Brian Binley MP for Northampton South spoke in the final day of the Budget Debate in the House of Commons yesterday (30th March) and highlighted the concerns of the people of Northampton.
Brian refuted the claim by the Chancellor that the budget was good for business especially questioning the rise in national insurance saying the increase was “a massive belt to the confidence of industry at a time when it needs all the confidence it can get.”
This was all because the Government seemingly followed the view of the lady who won the pools and said that she was going to “Spend, spend, spend.” That is exactly what this Government have done and their legacy is now one of “bust, bust, bust.” Yet, Gordon Brown said that he had “done away with bust”. What arrogance.
Brian continued by questioning the Government on its lack of a strategy to reduce public sector debt. Many Northampton people told him they were worried about the Government’s lack of a credible plan and remained concerned that debt is predicted to rise beyond 2014 creating a massive burden for their children and grandchildren.
People in Northampton are right to be concerned about the impact of public sector debt and they said that the budget did little to eradicate it or give them any great hope for the future.
Brian said: “My grandmother would have told anyone that the way to get out of debt is not by spending more money but by recognising that too much money is being spent and doing something about it.”
Brian concluded by asking the Government to recognise the importance of small and medium sized businesses.
He said: “Small and medium sized businesses are the lifeblood of the nation’s creativity. Almost 70% of our creativity comes from SME’s.”
“The people of Northampton tell me that it is time for new thinking, for a new message, for a new approach. They did not want the same tax, spend and waste that they felt had occurred quite sizeably over recent years.”
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Town must know truth behind agreement
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has followed up on his calls for the Borough Council to hold a referendum on the future of the town centre in a letter to Councillor Richard Church.
He also set out the questions he posed during the debate and highlighted his request to know why Legal & General had held the town to ransom for so long. He repeated his call for the details of the agreement to be made public and even suggested 3 simple questions which should be put to the people in the referendum:
1. Is the Legal & General deal good for the town? Yes or No
2. Should Legal & General and the Borough Council agree to publish the agreement for a new retail development in the town centre? Yes or No
3. Should the Borough Council relax its policy, voiced by Councillor Church, to the effect that “we want to safeguard the town centre from even more out of town retail development?” Yes or No
Brian also reminded the Borough Council of his final words during the debate to the effect that if the Borough Council wouldn’t hold a referendum, he would using his own website, so that the people who told him they wanted a say in this matter would be able to do so.
Brian said: “It is vital that the people of the Northampton get to have their say on this very important issue which will affect their town for many tens of years to come.”
“The details of any agreement only remain secret if both parties wish them to be so and I would remind the Council that rumours persist when secrecy prevails.”
“There is considerable suspicion about the deal, not least the policy of arguing against out of town development seemingly for the sake of it .I want to be assured that Legal &General played no part in demanding such a policy.. This and many other questions need to be answered by the Borough Council who should remember that they are the people’s servants and not their masters.”
He also set out the questions he posed during the debate and highlighted his request to know why Legal & General had held the town to ransom for so long. He repeated his call for the details of the agreement to be made public and even suggested 3 simple questions which should be put to the people in the referendum:
1. Is the Legal & General deal good for the town? Yes or No
2. Should Legal & General and the Borough Council agree to publish the agreement for a new retail development in the town centre? Yes or No
3. Should the Borough Council relax its policy, voiced by Councillor Church, to the effect that “we want to safeguard the town centre from even more out of town retail development?” Yes or No
Brian also reminded the Borough Council of his final words during the debate to the effect that if the Borough Council wouldn’t hold a referendum, he would using his own website, so that the people who told him they wanted a say in this matter would be able to do so.
Brian said: “It is vital that the people of the Northampton get to have their say on this very important issue which will affect their town for many tens of years to come.”
“The details of any agreement only remain secret if both parties wish them to be so and I would remind the Council that rumours persist when secrecy prevails.”
“There is considerable suspicion about the deal, not least the policy of arguing against out of town development seemingly for the sake of it .I want to be assured that Legal &General played no part in demanding such a policy.. This and many other questions need to be answered by the Borough Council who should remember that they are the people’s servants and not their masters.”
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Same Debt, Waste and Taxes
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has described the Chancellors speech as a fairytale budget full of would be’s, could be’s and might be’s which contained only two certainties. Firstly, more debt and waste and secondly, more pain for small businesses and working people through higher taxes and mortgage rates.
Brian hit out at the Government for its lack of a credible plan. Alistair Darling has claimed to cut the deficit over the next four years. But he also stated that he will not start cutting until 2011.
Brian said: “The Government are not acting fast enough to deal with our deficit. The CBI has told us, the European Commission has told us and leading economic experts have told us. We cannot keep borrowing at the current level and the Government have not acted quickly enough to tackle the deficit and our children and grandchildren will be paying the price.”
Labour previously claimed they would not raise taxes yet today’s budget outlined a total of £19 billion of tax increases over the next 4 years including an £8 billion rise in National Insurance contributions. This will impact massively upon jobs. Brian especially condemned the National Insurance rise for the damage it would do to small and medium sized businesses which he believes are vital to helping Britain’s recovery.
Brian said: “The Federation of Small Businesses have estimated that 57,000 jobs will go because small businesses cannot afford the increased contribution payments for their staff. The Treasury’s own economic model suggests that the measure will cut Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 1% after three years.”
Conservatives are pledged to start tackling the deficit in 2010 and will eliminate the bulk of the deficit within one Parliament. We need to be honest with people by saying whoever is in Government will need to cut spending. Conservatives have been honest and will get on with it to ease the long term pain and create growth. The Government has been dishonest and will prolong the agony.
Conservatives have also pledged more assistance for small and medium sized businesses and Brian has welcomed that commitment.
He said: “Small businesses are vital to Northampton. 94% of the people who work in the wealth producing private sector are employed in small and medium sized businesses and the sector is vital to Britain’s well being, providing much of the nation’s wealth and employment. I have always believed that cutting corporation tax to help business is the best way of providing jobs to get people back into work and creating the wealth to get the nation going again.”
Brian hit out at the Government for its lack of a credible plan. Alistair Darling has claimed to cut the deficit over the next four years. But he also stated that he will not start cutting until 2011.
Brian said: “The Government are not acting fast enough to deal with our deficit. The CBI has told us, the European Commission has told us and leading economic experts have told us. We cannot keep borrowing at the current level and the Government have not acted quickly enough to tackle the deficit and our children and grandchildren will be paying the price.”
Labour previously claimed they would not raise taxes yet today’s budget outlined a total of £19 billion of tax increases over the next 4 years including an £8 billion rise in National Insurance contributions. This will impact massively upon jobs. Brian especially condemned the National Insurance rise for the damage it would do to small and medium sized businesses which he believes are vital to helping Britain’s recovery.
Brian said: “The Federation of Small Businesses have estimated that 57,000 jobs will go because small businesses cannot afford the increased contribution payments for their staff. The Treasury’s own economic model suggests that the measure will cut Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 1% after three years.”
Conservatives are pledged to start tackling the deficit in 2010 and will eliminate the bulk of the deficit within one Parliament. We need to be honest with people by saying whoever is in Government will need to cut spending. Conservatives have been honest and will get on with it to ease the long term pain and create growth. The Government has been dishonest and will prolong the agony.
Conservatives have also pledged more assistance for small and medium sized businesses and Brian has welcomed that commitment.
He said: “Small businesses are vital to Northampton. 94% of the people who work in the wealth producing private sector are employed in small and medium sized businesses and the sector is vital to Britain’s well being, providing much of the nation’s wealth and employment. I have always believed that cutting corporation tax to help business is the best way of providing jobs to get people back into work and creating the wealth to get the nation going again.”
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Full Speed ahead for Britain’s motorsport industry
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South was instrumental in ensuring that the Business Innovation & Skills Committee (BIS) looked into the motorsport industry at the time when Bernie Ecclestone was threatening to scrap the British Grand Prix all-together.
The BIS Committee visited Silverstone on the 23rd November 2009 to gather evidence and the report published yesterday, (22nd march 2010), highlights the fact that Silverstone is the only circuit in the world that generates revenue without receiving Government subsidies.
Brian Said: “It would have been a disaster for the British Motorsport Industry if Britain had lost the Grand Prix. The industry employees nearly 40,000 people with the great majority working within a forty mile radius of Silverstone. The circuit is the hub of an industry which also carries out vital work for Britain’s aerospace sector.”
“Both of those industries are massive earners for Britain, that is why it was important that the BIS Committee understood the importance of the sector but equally important that they pressurised Mr Ecclestone on the future of the British Grand Prix.”
The BIS committee were continually told that the Government was complacent about the UK’s leading global position in the motorsport sector and didn’t fully understand its connections with the aerospace industry. They said that the Government had not taken the industries problems seriously enough.
As a result the Committees report recommends that the Government establishes a dedicated motorsport policy team to address this problem and support a multi billion pound industry to enable it to grow and build on its international success.
Brian Said: “I was pleased that the committee visited Silverstone. It was a crucial time with the future of the British Grand Prix under threat. I was obviously delighted that Silverstone kept the Grand Prix and I have no doubt that our work played an important part in that result.”
“Silverstone really is the heartbeat of Britain’s motorsport industry and the aim of the inquiry was to highlight that fact to the Government and to ensure that they understood the import of supporting the industry by building on its excellent global reputation and world leading market share”.
“I fully endorse the reports findings and have every confidence that our recommendations will be fully implemented. I am also delighted that the final outcome of all the negotiations between the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) and Mr Ecclestone resulted in the continuation of the Grand Prix at Silverstone for the next 17 years. I had previously called upon Bernie to big for Britain and he was.”
The BIS Committee visited Silverstone on the 23rd November 2009 to gather evidence and the report published yesterday, (22nd march 2010), highlights the fact that Silverstone is the only circuit in the world that generates revenue without receiving Government subsidies.
Brian Said: “It would have been a disaster for the British Motorsport Industry if Britain had lost the Grand Prix. The industry employees nearly 40,000 people with the great majority working within a forty mile radius of Silverstone. The circuit is the hub of an industry which also carries out vital work for Britain’s aerospace sector.”
“Both of those industries are massive earners for Britain, that is why it was important that the BIS Committee understood the importance of the sector but equally important that they pressurised Mr Ecclestone on the future of the British Grand Prix.”
The BIS committee were continually told that the Government was complacent about the UK’s leading global position in the motorsport sector and didn’t fully understand its connections with the aerospace industry. They said that the Government had not taken the industries problems seriously enough.
As a result the Committees report recommends that the Government establishes a dedicated motorsport policy team to address this problem and support a multi billion pound industry to enable it to grow and build on its international success.
Brian Said: “I was pleased that the committee visited Silverstone. It was a crucial time with the future of the British Grand Prix under threat. I was obviously delighted that Silverstone kept the Grand Prix and I have no doubt that our work played an important part in that result.”
“Silverstone really is the heartbeat of Britain’s motorsport industry and the aim of the inquiry was to highlight that fact to the Government and to ensure that they understood the import of supporting the industry by building on its excellent global reputation and world leading market share”.
“I fully endorse the reports findings and have every confidence that our recommendations will be fully implemented. I am also delighted that the final outcome of all the negotiations between the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) and Mr Ecclestone resulted in the continuation of the Grand Prix at Silverstone for the next 17 years. I had previously called upon Bernie to big for Britain and he was.”
Britain first, Europe second!
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South is one of 11 sponsors of a UK Sovereignty Bill which aims to give UK Parliament precedence over the EU.
The bill aims to protect the powers of the UK Parliament and prevents Ministers from signing away anymore powers to the EU. The Bill asserts that “No Minister of the Crown shall sign, ratify or implement any treaty or law which does not reaffirm the UK Parliamentary Sovereignty.”
The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty has given further power to the European Union and the people of Britain were not even consulted on this very important matter. We must act now if we are to avoid being sold down the river once again and preserve the UK Parliaments powers.
Brian Said: “Many of my constituents have written to me and are increasingly concerned that the European Union is ruling our lives.”
“The people of Britain never had the chance to show how they felt about the Lisbon Treaty as this Labour Government never held a referendum.”
“We must act now if we are to preserve the powers of the UK Parliamentary system.”
The bill aims to protect the powers of the UK Parliament and prevents Ministers from signing away anymore powers to the EU. The Bill asserts that “No Minister of the Crown shall sign, ratify or implement any treaty or law which does not reaffirm the UK Parliamentary Sovereignty.”
The ratification of the Lisbon Treaty has given further power to the European Union and the people of Britain were not even consulted on this very important matter. We must act now if we are to avoid being sold down the river once again and preserve the UK Parliaments powers.
Brian Said: “Many of my constituents have written to me and are increasingly concerned that the European Union is ruling our lives.”
“The people of Britain never had the chance to show how they felt about the Lisbon Treaty as this Labour Government never held a referendum.”
“We must act now if we are to preserve the powers of the UK Parliamentary system.”
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Sectarianism threatens Iraq's future
Early results in Iraq's elections suggests a slender lead for current Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki’s State of Law political group, but electoral fraud and Maliki's sectarian stance threaten to push the country into further political fragmentation.
Independent election monitors have already highlighted electoral discrepancies and have expressed concern. The monitors specifically noted the presence of security forces in polling stations who were urging people to vote for a given party. Of greater concern however was the presence of fraudulent electoral rolls, which denied thousands of voters their right to vote whilst others were seen to vote for either absent or dead family members.
This leads many to question the validity of the polls and the ongoing delay in announcing results has fed the rumour mill with more talk of electoral fraud. However, the greater question revolves around how the victorious party will go about setting up a coalition government. If, as early results suggest, Nouri Al-Maliki is victorious he will get the first shot.
Al-Maliki is already courting potential allies, but his sectarian attitude and his close ties with the Iranian regime raises deep concerns about his ability to project himself as a leader of all Iraqis. The fact that Al-Maliki was at the centre of a pre-election campaign banning significant Sunni figures from running for election, whilst his election posters concentrated more on the de-baathification of Iraq than on leading the nation towards freedom and prosperity under a democratic government help to underline that point.
He has also been criticised by a number of human rights organisations for the way in which he has dealt with the major Iranian opposition group in their camp some 60 miles North East of Baghdad. The PMOI has been based in Ashraf for over 20 years, however as the Prime Minister’s ties with Tehran have deepened, he has laid siege to the camp restricting the supply of basic necessities and denying entry to doctors and lawyers.
The Prime Minister’s close ties with the Iranian regime have the effect of making the followers of Iraq’s Moqtadr al Sadr his closest bed fellows. Al-Maliki would do well to appreciate the Iraqi people’s rejection of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq as part of the Iraqi National Alliance. The council is Iran’s closest ally in Iraq and he should recognise that they appear to have faired badly primarily because of that closeness.
Al-Maliki’s desire to please Tehran’s leadership has made him a figure of hate amongst Iraq’s Sunni minority. This hatred was made abundantly clear in early election results from a number of areas with a Sunni majority, where he received less than five percent of votes cast.
Al-Maliki’s sectarian treatment of the Sunni minority was also instrumental in ensuring the overwhelming support for Ayad Allawi’s Iraqiya bloc in those areas. Consequently any attempt by Al-Maliki to sideline Allawi will be seen as a further slur on Sunni voters, adding massively to the feeling that they will be underrepresented in the political process and are being deliberately minimised.
Allawi, as a secularist Shiite, is seen by many to be an all embracing leader who has gained support from most factions of Iraq’s diverse population. Consequently, the fact which must be born in mind as Iraq enters into months of wrangling over the makeup and leadership of the next coalition government is that Iranian influence must not be allowed to scupper the prospects of an Iraqi coalition, which represents all of the Iraqi people and not just those who favour Tehran.
Ayad Allawi’s Iraqiya bloc has an important role to play in any new Iraqi government and any attempts by the Iranian regime to influence the Iraqi electoral process and sideline the Sunni minority, which has shown its support for a secularist Shiite, could lead to disastrous consequences similar to those in 2006, when a boycott of the elections by the Sunni minority led to two years of horrific bloodshed.
The Sunni minority must play a full part in a future of Iraq or Iraq will once again run the risk of slipping back in to widespread violence, allowing Iran to emerge as the sole winner and that would present massive dangers for the stability of the whole region and harm Western interests immensely.
Independent election monitors have already highlighted electoral discrepancies and have expressed concern. The monitors specifically noted the presence of security forces in polling stations who were urging people to vote for a given party. Of greater concern however was the presence of fraudulent electoral rolls, which denied thousands of voters their right to vote whilst others were seen to vote for either absent or dead family members.
This leads many to question the validity of the polls and the ongoing delay in announcing results has fed the rumour mill with more talk of electoral fraud. However, the greater question revolves around how the victorious party will go about setting up a coalition government. If, as early results suggest, Nouri Al-Maliki is victorious he will get the first shot.
Al-Maliki is already courting potential allies, but his sectarian attitude and his close ties with the Iranian regime raises deep concerns about his ability to project himself as a leader of all Iraqis. The fact that Al-Maliki was at the centre of a pre-election campaign banning significant Sunni figures from running for election, whilst his election posters concentrated more on the de-baathification of Iraq than on leading the nation towards freedom and prosperity under a democratic government help to underline that point.
He has also been criticised by a number of human rights organisations for the way in which he has dealt with the major Iranian opposition group in their camp some 60 miles North East of Baghdad. The PMOI has been based in Ashraf for over 20 years, however as the Prime Minister’s ties with Tehran have deepened, he has laid siege to the camp restricting the supply of basic necessities and denying entry to doctors and lawyers.
The Prime Minister’s close ties with the Iranian regime have the effect of making the followers of Iraq’s Moqtadr al Sadr his closest bed fellows. Al-Maliki would do well to appreciate the Iraqi people’s rejection of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq as part of the Iraqi National Alliance. The council is Iran’s closest ally in Iraq and he should recognise that they appear to have faired badly primarily because of that closeness.
Al-Maliki’s desire to please Tehran’s leadership has made him a figure of hate amongst Iraq’s Sunni minority. This hatred was made abundantly clear in early election results from a number of areas with a Sunni majority, where he received less than five percent of votes cast.
Al-Maliki’s sectarian treatment of the Sunni minority was also instrumental in ensuring the overwhelming support for Ayad Allawi’s Iraqiya bloc in those areas. Consequently any attempt by Al-Maliki to sideline Allawi will be seen as a further slur on Sunni voters, adding massively to the feeling that they will be underrepresented in the political process and are being deliberately minimised.
Allawi, as a secularist Shiite, is seen by many to be an all embracing leader who has gained support from most factions of Iraq’s diverse population. Consequently, the fact which must be born in mind as Iraq enters into months of wrangling over the makeup and leadership of the next coalition government is that Iranian influence must not be allowed to scupper the prospects of an Iraqi coalition, which represents all of the Iraqi people and not just those who favour Tehran.
Ayad Allawi’s Iraqiya bloc has an important role to play in any new Iraqi government and any attempts by the Iranian regime to influence the Iraqi electoral process and sideline the Sunni minority, which has shown its support for a secularist Shiite, could lead to disastrous consequences similar to those in 2006, when a boycott of the elections by the Sunni minority led to two years of horrific bloodshed.
The Sunni minority must play a full part in a future of Iraq or Iraq will once again run the risk of slipping back in to widespread violence, allowing Iran to emerge as the sole winner and that would present massive dangers for the stability of the whole region and harm Western interests immensely.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Stroke Victim Neglected
Maureen Bailey, a Northamptonshire mother, grandmother and great grandmother is one of only four stroke victims to be featured in a national report published by the Stroke Association which focuses on the level of after care that stroke sufferers receive.
Following her stroke in February 2009 Maureen spent 6 months in hospital and was left with little mobility. In the report she said: “There was not much communication with a physiotherapist whilst I was in hospital and I can’t remember receiving much rehabilitation whilst I was in hospital even though I was in the stroke unit.”
Maureen believes that although her mobility has improved since leaving hospital she says that had she received physiotherapy at an earlier date her mobility would be much improved.
Maureen met with Brian Binley MP at the Stroke Association’s Parliamentary reception this week (09th March 2010) which launched the report.
Brian was shocked to hear about the poor levels of support and after care Maureen has received and has arranged to meet with her and her caring husband Colin in their Northampton home to gain a greater understanding of the background to her story and explore ways of ensuring that other people receive a better level of after care service.
He will then hold discussion with Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust to ask why we are not doing more to support stroke patients in their recovery and explore with them ways of improving the situation for other patients in the area.
Brian Said: “I was shocked to hear of the poor levels of after care Maureen received and my research has found that her experience is not unusual."
“Maureen would have progressed more quickly had a focussed programme of physiotherapy been delivered earlier and more frequently and I am extremely concerned that this is happening to other people in our area.”
“Maureen tells me that the Headway charity in Northampton has been a great help to her and her caring husband and I hope to be able to visit their base in Northampton to gain added insight into the best ways of helping stroke victims in the future.”
“1 in 4 of us can expect to be victims of stroke in the latter stages of our life and I want to ensure we all receive a better level of care and support than Maureen experienced over the past year.”
Following her stroke in February 2009 Maureen spent 6 months in hospital and was left with little mobility. In the report she said: “There was not much communication with a physiotherapist whilst I was in hospital and I can’t remember receiving much rehabilitation whilst I was in hospital even though I was in the stroke unit.”
Maureen believes that although her mobility has improved since leaving hospital she says that had she received physiotherapy at an earlier date her mobility would be much improved.
Maureen met with Brian Binley MP at the Stroke Association’s Parliamentary reception this week (09th March 2010) which launched the report.
Brian was shocked to hear about the poor levels of support and after care Maureen has received and has arranged to meet with her and her caring husband Colin in their Northampton home to gain a greater understanding of the background to her story and explore ways of ensuring that other people receive a better level of after care service.
He will then hold discussion with Northamptonshire Primary Care Trust to ask why we are not doing more to support stroke patients in their recovery and explore with them ways of improving the situation for other patients in the area.
Brian Said: “I was shocked to hear of the poor levels of after care Maureen received and my research has found that her experience is not unusual."
“Maureen would have progressed more quickly had a focussed programme of physiotherapy been delivered earlier and more frequently and I am extremely concerned that this is happening to other people in our area.”
“Maureen tells me that the Headway charity in Northampton has been a great help to her and her caring husband and I hope to be able to visit their base in Northampton to gain added insight into the best ways of helping stroke victims in the future.”
“1 in 4 of us can expect to be victims of stroke in the latter stages of our life and I want to ensure we all receive a better level of care and support than Maureen experienced over the past year.”
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
What have they got to hide?
Brian Binley’s request that the agreement between the Borough Council and Legal&General be made public has been refused on the grounds that the agreement contains “commercially confidential material.”
Brian responded by recognising that the agreement could contain financial details would be commercially sensitive but stated that those can easily be emitted in any copy of the agreement sent to him.
Brian went onto claim that it was in the interests of the people of Northampton that the details of the agreement were made public to clear up the many rumours circulating throughout the town as a result of the deal.
Brian Said: “I recognise that the agreement will contain commercially sensitive information but this can easily be removed. The agreement is central to the debate on the town centre and having an understanding of the agreement is vital to a fair and informed debate.”
“The people of Northampton deserve to know the truth of the matter. Our town is more important, has a much longer history and should not be pushed around by a company who has appeared so unhelpful to date. “
“Legal&General should either get on with it or get out.”
Brian responded by recognising that the agreement could contain financial details would be commercially sensitive but stated that those can easily be emitted in any copy of the agreement sent to him.
Brian went onto claim that it was in the interests of the people of Northampton that the details of the agreement were made public to clear up the many rumours circulating throughout the town as a result of the deal.
Brian Said: “I recognise that the agreement will contain commercially sensitive information but this can easily be removed. The agreement is central to the debate on the town centre and having an understanding of the agreement is vital to a fair and informed debate.”
“The people of Northampton deserve to know the truth of the matter. Our town is more important, has a much longer history and should not be pushed around by a company who has appeared so unhelpful to date. “
“Legal&General should either get on with it or get out.”
Thursday, 4 March 2010
MP to take on Borough Council over town centre
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has called on the Borough Council to release a copy of the agreement between themselves and Legal& General ahead of the public debate.
Brian has requested a copy of the agreement between Northampton Borough Council and Legal&General because the document is central to the debate and of sizeable importance to the people of Northampton.
Brian said: “It is important that Legal& General do not hold the town to ransom over this issue. It is important for all concerned that there is transparency in the agreement. This is about much more than the developments of the Saints and Cobblers. It is about the future of the whole town, including the town centre, and its well being.”
“The agreement between Legal&General and the Borough Council is vital to moving forward all developments in Northampton.”
Brian has requested a copy of the agreement between Northampton Borough Council and Legal&General because the document is central to the debate and of sizeable importance to the people of Northampton.
Brian said: “It is important that Legal& General do not hold the town to ransom over this issue. It is important for all concerned that there is transparency in the agreement. This is about much more than the developments of the Saints and Cobblers. It is about the future of the whole town, including the town centre, and its well being.”
“The agreement between Legal&General and the Borough Council is vital to moving forward all developments in Northampton.”
Monday, 1 March 2010
Confident, Competent, Capable Pupils
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has praised the efforts of Millway Primary School and Duston Secondary school following a visit to Millway.
The efforts of Millway primary are worthy of praise not least because of the quality of their transition from middle school to primary school in a way which underlines the value of that change. The school clearly has a great teacher-pupil understanding and this is shown by the pupil’s confident, capable and enthusiastic approach to learning.
Both Duston Secondary and Millway Primary seem to be thriving as a result of good teacher-pupil relationships. Jane Herriman has also done exceptionally well as head of Duston Secondary in implementing the core values and as a consequence has turned the school round quite dramatically. That trend is pursued just as vigorously at Millway primary school.
Duston Secondary’s improvement is deservedly highlighted by the latest OFSTED report which claimed “outstanding and decisive leadership has brought about a rapid improvement in students achievement and personal development.”
Brian Said: “I have always believed that the teacher-pupil relationship is key to a child’s development and that process lies at the heart of the success of both Duston Secondary and Millway Primary.”
“I visited every class at Millway Primary, thanks to the good office of head teacher Paul Sentance, and I was immensely impressed by the confidence expressed by the pupils and the dedication displayed by all the teachers.”
“Pupils appeared happy, contented, confident and capable of fulfilling their potential and I believe that both Paul Sentance and Jane Herriman are worthy of praise in their approach to the children’s needs. Northampton should be very proud of them.”
The efforts of Millway primary are worthy of praise not least because of the quality of their transition from middle school to primary school in a way which underlines the value of that change. The school clearly has a great teacher-pupil understanding and this is shown by the pupil’s confident, capable and enthusiastic approach to learning.
Both Duston Secondary and Millway Primary seem to be thriving as a result of good teacher-pupil relationships. Jane Herriman has also done exceptionally well as head of Duston Secondary in implementing the core values and as a consequence has turned the school round quite dramatically. That trend is pursued just as vigorously at Millway primary school.
Duston Secondary’s improvement is deservedly highlighted by the latest OFSTED report which claimed “outstanding and decisive leadership has brought about a rapid improvement in students achievement and personal development.”
Brian Said: “I have always believed that the teacher-pupil relationship is key to a child’s development and that process lies at the heart of the success of both Duston Secondary and Millway Primary.”
“I visited every class at Millway Primary, thanks to the good office of head teacher Paul Sentance, and I was immensely impressed by the confidence expressed by the pupils and the dedication displayed by all the teachers.”
“Pupils appeared happy, contented, confident and capable of fulfilling their potential and I believe that both Paul Sentance and Jane Herriman are worthy of praise in their approach to the children’s needs. Northampton should be very proud of them.”
‘North Londonshire’ Campaign A Disgrace
Brian Binley has termed the campaign to promote Northamptonshire as ‘North Londonshire’ an absolute disgrace.
Northampton has been the subject of change recently in the debate of Town or City status and Brian has consistently campaigned for public opinion to be considered when making decisions relating to the status of the town or county.
A result of a survey conducted by Brian Binley concluded that 73% of respondents want to see the town remain a County Town rather than a city. It is clear that the people of Northampton do not favour any rebranding of the Town or County.
The campaign is a complete waste of tax payer’s money and at a time when Britain is suffering the effects of recession it is an obscene amount of money to waste on a campaign which nobody wants.
Brian Said: “I have constantly fought against the plans to rebrand the Town and County’s image.”
“I don’t believe that the people of Northamptonshire wish to be simply considered as an extension of London. Many people are proud of Northamptonshire and I am one of them.”
“The campaign is disgraceful, insulting and a complete waste of money.”
Northampton has been the subject of change recently in the debate of Town or City status and Brian has consistently campaigned for public opinion to be considered when making decisions relating to the status of the town or county.
A result of a survey conducted by Brian Binley concluded that 73% of respondents want to see the town remain a County Town rather than a city. It is clear that the people of Northampton do not favour any rebranding of the Town or County.
The campaign is a complete waste of tax payer’s money and at a time when Britain is suffering the effects of recession it is an obscene amount of money to waste on a campaign which nobody wants.
Brian Said: “I have constantly fought against the plans to rebrand the Town and County’s image.”
“I don’t believe that the people of Northamptonshire wish to be simply considered as an extension of London. Many people are proud of Northamptonshire and I am one of them.”
“The campaign is disgraceful, insulting and a complete waste of money.”
MP Disappointed by Ministers Response
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South was disappointed that his request for extra funding for Weston Favell School was turned down by Vernon Coaker, Minister of State for Schools and learners.
In a letter to Ed Balls, Brian stated that both the County Council and the School had wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds in the initial plan to turn the School into an academy with the ULT as sponsors. – Which has now fallen through.
Brian also stated that Parents, Teachers and Governors were against the idea and the proposed plans have set the School back further by causing sizeable disruption.
Brian Said: “The Minister has clearly rejected my request for extra money and I am extremely disappointed.”
“A sizeable amount of money has been spent on something which now may or may not happen.
“Both the School and County Council have heavily invested in the proposed Academy and they have been left not knowing what is going to happen following the withdrawal of the ULT.”
“We are no further forward in resolving the situation at Weston Favell School.”
In a letter to Ed Balls, Brian stated that both the County Council and the School had wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds in the initial plan to turn the School into an academy with the ULT as sponsors. – Which has now fallen through.
Brian also stated that Parents, Teachers and Governors were against the idea and the proposed plans have set the School back further by causing sizeable disruption.
Brian Said: “The Minister has clearly rejected my request for extra money and I am extremely disappointed.”
“A sizeable amount of money has been spent on something which now may or may not happen.
“Both the School and County Council have heavily invested in the proposed Academy and they have been left not knowing what is going to happen following the withdrawal of the ULT.”
“We are no further forward in resolving the situation at Weston Favell School.”
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