Just an update on the ongoing incinerator issue (the proposed waste treatment plant), the council have four bidders for the plant, three are proposing the use of ‘energy from waste’ whilst the fourth is proposing ‘mechanical biological treatment’. Three of the bidders are intending to use the former wholesale markets site on Pontefract Lane, whilst the fourth is opting for a site in the Aire Valley near the sewerage works.
Incinerator issue burns on
Campaigning, Elmet and Rothwell, Environment, Health
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Jun 132009
Renewing the local Labour Party in Elmet and Rothwell
Colin Burgon MP, Elmet and Rothwell, Oulton, Rothwell
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Jun 132009
We had a good Rothwell Labour Party meeting this week. We had a lively discussion about what we all thought about recent national issues, including the devastating recent Euro election results, the expenses scandal, ID cards and elected mayors. We also talked about the issues local to us such as the incinerator which is to be built near us, that our MP is retiring, the fact that Oulton residents are feeling the effects of having lost their library, are amongst some of the subjects we got around to discussing.
Open farm Sunday in Swillington
Colin Burgon MP, Elmet and Rothwell, Environment, Family, Swillington
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Jun 072009
Today was ‘Open Farm Sunday’ which is great as it gives everyone the opportunity to experience the countryside and connect with the land that feeds us.
We went to a local farm, Swillington Organic Farm, which was taking part, with our little girl Esme. I know Swillington well, having lived there before we moved to neighbouring Carlton, Rothwell, I represented Swillington as a Garforth and Swillington councillor for 6 years so have many friends.We have also gone to the farm shop for its lovely produce several times, as well as getting our Christmas trees there regularly. We were lucky as we bumped into Colin Burgon MP for Elmet and Rothwell who was also enjoying the delights of the farm.
A nice family visit to Wetherby
Elmet and Rothwell, Family, Wetherby
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May 302009
Had a great day with Stuart and Esme in Wetherby, we had a lovely fish and chip lunch from the Wetherby Whaler at the side of the river Wharfe in the shade of a tree as it was so hot! Esme loved watching the ducks playing and had a little paddle. We then attempted to walk off fish and chips and ice cream.
Promising news for Elmet and Rothwell cyclists
Elmet and Rothwell, Environment, Garforth, Leeds, Transport
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May 292009
A new bike link between Garforth and Temple Newsam is being proposed to encourage local people to ride their bikes more often as Garforth Today reports. Leeds Bike Week (from June 13) will see a range of schemes put forward. Let’s hope this means fewer people will use their cars and add to the congestion we see during the school run and people taking advantage of the sunshine this summer to improve their fitness and pumping out less fumes into the air too!
On the Euro campaign trail in Elmet and Rothwell
Campaigning, Elmet and Rothwell, Rothwell
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May 292009
I’ve been out enjoying the sunshine (and not too much rain) while out on the Euro campaign trail. It’s so important to ensure that we re-elect our Labour MEPs so they can carry on the good work they do for us. Let’s not let them pay for what has been happening in Westminster. The stark reality is that if enough Labour voters stay at home or protest at the Euro elections we could end up with a BNP MEP. After so many brave Britons gave their lives to liberate Europe from fascism it would be a travesty for Yorkshire and the Humber to be represented in Europe by a fascist party. Our Labour MEPs are busy campaigning all across Yorkshire and the Humber and I organised a campaigning session with Richard Corbett MEP in Elmet and Rothwell this week to ensure that our supporters here come out and vote Labour.
Let’s remember that this is a European election (we’re not having local elections this year in Elmet and Rothwell). We should vote for the party which will best represent us in Europe where there are clear policy differences. Let’s not forget that the Tories want to isolate Britain from Europe and have chosen to force their MEPs to sit inside a new European party grouping alongside fringe extremist parties.
Safety concerns over axing of Elmet and Rothwell night bus
Campaigning, Elmet and Rothwell, Transport, Young People
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May 052009
It’s a blow that bus company First has axed two Leeds night buses including the 921 Leeds – Swillington, especially as this could compromise public safety. The story is in tonight’s Yorkshire Evening Post. I would have thought that with the recession more people would be in need of public transport. I would be very interested to know how widely the service has been promoted to potential passengers before the axe fell?
When I was a councillor for Garforth and Swillington I always campaigned for improvements to public transport and was pleased to have fought for my constituents best interests for example a Swillington bus re-routed to serve sheltered housing, so older people didn’t have a long walk to get to a bus stop, and getting bus shelters as some of our older folk were being battered by wind, hail and rain.
Many of us feel that Leeds has been getting a raw deal on public transport under the Conservative and Lib Dem Leeds City Council who are not fighting our corner, and this is just another deterioration of our services!
Apr 242009
I’m very sorry that our local MP Colin Burgon has decided to stand down and not run at the next general election. As a member of the local party I have received a letter from Colin explaining his decision and expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the local party for the real team effort over many years that saw Colin take the seat for Labour in 1997 and retain it since. There is also an article in tonight’s Yorkshire Evening Post about Colin’s decision to stand down.
Colin has been a hard working MP for local people and one who isn’t afraid to speak his mind. I admire him for both these reasons and thank him for the long service he’s given the local party (26 years) not just his time in office but also including the long hard years leading up to our victory in Elmet. I’ve known and worked with Colin for a lot of years, having lived in Elmet and Rothwell for 17 years and was pleased to be one of the team of local members who have put the work in time and again year in and year out.
I had the privilege to serve as a Leeds City Councillor for the Garforth and Swillington ward for six years from 1998 to 2004 and more recently stood as candidate in the Rothwell ward, and so have worked alongside Colin on many local issues over the years such as fighting opencast mining, campaigning for better road safety and fighting to save two of our police stations from closure.
It‘s just a shame that Colin is going out the way he is. I’m proud that we’ve had a Labour government for the last 12 years and to have helped to be a part of what we have achieved as a party together. Colin’s comments on “New Labour” are unhelpful because it has been our willingness to change and adapt with the times that has allowed us to be able to serve as a party in government. We have an unprecedented third term in office thanks to our modern approach.
Colin is right that the link with the Unions should never be broken and I’m proud of always being a Unison member when I was a local government officer and more recently being a member of the T&G.
I also feel strongly that we should never forget our values. The worldwide economic crisis we face is worrying for us all, and no-one is going to solve this overnight. I’d rather place our current economic problems in the hands of a person with the experience of Gordon Brown than a lightweight like David Cameron any day.
If Labour is to win a fourth term It is essential that we win seats like Elmet and Rothwell. I’ll be working hard campaigning to win whoever the candidate to replace Colin Burgon is.
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