ANN WILSON SELECTED TO TAKE OVER FROM ERIC EMPSON

Local "Better Bus Service" campaigner Ann Wilson has been selected by the Liberal Democrats to fight the 3rd December by-election in Ormesby and Nunthorpe as a successor to Eric Empson who stepped down on Monday this week.

She is well know by local residents for taking the lead for the Lib Dems in getting hundreds of names for their petition calling for a better bus service locally.

Arriva, the main local bus operator, has conceded that their service for Ormesby and Nunthorpe residents' was "not right". But their only response was to re-number the 5 service.

They're dead right Arriva's service isn't right for local people. The bus in the photo was the third bus to go down Ormesby Bank in the space of 2 minutes - and was empty. People usually say that, when you want a bus, two come - Arriva have gone one better!

Ann and local Lib Dem Councillors have been campaigning for a more frequent service that goes where local people want to go - to Morrisons or James Cook Hospital for example - and re-instating the circular service that Arriva scrapped. We have long campaigned for yellow school buses on the US model which would make a massive contribution to cutting local traffic congesion. It's is far worse in school term times than at other times - as everyone can see during this week's half-term holiday.

Ann has promised that, if she is elected on 3rd December, she will keep up the fight for a better bus service for local people.

Tory proposals are short term stop gap says Vince Cable

“The Tories have been deeply ambivalent on the much more fundamental question of what we do about the future of the banking system," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable.

Commenting on the Tories’ call for High Street banks to ban the payment of bonuses of more than £2,000 in cash, Vince Cable said:“The Tories have been deeply ambivalent on the much more fundamental question of what we do about the future of the banking system.

“They have not given full backing to Mervyn King’s proposals on splitting up the banks and these bonus proposals are short term, stop gap solutions designed to stem public anger but which fail to get to the heart of the problem.

“The bonus pool in the banking system derives from the fact that the banks are making profits on the back of taxpayer guarantee. Until a properly regulated structure can be established, banks should be paying the taxpayer a premium for this guarantee.”

LOCAL LIB DEM COUNCILLOR ERIC EMPSON STANDS DOWN

Eric Empson (right) joining Prospective MP Ian Swales (centre) and local Councillor Glyn Nightingale in Ian's "Save our Post Offices" campaign

Former Redcar & Cleveland Council Leader Eric Empson has yesterday announced his resignation from the council.

Eric, who will be 85 next month, has represented Ormesby on the Council since 1989, initially on Cleveland County Council and later the Borough Council. He led the council from 2003 to 2007, when the Council achieved a 4-star rating.

But Eric feels the time is right to step back now.

Eric said:
“After discussions with my doctor I feel my health will not allow me to continue to represent the people of Ormesby and Nunthorpe to the full.”

“I was proud to serve as Leader of the Council. It was a special privilege to represent my fellow citizens in local, regional and national forums.”

“I would like to thank the people of Ormesby and Nunthorpe for electing me, and thank everyone who has worked with me as a councillor.”

Councillor Chris Abbott, Liberal Democrat Group Leader at the Council, said:
“I thank Eric for his excellent hard work over the years. His experience and wisdom will be missed by many.”

Lib Dem Group Chair, Councillor Irene Nightingale, who also represents Ormesby ward, added:
“It has always been a pleasure to work with Eric in helping local constituents. Local residents will miss his dedication in representing their interests.”

Ormesby Lib Dem Councillor Glyn Nightingale said, "It's a sad day. Eric's a true gentleman. Everyone locally respects him and looks up to him. No one would have thought he is in his 8os. There is no doubt that he has made a tremendous contribution to our area. Now we wish him better health and a long retirement."

VINCE CABLE IN OUR AREA

Lib Dem Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable was back in the North East recently.

It's great to hear him speak. Who else has been so right for so long on the state of Britain's economy and has such a clear understanding of the financial mess we’re in?

He stressed the need to close tax loopholes used by the wealthy and take on the greedy bankers. He also wants to lower the tax burden for lower and average earners and make the whole system fairer.

Prospective MP Ian Swales took the opportunity to chat to Vince afterwards about the issues affecting our local area. Once again it shows that right from the top the Liberal Democrats are aware of the jobs crisis our area faces. Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg supports the Save Our Steel campaign (see earlier post). Britain needs the strategically crucial industries like steel and chemicals here on Teesside.

Local Councillors' Overfields Patch Walk

On Thursday, local Lib Dem Councillors Glyn and Irene Nightingale once again took part in a "patch walk" with local police officers and representatives of Coast & Country Housing and the Fire Service.

We found a whole load instances of graffiti, fly-tipping and damaged roads signs. There was widespread litter all over the area which Coast & Country are responsible for. But surprisingly, they have no schedule for clearing up.

It's not the first time that we've had to report these sort of problems on the estate to Council officials to seek their urgent attention to sort things out. But we've reported the problems again to them and we'll be checking to see if they are sorted out soon.

The Allendale Shopping Centre is full of graffiti. It's a long standing eyesore that local people say they are fed up with. Police officers want CCTV cameras installed. We have raised the possibility with Council officials.

One of the problems on the estate is the patchwork of land ownership between the Council and Coast & Country Housing. It's time they really got together to do a better job for residents.

We'll keep you in touch with developments.

More bad news for our area - say Ian Swales

GDP figures show we could be in the deepest recession on record - says Shadow Chacellor Vince Cable

Commenting on today's GDP figures, which show the economy shrank by 0.4% Between July and September, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, Vince Cable said:

"For all the hopes of a quick recovery, these figures make it clear we are still in the longest and what could yet become the deepest recession on record.

"For all that has been thrown at the economy to try and stimulate a recovery it is clear that massive structural problems remain, particularly in the banking sector.

"This news adds to serious concerns over the realism of Government plans to deal with the burgeoning public debt. It is critical ministers spell out a credible path as to how they will deal with the deficit.

"With the legacy of unemployment likely to remain for years after the end of the recession, we need radical measures to avoid repeating the mistakes of the 1990s which left millions on the scrap heap."

Prospective MP for Redcar Ian Swales said:

"The fact that the country is still in recession is more bad news for our area. With unemployment already at high levels, and more threatened, we desperately need a turn round in the country's fortunes. While other countries like France and Germany are growing again we are still faced with decline and a collapsing currency due to the reckless policies of the Labour Government."

Simon Hughes - A bad day for Parliament, Labour and the planet.

Commenting after the defeat of a Liberal Democrat Opposition day motion calling for Government, Parliament, and all public sector bodies to cut their carbon pollution by 10% by the end of 2010, Liberal Democrat Shadow Energy and Climate Change Secretary Simon Hughes said:

“This is a bad day for Parliament, Labour and the planet.

“The Government has failed to understand the level of public support for the 10:10 campaign or to get the message that people want real political action now to tackle dangerous climate change.

“Britain needs a Government which sets an example and delivers immediate and ambitious carbon reductions in the UK. Today the Government has stopped a clear message from going to the rest of the world that Britain will take action on climate change now.

“Last year Liberal Democrats successfully added an 80% emission reduction target to the Climate Change Act.

“We will continue to show political leadership in dealing with the climate crisis and we will continue to give the strongest backing to the 10:10 campaign.”