Simon Burgess - Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

Simon Burgess blog

Voter thanks

30th April 2010 - I presented Philomena Faherty of Whitehawk with a cup from the GMB thanking her for her solid Labour support for 50 years. Philomena said; "I am really worried what a Tory Government will do to our pensions and benefits. I know the Tories want to make tax cuts for their millionaire friends and I fear that ordinary people like me will be paying for those tax cuts." Simon said; "It was a pleasure to not only...
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Ed Balls visits Deaf School

26th April 2010 - At Simon's invitation Education and Children's Minister Ed Balls visited Hamilton Lodge School to answer questions from pupils and staff. Simon said; "It has been a privilege to be a governor at Hamilton Lodge for many years and I think it is really important that as many local people as possible get to speak to ministers direct - so I was keen to combine the two. He answered a whole series of questions on as wide...
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Unite Against Fascism

19th April 2010 - Fighting discrimination and hate is what brought Simon into politics. Simon was invited to speak at a Unison Health Conference fringe meeting on tackling the BNP and the EDL (English Defence League). "It is sad that anyone tries to whip up fear so that they can preach hate. There is a lot of rubbish being pushed by these extremists about the supposed threat posed by people because of their skin colour, their religion, their sexuality, their...
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Prime Minister at BHASVIC

16th April 2010 - Gordon Brown came to Brighton and met a couple of hundred 6th form students. He spoke and then answered questions under the chairing of Eddie Izzard. Afterwards he and Sarah went to Alfresco for media interviews and then went on an impromptu walkabout in the children's playground. Throughout the morning he was accompanied by the three local Labour candidates including Simon. "It was an interesting morning with great enthusiasm from the students wanting to get stuck...
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Unite backs Simon

15th April 2010 - Unite held a meeting in Brighton to encourage their members to support the three Labour candidates for the area; Simon, Nancy and Celia. Unite Joint General Secretary Derek Simpson and John Prescott shared the platform with the three candidates. "I am pleased to having the backing of both many local businesses as well as trade union members. I have worked in both, as well as in charities, and anyone who cares about our communities should have...
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Health hustings

14th April 2010 - Sussex Friends of Medecins Sans Frontiers (FoMSF) held a Health hustings at the Audrey Emberton building at the Royal Sussex in the Brighton Kemptown constituency. "There was lively discussion with the four main parties represented (though I was the only Brighton Kemptown candidate) in front of a large audience of medical students and practitioners. As a former NHS worker and as someone who has attended previous FoMSF meetings I knew we would have a good debate...
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Labour Deputy Leader visits Metrodeco

9th April 2010 - Harriet Harman joined Simon Burgess and local residents for a cuppa at Metrodeco in Upper St.James's Street. "Everyone really enjoyed the informal chat, questioning Harriet on a wide range of policy issues. Harriet was then interviewed by both BBC South and Meridian. I am always keen to give local people access to ministers and to raise the profile of our local businesses," said Simon. http://www.metro-deco.com/news/...
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Climate change hustings

8th April 2010 - Simon took part in these hustings on what he has repeatedly stated is the most pressing political challenge facing us all. The Conservatives failed to take part backing up the recent survey in which Conservative candidates put tackling climate change as 19th out of 19 in important issues facing us. Simon confirmed his independent line on a number of issues such as opposing new coal and nuclear power stations urging radical backing for renewable energy and...
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A sustainable built environment

1st April 2010 - Simon was invited to take part in a hustings in Brighton Kemptown with architects and planners. As well as Simon, the Labour representative, the Tory and Lib Dem all of whom are listed on the attached poster Ian Davey, the Green candidate for Hove also took part. Simon said; "It was an interesting discussion where a knowledge and understanding of what has happened in the city over recent decades was a distinct advantage. I do feel...
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Freelancers at The Brighton Farm

31st March 2010 - Simon and Nancy Platts, Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion, were invited along to meet new media freelancers at one of their weekly networking and social evenings at the pub. "It was a lovely evening, particularly now that we are in the frenetic last weeks of the campaign. It is very rare at the moment that either of us get to spend time in a pub in such pleasant company. So apart from a nice pint I...
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Fish & Chips in Telscombe Cliffs

27th March 2010 - After a busy day campaigning Labour members and supporters got together for a fish and chip supper at the Telscombe Civic Centre. "It was a lovely social get together when we got a chance to thank both Des and Lynn for everything they have done for the community over the last thirteen years. They are big shoes to fill but I am determined to do my best to keep up his unrivalled reputation for helping local...
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Co-op ideal floating well

27th March 2010 - Simon is backed by the Co-op Party for his longstanding involvement in campaigning for, and involvement in, co-operatives. "It may not have hit the headlines but turning our canals into a mutual is a significant move. The government is increasingly accepting the argument that co-operatives offer a popular solution for assets and services that the public wants to see operate for public benefit. As a life-long supporter of mutuals I feel strongly this is something...
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How will public service cuts affect you?

26th March 2010 - I am supporting UNISON's Million Voices Campaign because investing in public services has been, and will continue to be, a vital part of beating off recession. Our public services are vital and are needed more than ever in such tough times. Please show your support. Here's what you can do: * watch UNISON's new campaign film and add your voice at http://www.unison.org.uk/million * rate UNISON's film on YouTube and send it to your friends http://www.youtube.com/unisontv...
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Mr. Bevendean

24th March 2010 - Simon nominated Robert Brown MBE (known by many as Mr.Bevendean for all he does for the community) as a 'Community Hero' which led to the Prime Minister inviting Simon to bring him to No.10 so he could thank him properly. "I was so pleased that Robert was awarded an MBE recently because for me that is what the honours system should be all about, recognising those who make a difference for their community. We had a...
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Co-operators return to Telscombe Cliffs

20th March 2010 - Sussex Co-op Party held its AGM for the second year running at Telscombe Civic Centre. Following the meeting the members from across Sussex helped with the Simon Burgess election campaign by delivering letters and speaking to residents. Simon comments; "With the possibility of a hung parliament the opportunity for Labour & Co-op MPs to be able to advance co-operative solutions even more strongly was discussed. It was great to see the enthusiasm of Co-op members...
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Peacehaven Community School Hustings

11th March 2010 - The school held hustings for the four party candidates for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven two years ago, so it felt fitting that the first of many hustings over the coming weeks should be held there. The children did a great job of chairing the events, one for students and one for the wider community, I particularly enjoyed the student only hustings. Getting a secondary school for Peacehaven was one of the first challenges that Des Turner...
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Commerce Hustings

17th March 2010 - The city is very fortunate to have a vibrant Chamber of Commerce. Far too often businesses can become insular as they struggle with the very real challenges of keeping their businesses afloat, therefore I am always impressed when businesses spend time networking and supporting each other. The evening was good with a great variety of interesting questions. Interesting to see how many business people were nodding in agreement when I spoke of the need to...
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Christmas is finally over!

7th March 2010 - The weather was finally good enough to remove the Christmas lights in St.James's Street today. Simon Burgess, Chair of the St.James's Area Action Group, Chris Cooke, Chair of the the St.James's Area Local Action Team, John Carden, local decorator, and local resident Ahmed Koyes spent Sunday morning getting the lights down. "Unfortunately not enough money was raised locally to pay for the lights to be removed professionally and our appeal for the free loan of a...
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Freebutt night out

16th February 2010 - Live music is one of my favourite nights out but sadly, especially during an election campaign, I don't go as often as I would like. A friend’s son was performing at the Freebutt so it was a good excuse to go. Brighton & Hove have some great music venues from those as small as the Freebutt, through medium sized one like the Concorde 2 (probably my favourite) to the Brighton Centre. The Vixens...
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Brighton Modelworld

13th February 2010 - It has become a bit of a tradition for me to head off to Modelworld with my son every year (used to take my daughter but she doesn't like getting up in the morning at the weekend!). Mentioning my children is a bit of an excuse really, because I do enjoy seeing the incredible effort that the exhibitors put into their displays. I suppose one day I might have more time for hobbies but politics...
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