What I believe in
I believe it is important for residents choosing Stockton North's next MP should know what their candidates believe in and stand for. I hope these headlines will help you understand me and what I'll work for.
Economy
- We experienced year or year growth under the Labour Government until world events brought it to a sudden halt. It is the role of Government to invest in our banks, business, industry and public services to grow our way out of the world economic troubles
- We must maintain public expenditure on schools and hospitals to provide our people with the best facilities on offer
- We must use the public stake in the once private banks to ensure we don't have a repeat of the debacle they created over the last two years - and release the investment funds needed to grow our economy again
- We must do still more to invest in the poorest people in our community and give them the spending power to buy the goods they need
MPs' expenses and allowances
- All expenses claimed by Members of Parliament should be supported by receipts whether they are for meals or other costs and details should be published
- MPs who represent constituencies outside London should, within a limited budget, have their accommodation costs met - but should not make a profit from the arrangement
- An MP's staff at both Westminster and in a local office should be employed directly by the Government and have clear terms and conditions of employment.
Communities and Housing
- Social housing must be built on a massive scale - we need to give local councils real power and support to build hundreds of thousands of new homes across the country
- We need to dig deep into our communities to reach the most vulnerable amongst our people, young and old, and give them more purpose in life
- Community policing is starting to work and we've seen a massive reduction on crime under Labour with some great results in Stockton North - but resources need better targeting to our most difficult areas to ensure our people feel safer.
Young People
- I believe in votes at 16 - if a person can marry and pay taxes at that age, they should be able to vote too
- Young people need a stronger voice in Government on a whole range of issues and I believe working with Young People's groups and Youth Parliament can help deliver that.
- I think the young people of Stockton North should have a voice on what their MP does and I have been pleased to work with them to draw up a Youth Manifesto commitments for me to adopt.
- Young people are wrongly demonised - more needs to be done to promote the tremendous asset our children and young people are now and will be in the future.
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence
- Our Government was conned on Iraq but we need to do even more for peace in the Middle East - not just in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also in Israel and Palestine
- The £15 billion to replace Trident could be better utilised - we have seen many improvements in equipment and homes for our Services people but we still need to do more to look after those who've suffered in our wars
- We can be proud of our lead on Africa but we've only just started - we need to build a strong relationship with the new American President and encourage him and others to increase aid to Britain's levels
- Trade with the USA is critical to us and partnership with Barack Obama is essential but we mustn't allow them to dictate to us as Bush has tried to do
- China and other emerging nations are important too as we develop new trade and other links but human rights are paramount. Progress has been made in some areas but much more needs to be done now and into the future.
- We must do more to help refugees and asylum seekers. Many people who have suffered unimaginable atrocities themselves or seen their families die live amongst us in Stockton North. We must protect them.
- Clarity is needed on immigration with recognition of the benefits others bring to our economy and community. We must ensure we attract the skilful people we need from across the world whilst ensuring immigration is properly managed.
Trades unions
- It is time we acted to do more to repeal the oppressive Thatcher legislation which so damaged the Trades Union movement
- The Labour Party/Trade Union partnership needs to be developed and strengthened to help us all do the best for out people
- Local MPs need to do more to work with trades unionists on jobs, investment and rights - right here in the North East and once elected I hope I can play a role in doing so
Health
- We must guard against privatised services in our National Health Service and ensure the high standards achieved are raised even higher.
- There should be no lottery on prescription drugs - they should be properly and fairly targeted regardless of where patients live
- Its time the Stockton Borough had its new hospital like all the other areas and I look forward to seeing it, and the planned specialist health centres open, in a few years time.
- Investment in our NHS has seen waiting lists once counted in months or even years not counted in days or weeks - we must ensure continued investment to maintain this remarkable achievement by the Labour Government.
Jobs, training and investment
- The switch to low paid, low skilled jobs in many parts of Stockton Borough is lamentable and we must continue the hard work to bring more highly skilled and higher paid jobs to our community
- Our traditional industries like fabrication work can be developed but more young people need proper training to work in these traditional industries, many of which continue to thrive
- Investment in Stockton North continues to flow, even in difficult times, but the Borough needs a new, strong champion to help accelerate it
Education and Social Care
- Much has been achieved in education and social care for both children and adults but we still have much more to do to get the best for all our elderly, children and communities
- Standards in education and care are rising fast, investment is promised and we must build on our progress. I lead on the new Building Schools for the Future programme at Stockton Council and will continue the work to get our new schools to serve our children in Stockton, Norton and Billingham.
Energy and Environment
- The Government's plans for renewable energy projects like, wind, solar and wave power as well as nuclear can solve our needs - but we must campaign for greater investment to make this a reality
- Energy costs in the home and at the petrol station need to be controlled to ensure the lower costs are passed onto the consumers when prices fall as quickly as the increases are when they increase. Failure to do so should attract penalties.
- We must protect the interests of consumers whilst ensuring energy companies have the resources to invest in new energy projects in the future
Taxation and Minimum Wage
- There are plenty of people who can afford more and we should be collecting it so I most certainly support the new 50p tax band for people earning over £150,000 a year. Dealing with city fat cats and excessive bonuses must be addressed and some of the wealth created for our low paid and needy people.
- The minimum wage must be grown well beyond inflation
- Whilst pay has improved under Labour in the public sector, its value has suffered in recent years and we must look to reward these workers better in the future.
House of Lords
- A fully elected second chamber is the only proper solution. No more should unelected people be able to reverse the decisions of an elected House of Commons.
Hunting
- I believe the law outlawing hunting with dogs needs to be strengthened to enable better implementation - and I'm amazed the Tories are proposing repealing the Act and bringing such a barbaric pastime
