed to the plans to build on Barton Moss – Conservatives will return power to our local communities and let residents decide.
There are thousands of volunteers across Worsley & Eccles South – from scout leaders to residents association officers – all doing fantastic work for our local communities. When contacted by Volunteering England, then, I had absolutely no hesitation in signing their “volunteering pledge”.
I have always tried my best as a local Councillor to support local volunteers, and I would continue to do so if elected as your next Member of Parliament.
Volunteering England’s Volunteering Pledge:
I will work hard to support volunteers and organisations that involve volunteers, both in my constituency and across the country. I will do this by:
- Recognising the value of volunteering in building a strong society
- Promoting positive messages about volunteering
- Encouraging more people to give their time by helping free volunteers from red-tape
- Supporting the organisations who support volunteers
In 2008, the good people of Irlam voted out their Labour Councillor, after it became clear that the Labour Party were no longer listening to local residents in Irlam, particularly over their disastrous proposals for a congestion charge.
Our Conservative candidate saw his vote share rise considerably, and Labour plunged to third place, but the seat was won by Cllr Rick Houlton of the Community Action Party.
I wonder what local people in Irlam would make, then, of last week’s Council budget meeting. Cllr Houlton stood on an anti-Labour ticket, and was swept into office on the back of disillusionment with Labour, so how is representing the people of Irlam when he votes to prop up the Labour administration on Salford City Council and supports their budget?
It’s clear that voting for fringe parties like Community Action – and independents who also supported Labour’s budget – that you just end up with Labour. There’s only one way to make sure you kick Labour out this year, be that on Salford City Council or in Westminster – and that’s to vote Conservative.
A couple of weeks ago, Salford Advertiser reporter Pamela Welsh joined us on the campaign trail in Walkden. You can now read her write-up of our campaigning on the Advertiser website – do take a look!
Many local readers will remember Merryn Myatt from her time presenting North West Tonight, or her considerable broadcasting experience including Women’s Hour on Radio 4.
I was delighted that Merryn accepted my invitation to come and speak at an event here in Salford tonight, and I’m extremely grateful to her for taking time out of what I’m sure is her very busy schedule to support the work that we are doing across the City.
Do You Have Friends Or Family Abroad?
The Prime Minister will announce the date for the General Election in a few weeks. There are only a few weeks left for your friends, family or colleagues abroad to get on the electoral register.
Please forward this information to anyone you know living outside the UK who might want to help vote for a change of government in Britain.
Click on the link http://www.dontleaveyourvoteathome.com to complete the Electoral Commission’s registration form as well as forms to vote by proxy or by post.
All British citizens over 18 years of age who have lived abroad for less than 15 years are eligible to vote in the constituency where they were last registered. Those who do not qualify might want to try to register regardless, to make the point that they are disenfranchised.
Please encourage expat friends or family to appoint a proxy in the UK as this is the best way to ensure their vote is counted. Anyone already on the register in any constituency can act as proxy to vote in person in the same constituency or by post in another.
British expats need to be on the register by 31st March to be certain their vote can count. So don’t leave your vote at home, register today.