Cameron Cleaning up the act and getting tough on abusers of Tax payers money

Like many of you I have been horrified when reading the daily dose of abuse of taxpayers money. No, I am not talking about the press releases from Trafford Council concerning benefit fraudsters - I am talking, of course, about the 'honourable' men and women sitting in the House of Commons. Sent to that place by a mainly trusting electorate, it is a scandal that so many MP's of all Parties then proceeded to systematically ransack the public purse. To my mind such Members deserve to be turfed from office. It was encouraging then when I opened my mail shot letter from David Cameron, the Leader of the Conservative Party, to all Party members, setting out his view and actions taken over this whole sorry and sordid business. It certainly seems that Mr Cameron is determined to clean the act up. I reproduce below some key paragraphs from his letter:


"British politics has been shaken by one of the most serious scandals in our history. The abuse of expenses is an abuse of trust. People are angry, disgusted and disappointed. I'm writing to you today because I want to apologise, directly to all those who have supported the Conservative Party through thick and thin. You have been let down, and I am truly sorry. I want to tell you what I am doing to lead us through this crisis of trust in our political system.


Many Conservative MP's work very hard for their constituents and for our Party. Many felt on expenses that they were acting "within the rules". That might be technically right, but we still know that many of the things that were done were wrong. We need to recognise that and put things right with practical action. That's why I've been busy putting our own house in order, precisely so that our MP's can be respected and appreciated for the hard work they do. I have met with the Shadow Cabinet, who have all agreed to pay back the claims that caused concern, whether that was hundred pounds or several thousand.

To review all the expense claims made by other Conservative MP's, we have set up a Scrutiny Panel. Its job is to work out how much money should rightfully be paid back. If our MP's don't comply, the consequences are simple - they won't remain as Conservative MP's. And I've been very clear about the rules for our MP's from now on. There'll be no 'flipping' of first and second homes to make more money, no avoiding capital gains tax, no more claiming for furniture, food bills or luxuries. From now on all Conservative MP's will be allowed to claim the basic necessities - and they'll publish each and every expense detail on line."

Tough talk then. Lets us hope that actions follow the rhetoric and that a number of Members seeking alternative employment begins to restore confidence in the political system. For my part that confidence is pretty fragile at the moment!

Cllr John Lamb

Caring for our Environment - Glebelands City Growers and Woodheys Junior School

Right: L to R Cllr James Wibberley and Ed Sweetman.

Left L to R: Cllr John Lamb, Sally Westaway and Ed Sweetman

Recently I and my colleague from Urmston Cllr James Wibberley visited the Glebelands City Growers which is a market garden. Its situation is quite unique in that it sits alongside the river Mersey but otherwise is nestled up against a busy suburban environment. This well established business has new owners and they have set up a 'not for profit' organisation to pursue their passionate interest of growing organic produce, mainly salads. Talking to the new owners it became clear that they really are committed to ensuring that their produce is completely free of any artificial ingredients. The approach they take also involves a tremendous respect for the environment and contribution to a sustainable way of living. I was pleased to be able to support their application for some lottery money to enable them to invite local schools to the market garden to learn something about this environmentally friendly enterprise.

Talking about schools, last night (5th May) members of Trafford Council's Sustainability and Climate Change Select Committee (of which I am Vice Chairman) visited Woodheys Junior School in Sale to hear from the children about the their approach to maintaining a sustainable school. As always the children were great advocates for what they clearly believe in. They have gained an understanding of energy consumption, new sources of energy, healthy eating and living and sources of food. In the grounds of the school is a small nature reserve and they have been visited by the well know environmentalist Professor David Bellamy. The school is a leader in the region for its approach to these matters and for me one of the great outcomes will be the awareness that youngsters gain as one day they assume their various roles on our planet.

I probably need to make sure that one day the children of Woodheys school visit the Glebelands Road Growers market garden!