Spend a billion to save a billion!!!!!!!!!!

The admission of management incompetence within the Department of Health has been revealed this week by the size of the Management Consultancy bill for advice on how to rectify the cash crisis the government has created.

Almost £1billion has been spent seeking advice on how to save money in the cash-strapped NHS. Now the government claims the NHS cash shortfall is £950m, so, allowing for rounding up, the government is spending a billion pounds to get advice on how to save a billion pounds. Is there any logic in their madness?

Locally we are picked up part of the bill, with the Countess of Chester being billed over £10,000 a day for advice on how to restructure its finances. How can the government justify such wasteful measures when paitent services are being cut and doctors and nurses are being sacked?

This is waste and incompetence to the extreme.

Blair's contradictions on crime.

After 9 years and 40 pieces of criminal justice legislation and umpteen promises that crime is being cut, Tony Blair last week admitted that the criminal justice system is actually failing the public.

So what does he do this week? He continues his commitment to scrap our local constabularies in favour of regional forces, with the potential loss of 25,000 policemen, replacing them with less qualified Community Safety Officers. Does he really think that this regionalisation will improve the public's faith in the criminal justice system and restore their confidence in the ability of the police to make their streets safer?

I know a week is said to be a long time in politics, but surely even the Prime Minister can see that he is now contradicting himself within a matter of days.

Chester Conservatives have always opposed the merger of Cheshire and Merseyside police forces as we know it will weaken and not strengthen local policing. Complete the Online Poll and let me know your views.

Cocaine but no Cornets!!!

That's the effect of the latest political correct nonsense.

In recent months we have seen in our own local papers that drugs are readily sold at school gates, with little apparent intervention from the authorities. We now read that Labour councils in some parts of the country are considering banning the sale of ice creams outside school gates because they are bad for children's health!!!

I'd rather my children had the opportunity to buy a lolly rather than a joint: but hey, I'm obviously old-fashioned and simply out-of-touch about what is harmful for my children.

Rights vs Responsibilities

For those of you that know me, you will be aware that I have a real issue with this government's obsessions with rights. In my 2005 General Election literature, I clearly stated that, in my view, commit a crime you start to forfeit your rights. I stand by that view today.

The news is once again dominated by criminal's rights taking presedence ove the law-abiding public's rigths. Armed hijackers, rapists and serious offenders have all be treated leniently, thus endangering the public, because of their rights.

WHAT ABOUT THEM HAVING TO ACCEPT RESPONIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCE OF THEIR WRONGS.

The European Human Rights Convention has created an unacceptable shift of balance in favour of the criminal and it must be reversed.

I also read that a group of prisoners are taking the government to court because it is against their rights to be banned from taking drugs in prison. How long will it be before we are told that prison is against criminals' right and so will be outlawed?

The government must, first and foremost, protect the public. This has to take presedence over the rights of individual criminals, so it is time to have a review of the European Human Rights Act. At worst, make serious amandments to it - at best - scrap it. British Law did a good enough job at protecting us before this European Act was forced upon us.

Best Local Election Result for Decades

FIVE new Conservative Councillors in Chester was the result of last night's local election. We won three seats from Labour:

• Arthur Harada took the Labour stronghold of Lache Park.
• Razia Daniels took Handbridge & St Mary's.
• Jeremy Langdon took Elton.

and we took two seat off the Lib Dems:

• Marigold Roy had a massive swing to take Newton St Michael's.
• Jill Houlbrook took the Lib Dem stronghold of Upton Grange.

The City Council make up is now 26 Conservatives, 19 Lib Dem and 14 Labour and 1 Ind.
A massive well done to all our candidates and the whole team. This is the best result for decades and a result of hard work and campaigning positively on the issues that matter to residents.

Although we polled 49% of the vote and got more votes than Labour and Lib Dems combined, it is believed that Labour and Lib Dems still intend to continue with their Alliance. This just goes to show their utter contempt for democracy and total disregard for the opinions of the electorate. Only 22% of people in Chester voted Lib Dem, yet the power crazed Libs are insistent on running the Council.

Smoking Ban

Last night the majority of MPs voted for a complete smoking ban in pubs, clubs, restaurants and private members club. Personally, I think they were wrong.

Yes, there is a case for improving public health and I support that motive, but not in this draconian way. I failed to hear any MP give a case for supporting proprietors to make a choice as to whether their premises could be designated smoke-free or not.

A very significant part of the health budget is spent on treating smoking related illnesses, so why did MPs vote to allow smoking in hospitals. That is the first place where smoking should have been banned.

So the ban is in the name of workers' protection from passive smoking - but prisons are exempt from the ban. Does this mean that the rights of prisoners are more important than the rights of the prison staff??

I also hear that 95% of passive smoking occurs in the home, so this means there will actually be little gain in public heath from the ban. In fact, it could be argued that a ban in public places will lead to an increase in smoking at home, and therefore put more non-smokers, especially children, at increased risk.

So I think the extent of the ban was wrong, is draconian and will deliver little, if any, improvement in public health.

Welfare Reform - What, more promises!!!!!!!

Labour have made a string of promises to reform the Welfare System and now Tony Blair is giving us another one. He has said that in 10 years time over a million people will be taken off benefits. Fantastic - but the words sound all too familiar. Lets look at what he's said previously:

‘By the end of a five-year term of a Labour government, I vow that we will have reduced the proportion we spend on the welfare bills of social failure... This is my covenant with the British people. Judge me upon it. The buck stops with me,’ (Tony Blair, speech to Labour Party Conference, 1 October 1996).

‘The new ambition for Britain is a modern welfare state that, instead of trapping people in poverty, provides opportunity for all” (Gordon Brown, Hansard, Col.1097, 17 March 1998).’

‘We are reforming the welfare state, and in particular, we are reforming incapacity benefit… There are now more people claiming incapacity benefit than claiming unemployment benefit. That situation cannot possibly be sustained’ (Tony Blair, Hansard, Col 1123, 10 November 1999).

‘We wanted to cut unemployment. But without the responsibility as well as the rights of the New Deal, we would never have cut it by so much.’ (Tony Blair, Speech at the National Labour Party Forum, 24 July 2004).

‘there will be a Green Paper on reform of Incapacity Benefit before the summer recess. People who can work, should be given the chance to work.’ (Tony Blair, PM’s Press Conference, 12 May 2005).

But what has happened?

After nearly nine years of a Labour Government which promised to reform welfare, more and more people are being written off sick and parked on incapacity benefit – although the Prime Minister himself admits: ‘We know that a million incapacity benefit claimants want to work’ (Speech in London, 11 Oct 2004).

The Green Paper originally promised for summer 2005, has been delivered six months late.

Labour tried to reform incapacity benefit before, in 2001. The result was a stricter regime that meant many people dared not go back to work for fear of not being able to regain benefits if they became ill again.

The rate of incapacity benefit off-flows has been slowing steadily since Labour came to power. In 1997 there were 950,200 off-flows, compared to 686,200 in 2004 (Hansard, 7 November 2005, Col. 139WA).

2.7 million people are now parked on incapacity benefit (DWP Press Release, 13 October 2005). This marks a 4.3 per cent increase on 1997.

Over half of incapacity benefit claimants have been claiming for more than five years, compared to 43% in 2000 (Incapacity Benefit Statistical Summary, October 2005).

There are now 10% more young people not in work or full-time education than there were when Labour came to power. The current total of young people not in work or education stands at 1.19 million compared with 1.08 million back in 1997 (ONS data series AGOL and AGPM).

Under Labour, thousands more young people have been written off sick. Since 1997, the number of young people under the age of 25 who are claiming Incapacity benefit has risen by an astonishing 71%, to 170,200 (Incapacity Benefit Statistical Summaries, October 2005 and February 2002).

So why should we believe Blair this time? We shouldn't.

Sex Offenders

What a fiasco. Apparently Ruth Kelly is going to review the process of placing someone who is on the Sex Offenders Register on the Education Department's List 99.

We don't need a List 99. As a parent, I believe that if someone has been convicted or cautioned about a child sex offence, then that person should NEVER be allowed to be a teacher or work in any school. It's as simple as that and no Minister must have the power to overrule that.

Today I read that Miss Kelly gave approval for a man who had been convicted of indecent assault, fraud, deception and forgery to be a teacher because his actions had been merely 'unwise'. What is she on? And Tony Blair talks about youths having respect for teachers!!!!

NOBODY with a criminal record should be in our children's classrooms. Period.

R.A.P. or C.R.A.P

So the government has launched the solution to the ills we all suffer in our comunities: the Respect Action Plan, or R.A.P. This plan is going to end anti-social behaviour, will make young people respect other people's property and the authority of parents, teachers and police. Tony Blair has said that his R.A.P. will focus on the causes of anti-social behaviour, which lie in families, in the classroom and in communities.

So how is he going to do this when all means of discipline has been removed from parents, teachers and the police. There is now no fear of the law and therefore there is no consequence of breaking the law. Yobs can quote their rights yet have no idea about responsibility.

We have had ASBOs, bans on hoodies, parenting academies, parental contracts, yobs being dragged to cash points etc etc etc: all gimmicks from a government that hasn't a clue about tackling the real causes.

When I was canvassing recently in Chester, in one road alone I heard how one resident had his garden wall knocked down 3 times in one year; another had a concrete slab thrown into his fish pond; another plants pulled out of his garden; air gun pellets fired through a window and stones thrown at pensioners windows. All of these victims are ordinary hard working law abiding people. It will take more than a govermnet gimmick to put respect back into the youths that are tearing this community apart.

Maybe Chester's MP, Christine, should append her name to the R.A.P. then locally we can refer to it as C.R.A.P.

Lib Dems

In May 2005 election the Lib Dems were telling people they were the honest Party and that they were the only ones that could be trusted to tell the truth. Now we learn that all along, the most senior Lib Dems have been lying to the public to cover up for one of their own. They have deliberately decieved the voters, knowingly covering up for an alcholic: aand when the going got tough, they couldn't have been quicker with the knives.

So much for truth and trust!!!!!!

Geldof to work with Conservative Policy Group

I am delighted to hear that David Cameron has recruited Bob Geldof to work in consultation with a new Conservative Globalisation and Global Poverty policy Group.

This group is set up in recogniton that millions of Britons want prosperity for themselves AND progress for the poor, whether in the same community or on the other side of the world.

During the election in May I mentioned that righting off third world debt is not the whole answer to helping poor countries - we need to help them develop their own economies through wealth creation. This is an area that this policy group will be developing and David Cameron has recruited in the help of the experts. Bob Geldof has probably got a greater understanding of Global Poverty in African countries than anyone else in the UK, and his non-partisan support will be invaluable.

Today our local radio station asked me whether this was just a vote grabbing move - No it is not. Bob Gledof has been very damning of the Conservative Party in the past, but on the issue of Globalisation and Global Poverty he and the Conservatives want the same outcome, so it makes sense to work together.

For more information visit www.globalpovertychallenge.com

Education - Sex before Sums !!!!

It is only a matter of weeks since Blair published his much heralded Education White Paper - with the backing of the Conservatives. Now his own Party's MPs are revolting against him and so admissions and grant maintained status are ideas that are to be watered down.

This occurs at a time when Ofsted has reported that education standards in our schools have not increased in the last 8 years, despite increases in funding. A third of 11 year olds now leave primary school with a poor grasp of the three R's.

To make matters worse, linking this to last week’s revelation - children as young as 5 will be given compulsory sex education!!!!

So what we are hearing is that the government is not bold enough to push through changes to education that will teach infants to read and write, yet they want to make sure 5 year olds understand relationships and the basics of sex. To this government sex is more important than sums.

Now this really is a government that has it's priorities wrong. It is becoming so farcical that it is almost unbelievable.

But sadly - it is true.

David Cameron to lead the country to Hope and Optimism

68% of voting members of the Conservative Party have elected David Cameron as our new leader, and I'm ecstatic about it.

As a Party we have shown we have moved on from our past; we are looking forward into the future and we are modern in our thinking.

We must all unite behind David and grow from strength to strength

What a great time for theConservatives: Cameron the King of the Party and Carol Thatcher Queen of the Jungle.

Growing, Growing, Gone

That's the message we recieved yesterday from Gordon Brown on the state of the British economy.

In March, voters were told the growth forecast was 3.5%, no thast figure is revised to just 1.75%, one of the lowest growth forecasts for a country's economy in the developed world. George Osbourne, our Shadow Chacellor, stopped short of saying the Chancellor had lies to the public. Shame - I believe Gordon Brown deliberatley lied and misled the public in the run up to the general election.

The reality of the situation is that in 1997 Britain's econmy was the fourth most competitive economy in the world. We are now 15th, and in terms of growth, we are rapidly descending, almost freefalling, to the bottom of the league. The Chancellor blames inflated oil prices. Why then, are the ecomonies of China, India, the US, and even Germany and France now forecasting greater growth then the UK? Proabably because they are investing in growth and output and controlling spending.

In February 2004 I wrote a News Release highlighting the fact that private sector growth was slower than public sector growth - in other words, as a country, our rate of spending was exceeding our growth in income. You don't need any qualification in economics to know that that is unsustainable.

So Mr Prudent inherited a surging economy in 1997 and year on year it has been squandered, despite massive tax increases.

Let's hope we have an election before four years time because by then the state of our economy will be at rock bottom, as it was the last time the Tories took over from Labour.

Have Faith

I welcome the Queen’s speech to the General Synod yesterday when she extolled the virtues of the Christian Faith when there is so much instability and uncertainty in the world. A quality of our country that should be celebrated at all times is that we live in communities of many faiths, where everyone enjoys equal privileges of citizenship including the total freedom of religion.

This country is, by law, a Christian country, but this does not mean we do not recognise or encourage other faiths. Sir Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi, has said that the Church of England is an umbrella beneath which shelter Judaism, Islam and other faiths.

So in the UK, all people, irrespective of race, background or faith can flourish under a Monarch who has outlined her unifying role as Head of the Church. So as I said in my last blog entry, the onslaught on our Christian values and traditions must stop – it creates discord and resentment and does nothing to encourage integration and cross-faith harmony.

PC Madness

For those of you that know me, you will already be aware that Political Correctness is one subject that really gets me riled. I find it unecessary and believe it causes more problems that it is supposed to solve.

Recently I learnt that I am no longer meant to addess an audience as Ladies and Gentlemen, as that may cause offence. OFFENCE TO WHOM? I am now supposed to use the PC address of 'Women and Men'. Well I won't.

I read that yesterday in Walton, Essex, the traditional firing of a salute to mark the start and end of the Last Post had been cancelled for Rememberance Sunday on the grounds of Health and Safety. Don't laugh - it's true. The local RNLI used to fire maroons, but they have been advised that debris could blow back to the shore by the wind, causing a health and safety crisis. What a disgrace.

And of course, as we get closer to Christmas we will get the rampant PC assault on Christianity. The Red Cross still can't sell Christmas cards in their shops as it may cause offence to non-Chrisitians. Lowestoft Council have banned Christmas lights in the town as they do not fit with their policy on equality and diversity!! We are no longer supposed to use the term BC (Before Christ), we have to use BP (Before Present) and staff at the Inland Revenue have been banned from helping a Christian charity.

Surely it is not racist or exclusive that in a Chrsitian country with a Christian history we are allowed to practice a Christian faith. I know of Christian schools that have recently celebrated Diwali and Eid - and so they should - so I totally oppose this unwarranted secularist onslaught on Christian traditions.

The really annoying thing is that this hapless PC army are invariably funded by the taxer payer. New Zealand have recently appointed a Political Correctness Eradication spokesman - maybe we are at the stage where we need to do the same.

Let me know what you think and if you hear of any really absurd examples of Political Correct nonsense, please let me know.

The Police say.......

The entire justification for the Government's plans to detain terrorist suspects for 90 days without trial is that the police are calling for the legislation.

Fair enough. I believe the police should be listened to, but they must also be challenged to make sure that their demands do not excessively infringe on the wider public's civil liberties.

So the government always listens to the views of the police do they?

Cheshire's Chief Constable has said that his Force is ‘overstretched’ and relaxing alcohol laws will ‘aggravate the problem’, and his views are shared by many Chief Constables across the country. So why does the government choose to ignore the police on this issue and persist with meddling with the licensing laws?

It is evidently clear that the Government only listens to the police when it is in their interest - otherwise, the government knows best!!

Respect and Parents' rights

I was absolutely delighted today to hear that Mrs Axon, a parent of teenage daughters, is taking the government to the High Court over its guidelines that allow doctors to advise and perform abortions on teenage girls without parent's consent.

Many of you will know that I have always vehemently opposed these absurd guidelines. The government talks about encouraging respect, especially amongst the young, yet they allow children to totally bypass their parents over what will be a physically and mentally traumatic decision.

As a father, I am only too well aware of the absurdity of the situation created by this government. My little girls' nursery cannot administer Calpol if they develop a temperature unless their mother or I give specific signed approval. Similarly they cannot use a sticky plaster on a cut. If my girls were 14, they could not have their tonsils or appendix removed without signed parental consent. Yet when it comes to advise on contraception, (including the Pill), sexually transmited diseases or abortions, parents can be kept totally in the dark. This undermines the rights of parents and breaks down the whole psychological support structure of the family unit.

There may be a small number of cases where it would be detrimental to the youngs girl's well-being for the parents to know she had become pregnant, but that is not a justification for over-riding every parent and family.

I just hope Mrs Axon wins her case, but even if she doesn't, at least she has brought this ridiculous example of excessive government interference into family life to the front pages.

Blunkett

Yesterday I was asked if I thought it was right that David Blunkett had resigned.

My answer is NO..........................he should have been sacked.

Tony Blair's decision to continue to support Blunkett and fail to enforce the Code of Conduct that he set up is a sign of a desperate leader and a very very poor judgement indeed.

The question now is, "How long before Blair goes?" Surely it is a matter of sooner rather than later.

Code of Conduct!!!!!!!

In 1998, Tony Blair told the British people of his ‘strong personal commitment to restoring the bond of trust between the British people and their government.' One of the measures he put in place to ensure this trust was built, was a code of conduct for ministers. The Prime Minister then went on to say, 'We are all here to serve and we must all serve honestly and in the interests of those who gave us our positions of trust. I will expect all ministers to work within the letter and spirit of the code.’

That is, of course, until one of his cabinet ministers breaches the Code, not once, but FIVE times. The Prime Minister's response to David Blunkett's recent business transactions is to say they were 'mistakes' No they weren't. They were a breach of the code and therefore should result in dismissal.

I do not support witch hunts, and this is not one. There is no point is setting up a Ministerial Code of Conduct if FIVE breaches of that code has no consequences.

So much for a 'purer than pure' approach to government. This is sleaze that the Prime Minister is endorsing, which either goes to show he is making a very poor judgement, or that his priority is to protect his boys and not to restore the British People's trust in politics and politicians.

Is this episode showing that it is time for both Blunkett and Blair to go?