David Miliband: I'll stand up against the ruthless Tory cuts threatening Lincolnshire
Labour Party leadership contender David Miliband believes he is the man to take on the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats at the next general election. The party’s leadership election takes place throughout this month and a leader is due to be announced on September 25. Here Mr Miliband makes his case to the people of Lincolnshire ...
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Labour Party leadership contender David Miliband.
I am running for Labour leader to stand up against the ruthless Tory cuts that are already threatening the safety and wellbeing of people in Lincolnshire.
Axing 300 jobs at Lincolnshire Police is no way to tackle the deficit. These cuts are unfair and they are avoidable.
Under my leadership, Labour would fight relentlessly to protect frontline services for people in Lincolnshire.
With local police chiefs fearing cuts of up to 17 per cent to their £108 million budget, Lincolnshire is feeling the full impact of the coalition Government sooner than most.
But the same thing is happening up and down the country.
If the Tories get their way, 35,000 uniformed officers and 4,000 community support officers could be lost in Britain. This is the party who once claimed they were tough on crime.
People in Lincolnshire should not be made to feel less safe on the streets to satisfy the Tory love affair with axing public services.
George Osborne's budget was anything but "unavoidable". When he cuts Lincolnshire's police budget Osborne doesn't just make you less safe; he attacks a local economy still fragile after the global downturn.
Lincolnshire's police are public servants who deserve job security.
Lincolnshire needs investment in jobs, education and police – not the Tory's mindless economic vandalism.
In the last election, Labour lost support across all of society because people thought we were no longer on their side and didn't have clear enough ideas for the future.
The purpose of my candidacy for the leadership of the Labour Party is to put that right and here's how. On the economy, I would reduce the deficit by getting Britain growing and working, not by cutting the roots of Lincolnshire's economy.
The Tory cuts will hurt those least able to afford them and risk a long period of slow growth if not a second recession. If elected leader of the Labour Party, I will focus on returning Britain to full employment and achieving a fair deal for those who work the hardest.
I believe in a Britain of opportunity. That means world-class education and the guarantee of excellent healthcare as a birthright for all, not the preserve of a few.
I will recruit the best teachers to the toughest schools, focusing pupils on learning rather than just exams and expanding higher education and apprenticeships. I will prioritise public health and target all health inequalities – not the needless and destructive reorganisation of the NHS put forward by the coalition Government.
I believe in a Britain of more power for communities. Labour's devolution in Scotland, Wales and London was excellent, but our work is not finished. I would give more power to communities over their public services and local government greater power to lead their communities.
Labour won't win again and won't gain the trust of people in Lincolnshire, unless we offer the change Britain needs.
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by Emma, Lincoln
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 12:15PM
“I wouldn't hold your breath, Marten. It seems that the cloud of stupid that was hanging over Sudbrooke has moved to Heighington and is now sucking the self-awareness out of the people there.”
by Missouri Marten, Lincoln
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 9:45AM
“"Why don't you all stop trying to one up each other using childish tactics and contribute something useful to the debate based upon the policies of either the government or the opposition"
If you've "spent years studying the British political system" S of Heighington, then perhaps you'd like to lead the way? Reading through the thread again, health, education, foreign policy, domestic affairs, economic policy, taxation, privatisation and immigration have all been mentioned during this particular debate. What would YOU like to contribute?”
by soobies mother, lincoln prison
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 9:44AM
“When is that thick git and the rest of the would be members of the politburo going to realise that Britain is not a country. It is or was a conglomerate of countries of which was made up with England, N'Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Scotland and N'Ireland have their own parliaments and Wales has it's own assembly.
England is the only country that has not got it's own parliament and is run by the control freaks called The British Raj.
It is about time England was set free to be able to control it's own destiny.”
by scooby, lincoln
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 9:29AM
“May the good lord spare us all from the despotic labour louts.
Who in their right minds would wish to be ruled by one of the Muckle Brothers?”
by S, Heighington
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 11:50PM
“Having spent years studying the British political system I have to comment that I find it amusing to see so many regular contributers once again using the topic to get 'one up' on each other. Have any of you not realised that the political system has ALWAYS moved in a way in which the left take power when the right become unsatisfactory and vice versa? In the future, be it 5 years or 15 years the opposition will come to power due to the 'damage' done by the current government.Then in time the British public will switch alliance to then rectify any damage done by the alternative? Why don't you all stop trying to one up each other using childish tactics and contribute something useful to the debate based upon the policies of either the government or the opposition instead of the silly ' I'm better than you' attitude that sadly a lot of the regular contributers seem to have. Frankly it has become embarrasing to watch the residents of Lincoln lower themselves to such a level”
by Gnome Chomsky, At the Hustings
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 11:32PM
“Oh, Mr Miliband! You missed out the 'n'.”
by Missouri Marten, Lincoln
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 8:50PM
“"But the bigger question was who directly, as in which government?"
All the problems I listed came about under the last Labour Government.
"I won't resort to the ad hominem attacks you favour but I didn't make any boasts about my ability to debate. Just that you tend to flex your muscles around, but never take on the big two."
I would dispute that my arguments are either ad hominem or attacks. You clearly believe otherwise. I'll try not to lose any sleep over it. As to your other point - total red herring. I comment on stories and/or posts when I have a reasonably strong opinion. My views on many fundamental issues (libertarianism, socialism, morality etc.) would appear to be similar to those of Emma & Sneer, so why would I "take them on"? Just so that you can compile a Top Trumps of debating? I don't deny that they are both better able to articulate their arguments than I, but don't really see the relevance of that in the context of this particular debate. That said, I don't hear you challenging them to fake a disagreement on an issue just so that you can decide who's "the bestest".”
by Not a fan of stuck records, or empty vessels for that matter
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 8:27PM
“Oh dear, lynn. I'm now officially embarrassed for you. Take your one, witless retort and go play on Digital Spy. Kthxbai.”
by susan, sudbrooke
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 7:54PM
“Gee'''''''''''''' Thanks
Again confirmation of my '''original''' comments.
Susan”
by Emma, Lincoln
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 7:34PM
“"Also I use my real name and not one or two false one like most of you Dodo's."
Unless there's someone in Sudbrooke who has changed their name by deed poll to just 'susan' then I'm afraid that's a lie. And even if there is, there's no way you can prove that you're them. So a big 'duh' all around on that one.
Also, some of us use apostrophes and capital letters correctly, unlike one dodo we could mention.
To sum up, you are in a whole world of fail. As usual.”