A blog by Luke Akehurst about politics, elections, and the Labour Party - With subtitles for the Hard of Left. Just for the record: all the views expressed here are entirely personal and do not necessarily represent the positions of any organisations I am a member of.
This article - http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/oct/31/glenrothes-byelection - in the Guardian says that the PM has been in Glenrothes to "capitalise on signs that Labour could be close to winning its first byelection since he became party leader".
This is strange as I can remember Labour winning the Ealing Southall and Sedgefield by-elections already under Brown as leader.
posted by Luke Akehurst at 6:57 pm
Labour MP for North Durham since 2024. Labour Party activist since 1988 - firmly on the moderate wing of the party. Member of Labour’s NEC 2010-2012 and since 2020. National Secretary of Labour Students 1995-6. Parliamentary candidate for Aldershot (2001) and Castle Point (2005). Hackney Councillor (Chatham Ward) 2002-2014, Labour Group Chief Whip 2002-09, Chair of Health Scrutiny 2010-2014. Dad. Unite and GMB union member. All views expressed in a personal capacity. The rest will become evident from reading the blog.
20 Comments:
Are Labour really about to allow Bailiffs the power of entry during a recession. This seems crazy especially from a liberal government.
Bailiffs will be given power to break into homes
I know it's from the Mail but I'm also reading something in my local paper about this. I'm going to write to my MP about is to find out the truth.
8:35 pm, October 31, 2008
Rich
I have actually read this and will be writing to my Local MP. There are items in my local paper about people getting evicted, because they are not bailed out as the banks are, our MP is dealing with some appalling cases, where there could have been discretion and negotiation used. These people are decent hard working citizens one was a voluntary unpaid worker. None would not have got into this mess had the governess not utilised neo conservative economics. The government should be ashamed!
11:08 pm, October 31, 2008
Off topic, but it turns out that Michael Howard's judgement in people maybe isn't as good as it could be.
This is the man who picked the current leader of the Conservative party.
4:21 pm, November 01, 2008
Jack straw and M Howard
What really differentiates them apart from being in different right wing parties?
4:51 pm, November 01, 2008
I'm just very concerned about how much power we about to give these collection companies. I really don't think MPs know how these organizations operate. They basically buy debt and if they are able to gain a county court judgement, which are easily obtained, then these thugs will be able to kick down your door.
This is going to cause misery to millions of people. The only protection they have is about to be removed. At the moment a Bailiff chasing a private debt can not force their way into a property unless you invite them in. This will remove this clause and give them access even if you refuse.
This sort of policy should be heavily debated and I'm shocked that this is Labour backed. What hope have we got when both those in power and in opposition don't want to stand by a basic right.
Those that lend money or offer credit must do so knowing that there is a risk of it not being repaid. This is the whole point of the credit scoring system....to assess the risk. If this law is passed then the most unscrupulous lenders will be able to obtain access to peoples homes and their contents. A £100.00 loan at 37.5 APR plus costs of collection could cost the debtor the contents of their home.
Bailiffs will have more rights than the police.
I think people should fight this and form protection leagues to fight off the thugs that will use this law. If the government won't back its people then maybe its time for people to start protecting themselves.....remember the anti poll tax leagues....they broke Mrs Thatcher.
5:36 pm, November 01, 2008
Please read and contact your MP......
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/nov/01/repossessions-mortgages-credit-recession-crunch
5:39 pm, November 01, 2008
With share prices so low these capitalists will make a killing on the stock exchange and have already been given a boost of 1000 billion of our money. Are the people in this country thick to allow this to happen?
We should all unite together and stop the bailiff thugs knocking peoples doors down, get thousands of people on call and when it happens go down and kick shit out of the scum!
9:22 pm, November 01, 2008
Why I am proud to be Labour, Part 4?
6:13 am, November 02, 2008
Luke,
I looked for another contact method for you since this comment is off topic but I couldn't find an email address for you.
Previously you have been pleased that Hackney Council had successfully prosecuted traders using imperial measures or selling "by the bowl". Perhaps you'd care to comment on the truth or otherwise of this story
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3363226/Whistle-blowers-say-council-targeted-metric-martyrs.html
11:39 am, November 02, 2008
Shares are so low now, any idiot with enough money could actually make a killing on the stock market within the next 6 months?
Its time those that work produce and create were rewarded not people making money out of money?
12:32 pm, November 02, 2008
Just read the link regarding changes to the legal aid system. How are people going to defend themselves with rationed access to legal aid?
Where are we heading, I'm sure this would be a case for the human rights laywers...the right to fair justice?
12:41 pm, November 02, 2008
Rich
I am actually horrified by it-I will be contacting my MP ASAP!
This is real shameful.
10:09 pm, November 02, 2008
No matter what your politics I think most people would agree that we are losing too many civil rights.
The most bizarre thing is that there is very little opposition to it.
Go back in history and you will soon understand why we protected people from the bailiffs.
As it stands the law allows for bankruptcy on anything over £750.00, earnings capture etc etc....the law is already weighted too heavily in favour of the lender. This literally rocks the scales and will result in a boom in collection industry.
My wifes sister works as a debt councilor and is heavily opposed to these amendments. Those at the front end will see case loads rocket and with no legal aid to help them they are going to be powerless.
To think it was only seven days when Brown publically said he was going to make it more difficult for lenders to foreclose.
All this news hidden amongst a sea of news regarding the credit crunch....how convenient.
Spin and lies both Labour and the conservatives are up to no good.
10:23 pm, November 02, 2008
This seems crazy especially from a liberal government
Rich, where on earth did you get the idea that this is a 'liberal government'. It is an authoritarian government and proud of it.
10:49 pm, November 02, 2008
Is that something to be proud of. The horrid thing is when these laws are passed it is twice as hard to remove them and the incentive for the next government to do so is zero.
On this basis it could be 50 years before we get a government willing to repair the damage done by this Labour government.
10:53 pm, November 02, 2008
"Whistle-blowers say Hackney Council targeted 'metric martyrs'."
Of course this is utter rubbish and, furthermore, the prosecutions were not politically motivated at all. Hackney Council is committed to the eradication of fraud and financial irregularity and to this end has a whistleblowing charter which protects nearly all staff who report their genuine suspicions.
Errr ... The problem is that all fraud is investigated by the Audit and Anti-Fraud Unit - and we don't like people to know their track record!
Furthermore, Mayor Pipsqueak is committed to both the short-term and the long-term health of Ridley Road market.
3:32 am, November 03, 2008
Is that something to be proud of
Well you've heard some of the things that Luke comes out with on this blog.
The horrid thing is when these laws are passed it is twice as hard to remove them and the incentive for the next government to do so is zero
Well that's the trouble with knee jerk law and order initiatives. Each party is trying to outbid the other in appearing 'tough' and no party is prepared to repeal an ineffective or bad law because the other party will accuse it of being 'weak'. It's a sort of arms race fought with authoritarian laws. A majority of the population are now voicing concerns about the misuse of terrorism legislation against ordinary citizens and the imposition of ID Cards. But the electorate needs to take responsibility for its own part in this business. Its hysterical over-reaction to the threat of crime has created a political climate where it is better electorally for governments to criminalise the innocent than target the guilty.
10:57 am, November 03, 2008
Criminals should not be sent to jail. They need to be loved!
This country is a very cruel place to be if you are a criminal - people like Luke are always on at you.
As I've said many times before, criminals have rights, human rights, and their rights must be respected.
Too many rights have been eroded by this vicious government.
Like the right to shit in an elevator...
11:09 am, November 03, 2008
Good grief!
11:31 am, November 03, 2008
This blog is a lot better when Luke doesn't actually contribute anything!
3:02 pm, November 03, 2008
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