The Government narrowly avoided an embarrassing defeat in the Commons last night of their plans to close 2,500 post offices. Labour's majority was reduced to just 20, with Lib Dems and Tories voting together, but Folkestone & Hythe MP Michael Howard and Conservative Party Leader David Cameron both FAILED to vote for the Conservative placed motion!
The big news over the last few weeks has been the sad death of the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police - Mike Todd. Mr Todd courageously worked hard to tackle crime at all levels and was the most accessible Chief Constable that we've ever had. I worked with Mr Todd as both Leader of the Council and as Rochdale's Member of Parliament. I know that at the last meeting of the Police Authority he was questioned on the spate of lead thefts in Rochdale by Spotland and Falinge Councillor Barbara Todd (no relation). As ever, when questioned by Barbara he gave straightforward, honest answers. Policing will miss such a strong leader. My condolences go to his wife and children at this sad time.
Elderly people will be relocated from one of Brentwood's biggest care homes. The 40-bed Winifred Dell House, in Warley, will be demolished and rebuilt with 77 rooms.
LIBERAL Democrats in Hinckley & Bosworth have called on David Tredinnick to apologise for his support for the invasion of Iraq.
Coming on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Dundee Liberal Democrats today (Wednesday 19th March) called on the Labour and Conservative parties to apologise for their support for the invasion of Iraq.
Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg today received medals handed to him from Gurkhas who served in the British Army before 1997 and are being denied a full pension and the right to British Citizenship.