Parliamentary Committee slams BAA & Gordon Brown's extra runway for Stansted

I am glad that the influential House of Commons Transport Committee concludes that a case for Gordon Brown's second runway at Stansted has not been made.

This only underlines what the Conservatives said months ago. David Cameron has already said that he would scrap proposals for a second runway at the west Essex airport if Conservatives win the next general election. 

This pledge was confirmed by Shadow Transport Secretary Teresa Villiers MP - when she visited Harlow and Hastingwood and met with me in March.

We have already seen a delay to the start of a public inquiry over Stansted expansion and passenger numbers at the west Essex airport have dropped significantly.

The bottom line is that Stansted and the aviation industry as it stands at the moment does not need another runway at Stansted.

In addition, the people of west Essex whose homes have been blighted by the prospect of a second runway need to know once and for all that any threat of expansion will be lifted.

Only then they can at last get on with living and enjoying their lives - without the threat of noise and pollution - should these plans ever go ahead.

The 'Future of Aviation' inquiry report questions the need for a second runway at Stansted. I echo the views of the Stop Stansted Expansion group which says the Government is "flogging a dead horse" in its efforts to build a second Stansted runway.

Many months ago now I said that these expansion plans were not just in tatters but in tiny shreds. Those views have only been underlined by the conclusions of this report.

P.S. Its funny how Gordon Brown can talk the talk when it comes to saving the planet at the Copenhagen summit , yet wants to destroy the environment in England, with his airport expansion plans.

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A mobile telephone mast in my house!

Those who know me, will know that I am fascinated by mobile technology and occasionally write about it on my blog. Well, I have some news to share. I am proud to say that I have a mini-mobile telephone mast in my house. Given the controversy about these mobile masts, you probably think I have gone mad.

Well let me explain. It isn't one of those long aerial type pylons. It is a small white box, something akin to a wireless router. It is called the Vodafone Gateway, and I have to say, is simply incredible.

Since I moved into my new house in Newhall earlier this month, I was aghast to find that there was no Vodafone signal. Although O2 worked (luckily my work Blackberry is on O2), the Vodafone signal was terrible, virtually non-existent.

I called up Vodafone, and they sent me this amazing contraption (which is part of an upgrade). You simply plug it in to your broadband, register all your Vodafone numbers on the net, and hey presto, you have a full Vodafone 3G signal.

I think my Vodafone Gateway is a unique machine. It means that every house can get mobile broadband - at full warp speed - without needing to worry about the inadequacies of a mobile signal. Mobile Broadband, is also cheaper than the full cable/landline version.

The Gateway, is a very important development in the advancement of mobile technology. As other networks no doubt get their own version of the Gateway - and as they are taken up by mobile users - there will be less and less need for landlines. In keeping with this trend, 3 network have invented the Mi-FI, in essence a mobile Wi-FI machine that can link up numerous computers to internet via the mobile Network. I am more and more convinced that the days of cables and land lines are over.

You can't open the window

I was in a Hotel not so long ago, baking hot, so I tried to open the window. It was locked, so I called the reception and asked for a window key. The response was as follows (I kid you not): "I am sorry Sir, we can't open the windows due to health and safety legislation". There are countless examples of ridiculous health and safety laws that are so absurd, yet infringe upon the lives of millions of our fellow citizens up and down the country. Health and Safety, whilst necessary in some cases, has, too often become yet another way in which Government regulates and interferes with people's daily lives.

For this reason, I was really pleased to see that David Cameron has given a speech today, on this subject, and announced a fundamental review of all Health and Safety regulations, were a Conservative Government to be elected. Mr Cameron has said:

"Excessive rules have given the impression that we have a right to a risk-free life and that impression has been exacerbated by prominent claims and pay-outs. The consequence has been spiralling costs and a slow death of discretion, judgement and social responsibility... For every piece of health and safety legislation, we need to ask whether it fulfils a useful purpose – and if not, it must go. And we must bring some common sense to the laws surrounding compensation."

"I want people to know that with the Conservatives, government will let you get on with your life without unnecessary rules and regulations. I want everyone to know that with the Conservatives, if you do good, get involved and make a contribution, the system will back you."

I could not agree more.

P.S. You can read more details of what Mr Cameron is proposing HERE and HERE.

What the Lisbon Treaty really means

I mentioned to you the other day that I had debated the Lisbon Treaty at Harlow Council Watch last week. Well, as Dan Hannan MEP points out, the Lisbon Treaty came into force on midnight December 1 2010. Britain is no bound to the statutes of this Treaty, which are moire far reaching, than anything that has ever occurred before. We are now subjects of the EU, and answerable to the new EU President and Foreign Minister. Moreover, the new Constitution allows ever increasing extension of EU power, without even recourse to a further amending Treaty.

And we were not even allowed to vote on this. You can read what Mr Hannan says HERE. Read it and weep.

P.S. Latest News: I read from Iain Dale's website, that the Liberal Democrats have abandoned their pledge to hold an 'EU in or out' referendum. This is all the more strange, as the Harlow Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate made much of this policy commitment, when he set out his party's policy to Harlow Council Watch.

Good news: Money for Home Insulation

I am really pleased to give backing to bold Conservative plans to help households in Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon and Sheering protect the environment and save money.

Major policy proposals for a Conservative government include providing up to £6,500 for home insulation improvements at no upfront cost to residents. Under the plans, every household will have the right to have home energy efficiency work of up to £6,500. There will be no upfront cost, as the work will be paid for by the much larger savings on energy bills from the improved insulation.

This will open up a whole new market in energy efficiency, create tens of thousands of skilled jobs and cut carbon emissions. It will also save families money and make homes in Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon and Sheering warmer in winter - helping the elderly and 'fuel poor' in particular.

A typical home could see £30 a month knocked off its final bill.

The Green Deal of insulating people's homes for no upfront cost and rewarding people for recycling will not only protect the environment, but also help families and pensioners who are struggling to make ends meet.

A good reason to vote Conservative.

You can read more details of the proposal from Grant Shapps MP (Conservative Housing Spokesman), HERE.

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Downs School Visit the House of Commons

I drove to the House of Commons early today from Harlow, ready to meet Downs School who were on their second visit. A number of teachers and young students - armed with sandwiches - had travelled to Westminster - to tour around Parliament. I was pleased to have helped to arrange the visit - especially as all the pupils had a great time. Whatever the image that the Public have of some our politicians, at least our Parliament, still captures the imagination.

Harlow EU Lisbon Treaty Referendum Campaign

Following my earlier posting, I thought you might like to see some pictures from the Harlow EU Referendum Campaign in February 2008
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Debating the Lisbon Treaty with Harlow Council Watch

I am a great believer in debate and discussion, however tempestuous. Good political argument go hand in hand with democracy.

So I was really pleased to be invited (a few days ago), by Harry Harrison, (Chairman) of Council Watch and Colleen Morrison (Secretary), to discuss and debate the Lisbon Treaty and other matters relevant to the European Union. Also attending was Dave White, Harlow Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate.

In essence my case to Council Watch members was as follows:

• Labour had betrayed the Country by not giving the people a chance to vote on a referendum on the European Constitution (known as the Lisbon Treaty), despite pledging to in its election manifesto;
• The Liberal Democrats had promised the same, yet had abstained when the issue came before the House of Commons. If they had kept their promise, Gordon Brown would have been forced to have a referendum;
• The Lisbon Treaty was now law. The EU now had an unelected President and unprecedented right to intervene in our own affairs;
• The case for a referendum had crossed political divides. Tony Benn had backed the Harlow campaign and Robert Halfon, (and Colleen Morrison) had met Mr Benn at Parliament, in the demonstration for a referendum.
  
  David Cameron's response to this is as follows:
  
  
• Repatriation of our powers relating to the Charter of Fundamental Rights, Justice & Home Affairs and Social and Employment legislation;
• A possible referendum after one term of Government, if we have not repatriated these powers;
• A Bill to ensure that the UK Parliament has sovereignty over EU law;
• Any ratchet clauses emanating from the Lisbon treaty (i.e. extension of EU Power), have to have a majority in Parliament.
  
• Legislation to guarantee that any future EU Treaty will be subject to a referendum.
  
  
  

You can read more about this HERE. It is a speech, in which Mr Cameron sets out the Conservative European Policy. Of course, every Eurosceptic is enraged about the failure of the Government to hold a referendum on the European Constitution. If the above measures are enacted, it will at least have a ratchet effect against the ever increasing march towards European Federalism. Moreover, never again, will our political ruling class, be able to sign up to new European Treaties, without giving the people a right to say yes or no through referendum.

I was glad to set this out to Council Watch, and look forward to debating the issue in and around Harlow over coming months.

Back to Stewards to meet members of the Student Council

I was really pleased to go to Stewards School a few weeks ago to attend an amazing event. It was the school's annual food festival. I walked into a hall, with hundreds of pupils and parents, surrounding different food plates on an assortment of tables. The food cooked came from most countries of the world, and I think I sampled eateries from Ghana to Israel to Mexico. I have to say that I went home, not able to eat any dinner!

Anyway, on Friday, I went back to Stewards, to meet around fifty members of the School Council (all democratically elected by one person, one vote) and chat to them about politics. I was impressed with the calibre of the students - particularly by the range and depth of their questions. These students wanted to know why I was in politics, what made me a Conservative, and what I would try and do for Harlow if I was elected as MP. All the students I met were highly intelligent and cared deeply about our town. They were a credit to young people in Harlow.

Afterwards, I had a good discussion with the Head Teacher Ms Rhonda Murthar. She has been at Stewards for twenty years and is so passionate and dedicated to the school, it is quite an inspiration. With her guidance, alongside the work of the senior team, the school is improving year by year - and is the recipient of all kinds of national and regional awards. I very much look forward to my next visit.

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Going to Glaxo SmithKline

I was really pleased to visit Glaxo SmithKline (GSK) today. Whenever I drive past the huge site in Harlow, I always think of Gotham City and wonder when Batman is going to appear. The architecture of the huge GSK estate is just huge and forms a remarkable backdrop as you drive to and from the Pinnacles.

I was invited by GSK officials to tour the site and meet with a senior manager to discuss current concerns. It was fascinating to see some of the Laboratories at close hand and wonder at the research that was taking place. Whatever one's view of big drug corporations, it is good that Harlow hosts a company like GSK. It shows the importance of the town as a strategic venue for scientific research - which will be enhanced when Anglia Ruskin University arrives in Harlow. GSK have some exciting plans as to how the Harlow Estate will be utilised over the coming months and years, and I await further developments with interest.

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Great news: A new University for Harlow

A few weeks ago, I had a good meeting in Chelmsford, with the Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, who set out his vision for a University in Harlow.

It is great news that Anglia Ruskin has now secured the necessary funding - from the relevant funding agencies - to build a Campus in Harlow. Having a University will provide many young people with a chance of Higher Education, from a great educational institution, which they might have not otherwise taken.

It is yet more evidence of how Harlow is becoming one of the major centres in the East of England. With a new University, a new Sports complex, and a new Town Centre over the next few years, Harlow will be transformed over the next few years. It will be an exciting time.

More details about the funding mechanism for the new University are HERE.

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Meeting a Survivor

I was very privileged today to meet a survivor of the Holocaust, Ben Hefglott. He was a remarkable individual. Having survived the horrors of the Nazi genocide, Mr Hefglott came to England and subsequently became a British Olympian champion - in weightlifting - in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.

I thought to myself how incredible it was that this amazing man, who had been born in a Polish Town, had been a victim of the Nazis. and yet, against all the odds, survived, and achieved great sporting prowess - as well as becoming a successful businessman.

Mr Hefglott - and his sister (also a survivor) - spends much of his time going up and down the country, giving talks to children in a wide range of schools.

I met Mr Hefglott, courtesy of the Holocaust Education Trust, who were holding a reception for Conservative Parliamentary Candidates, with guest speaker and Shadow Cabinet Minister Francis Maude MP.

Mr Maude - who was in Rwanda with me in 2008 - on Project Umubano - made the point that the work of the HET was essential, because, as with other genocides (such as in Rwanda in 1994), there were always revisionists who were ready to deny the existence of the genocide, or pretend that it had been exaggerated.

I was pleased to have been there. It was good to learn of the work of the HET and meet those who had suffered greatly but achieved so much.

We need to protect pensioners from Gordon Brown's plans to cut benefits

It is very worrying that some 3,000 people in Harlow and the surrounding villages could lose their disability benefits. I am strongly opposing Gordon Brown's plans to scrap disability benefits for the elderly in Harlow.

The small print of Labour's plans to create a National Care Service reveals they will scrap Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance for pensioners to pay for it.

An average £3,400 a year will be snatched away from 2.4 million pensioners - equivalent to a quarter of the average pensioner's income. In the Harlow constituency, which includes Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon and Sheering, this would affect 3,000 pensioners – 2.030 who receive Attendance Allowance, worth an average of £60 a week, and 970 who receive Disability Living Allowance, worth an average of £75 a week.

Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance are based on need; they are not means tested and are intended to cover the extra costs arising from the impact the disability has on the life of the disabled person. The key feature of these benefits is that they can be spent by disabled people how they wish, without restrictions, to best support their individual care needs.

I find it astonishing that Gordon Brown has chosen to penalise one of the most vulnerable groups in our society for the sake of another of his eye-catching announcements.

As with every Labour initiative, someone has to pay and, as with many of them, it is once again those who are least able to afford it who are hit by Brown.

These benefits provide vital support for disabled pensioners, giving them the chance to lead an independent life with the freedom to tailor their care to their needs.

Of course, we need to do more to help people with their care costs, but it is completely wrong to do so at the expense of disabled pensioners. Conservatives will protect Harlow's pensioners and fight against Gordon Brown's plan to scrap benefits for the disabled.

Given what is planned, I am glad that last Thursday Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Theresa May and Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley launched the Conservatives' campaign to Protect Britain's Pensioners against the Labour's Government's proposals to integrate Attendance Allowance (which is only paid to the over-65s) and Disability Living Allowance for the over 65s into a future social care system.

The Conservatives want to do more to help people with their care costs, but we strongly believe that it is wrong to do this at the expense of disabled pensioners.

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IDS sees community groups transform young lives in Harlow

I met two young lads on Friday, courtesy of Raktrain. Both had been thrown out of school. Both seemed on the road to nowhere. Yet, now one is about to go to University, and the other to the Army.

How did this transformation take place? It was thanks to Raktrain. Some of you will remember from my blog posting not so long ago, that Raktrain is a charity that helps youngsters get skills in key subjects such as Maths and English. It also offers them mentoring and life skills. By luck these two lads had been referred to Raktrain, and as a result had their futures changed for the better.

It was for this reason that I took Iain Duncan Smith to visit Raktrain last Friday. IDS chairs the Centre for Social Justice, an organisation that builds alliances with community groups that change lives. I was glad that he had a chance to see Raktrain at first hand.

IDS also went to the Harlow Canal Boat Project - an enabling charity that gives youngsters with disabilities the chance to learn to drive and ride in canal boats. It offers these youngsters - many whom face enormous difficulties in their daily lives, opportunities for some great challenges and experiences. This was my third visit to this special Project - I very much wanted IDS to see it at first hand.

In the evening, Mr Duncan Smith was guest speaker at our annual spoke to Harlow Conservative Ladies Committee annual Churchillian Dinner - held to remember Mr Churchill's time as MP for Epping and Harlow. It was good that so many people came - well over one hundred. IDS gave the audience a powerful message about the need for social justice. As one guest present observed - it is to be hoped that a future Conservative Government will take up the IDS agenda to rebuild Britain's broken society. I was really pleased to see so many people there, some notable figures in our community, including a head teacher and some directors of local charities.
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IDS to visit Harlow today

It should be a really good day. Iain Duncan Smith MP, Chairman of the Centre for Social Justice is visiting Harlow.

We have a jam packed visit. IDS starts off as Guest Speaker to the Essex Chamber of Commerce Lunch.

After, he will be visiting the Canal Boat Project and Raktrain. Both - in a different way - are community ventures which transforms the lives of young people.

The Canal Boat Project gives youngsters - many with disabilities - the chance to explore our canals and enjoy our beautiful scenery through the eyes of a canal boat.

Raktrain helps equip young kids - who may have dropped out of full time education - with the skills they need to give them a chance for the future.

After these visits, IDS is guest speaker at Harlow Conservatives Ladies Committee annual dinner.

We have over 100 people attending in what should be a remarkable event. Ladies Chairwoman, Sarah Dangerfield - with her committee - has been working day and night to make the event run smoothly. It is a mammoth task: organising the venue, selling tickets, doing table plans and much more besides.

Our dinner is called 'The Churchillian' in recognition that Winston Churchill represented Harlow when he was MP for the Epping Constituency.

I am looking forward to IDS coming very much. He is a man who has transformed Conservative politics with his emphasis on social justice and helping the vulnerable through empowering community organisations. It should be fascinating to hear what he has to say.

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Questions to Armed Forces Minister and Harlow MP Bill Rammell over the closure of Harlow Territorial Army Centre

AFTER meeting with a number of Harlow TA members last week Friday night to discuss the closure of Harlow's territirial army centre, I thought it would be worth posting here a number of questions to Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell.

The answers to these ten questions are vitally important if the TA members in Harlow, and the wider community, are to have the full facts about why this totally illogical decision to close the centre was taken.

We need answers - and a full explanation now. Mr Rammell owes it to the local community, the community which he currently represents in Westminster, to inform them why he allowed this centre to be closed."

1 - You (Mr Rammell) say the closure was necessary to save money for the frontline. Yet since 2001, 12,000 TA members have gone to Iraq or Afghanistan?

2 - If the TA has been closed to save funds surely the fact the MoD is now paying petrol costs for TA members to travel to Chelmsford means it would have been cheaper to keep the TA open in Harlow?

3 - Why is it that the Harlow TA was initially told closure would take place in March 2010. Yet it was in October, when the Harlow TA members were away on a training camp, that they were told Harlow TA was to be no more, and the TA building was closing immediately? (Many TA members were not even able to get their belongings as the centre was emptied whilst they were away training).

4 - Why was the Harlow TA disbanded when local recruitment was booming? In fact Harlow TA had one of the highest recruitment in the regiment.

5 - Why despite guarantees, were not all Harlow TA members not offered a place in Chelmsford?

6 - Will not the cost of clearing the land around the Harlow TA, and making it fit for civilians be so costly that it will make any alleged savings from the Harlow TA few and far between?

7 - The Government have made a u-turn on cutting funding for TA training. As yet Harlow TA members have not received their training money. When will this be received?

8 - Why was Harlow disbanded when its location is vital to its work as in communications back-up - particularly as the TA was close to London and Stansted?

9 - You (Mr Rammell) talk about making savings yet why are MoD bureaucrats getting bonuses of £47 million when just a fraction of this could keep the Harlow TA centre open?

10. Why as Armed Forces Minister and local MP have you not done more to support the constituency and national interest in keeping Harlow TA open, rather than spouting the latest line from the Government? Why have you not yet met with TA members to discuss the decision to disband Harlow TA?

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Catching Up : Construction, Housing and Regeneration

I am a bit behind with my blog-posting, so I thought I would let you know what occurred last Friday. It was quite a hectic day, starting off with a visit to the Construction Training Partnership in Burnt Mill. As you know, this is a great organisation that I have visited on a number of occasions. CTP does a huge amount to provide youngsters with vocational training - and a chance to join the ladder of opportunity, instead of sinking into despair at the lack of job opportunities available. I was there as a Conservative Party official, wanted to see CTP at first hand. This followed earlier visits from Lord Hanningfield (Leader of Essex County Council) and the BBC, to see what by any standards is a real success.

After, I had two important meetings - with Places for People and Harlow Renaissance. Places for People are the organisation that has taken over control for the controversial Harlow North development - part of the Gordon Brown's East of England Plan - which has seemingly become set in stone.

Whilst my reservations about the Government's bulldozing of the countryside are well known - the way in which it has been undemocratically decided, the lack of support for financial infrastructure and the failure to use brown field land more carefully, I am at least comforted by the fact that Places for People is a 'not for dividend' organisation. The company is also making efforts to involve people locally in consultation and seems - at first appearances - to be socially responsible. If Harlow North is to be built - and the plans are irreversible - it is vital that the developers concerned have a vision that is in keeping with the surroundings and in harmony with local people.

Meeting with Harlow Renaissance was also incredibly useful. I have regular briefings with this ever important body and it is good to discuss the all important plans for regeneration of Harlow Town Centre, which if implemented will make a huge difference to our town.

In the afternoon, it was casework. I try and visit Constituents who contact me with their problems. It is much easier to understand the difficulties people face if I have seen it first hand.

By Rob Halfon ~ Working hard for Harlow, Hastingwood, Nazeing, Roydon & Sheering. http//roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Green belt future set to be election battleground

Apologies for the lack of postings this week, but I have been moving house. They say it is one of the most stressful things that have ever happened, and it certainly is!

I was interested to read reports in the Daily Telegraph newspapers over the past couple of days about Government plans to build over the green belt.

Sadly, the reports have confirmed my worst fears. Gordon Brown intends to ram through building on our green belt areas, with little consultation.

My main objection to the Government housebuilding plans has been precisely this. Housing targets have been set from the centre. House building (when and where) has been set from the centre. There has been no genuine consultation involving local people and no guarantees of infrastructure funding.

For further information see THIS weblink.

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Lest we forget

I felt very very proud to be British today.

Harlow's British Legion organised (as they do every year), a moving ceremony to mark Remembrance Sunday, and I was pleased to lay a Wreath in my capacity as Conservative Parliamentary Candidate.

Whatever the troubles to overcome, whatever the difficulties our nation faces, the deep humanity of our fellow citizens shows itself on a day such as this. We remember the fallen, not just as a mark of respect, but to remind ourselves that our freedom is due to their bravery.

We should never forget.


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