Julie Morgan MP

Arsenal star supports effort

This column appears in the Cardiff Post today.

A couple of weeks ago, I met the Arsenal and England footballer Theo Walcott at the launch of the Breastfeeding Manifesto in London.

The event, which took place during National Breastfeeding Awareness Week, highlighted the aims of the Breastfeeding Manifesto. More than 30 not-for-profit organisations, including Unicef and five Royal colleges, have signed up to the Breastfeeding Manifesto to tackle the low levels of breastfeeding in the UK.

Theo himself grew up knowing how important breastfeeding is as his mum was a La Leche League breastfeeding leader. He has lent his support to the Breastfeeding Manifesto to help every child get off to a healthy start.

I was delighted to attend the launch and so pleased to see a young man like Theo supporting this cause. It is so important that we try to increase the levels of breastfeeding in the UK and Wales in particular, as it can make a major difference to the health of both mothers and babies. It's best for the baby and best for the mother.

We need to increase awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding and support women who want to breastfeed, especially during the first six months of a baby's life. Let's make breastfeeding an easier thing for women to do.

Daily Bulletin: Thursday 31 May

Today, Julie is in the constituency. The House of Commons is on Whitsun recess.

Headlines

The UK's secret services are behind the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko, says the man accused of his murder; schools in England are given the legal power to search pupils for knives; and a non-nicotine drug specifically designed to help smokers is approved for the NHS.

Politics

Tony Blair is in South Africa; the issue of all-black and minority ethnic shortlists divides Labour's deputy leadership candidates; and the Government sells its shares in nuclear energy to pay for the cost of shutting down nuclear power stations.

Tory war over grammars rages on

David Cameron’s grand plan to embarrass Labour and show how the Tory party has changed has unleashed the kind of Tory infighting we haven’t seen since they were thrown out of office in 1997. Cameron’s team have unintentionally found themselves in an apparently unending war with their own party.

Frontbencher Graham Brady, who has resigned his post, told the press that he wasn’t alone in his opposition to Cameron’s climb-down. He said: "A great many of my colleagues share my view. I have very strong support in the Conservative party, in the House of Commons and the country."

Fellow Tory MP, Nigel Evans, said: “Graham would not have been doing his job if he had not stepped in and defended the grammar schools.”

Adding petrol to the flames, one of Cameron’s closest confidants, Ed Vaizey, said this morning: “It would be nice if Graham Brady supported David Cameron but there you go, I’m not going to go off on one. Never mind, you know? David Cameron working hard to get Tories re-elected, great support from one of our colleagues!”

Channel 4 News polled Tory council leaders and found that far from leading his party, Cameron is losing the argument over a stone age debate on grammar schools. Of 52 Tory council leaders interviewed, more than half — 28 — opposed their party’s climb-down on schools policy. Channel 4 also saw a private letter to the Shadow Education Secretary David Willetts, where Kent's council leader accused senior Tories of being completely out of touch.

Meanwhile, polls continue to show Tories on the slide — the Independent’s Communicate Research poll shows 40% believe the Tories are divided and has Labour back up 4%, with the Tories again on the slide, down 3%.

Meanwhile, the Tory grass roots are in revolt on Tory-supporting websites. One asked on Iain Dale's website: "How many signatures does it need in November to trigger a leadership election?" Another said: "Sacking a man, face to face, is one thing. Briefing behind his back that he may expect to be sacked is another thing entirely. It is not the conduct of a gentleman. But then, Old Etonians' behaviour is generally worse than that of Grammar School boys." Someone with the online handle 'Used to vote Conservative' said: "Remove yourself, Cameron, and give us the Conservative Party back."

Have we missed a story? Want to discuss these issues? Leave a comment below.

Daily Bulletin: Wednesday 30 May

Today, Julie is in the constituency. The House of Commons is on Whitsun recess.

Headlines

A Shia militia group is thought to be behind the kidnapping of five British citizens in Baghdad; the Pope has met the parents of Madeleine McCann; and President Bush chooses the new head of the World Bank.

Politics

Tony Blair is continuing his tour of Africa with a visit to Sierra Leone, where he sent British troops in 1998; debate continues about tackling extremism in our universities; and Tory Shadow Minister for Europe Graham Brady quits his post in protest at David Cameron's policy on grammar schools.

0800 number to speed up getting back to work

A new telephone service to improve the way that people claim benefits and get back to work advice is launched today by Jobcentre Plus, announced Labour’s Minister for Employment Jim Murphy.

Following customer feedback, a new national 0800 number has been introduced, which is free to call from landlines and will speed up the claims process. In most cases, customers will need to have only one conversation with an adviser to make their benefit claim, so benefits will be received more quickly.

Labour’s Jim Murphy said: "Last year we piloted the 0800 number and the feedback we had from customers was very positive. I am pleased that this service will now be available to everyone, significantly improving the way that people can claim benefits.

"I believe that this change will encourage people to get in touch with us to claim the benefits they are entitled to as well as receiving help in getting back into the labour market."

The new numbers are: telephone 0800 0 55 66 88; textphone 0800 0 23 48 88 (i); and Welsh language 0800 0 12 18 88.

Anti-social behaviour crackdown

Persistent nuisance neighbours face having their homes closed and sealed under proposed new powers for police and councils, the Home Office said today. Even homeowners could lose access to their properties for up to 12 weeks at a time in the latest measure to bear down on anti-social behaviour.

The powers, to be introduced in the forthcoming Criminal Justice Bill, were announced by Labour Home Office minister Vernon Coaker on a visit to a crack house in west London. The laws will be based on existing crack house closure measures and similar powers in force in Scotland. The move follows consultation with police, local authorities, housing trusts and community groups in which 86% of respondents agreed with the beefing up of current closure measures.

Vernon Coaker said: “The cost of responding to reports of anti-social behaviour is estimated at around £3.4 billion a year, but this ignores the emotional and social impacts of anti-social behaviour.

“I have heard from people living in areas affected by anti-social behaviour about the devastating impact just one property can have on a whole neighbourhood and I want to ensure that police and local authorities have the powers to deal with it.

”The crack house closure powers have already been successful at providing respite to communities affected by class A drug use, but I am confident that by extending this power, we can tackle other forms of extreme and persistent anti-social behaviour, such as excessive noise, rowdy behaviour, frequent drunken parties and anti-social residents intimidating and threatening their neighbours.

“It is also important that the police and local authorities continue to make full use of the existing tools and powers available to tackle anti-social behaviour — we must all keep up the momentum.”

Alan Gordon, vice chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said: “We welcome any powers to enable police to act positively against any form of anti-social behaviour to improve the lives of residents. We will look forward to seeing the new powers on the statute book.”

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Daily Bulletin: Tuesday 29 May

Today, Julie is in the constituency. The House of Commons is on Whitsun recess.

Headlines

Madeleine McCann's parents release video of her holidaying in Portugal; scientists isolate an antibody which could protect against bird flu in humans; and the US wants to toughen sanctions on Sudan.

Politics

Tony Blair will visit Libya later as part of a week-long visit to Africa; a frontbench Tory MP is reprimanded after backing grammar schools; and the six contenders for Labour's deputy leadership will face each other tonight in a TV debate.

Take action to help the people of Darfur

All the main political party leaders joined together on Friday to urge the public to give generously to prevent a possible humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur.

The Prime Minister warned the Sudanese Government of “very tough” United Nations sanctions if they do not halt bombing and violence in Darfur which has driven as many as two million people from their homes.

Aid agencies including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children have joined forces under the DEC banner to appeal for help for 4.5 million people affected by the ongoing conflict in the province of western Sudan, which has spilled over to neighbouring Chad and the Central African Republic.

In the video message, which has been posted on the YouTube website, Tony Blair urged the public to be as generous as possible in support of the DEC appeal.

He said: “There are around about 4.5 million people affected by this very serious situation indeed … Many people have died but also many people are in a situation of the most dire need. So I hope, and I am sure, the British people will respond generously as they always do, and this will be obviously in addition to the money that the UK Government has been putting into the situation in order to alleviate the humanitarian suffering.

“In addition we are pressing for the Sudanese government to stop the bombing and the violence and I will continue working for a very tough United Nations Security Council resolution if they don't listen to the appeal that is being launched by the United Nations Secretary General and act upon it immediately. "This is a very serious situation, it needs our help and it needs your help too.”

Have we missed a story? Want to discuss these issues? Leave a comment below.

Daily Bulletin: Friday 25 May

Today, Julie is in the constituency. The House of Commons will not be sitting.

Surgery

Julie will hold her next constituency surgery on Saturday 26 May from 10.30am to 11.30am at the constituency office. No appointment is necessary. For more information give the office a call on (029) 20 624166.

Headlines

Pregnant women should avoid drinking alcohol completely, new guidelines say; Congress backs a Bill funding the Iraq war which does not include withdrawal plans; and the coalition led by Bertie Ahern's party is leading in the Irish general election, according to exit polls.

Politics

Alan Johnson criticises Margaret Hodge's remarks about housing; a House of Lords committee says that VAT carousel fraud is out of control; and the UK's oldest peer dies aged 98.

Rhodri Morgan expected to become First Minister today

Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan is expected to become First Minister of Wales in a vote in the Assembly today after talks between Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats and the Tories about forming a 'rainbow coalition' collapsed in acrimony.

Four Plaid AMs expressed their displeasure at the possibility of forming a government with Tories, and the Lib Dem group of AMs appear to be fighting among themselves.

Rhodri said that he would look for common ground on policy with "progressive" elements in other parties.

He said: "I think we will be able to build a consensus in getting Wales a stable government. We will try to reach out to progressive people in other parties."

Teenage pregnancy rates continue to fall

Teenage pregnancy statistics published yesterday show the lowest under-16 and under-18 conception rates for the first quarter of a year since 1993, when quarterly statistics were first published.

The latest quarterly teenage pregnancy statistics from Office for National Statistics show that for the first quarter of 2006:

• The under-16 rate of conceptions was 7.0 per 1000 girls aged 13-15, compared with 7.6 for the same quarter 2005. This is the lowest quarterly rate (for any quarter) since the start of the statistical series in 1993
• The under-18 rate of conceptions was 39.7 per 1000 girls aged 15-17, compared with 41.4 for the same quarter in 2005. This is the lowest first quarter rate since 1993, when the statistical series started
• Compared to the first quarter of 2005 the under 16 rate is eight percent lower, and the under 18 rate four percent lower

Labour’s Minister for Children, Young People and Families, Beverley Hughes, said: "This is further evidence that our Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is working. We made a commitment to reduce the teenage conception rates and to improve the quality of life for all young people — we are delivering on that.”

Have we missed a story? Want to discuss these issues? Leave a comment below.

Daily Bulletin: Thursday 24 May

Today, Julie is in London. The business in the House of Commons will include oral questions to Education Secretary Alan Johnson and Solicitor General Mike O'Brien. The main business will be an opportunity for MPs to raise any issue they choose on a motion for the House to adjourn for the Whitsun recess.

Headlines

Israel detains more than 30 Hamas officials; UEFA blames trouble outside last night's Champions League final on Liverpool fans; and banks are accused of exploiting a court victory to urge customers to drop claims for repayment of charges.

Politics

Home Secretary John Reid is under pressure over control orders; plans for a 'rubbish tax' are discussed; and the Lib Dems pull out of a proposed rainbow coalition in Wales, putting Labour back in pole position to form a government.

Energy White Paper

Labour’s Trade & Industry Secretary, Alistair Darling, yesterday published the Government's White Paper on Energy. The White Paper sets out the Government's international and domestic energy strategy, addressing the long-term energy challenges with an aim to delivering four key policy goals:

• to begin on a path to cutting CO2 emissions by some 60 per cent by about 2050;
• to maintain the reliability of energy supplies;
• to promote competitive markets in the UK and beyond; and
• to ensure that every home is adequately and affordably heated.

Alistair Darling told the BBC: “There are two big challenges we face as a country. One is we have the problem of climate change and we can’t carry on putting more and more carbon into the atmosphere. The second thing is in relation to making sure that we’ve got secure, affordable supplies of energy. We’ve been dependent on North Sea oil now for over thirty five years; that is declining and more and more we’ll have to import oil and gas from sometimes pretty unstable parts of the world. What do you do in response to that? Well, there’s three things.

"Firstly we must reduce the amount of energy we use. The second thing you need to do is to do more in relation to renewables; we’ve doubled the amount of renewables in the last four or five years, we need to do far more but bear in mind that wind farms themselves are deeply controversial — and not just in Notting Hill. And the third element of course is what mix of energy generation, electricity generation, do we have in the future? I believe that we will have oil, gas and coal for some years to come. In addition to that, we need to do more for renewables but also I think that nuclear has to be part of that mix and to exclude it as an option would in my view be a big mistake.”

Writing in the Times, Tony Blair said: "Our energy White Paper is practical but radical. It is a set of strategic measures designed for the long term. The decisions need to be taken now. The benefits will be felt in the decades to come. But taking them now is the only way to be serious about climate change while protecting our vital energy supply.

"The White Paper sets out proposals for ramping up our efforts to save energy, to develop cleaner energy supplies and to ensure that timely new energy investments can be made."

What do you think about the White Paper and Britain's energy needs? Let Julie know your views at morganj@parliament.uk.

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Daily Bulletin: Wednesday 23 May

Today, Julie is in London. The business in the House of Commons will include oral questions to Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and Prime Minister Tony Blair. The main business will be the 12th allotted Opposition Day of the Session, with debates on an independent enquiry into the conduct of the Scottish Parliamentary elections and the effectiveness of the DTI.

Headlines

Thousands of Palestinian refugees flee the fighting in the Lebanon; Democrats have backed down on their attempt to force a withdrawal date for US troops from Iraq; and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern has ruled out a coalition with Sinn Fein after Thursday's elections.

Politics

The Government prepares to publish its energy White Paper; a new security commission warns that the UK is not currently up to the task of facing new threats; and Barnardo's says that the Government may miss its target of halving child poverty by 2010.

Draft Local Transport Bill aims to cut congestion

A draft Bill to help improve public transport across the country and cut congestion in our towns and cities was published by the Government yesterday.

The Bill proposes changes designed to enable local authorities to secure better local bus services, to reform local transport governance arrangements in our major urban areas, and to reform existing provisions relating to local road pricing. The draft Bill seeks to give those local authorities that need them strengthened powers to deliver a local transport system that is best suited to local needs.

The core purpose of the draft Bill is to improve public transport and tackle congestion. It aims to get the right administrative structures in place, with the right powers at the most appropriate level of government. It would also strengthen the capacity for local authorities to take local action to meet local transport needs. Indeed, the most important policy innovations are for buses (Quality Contracts, punctuality) and Governance.

Labour’s Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "Improving public transport is vital if we are going to tackle congestion and climate change.

"Two-thirds of public transport journeys are made by bus, so it is only right that this Bill focuses on how we improve bus services. The measures we have published today will give local authorities the powers they need to ensure that local bus services meet local needs as part of a broader package which will give them the flexibility they need to tackle congestion."

On road pricing, the draft bill will make it easier for local authorities to develop local road pricing schemes if that is the right solution for their area. 

Julie said: "Road pricing has become a controversial issue. I believe that we must welcome a debate on this issue. The first step to achieving a debate based on sound evidence is to try and see through local pilot schemes how road pricing can tackle local congestion."

Have we missed a story? Want to discuss these issues? Leave a comment below.

Julie's next surgery

Julie will hold her next constituency surgery this coming Saturday, 26 May, from 10.30am to 11.30am at the constituency office — 17 Plasnewydd, Whitchurch.

No appointment is necessary; telephone (029) 20 624166 if you'd like any more information.

Daily Bulletin: Tuesday 22 May

Today, Julie is in London. The business in the House of Commons will include oral questions to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt. The main business will be the remaining stages of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill.

Headlines

Prosecutors are due to decide whether to level charges over the killing of Alexander Litvinenko; fighting in Lebanon enters its third day; and high street retailer Marks & Spencer records a 28.5% rise in profits.

Politics

David Cameron says that the row within his party over grammar schools is a "key test" of whether the Tories are fit for office, while Gordon Brown says that the row shows Tory policy beginning to "unravel"; and road pricing schemes are to come before the Commons for the first time.

Tories in a mess

The Times newspaper revealed yesterday that three Shadow Cabinet members are openly against David Cameron’s cave-in on the success of Labour’s education reforms, while ‘party sources’ are telling the media that ‘more than one’ front bencher is prepared to resign.

Arch rival David Davis, Cheryl Gillan and David Liddington all spoke out against the move at the Shadow Cabinet. Meanwhile, another rival, Liam Fox, has let it be known he’s against the move.

Today’s Telegraph reports that former Tory leader Michael Howard is privately furious and thinks the issue has been handled ‘very badly’. He apparently had to be talked out of writing an article condemning the move.

A Tory frontbencher is quoted in the Tory-supporting Daily Mail saying: “It was rushed through the Shadow Cabinet while Cameron was in Hull pretending to be a teacher. Everyone who spoke on the issue raised concerns but Hague, who was chairing the session in David’s absence, just moved the discussion on and said it had been agreed. It’s a very silly fight to pick unless they want to get to the point where some people actually decide to walk away. If it comes down to a choice between career or principle, then there isn’t really much of a choice. More than one person would be in that position.”

Meanwhile, Tony Blair mocked Cameron’s attempts to shift the focus from Tory infighting by again calling for a snap election. The PM said: “He's flailing around a bit because he has his own problems internally. It's a little bit pathetic.''

He pointed out that he did not “just stick my thumb in the air'' to chose a departure date. He said: “There is a massive amount we are still doing. These are things I am right in the middle of ... and I did not choose the date in an arbitrary way. I am doing things for the country that I am in the middle of and that I am going to complete … We have a G8 summit; I presume he's not saying Britain should not be represented at all. I am working on a climate change deal there, it's important that we do this as a country.''

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Daily Bulletin: Monday 21 May

Today, Julie is in the constituency. The business in the House of Commons will include oral questions to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell. The main business will be the Second Reading of the Further Education and Training Bill.

Headlines

A "suspicious" fire has damaged the Cutty Sark; there have been fresh clashes between the Lebanese Army and Islamic militants; and there are worries that Council and voluntary workers could be asked to 'snoop' for police.

Politics

Margaret Hodge has caused controversy by suggesting that "indigenous" families in the UK should be given priority over immigrants for council housing; Gordon Brown defends the decision to go to war in Iraq; and plans to cut red tape and make it easier to build home improvements are to be announced.

Labour leadership campaign: Question the candidates!

To ensure that as many people are able to take part in Labour's leadership elections, the Party is inviting party members and the public to put a question directly to the candidates.

Put your question by clicking here and selecting the candidate you wish to interrogate!

As he begins his tour of Britain, Gordon Brown has uploaded a webcast on the Labour Party website. View it here.

While Labour delivers ...

... what is David Cameron up to? On his Webcameron site, there is a video showing the Tory leader pretending to be a shopkeeper. Here are the highlights:

David Cameron: Show me how it works. You have to ... watch me over the till. You know, never trust a politician with the till.

Staff: No problem. Serve this young man.

DC: OK. What’s he buying? What have you got, a Biopot? £1.59. Here? Oh yeah yeah yeah. [Presses buttons on till]. ‘One’, ‘five’ ‘nine’. Yep. What am I doing? So that says confectionery. Grocery. That one?

Staff: Yep. Sub total.

DC: Right. Thank you very much. You put in a fiver?

Staff: Fiver, yeah. And ‘cash’ [till drawer opens].

DC: Oh! [Counts change] This is where you realise that my maths is so bad. Actually luckily is shows it on the thing so it’s alright. You can’t … it’s quite difficult … thank you sir. Satisfied customer?

Customer: Oh yes.

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