Discussion on today's political situation

Join Slough Trades Union Council, general secretary of the GMB Paul Kenny and Simpson Millar's LLP Asha Wije for a discussion on the proposed changes to employment law as well its impact on workers and how they can fight back.

Meet at Chalvey Working Men's Club, 52 high street, Chalvey, Slough SL1 2SQ on the 1st floor at 19.30 on the 9th May.

Windsor Labour have been invited to hear from Ed Balls about Labours alternative to the recent Osbourne Budget. He is speaking at two events being held in the next few weeks in the South East:

Oxford Labour Party Annual Dinner : Thursday 29th March

Guilford Labour Party Annual Dinner : Thursday 19th April

Full details in the events pages.

Rally to Save Our NHS

Several of us attended the Rally to Save Our NHS on Wednesday night (7^th March) along with others from the Save Heatherwood Hospital campaign. Westminster Central Hall was filled to capacity (over 2,000).  It was great to hear the many speakers from within the NHS (doctors, nurses, paramedics, consultants, speech therapists) as well as patients, trade unionists, Cumbria’s Chief Medical Officer and MPs all speaking out for the NHS.  We heard many expert views and personal stories about the damage the proposed changes would bring to our health service.  Jo Brand (comedian and ex-nurse) also took the podium to give her personal support to the campaign.


Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham gave the closing speech and promised that he would repeal the legislation when Labour returns to power.  He also announced that Labour will be holding an Opposition Day debate on the Bill next Tuesday, 13^th March, which will be a chance for all MPs to vote on the Bill as a whole, rather than just accepting Lords amendments.

Dr Kailash Chand was among the speakers.  He was the one who created the e-petition to “Drop the Health Bill.”  The government have refused a Commons debate on it, despite it getting over 170,000 signatures (well over the 100,000 hurdle needed to trigger a debate).

The government have announced the third reading and final Lords vote on the Bill for 19^th March.  This means in 10 days the Bill could be back in the Commons and – short of a humiliating climb-down or defeat for the Government - on to Royal Assent shortly after that.

The Government has also still not published the risk register for the Bill – despite losing their appeal this week against the Information Commissioner’s ruling that they should make the document public.

Ascot Branch Labour Party is planning to distribute the latest Party leaflet (“David Cameron’s Tories: Out of touch on the NHS... Labour, with you on the NHS.”) over the next 10 days, to raise public awareness of what is at stake.  If anyone would like to join in, please contact Spike (07734 056895, or on spike.humphrey@lineone.net).

At the Rally, numerous speakers took the opportunity to repeat Nye Bevan’s famous quote that "the NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it.”

Ken Livingstone:

In just 55 days’ time London will be voting for a new Mayor. This is the closest ever Mayoral election and the outcome could come down to just a few thousand votes. This election is vital to London and to the whole country.

The national Labour Party has twinned Windsor constituency with Ealing and Hillingdon, the Labour Party Organiser responsible for that area is Jim Harvey and his details are 07921403641.

This is without doubt the toughest battle of my political career and it’s a challenge I’m determined to rise to, but I can only do it with your continued help and support.

If you are interested in helping please do click here to volunteer and someone will be in touch soon. 


Let’s win this election 


Best,

Ken

Ken Livingstone
Labour's Candidate for Mayor of London

P.S My campaign relies on small donations of £10 to pay for vital leaflets, direct mail and technology. Click here to donate if you can.

March meeting!

Windsor CLP meeting for March will be at Clewer Lodge on the 15th, at 20.00. Paul Clarke from GMB will be attending and talking to members.

All other events and Constituency meetings can be seen in the calender on the events page above. 

Campaigns and fundraisers!

No local elections in Windsor this year, however PLENTY going on around in our neighbouring CLP's and friends in the south east.

To check out whats going on please visit the events page shown on the tab above and view the calender which shows all the events. Some of them are campaign events, a chance for you to help places such as Milton Keynes and Woking to get their vote out. However many of them are fundraising socials, including a dinner in Bracknell with Harriet Harman and in oxford with the shadow chancellor Ed Balls.

Please keep familiar with our events page as its a fantastic way for us all to keep on the same wavelength and communicate at the stroke of the keyboard about whats occurring near-by. Cheers!

"Government by myth and prejudice". A letter to the Royal Borough Observer, 7th January 2012.

"I was saddened and appalled at the Prime Minister's [PM] comments with regards to Health and Safety [H&S] regulation. He used the old chestnut and proven myth, of children having to use goggles to play conkers to justify a stinging attack on "the monster that is excessive H&S regulation" [Front page Jan 6th edition]. Prompting a condemnation by Richard Jones, head of policy and public affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health who replied "Labelling workplace H&S as a monster is appalling and unhelpful, as the reason our legislative system exists is to prevent death, injury or illness at work, protecting livelihoods in the process."


The proposal to increase the speed limit on motorways and duel carriageways to 80 MPH is another example of policy incentives based on myth and prejudice, rather than sound evidence. A a comparable speed increase in the US in 1995 lead to a 16.6% rise in fatalities. A major role of Government is to protect the individual against the abuse of power, be it a criminal, an unscrupulous employer, or a speeding motorist.


The PM and this Government clearly is not concerned about the well being of the individual, they play to the gallery rather than base their policies on sound evidence. If regulation is worsened as a result, then many lives will be lost, numerous injuries and ill health will be caused. 


While I approve and welcome better regulation, prejudging any review in this way is dangerous Government by myth and prejudice. Reasonable regulation is the only way to control those with power, who have little regard for the health, safety and welfare of others."


Roy Reeves.
Chair, Windsor Labour Party