Adrian Sanders

London 2012 Should Be Fairtrade Olympics

Adrian Sanders MP has called for the 2012 Olympics to be a "Fairtrade Olympics."

Together with 41 other MPs, Adrian has signed a motion calling on the Olympics organisers to make as many products as possible used and sold at the Olympics 'fair trade.'

The Fairtrade movement helps producers in the developing world by guaranteeing that goods are ethically produced and that fair prices are paid to farmers and workers. The Liberal Democrats and campaign groups like Tearfund are calling on the Government to make greater use of fair trade produce, using the 2012 games to champion this and ensure Britain is leading the way in ethically sound international development.

Adrian said: "Fair Trade is important and the 2012 Games is a perfect opportunity for the Government to show its commitment to ethical trade and production. Ensuring fair trade abroad ensures higher quality products for UK consumers and enables the spread of democracy and higher spending trading partners; it makes economic sense not just for developing producers but also for the British economy."

What Should the Chancellor Include in the Budget?

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is asking residents for their views on what should be in this year's budget, due to be announced on April 22nd.

Adrian will be raising these concerns with the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the run up to the announcement and also in response to the budget.

The announcement is likely to include measures to tackle the recession and Adrian is seeking views on what the Government's approach should be to stimulate the economy. This could include an income tax cut, investment in infrastructure such as new railways or broadband lines, a cut in business rates or something more radical.

Adrian commented: "This will be the most important Budget of this Labour Government. With so many measures failing or failing to be implemented so far, there is a desperate need for a solution that does not break the bank for future generations."

"My priority is to press for more support for small businesses and those on low and middle incomes. The VAT cut has seemingly faltered and that money could have been better spent in a business rate cut, a cut in the basic rate of income tax or a council tax freeze. The priority has to be getting people spending again, which will save businesses and jobs; the best way to do this is putting money into the pockets of the pubic."

Residents wishing to make their views known can contact Adrian at sandersa@parliament.uk or by writing to House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. 

WSPA applauds EU support for animal welfare

A global animal welfare campaign backed by 230 UK MPs and Defra in an Early Day Motion last year, has received a major boost from the European Union (EU), with all 27 member states voting unanimously to actively support the campaign.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) applauds the EU for being the first regional forum to formally pledge its support for the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) and thanks all 230 British MPs who have backed the campaign to date, for their invaluable support in the UK.

WSPA said: "The World Society for the protection of Animals (WSPA) would like to thank [Adrian] for signing last year's EDM (no: 1467) for a Universial Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW)."

The EU's unanimous support support is a vital breakthrough for the WSPA-led campaign to achieve global recognition for animal welfare. The campaign is also supported by the British Veterinary Association and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and has been endorsed by the UK Government and others from around the world.

Global recognition by the UN of animal welfare would not only protect animals and reduce unnecessary suffering, but also better the develpment of a country, whether reducing poverty and hunger, improving human health, preparing for and recovering from natural disasters, or helping the environment.

John Gray, WSPA UK Regional Director said: "With this announcement, the EU has acknowledged the strong links that animal welfare has with other established global development issues such as climate change, food security, human health and poverty reduction."

The EU Agricultural and Fisheries Council, made up of all EU Ministers of Agriculture, issues a Council Conclusion which states that it:

• Deems it important to achieve world-wide acceptance of animal welfare as an issue of common concern and importance;
• Encourages the Commission to continue, as announced in its Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, 'to support and initiate further international initiatives to raise awareness and create a greater consensus on animal welfare.'
• Invites the Member States and the Commission, within their respective competencies, to support, in principle, the UDAW initiative in the relevant international fora.

This will help WSPA and its partners to discuss the benefits of good animal welfare - for animals, people and the environment - thereby encouraging partnership with UN member states from all regions of the UN and finally take the Declaration to the floor of the UN General Assembly.

Adrian said: "The EU's unanimous support is a fantastic breakthrough for the campaign led by the World Society for the Protection of Animals to achieve global recognition for animal welfare. I have publicly backed this campaign and I urge the people of Torbay to do the same. Please sign the petition at www.animalsmatter.org as every signature counts towards getting the UN to formally acknowledge this important initiative." 

Adrian at Number 10

Adrian Sanders MP outside Number 10 petitioning the Prime Minister on tourism.

"Wish You Were Here Gordon"

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is in Downing Street today asking the Government to do more to promote domestic tourism to seaside resorts like Torbay.

Adrian will be campaigning with other Lib Dem MPs to highlight the tourist industry during tourism week.

Adrian said: "While we always need to diversify the economy in Torbay, tourism will still play a central role. With local campaigns to attract tourists now in full swing, we now really need extra support from central Government."

"With the banking industry being supported to the hilt, it is time industries that have a focus outside of Britain's big cities also have some help. Visit Britain's funding has consistently been cut. The devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland have moved to support their marketing activities abroad but the same has not happened in England."

"With the falling value of the pound and people looking for cheaper holidays, tourism can be a way out of recession for seaside resorts as British and foreign tourists seek better deals. The Government must not miss this opportunity to bolster one of the UK's biggest industries and help coastal communities that are being hit hard by recession."

I Predict Disquiet

I heard on the news this morning that the Government wants to snoop on more areas of our private lives.

In addition to wanting access to our emails and records of our phone calls and internet use, the Government now wants to know who are friends are on social networking sites like Bebo, Facebook and MySpace.

I don’t know about you, but despite the claims that our data will be safe and we have nothing to fear, I simply do not trust governments with all of this personal information.

Tom Brake MP, one of my Lib Dem colleagues has called it a snooper’s charter, while another, Steve Webb MP, argues tongue in cheek that ‘Some people would say "if you've nothing to hide, then why not?". But on that basis, let's have a little camera in the corner of every room in our homes, just in case any illegal activity takes place. After all, if you've nothing to hide....

Opposition to the idea is unsurprisingly being led by my party. Instinctively Liberal Democrats oppose intrusions into our private lives and this is just one more example of an ever more authoritarian Government in the UK whose time in office is running out.

Green Funding Opportunities for the Community

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders has welcomed the announcement that money is available from the EDF Energy Green Fund for local non-profit making and charitable organisations for renewable energy installations.

Grants of up to £30,000 will be made to cover the cost of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines, solar panels and ground source heat pumps.

This funding is available to a wide variety of organisations such as schools and colleges, village halls, museums and churches.

The next funding round closes at the end of August 2009. Full details of the scheme, including application forms and eligibility criteria, are available at: www.edfenergy.com/greenfund

Adrian commented: "It is really positive that some energy companies are increasingly engaging with green technology."

"The EDF Energy Green Fund offers an excellent opportunity for local community organisations to invest in renewable energy sources which should help to keep their bills low as well as having an environmental benefit for all of us."

MP applauds major breakthrough for South West healthcare service

Adrian Sanders MP has signed a Parliamentary Motion congratulating NHS South West Specialised Commissioning Group on its announcement of a new £1 million investment into neuromuscular services for children and adults living across the South West of England.

This fantastic success is the result of a sustained campaign led by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and supported by local families, healthcare professionals and parliamentarians, like Adrian Sanders living and working in the South West, over the past year.

The South West campaign started in December 2007 when the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign published a hard hitting report,'Building on the Foundations', which uncovered major shortfalls in the provision of specialist care in the South West of England. The report revealed survival for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy was an average of 18-years-old in the South West compared with 30 years in the North East of England.

The investment, agreed to by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in the South West, comes after proposals by the SW Specialised Commissioning Group for a Managed Clinical Network across the region.

The Managed Clinical Network will be a £1 million investment, divided between all PCTs in the region with the contribution weighted on population. It includes the recruitment of the following posts:

• 2 full-time adult consultants specialising in muscle disease

• 1 full-time paediatric consultant specialising in muscle disease

• 3.5 specialist physiotherapists

• 3 full-time care advisors (for children and adults)

• 1 psychologist

• respiratory and cardiac support

The service will be phased in over a period of two years, beginning in April 2009. The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, families and health professionals will all be involved in the implementation process. The cost for each PCT to implement the network will amount to less than £9 per person each month.

Approximately 1 in 1,000 people in Adrian Sanders MP's constituency of Torbay are affected by muscular dystrophy or a related neuromuscular condition.

Commenting on the sucessful outcome, Sharon Kitcher, campaigner and mother of a boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, said:

"The success in the South West illustrates the power of campaigning, and the value of families and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign working together. Too often families are missing out on specialist care and support, and many people like me are being forced to travel to centres in Oswestry and Oxford just to receive the specialist care we need. We need our services to be delivered closer to home by experts who really understand our conditions. This is something the NHS should provide, so I am thrilled with the decision!"

Signing the Parliamentary Motion, Adrian, said: "I am delighted for my constituents living with muscle disease and I congratulate the families and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign for leading this successful campaign."

"Disabled patients all over the country have a right to expect fair and equal access to vital services and I am pleased that the OCTs in the South West. We are delighted that the partnership between the NHS, families and health professionals has produced such an important result.

Philip Butcher, Chief Executive of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, commented on the announcement: "This is a momentous decision for patients and families living in the South West. We are delighted that the partnership between the NHS, families and health professionals has produced such an important result."

"We are committed to working with our families and at all levels of the NHS and Government to ensure that patients receive appropriate and timely care and support. PCTs in the South West have set an example to Health Authorities across the country - we are now calling on all other regions in England to follow their lead and carry out reviews of specialist care."

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the leading UK charity focusing on muscle disease. It has pioneered the search for treatments and cures for 50 years, and it is dedicated to improving the lives of all people affected by muscle disease.

It funds world-class research to find effective treatments and cures; provides free practical and emotional support; campaigns to raise awareness and bring about change and awards grants towards the cost of specialist equiptment.

MP calls on Torbay to switch off for WWF's Earth Hour

Adrian Sanders took time out from his parliamentary work on Wednesday 11 March to support WWF's Earth Hour by turning off a giant light switch.

Adrian commented: "More needs to be done to tackle issues of environmental sustainability and I fully support the WWF campaign. The long term effects of climate change remain unclear but it is certain that the rapid inductrialisation of India, China and much of the developing world will have a serious on the global environment."

Earth Hour is a huge global switch off for one hour on the 28th March to draw attention to the urgent need for action on climate change at the UN conference in Copenhagen this year. WWF's Earth Hour aims to inspire a billion people in 1,000 cities to show global support for action on climate change. So far more than 1000 cities in 84 countries have signed up including London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast in the UK.

Many iconic landmarks will be switching off their lights such as Nelson's Column in London, the Forth Bridge in Edinburgh, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Sydney Opera House and Paris' Eiffel Tower. Former Spice Girl Mel C, Cate Blanchett and Archbishop Desmond Tutu have all lent their voices to Earth Hour's global call for action on climate change.

WWF is encouraging Torbay Council to join the big switch off by dimming and switching off lights of civic buildings and iconic landmarks. Restaurants and bars are asked to get involved by holding candlelit dinners on the night and members of the public can also hold their own events such as lights out parties. People can sign up to support WWF's Earth Hour by visiting wwf.org.uk/earthhour or by texting Earth to 84880.

Colin Butfield, head of campaigns at WWF UK, said: "We are delighted that Adrian Sanders is backing WWF's Earth Hour. Negotiations for a global deal to tackle climate change are going on right now and it is essential that politicians demand the UK Government takes a strong leadership position."

"We want to create a groundswell of support and this is a chance for the people of Torbay to be part of a global action on climate change. Global leaders meet at the UN conference in Copenhagen later this year to determine how the world will work together to tackle climate change in future. A billion people across the globe turning their lights off sends a loud and clear message to politicians that they must make it happen."

Sign up and spread the word about WWF's Earth Hour and downloadable posters, light switch covers, Earth Hour toolkits and more at: wwf.org.uk/earthhour

Fortnightly Herald Express Article

They say good as well as bad news comes in threes, so after two little victories in Parliament this week I'm wondering what the third will be.

On Tuesday I raised the contentious issue of data sharing with the Justice Minister. The proposed Coroners and Justice Bill contained a clause that would allow for information to be shared beyond public bodies and could be given to private companies in any country.

There is a good case for some sharing of data to catch criminals and prevent terrorism, but this Bill contains few restrictions or safeguards on data at a time when most people have little confidence in their details remaining secure.

Given the number of lost databases and personal details going astray the public have good reason to be concerned about how information is kept and the circumstances under which it can be shared between Government departments and agencies.

Having been contacted by constituents worried about their details being shared without their permission I raised the matter in questions on Tuesday.

In answer the Justice Minister Michael Wills MP told me: "I hope it will give your constituents some reassurance that we have now withdrawn the clause that they are worried about."

At Prime Minister's Question Time I asked if the PM would look at the funding blockages that are delaying South Devon College's expansion plans.

With a monthly increase of 800 people on the dole in South Devon the college's role in training and helping people into work is critical.

I was very pleased to receive a helpful answer from the Prime Minister who said he would look at the specific case.

If only it was always this easy to get positive replies from Government!

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There was a study undertaken a year ago that showed that on average members and supporters of the Greens and the Liberal Democrats had the highest IQs and educational qualifications while those of the British National Party had the lowest.

Of course there were plenty of exceptions to suggest the opposite and it was only a bit of fun, but almost as if to confirm it BNP bosses have just been caught out using a Polish Spitfire to front a campaign calling for Eastern European immigrants to be banned from Britain!

The fascist party's 2009 European Elections poster shows a nostalgic picture of a Second World War fighter plane under the slogan 'Battle for Britain'. RAF experts have identified the iconic plane as belonging not to Britons but to a group of Polish pilots instead.

It was actually flown by the RAF's 303 Squadron - made up of Polish airmen rescued from France shortly before Nazi occupation.

It seems that the BNP have got a bit confused because they haven't done their research. This is just another example of them getting it wrong.

I've had my say on Eastern European immigration in the past where I observed that the majority of jobs being created locally were not meeting the needs of people who live here whom we have spent a great deal of money educating and training.

I still say our local jobs strategy is falling and we shouldn't be an employment agency for Eastern European migrants. We should create the right employment opportunities that local people are looking for and that anyone can apply for irrespective of where they come from.

As you might expect the British National Party has a different view. A spokesman has been quoted as saying that the Polish piloted plane was a symbol of the Battle of Britain and represented the economic struggle the country is facing at the moment.

"It's not like the BNP are against Polish people as a nation. We are against Polish people coming over here and undercutting British workers," he said in the Telegraph newspaper.

He clearly didn't realise that No 303 Polish Fighter Squadron claimed the highest number of enemy kills during the Battle of Britain of all fighter squadrons then in operation through September to October 1940!

I think the real problem facing the BNP's intelligentsia is that if there were no immigrants at all in the UK, they still wouldn't get a job.

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I received some very interesting feedback from my questioning whether The Who actually played Torquay town hall that confirmed Keith Moon, Roger Daltry, Pete Townsend and John Entwhistle had indeed graced the stage in the Assembly Rooms.

A reader emailed me to say there were two concerts in the mid sixties while another sent me a photo of a poster advertising a Who gig at Torquay Town Hall on Saturday 17th July. Unfortunately the poster didn't give the year.

A third thought the band had played Torquay around Easter 1966. If that's the date then I would have been 6 going on 7 at the time, which is probably why it passed me by.

I wonder if any of the lucky readers who got to see the late Keith Moon on the drums can recall whether the band stayed locally and if so, did 'Moon the Loon' as he was known behave himself?

On the rock music theme it was a great pleasure to do the honours and cut the ribbon at the opening of Abel Music in Winner Street, Paignton last weekend. With one shop closing every week in Torbay it was great to support a new family owned local business opening in the bay.

Having cut the ribbon local band Vivid Sky, minus their vocalist, struck up a cover version of one my favourite rock bands instrumentals and while the horses took flight a small corner of Winner Street rocked.