Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has moved a motion for debate at the Council of Europe deploring the recent violence by agents on behalf of the Iraqi Government who were responsible for killing 33 residents and injuring over 300 more of Camp Ashraf in Iran last week.
The motion calls on the Iraqi Government to immediately stop the harassment of the camps residents by its agents who have surrounded the camp for months restricting vital supplies of food and water.
It also demands, in the name of basic humanity, that medical help is instantly administered to the sick and the wounded and is maintained thereafter.
Finally, the motion states that the “protected persons” status be granted to residents of Camp Ashraf under fourth Geneva Convention during the period of military occupation and fully upheld by the Government in compliance with undertakings it gave to coalition forces during the handover of power.
Brian said: “The motion has had a significant level of support already. 104 Members of the Council of Europe have backed the declaration and ten nations have signed the motion.”
“I have been campaigning for a long time to ensure that the residents of Camp Ashraf are treated humanely and protected in line with their Human Rights.”
“British Troops went into Iraq ending the tyrannical regime of Saddam Hussein whilst promoting freedom and democracy within the Country. Our forces paid a heavy price for that and I am bitterly disappointed that Nouri Al Maliki has failed to deliver on his promise of protecting the residents of Camp Ashraf as he said he would during the handover of power.”
Friday, 15 April 2011
Thursday, 14 April 2011
MP backs Enterprise Zone for Northampton
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has announced that West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) will shortly be submitting an application to create an enterprise zone in Northampton during yesterday’s budget debate in the House of Commons.
The establishment of an Enterprise Zone would bring 10,000 new jobs and generate nearly one billion pounds worth of private sector investment for the area which is supposed to be building 50,000 additional houses over the next 15 years.
Brian said: “I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of 21 enterprise zones. Unlike the previous Government’s Strategic Investment Fund, where 96% of the fund went to Labour held constituencies; it provides opportunity for all parts of the country.”
“I have already met with Peter Mawson, Chief Executive of the WNDC and John Markham, Chairman of the WNDC, who have already done so much to change the perception of the organisation. Plans are well advanced and we have the delivery vehicle to proceed with the plan immediately.”
“Northampton is of particular importance to enterprise and has a significant private sector already. It is also an area of economic and regional significance with good infrastructure links to support growth in the Midlands and the North.”
“We have a shortage of jobs in Northampton already. In February 2011 there were 3,085 people claiming Job Seekers Allowance, equating to 6.5% of the economically active population. The number of NEETs now totals 37% of total unemployment.”
“Northampton has the framework in place to make an enterprise zone work. We have the delivery vehicle in place, we have the full support of the local authority and the WNDC already has local planning authority powers. They have also already defined the sites that they will be developing.”
The establishment of an Enterprise Zone would bring 10,000 new jobs and generate nearly one billion pounds worth of private sector investment for the area which is supposed to be building 50,000 additional houses over the next 15 years.
Brian said: “I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement of 21 enterprise zones. Unlike the previous Government’s Strategic Investment Fund, where 96% of the fund went to Labour held constituencies; it provides opportunity for all parts of the country.”
“I have already met with Peter Mawson, Chief Executive of the WNDC and John Markham, Chairman of the WNDC, who have already done so much to change the perception of the organisation. Plans are well advanced and we have the delivery vehicle to proceed with the plan immediately.”
“Northampton is of particular importance to enterprise and has a significant private sector already. It is also an area of economic and regional significance with good infrastructure links to support growth in the Midlands and the North.”
“We have a shortage of jobs in Northampton already. In February 2011 there were 3,085 people claiming Job Seekers Allowance, equating to 6.5% of the economically active population. The number of NEETs now totals 37% of total unemployment.”
“Northampton has the framework in place to make an enterprise zone work. We have the delivery vehicle in place, we have the full support of the local authority and the WNDC already has local planning authority powers. They have also already defined the sites that they will be developing.”
Binley’s Post campaign success
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South is delighted that his campaign to keep the Universal Service Obligation as part of the Postal Service Bill for the next ten years has been a success.
The Minister for Postal Services, Ed Davey, has today announced that the Universal Service Obligation will be secured for the next ten years as part of a raft of amendments to the Postal Services Bill.
Brian sponsored an amendment during the Committee Stage of the Bill in the House of Commons which stated that the Universal Service Obligation should remain for ten years rather than 18 months as the Government had planned.
Following sizeable support for the measure in the House of Commons vote, Brian continued his campaign when the Bill hit the House of Lords tabling an Earl Day Motion in the House of Commons which 162 MP’s supported including 47 MP’s coalition Members.
Brian said: “I am delighted that this campaign has been a success. The Universal Service Obligation is vital to many rural Post Offices survival and I am sure they will be relieved to hear that the USO is secure for a further ten years.”
“I have fought hard against Post Office closures in Northampton under the previous Labour Government and I was prepared to fight my own Government on the issue again.”
“To many people the daily visit from the postman and the liveried red vans that run around the streets along with local Post Offices are the very fabric of many of our communities up and down the Country.”
“It would have been sad to see that fabric torn and frayed by the decision not to have a USO for a further ten years.”
The Minister for Postal Services, Ed Davey, has today announced that the Universal Service Obligation will be secured for the next ten years as part of a raft of amendments to the Postal Services Bill.
Brian sponsored an amendment during the Committee Stage of the Bill in the House of Commons which stated that the Universal Service Obligation should remain for ten years rather than 18 months as the Government had planned.
Following sizeable support for the measure in the House of Commons vote, Brian continued his campaign when the Bill hit the House of Lords tabling an Earl Day Motion in the House of Commons which 162 MP’s supported including 47 MP’s coalition Members.
Brian said: “I am delighted that this campaign has been a success. The Universal Service Obligation is vital to many rural Post Offices survival and I am sure they will be relieved to hear that the USO is secure for a further ten years.”
“I have fought hard against Post Office closures in Northampton under the previous Labour Government and I was prepared to fight my own Government on the issue again.”
“To many people the daily visit from the postman and the liveried red vans that run around the streets along with local Post Offices are the very fabric of many of our communities up and down the Country.”
“It would have been sad to see that fabric torn and frayed by the decision not to have a USO for a further ten years.”
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Euro Report Inadequate
Brian Binley MP for Northampton South has said that a report by the Council of Europe on measures to enhance financial stability and discipline “does not go far enough.”
Speaking during a debate in Strasbourg yesterday Brian said: “Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain have accumulated large deficits during the years of prosperity leading to an economic downturn. On the other hand Finland, Germany and Holland had massive surpluses.”
“The report fails to recognise the link between the external surpluses of Northern Europe and the fragile economies of the peripheral states.”
Brian continued to state that unless there was greater flexibility for Nations to determine their own monetary policies tailored to their own economic situation, problems within the Eurozone would remain.
Brian said: “Many European representatives are frightened to recognise the difficulties created by the Euro itself. A single currency is almost impossible as an effective tool in an area with such diversity.”
“It is hard enough to get an interest rate in the Britain which benefits the South East and North East equally. To do the same for Countries as diverse as Romania and Germany is simply impossible. Many in the Council of Europe refuse to recognise that and are therefore living in cloud cuckoo land.”
Speaking during a debate in Strasbourg yesterday Brian said: “Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain have accumulated large deficits during the years of prosperity leading to an economic downturn. On the other hand Finland, Germany and Holland had massive surpluses.”
“The report fails to recognise the link between the external surpluses of Northern Europe and the fragile economies of the peripheral states.”
Brian continued to state that unless there was greater flexibility for Nations to determine their own monetary policies tailored to their own economic situation, problems within the Eurozone would remain.
Brian said: “Many European representatives are frightened to recognise the difficulties created by the Euro itself. A single currency is almost impossible as an effective tool in an area with such diversity.”
“It is hard enough to get an interest rate in the Britain which benefits the South East and North East equally. To do the same for Countries as diverse as Romania and Germany is simply impossible. Many in the Council of Europe refuse to recognise that and are therefore living in cloud cuckoo land.”
MP welcomes Family Law Review
Brian Binley MP has given a cautious welcome to the interim Family Law Review published today by the Ministry of Justice saying it was a step in the right direction.
Brian sponsored a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Commons this year which called for the presumption of Shared Parenting Orders and has supported a number of other campaigns including giving greater access rights to Grandparents.
Brian said: “I believe that the campaigns I have led and supported within Parliament have had a significant impact on the review and raised the awareness of the issue with the general public.”
“I am delighted that the review recognises that the family law system is under strain and has taken action to relieve that pressure whilst recognising that children are the most important and most vulnerable people in the process.”
“I am also pleased that the review recognises the important role that grandparents play in a child’s development and has extended access rights to them as a result.”
However, Brian was unhappy that the report failed to recognise that the concept of shared parenting should be built into the law as a given.
Brian has also questioned the Review Chairman’s personal desire not to recommend Shared Parenting Orders.
“I was categorically told that David Norgrove, the Chairman had said during the review that there was ‘not a chance of Shared Parenting Orders being incorporated into the review findings’. Surely he shouldn’t have given such a personal opinion long before the Review findings were revealed. Doesn’t that question the Reviews credibility?”
“David Norgrove stated when he announced the findings of this review that ‘children are the most important people in the family justice system’. Evidence shows that children develop best when they receive the love, guidance and support of both their parents.”
“If children really are the most important people in this review, should there not be some sort of recommendation reflecting how important both parents are to a child’s development?”
“Shouldn’t that assumption be built into the legal process at the very beginning of divorce proceedings unless there is evidence to the contrary?”
Brian sponsored a Private Member’s Bill in the House of Commons this year which called for the presumption of Shared Parenting Orders and has supported a number of other campaigns including giving greater access rights to Grandparents.
Brian said: “I believe that the campaigns I have led and supported within Parliament have had a significant impact on the review and raised the awareness of the issue with the general public.”
“I am delighted that the review recognises that the family law system is under strain and has taken action to relieve that pressure whilst recognising that children are the most important and most vulnerable people in the process.”
“I am also pleased that the review recognises the important role that grandparents play in a child’s development and has extended access rights to them as a result.”
However, Brian was unhappy that the report failed to recognise that the concept of shared parenting should be built into the law as a given.
Brian has also questioned the Review Chairman’s personal desire not to recommend Shared Parenting Orders.
“I was categorically told that David Norgrove, the Chairman had said during the review that there was ‘not a chance of Shared Parenting Orders being incorporated into the review findings’. Surely he shouldn’t have given such a personal opinion long before the Review findings were revealed. Doesn’t that question the Reviews credibility?”
“David Norgrove stated when he announced the findings of this review that ‘children are the most important people in the family justice system’. Evidence shows that children develop best when they receive the love, guidance and support of both their parents.”
“If children really are the most important people in this review, should there not be some sort of recommendation reflecting how important both parents are to a child’s development?”
“Shouldn’t that assumption be built into the legal process at the very beginning of divorce proceedings unless there is evidence to the contrary?”
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