Autumn 2011
Hello and welcome to my most recent email bulletin.
The last couple of months have been a real whirlwind. I received more letters and emails from constituents in September than I had in any month prior to it, and there were plenty of controversial issues grabbing headlines in both the local and national press.
As always, you can find a taster of what’s happening in Chester below, but for more information, please visit www.chestermp.com.
Best Wishes,
Stephen Mosley
Member of Parliament for The City of Chester
The Release of Documents Relating to the Hillsborough Disaster
Despite the many disagreements that exist across the House of Commons, there are some issues that are quite simply above politics.
Earlier this month, the House of Commons saw a debate on the tragic events that occurred on the 15thApril 1989, at Hillsborough in Sheffield.
I was humbled to be able to speak in the debate and recount some of the harrowing stories told to me by survivors and families of those who lost their loved ones.
For the families of all those who tragically lost their lives that day, and all of those still traumatised by the events that unfolded before them, I was delighted that the House joined together to support the unrestricted release of all government documents to the Hillsborough Independent Panel.
The Panel are expected to complete their work in April 2012, and now with the inclusion of all government documents, it is hoped that both the survivors and families of the victims will finally discover the truth behind what happened at Hillsborough.
As I said before the House, there were many people from Chester at Hillsborough, and many heartbreaking stories and memories of that day.
No amount of sympathy can bring back those so tragically lost. No actions can reconcile the mistakes of that day.
The very least that the families deserve is the truth. The truth that has been hidden from them, ashamedly, for almost a quarter of a century.
A transcript and video of my speech can be accessed from the following link:
Stephen Mosley Speaks in Debate on Hillsborough Disaster
Proposed Gyspy and Traveller Camp, Saughall
Arguably the most contentious issue here in Chester over the past couple of months has been the proposal put forward by Cheshire West and Chester Council, to use Oakwood Farm, Saughall, as a transit site for Gypsies and Travelling communities.
I have been inundated with phone calls, letters, emails and petitions against the Council’s proposal to build on green belt land, and I made my objections clear to the Council from the outset.
Since the Council’s Executive meeting on 7thSeptember (where an incredible turnout from residents made quite clear the views of the local community), the campaign to stop the Council building on Oakwood Farm has certainly gathered momentum:
The Council’s decision on 7thSeptember was to proceed with the Oakwood Farm proposal and a planning application for development in the Greenbelt will need to be submitted. Once an application has been submitted, a full process of consultation will ensue and I would encourage all interested parties to take part.
With the strength of feeling against this proposal, I cannot see how the Council can steamroller it through with such little regard for local residents. But we can’t let up the pressure. The fight is still on to save our greenbelt.
Proposed Changes of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries
The House of Commons is the largest directly-elected national chamber in Europe. The recent Boundary Review, undertaken by the Independent Boundary Commission for England (not as some believe by MPs themselves), will reduces the number of Members of Parliament to 600, bringing us closer in line with other democracies and saving £12 million a year.
Constituencies are being redrawn to make them fairer and give everyone's vote a more equal weight, wherever they live.
The Boundary Commission have used the ward boundaries that existed at the 2010 General Election for their proposed new constituencies and they are proposing to add the entirety of the old Mickle Trafford ward to Chester (including the villages of Mickle Trafford, Barrow and Elton).
The Commission are also proposing to add the Ledsham and Willington ward and the Groves and Whitby ward to Chester from the Ellesmere Port and Neston Constituency.
They are also suggesting removing Christleton, Littleton and Guilden Sutton and also the old Boughton Heath and Vicars Cross Ward from the Chester Constituency. These areas will be added to the proposed Winsford Constituency (the successor to Eddisbury constituency.)
Whilst I welcome the fact that Chester will have its own Parliamentary Constituency at the next General Election, I am disappointed that people living so close to the city centre may find themselves moved out of Chester to a predominately rural Winsford constituency.
I recently attended the public consultation held by the Boundary Commission and put the case that areas like Vicars Cross, Huntington, Dodleston and Boughton Heath should stay in the Chester constituency.
The Consultation is still open and a final decision on the new boundaries will not be made until Autumn 2013.
Residents can take part in the consultation by emailing: reviews@bcommengland.x.gsi.gov.uk or or writing to: Boundary Commission for England, 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BQ.
You can access the Consultation Website from the following link:
Boundary Commission Submissions
Vote on EU Referendum
On Monday evening (25th October), the House of Commons debated a motion on whether or not we should hold a national referendum to decide if the UK should: remain in the EU; withdraw from the EU; or renegotiate its terms of membership.
The debate was triggered by an online petition, signed by more than 100,000 people, who wanted the issue to go to a referendum.
The Leadership of all three major Political Parties opposed the motion, with the final vote defeating the prospect of a referendum by 483 votes to 111.
I was one of 81 Conservative Members of Parliament to vote in favour of a referendum.
As an MP who was only elected to Parliament in 2010, in the aftermath of the expenses scandal and with a backdrop of numerous broken promises by the previous Government, I know of the disconnect that exists between politicians in Parliament and the general public.
One way to change that perception would be for Government to trust the people and to allow them to have their own say.
Whilst I fully support the Conservative Party’s position on Europe, wanting to renegotiate the terms of our membership and return powers to the UK, I felt on this issue that the people should have had a say.
Out and About in Chester
Since my last bulletin, I have...
Representing Chester in Parliament
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You can also view in full my contributions in Parliament. Please see my website http://www.chestermp.com/in-parliament
7 Ways to Get in Touch
By post: Stephen Mosley MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Telephone: 01244 458120
Email: stephen@chestermp.com
Website: www.chestermp.com
Twitter: @mp4chester
Facebook: Stephen Mosley MP on Facebook
In person: Additionally, you can come and meet me at one of my regular surgeries in Chester. Call 01244 458120 to book an appointment.
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