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To say I feel battered and bruised after the County and the European Elections would be an understatement! In my 40 years of being involved on politics, this had to be the toughest campaign ever. However, I survived and this now means I can carry on my work in the European Parliament for the good people of West Cumbria for the next five years. To all of those who supported myself and the Labour Party in both elections, I offer my heartfelt thanks and the Labour Party volunteers and candidates who “braved the wrath” of people on the streets over MP’s expenses to try and get our message over, my admiration knows no bounds. We now have the nightmare of the BNP in the European Parliament representing the North West; and whilst they will undoubtedly be a small isolated group in the Parliament, we must remember that Hitler started exactly the same way in Germany in the 1930s. Ironically the BNP got a seat this time by just 120,000 votes out of 1.6 million votes cast, with fewer votes than 2004. Why? Because people stayed at home and didn’t bother to vote. It was these voters who, in effect, elected the BNP, despite warnings from religious and community leaders that this could happen.
I know the massive row over MPs’ expenses angered many people and I share that anger. I know that this row for some reason hit Labour harder than the other major parties. But I also believe it was deliberately orchestrated by the media to cause maximum damage to Labour and to bolster anti EU parties. What is important now, is that the Government acts quickly to sort out the discredited system of expenses and allowances down in Westminster, and then concentrates again on bringing the country out of the recession and back to a secure, prosperous future for us all.
Can I add my thanks to Michelle Whittick and Michael Edmondson for the efforts in helping the charity Hope and Aid Direct in Kosovo. I’ve visited Kosovo on a couple of occasions and the situation there is not brilliant. The people there are desperately trying to rebuild their lives and I am sure the help they receive through the efforts of people like Michelle and Michael is gratefully received.
I am also delighted to see Egremont Today launch its own Youth Page. The youth of today often get a bad press because of the actions of a minority. Yet in and around Egremont our younger people are doing some great work in the community, in sport and the arts. We have Rugby League internationals, exceptional musicians and dancers, scouting groups, fundraisers etc, the list goes on, and involved in all of these are our young people. So I think it’s about time we publicised all the good work that the vast majority of our young people do, rather than just highlighting the actions of a minority. So the Youth Page in future editions is going to be a ‘must read’ for me.
A really enjoyable part of my campaign was my trip to Egremont to meet some of the people I have read about in your columns, including Rachel King and the Orgill children who have so ardently set up their link with Thotogamuwa Vijayabuha School in Sri Lanka, enlarging the horizons of all the children. I was also able to met young James Macdonald, after his debut for England Under 16s, together with my old friend, Jackie Reid, who played in the same position for England 53 years ago. I presented a Warrington shirt signed by all the players to coaches of Frizington Kestrels, my adopted team. At the Falcon Club I met some of Copeland’s remarkable young squash players who have been so inspired by their head coach, Linda Winder. And then, my hero, Abby, who saved the life not only of her mother Jill, but of her baby sister, Libby, who has just been born. Congratulations to all the family! Abby, you have no idea how important your quickness of thought has been!
Finally, congratulations to Frank Morgan and David Southward on their success in the Cumbria County Council elections. Together with their team, they knocked on practically every door in the their wards and defended seats that would have been lost if the normal national swing had prevailed. The secret? They persuaded people to come out and vote. They certainly helped to spoil the BNP’s picnic in West Cumbria. That party was so confident of victory that they persuaded their leader to come in person to the count at Whitehaven. What a vinegar trip for him! Three of their candidates came a very poor second and the rest nowhere.
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