A good day for Parliament, Justice and the Gurkhas

Credit should go to the Lib-Dems for their Opposition Day Motion on Gurkha Settlement Rights yesterday.

An excellent debate and well worth the read.  As always, I was interested in how my MP voted, especially as he has made reference to the Gurkhas in one of his leaflets (well, the only one I have seen).

Here is list of how MPs voted.

In view of the honour graced on our area with some of these wonderful and loyal people settling here, I consider any Member of Parliament for this constituency voting against this motion to be terribly wrong.  He should explain himself without delay.  Will we have  a long wait to hear reasons?

Update: See this

What a week!

An appalling budget.  Does the Labour Party have any humility?  Whilst this is a worldwide recession, we are in the mess we are in (in terms of debt) because of their Public Sector binge.  It is frightening just how much debt Britain is in.  Even further attacks on the motorist and pub goer will not resolve the problem of servicing that debt.  I do not recall one Labour representative saying, “maybe we should have done things differently when times were better?”.

On Thursday, St George’s flag was flown at the Civic Centre.

On Thursday night, I attended the Mayoral Event at the Music Museum in Brentford.  My first time there and I had a lovely evening.  I bid for two items in the Auction, one of which was two tickets to watch Brentford FC next season.  I am especially pleased about this with the excellent news that Brentford are on their way up next season.  Councillor Hibbs has done a great job as Mayor.  What has always struck me about her is just how genuine she is and what a big heart she has.  I am delighted that she has had the opportunity to offer so much to the Borough with what is such an important position.  Her Deputy, Shirley Fisher, has very similar qualities and has both done a great job as Deputy Mayor and made an impressive contribution as a Councillor.  We have served on some Complaint Panels together and she is the perfect member for such a panel – simply interested in coming to the right decision.

On Friday, Dominic Grieve MP, Peter Thompson and I visited Feltham Young Offenders.  It was my second time.  I was both encouraged and feeling down at the same time by what I saw from two young men I met at the computer lab.  Both were very bright and will clearly do well in life if their apply themselves and follow a good path.  How/Why do bright people like this end up in institutions like this.  There are possibly many reasons but frustrating nonetheless.

On Friday evening, the Feltham and Heston Conservative Association held what has become its Annual St George’s Dinner.  Dominic Grieve MP was again out Guest and he was brilliant.  Guests who are as friendly as they are intelligent always go down a treat.

LtoR: Paul Bedi, Dominic Grieve MP, Mark Bowen, Patrick Ground

I had the pleasure of introducing our Guest and Patrick Ground gave the Vote of Thanks.  It never surprises me that Patrick was a very popular MP amongst all sides of the House of Commons and within Feltham and Heston.  A really really nice man!

School Places

This reminded me that I was remiss in not commenting on a recent report that went to Executive.

See agenda item 6 of this.  The key feature of this report is the need to expand places in all parts of the Borough.  I recall in 2004/05 being told that there were 300 surplus places in Hanworth and 900 in the West Area.  Thank goodness we did not follow through with proposals originally mooted by the previous administration, namely to close Oriel School.

I recall being part of a call-in on the removal of a class at Crane Park.  Thanks good that such a reduction is more recoverable than a school closure!

Bit of out and about today

Took the children to Bedfont Lakes and not seen that busy before.  It was great seeing so many children out with their parents on a nice day.  I noted the new signage, which I have also seen in Feltham Park.

Paid a visit to Shakespeare Avenue also.  There has been quite a bit of large scale patching of various defects on the carriageway so I was pleased to see that.  I also noticed a lot more earth on the arena site.  I must request an inspection of the site soon!

Went to Fern Grove & Nursery Close this evening.  I was keen to see the footway at the former as the West Area Committee recently prioritised it as being in need of planned maintenance.  Whilst it was quite dark, it did not appear too bad.

The main thing I saw with the latter was that the notice board had info in it that was nearly 3 years old!!  Just about to write to Hounslow Homes about that.

As I was saying….

Labour are part of the problem.

Labour worried about the BNP

Another article on this.

Funny that the article is silent on two things – (1) How Labour have completely cocked things up on race relations in many parts of Britain and (2) that after nearly 12 years of a Labour Government, things have never so good for the BNP.

The truth is that Labour – with a few honourable exceptions – are part of the problem.

Save our Pub – Axe the Tax

I read this in the Time earlier today.  I took a look for the EDM in question and it is here.  Naturally I wanted to know whether my MP signed this?  I am glad to say that he did!

I very much hope if/when, there is actually a vote in the House, he will follow through and vote in the interest of saving our pub(s).

Last week, a pub in my parents village in Wales closed down.  Things are really bad for this industry and the decision to ban smoking in so called public places has not helped.

Alan Keen MP Interview for Radio Geo Kashmir

He does not speak much in Parliament so I thought I would post something of him speaking on radio!

Enjoy it!

Planning is now *more* online

This is great news and the main thing missing – which is months away – is the ability to pay for planning applications online.

Recycling 3

As of last night, I was made aware of 3 streets in Feltham North where problems with recycling continue – Mill Way, The Vale & Shakespeare Avenue.  I have made complaints about these.  Such a disappointment but if you do have problems, please report via here.