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It has emerged that the Tory-run Kent County Council (KCC) is proposing to push through savage cuts to youth service provision across the county – the axe will fall firmly here in Dartford, too.
Specifically, KCC plans to cut £0.5m from the youth service budget, axe 64.5 full-time staff positions and – here in Dartford – almost certainly close the highly regarded, purpose-built and KCC-owned Bridge Youth Art Centre. That comes on top of the closure of the Highfield Youth Centre some years back.
As a result, Labour in Dartford has used the opportunity provided by KCC’s consultation exercise regarding its plans for youth services to thoroughly oppose these savage Tory cuts. Out full submission to KCC can be seen at:
http://www.dartfordlabourparty.org.uk/blog/kcc-submission
….. Continue reading Labour opposes Tory cuts to local youth services
The Dartford Labour Party has submitted a petition to local Tory MP, Gareth Johnson – supported by 375 ordinary members of the public – opposing the Conservative-led government’s plan to hike the tolls at the Dartford Crossing by an inflation-busting 66%.
The text of the press release can be found at: http://www.dartfordlabourparty.org.uk/blog/press-releases
During the 2010 general election, Gareth Johnson left local people in no doubt that he would campaign for the tolls to be scrapped. He even told parliament in June 2010 that he would “never stop campaigning for the tolls on the Dartford crossing to be scrapped.” Yet, not only has there been no such campaign from the MP, but the tolls are to actually rise. People in Dartford
….. Continue reading LABOUR SUBMITS PETITION TO MP OPPOSING TOLL HIKES
Last week, the Dartford Labour Party submitted its views to the Department for Transport on the government’s unacceptable plan to massively increase the tolls at the Dartford Crossing. You can see our full submission by following the link below:
http://www.dartfordlabourparty.org.uk/blog/consultation
Naturally, Labour opposes this unfair increase and believes that – in the current tough economic conditions – businesses and hard working families shouldn’t be paying anymore at all to use the crossing. We’re also outraged at the inactivity of Tory MP Gareth Johnson who has sat by while his own government has pushed through a hefty hike in the tolls. Yet in his maiden speech to the House of Commons in June 2010, he promised to “never stop campaigning for the tolls on
….. Continue reading LABOUR CONDEMNS TORY TOLL INCREASE
It was a great pleasure to see Dartford’s former Labour MP, Dr Howard Stoate, on Friday 23 September where he addressed a packed meeting of the Dartford Labour Party on the subject of the government’s NHS reforms. Given his role as chair of Bexley’s Clinical Cabinet, which has given him a leading role in the reform process, his analysis of the government’s plans was impressively knowledgeable.
Dr Stoate was clear that a core principle behind the reforms – that clinical services should be commissioned at the GP-patient level – had considerable merit. Indeed, he pointed out that this basic concept had first been pursued by the last Labour government but that GPs in most parts of the country had not,
….. Continue reading The threat to our NHS – Howard Stoate speaks on health reforms
Plans to increase the cost of the Dartford River crossing will hit locals hard and the Government needs to think again, says Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, Maria Eagle MP.
The Tory-led Government has just announced plans to hike up charges from £1.50 to £2.00 next year for cars, rising to £2.50 in 2012. Prices for other vehicles will also increase under the plans.
Labour’s Shadow Secretary for Transport, Maria Eagle MP: “The proposals will hit motorists who use this vital link hard. At a time when drivers are already being squeezed by the VAT increase on fuel imposed by the Chancellor, the government should be doing all it can not to add further burdens. The government will struggle to justify
….. Continue reading Dartford Crossing latest
Under government proposals, the cost of a monthly season from Dartford to London is set to rise from £192.40 to £241 next year. The government wants to raise the cap on fares to 3% above inflation from 2012.
The Fair Fares Now campaign is calling for:
Affordable prices, including peak times and turn-up-and-go tickets Reliable services that aren’t overcrowded Straightforward tickets that make train travel simple
Making fares cheaper, simpler and fairer wouldn’t just benefit long-suffering passengers, and stop pricing those who can least afford it off the train. It would also give people choices about how they get around, and help to attract more people onto the train. In the long run, that’s what’s needed to protect the environment
….. Continue reading Train fares set to rise
Disabled people are under pressure,through reassessment of vital disability benefits. And Tory MP Philip Davies displayed his ignorance and insensitivity to the needs of many by suggesting that disabled people should offer to work for less than the National Minimum Wage. We’ve posted a link to a national protest petition on this site.
Once again the Tories show their true colours, picking on those least organised and most vulnerable to reduce spending, while not addressing the inequalities of society.
Our local college offering higher and further educational courses to students aged over 16 has become the latest casualty of Tory cuts in the South East. The college has more than 4,000 full time learners at campuses in Dartford and Gravesend. But Principal David Gleed said the college was facing a shortfall of £3 million if nothing was done. Staff have been told 156 roles are deemed redundant. Sixty-five post are at risk-nine in management, 14 teaching jobs and 42 support posts. Existing employees, a member of staff said, may have to reapply for their jobs. We say: • Fewer and fewer jobs are available for young people and now the Coalition Government are putting at risk educational opportunities. •
….. Continue reading Coalition cuts hit North West Kent College
As we reported here, Kent Police are about to lose about 500 officers. This week the Kent Messenger reports that the Kent Police Federation have started a campaign, combatting the government line that the frontline won’t be affected.
Ian Pointon, chairman of the federation’s Kent branch, said: “The government has slashed spending on the police by 20 per cent and told the public the frontline won’t be affected. In reality they don’t even understand what the frontline is – it is certainly far more than uniformed police officers on patrol, as important as they are. A government reassurance that cuts of this level can be found solely from the ‘back office’ or through ‘efficiency savings’ is at best poorly
….. Continue reading Kent Police cuts – latest
Dartford’s local elections were held on 5th May 2011, at the same time as the referendum on alternative voting. Despite a stalwart campaign, Labour were unable to make inroads into the Tory majority, losing three seats in marginal wards. While the Labour core vote held up, the Conservatives were able to motivate their support, and increased the turnout of their supporters.
The bright notes for Labour, following the poor showing at the general election, is the number of new activists who are realising the need for Labour action, and campaigned strongly during the campaign. Congratulations to our neighbouring colleagues in Gravesham, winning the council from the Tories, and those in Thanet who came within a whisker of doing the same.
….. Continue reading Local elections
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