Peter Roberts for North East Cambridgeshire National News

National News

Join with Labour to Save Our Sure Start
Labour is today joining forces with families across England in a campaign to Save Our Sure Start children's centres from David Cameron's plans to cut their funding and prevent access to these valuable services for families on middle and modest incomes. Children's Secretary Ed Balls launched the campaign today as he welcomed the opening of the 3,500th Sure Start children's centre for parents and children across England. Families are invited to show how much they love their Sure Start centre at a new website www.saveoursurestart.com. The Tories would cut Sure Start from families on middle and modest incomes. Instead of
Labour figures pay tribute to Michael Foot
Labour leader and Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, paid tribute to former Labour Party leader, Michael Foot at his funeral today. Gordon Brown praised Foot as "one of the most elegant of orators, one of the greatest parliamentarians ever" and said that he lived a life "in the service of the greatest of progressive causes". The Prime Minster went on to say that "He graced the country and for those of us privileged to know him, he graced all of our lives". Neil Kinnock, who followed Foot as Labour leader paid tribute to him, saying "In thought and in word and
Ashok Kumar MP
The Labour Party is extremely saddened to hear about the death of Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. Mr Kumar was found dead at home this morning. Mr Kumar was 53 years old and first entered parliament in November 1991 at a by-election for the Langbaurgh constituency. He re-gained the seat at the General Election in 1997. David Walsh, Secretary of Middlesbrough South & East Cleveland CLP said "Ashok was a fine politician who served his constituency and his constituents with diligence and unswerving commitment. He was a natural fighter and a community leader."...
It’s time for the Tories to come clean - Ed Balls
Ed Balls MP, Labour’s Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, is today urging people to take a long hard look at the Tories plans for schools. He is challenging the Tories to come clean on how they will pay for their two flagship schools policies – new ‘free market’ schools and a national ‘pupil premium’. Earlier today, Ed Balls set out to Parliament further details of funding for schools up to 2013, following the Pre-Budget Report announcement that funding for Labour’s frontline priorities will be protected, including schools, Sure Start and 16-19 education. Ed Balls MP said: “Labour’s
Securing the recovery is essential - Gordon Brown
Alongside a speech by Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, on the economy, the Labour Party is today publishing A Future Fair for All: Securing the recovery, not putting it at risk. The document sets out the choice that Britain faces between growth and increasing prosperity with Labour, or a decade of austerity, low growth and low employment under the Tories. To read a copy please click here Gordon Brown said: "There is nothing pre-ordained or automatic about the upturn, either here or around the world. While we have come through the worst of this
Take a long hard look at the Tories on crime - Johnson
When it comes to crime, David Cameron is more concerned with headlines than policies. That’s why he talks Britain down by deliberately misleading the public about crime figures even though his party has been censured by the Statistics Authority for doing this. The reality is the Conservatives have voted against Labour’s measures to fight crime including opposing changes to the retention of DNA evidence – making it harder for the police to catch criminals. And they have campaigned against the use of CCTV which reduces the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. Alan Johnson MP, Labour’s Home Secretary said: “Labour
Michael Foot - statements from Gordon Brown and Ray Collins
Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, commenting on the news that Michael Foot has passed away, said: "Michael Foot was a man of deep principle and passionate idealism and one of the most eloquent speakers Britain has ever heard. “He was an indomitable figure who always stood up for his beliefs and whether people agreed with him or not they admired his character and his steadfastness. “The respect he earned over a long life of service means that across our country today people, no matter their political views, will mourn the passing of a great
For the last ten years the Conservatives have been concealing the truth - Straw
Jack Straw MP, Labour's Justice Secretary, said: "Lord Ashcroft was initially turned down for a peerage. He was only granted his peerage on the basis that he would return to live in the UK, become fully resident, and that he would pay tax in the UK on his wider income. "Today Lord Ashcroft has been forced to admit that he has not complied with this promise and that for the last ten years the Conservatives have been concealing the truth. "Instead of paying tax in the UK on all his earned income, he has been channelling millions into the Conservative
Action on anti-social behavour
Labour’s Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has set out the how the Government will step up the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour. Labour has taken tough action to bring down crime by over a third since 1997 but the Prime Minister said that there was still more to do – especially around anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime. The Prime Minister called on local authorities and police authorities to match the Labour Government's commitment to protecting police funding and maintain a strong police presence on the country's streets, which is key to reducing fear of crime. Gordon Brown said:
Gordon Brown's speech to Welsh Labour Conference
Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, today addressed the Welsh Labour Conference. Gordon Brown said: Thank you friends – and let me say today that our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Chile who have suffered their country’s worst earthquake in 50 years. The people of Chile are in agony today, and Britain stands ready to help. And friends I wanted to talk about what we’ve achieved together – a Labour-led Welsh administration working with a Labour Government – a partnership that has changed Wales for the better and forever. You should be