Campaigns

Tory think tank call an insult to the High Peak – Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrats across the High Peak have described a call by a right wing Tory-leaning think tank for people from towns and cities of the North to pack their bags and move to the South as appalling and a disgrace.

Policy Exchange, described as David Cameron’s favourite think tank in the media, claimed many towns and cities in the North were failing and regeneration would not save them. They suggested people should move to the South East instead. Policy Exchange was set up by Michael Gove, now a senior right wing Tory MP.

“The idea that people should abandon the North and move to the already crowded South East, where house prices and living costs are sky high, is a total insult and kick in the teeth to people living here,” said Steve Sharp the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for the High Peak.

“I am not the slightest surprised that a think tank so close to the Tories is making such a call. I am appalled and disgusted, yet again they are saying that large swathes of the North can simply be abandoned.

“Here in the High Peak the battle is between Liberal Democrats and the Tories at the next general election. Everyone knows that the Labour cannot win here. This should demonstrate to anyone thinking of voting Tory what they really think of people in the North.

“What the Policy Exchange has done is to highlight the total lack of understanding that the Tories have of the North and to show that they are a party who cannot be trusted or taken seriously.”

Welcome for plans to tackle youth crime

Liberal Democrats across the High Peak have welcomed proposals made by the party’s Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne MP to tackle youth crime.

The plans aim to deter crime and get young people involved in positive activities that benefit local communities. They include:

The creation of a Youth Volunteer Force, to engage with young people, involve them in community projects and give them skills to benefit them in later life;

Establish Community Justice Panels across the country, where offenders admit their guilt to the community and agree on a Positive Behaviour Order as a course of action;

Create a dedicated PCSO youth officer within every Safer Neighbourhood Team to identify and work with teenagers most at risk of offending;

10,000 more police on the streets by scrapping the ID cards scheme;

Intelligence-led stop and search and 'hot spot policing' targeted at gun and knife crime;

Restorative justice programs to be run in every community, specifically targeted at early intervention with widespread use in schools and care homes.

Steve Sharp High Peak Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate said, “These proposals could potentially go a long way to reduce youth crime. By having more police and by focusing on crime hotspots, we will be able to deter crime more effectively from happening.

“But we also need to give young people positive alternatives to do. Too often they get into trouble because there is nothing for them to do. The Youth Volunteer Force will be a great way to get young people involved in activities that benefit themselves and the area where they live.

“I am also keen to ensure that those who do break the law or cause disturbances or vandalism have to pay back the community they have wronged.

“Those who commit serious crime such carrying knives or guns should be given lengthy terms of imprisonment. The problem with the whole system of sentencing in the United Kingdom is there is no consistency, which I believe is why the general public are totally disillusioned with the legal process.

“That is why restorative justice is important. It will mean that those convicted of offences will have to work on cleaning up vandalism or on projects that benefit communities as part of their punishment. “Residents of the High Peak often tell me of their worries about youth crime. I believe that the proposals the Liberal Democrats have put forward will go a long way to addressing those concerns.”

Steve explains the stupidity of HIP's to a local resident

Steve says " I don’t like to tell the Labour Government “I told you so”, but so-called Home Information Packs are fast shaping up to be their latest disaster. Large numbers of estate agents are now breaking the law by not getting HIPs in place as soon as a property comes on the market. This has been further compounded by the Law Society now stating that HIPs are a total waste of time.

In the summer of 2006 I made my objections to this legislation clear. It was obvious then to everyone, except perhaps Tom Levitt and Labour, that this was a case of legislation for the sake of it. All it has done is create more costs and done nothing whatsoever to assist the house buying process in England and Wales.

This daft legislation is just another nail in the coffin of the housing industry which is on its knees with the credit crunch, a mortgage drought and recession which Messrs Brown and Darling have created.

Many people know that I am running an ongoing campaign for more affordable and social housing. This important issue has no chance of progressing until the government completely changes tack on homes. The country needs stamp duty thresholds lifting: a costed scheme to aid first time buyers and low income families. As a nation we should be urgently addressing social housing by building affordable homes, making proper use of Housing Associations’ skills and assets, and reversing the Tory policy on council housing by allowing local authorities to build homes where they are needed.

HIPs should be scrapped and scrapped now. They are totally flawed, cost prohibitive and are reducing the number of properties coming on to the market.

When you strip this Labour Government down to its principles, it only has three basic policies: 'Ban it, Over-regulate it, or Tax it'. In Labour’s history of ridiculous, crackpot legislation over the past eleven years the HIPs debacle must be one of the daftest."

Vince Cable speaks out on Fuel Poverty

The recent announcements by British Gas and the French electricity utility EDF, that they plan to increase gas and electricity prices by a third and a fifth respectively, have major, and worrying, implications for those on the edge of fuel poverty. This comes on top of industry-wide increases at the start of the year. Even in the balmy heat of midsummer, people are understandably worrying about their energy bills.

Average bills now sit well above the psychological barrier of £1000 per year. This in turn raises the question of whether the Government's target of eradicating fuel poverty by 2016 is any longer credible, or even meaningful. There are currently 2.5 million households so defined.

As domestic energy prices have shot up, so too have the questions about whether they are a fair representation any more of the actual cost of supplying domestic energy. Indeed, the current vogue for many who want to tackle the problems of fuel poverty is to point to the major energy producers as a source of economic "rent", which can be used to cushion the impact on consumers. Many people feel instinctively that there is something wrong when companies – such as BP this week – are reporting exceptionally high profits at a time when people are struggling to afford their energy and fuel

bills.

There are demands for a windfall tax. But this largely misses the point. The headline profits usually relate to global operations, of which only a modest part is in the UK. Even if there were a large UK-based windfall tax, the same logic would apply to wheat farmers, who have also benefited from rising world prices. What is more, all these arguments for a windfall tax ignore the inconvenient truth that North Sea producers already face a windfall tax.

I appreciate that this argument offers no solace to those facing soaring household energy bills. There is, however, a separate argument about the electricity and gas companies. These companies benefit from a windfall received from phase two of the Emissions Trading Scheme. During phase two of the scheme, the vast majority of permits to produce carbon dioxide have been given away free, and energy companies can decide to trade rather than use these permits.

The energy regulator Ofgem has calculated that the collective windfall of energy producers from the introduction of free ETS permits amounts to £9bn over the whole of phase two (five years). At least some of this money is fair game: there is a difference between profits made because of increasing demand and profits made because of a government giveaway.

Indeed, the Government (and the industry) has now accepted this argument in principle, and will auction permits in the future in a way that their scarcity value accrues to government rather than to the industry.

The industry argues that the current arrangements were entered into in good faith and that they should not be taxed retrospectively. But it is not unreasonable to expect it to shoulder more responsibility.

Indeed, there are other arguments for taking a tough approach. The competitive market which once existed in electricity generation has largely disappeared, with six major vertically-integrated companies dominating it. Moreover, the claim that consumers can shop around for good bargains is undermined by analysis from the University of East Anglia, which shows that a third of switchers actually make themselves worse off, and half of customers never switch. Overall, there is a strong case for a Competition Commission referral.

In the absence of such a – necessarily long – inquiry, various actions should be insisted upon, under the watchful eye of the energy regulator, to ensure that costs are not passed on to consumers.

The first is to improve energy efficiency. According to the Local Government Association, at least 12 million houses are currently inadequately insulated, costing households around £200 in lost energy. Some companies, under the Carbon Emission Reductions Target, already have a rolling programme to insulate people's homes, but this needs to be scaled up hugely. A 10-year rolling programme of £500m could ensure that not only are all British homes adequately insulated, but that household carbon emissions are reduced by a fifth.

Secondly, the most vulnerable customers face disproportionately high bills from pre-payment meters. Ironically, despite the claims to offer a "social tariff", major energy companies charge a negative social tariff. According to recent research commissioned for Energywatch, those on pre-payment meters can pay up to £142 more than people on direct debits on their combined gas and electricity bills. With around a quarter of poorer fuel customers on pre-payment meters, this has to be a priority.

Rolling out social tariffs to ensure that the 2.25 million people on pre-payment meters are not unfairly penalised would cost the energy companies in the region of £275m a year. Given the level of their ETS windfall, this does not seem an unreasonable obligation. Finally, through the introduction of smart meters, which display consumption costs, Energywatch has shown energy usage can be reduced by between 3 and 15 per cent through changes in behaviour. With a 5 per cent reduction translating into a bill reduction of around £35, this can also help reduce fuel poverty. What is more, the introduction of smart meters that can be read remotely could also significantly benefit the energy companies.

The energy companies have so far led something of a charmed life, with a windfall from the ETC and a regulator who is reluctant to enforce the full rigours of competition rules. They would be well advised to be generous to their customers. Otherwise they may find themselves subject to forced generosity.

Brown the worst PM in history!!

From bad to worse It’s official – Gordon Brown is the most unpopular Prime Minister since records began. No surprise then especially after the disaster in the polls in Glasgow East!

It’s not surprising given Labour’s record since he took over. Soaring prices of fuel, food and energy are hitting everyone hard. Violent crime continues to rise.

Brown’s decision earlier this year to increase taxes on the least well off pensioners and families was a national disgrace.

More and more people are saying that it is time for a change. The Tories have no real ideas on how they will change Britain.

Only Steve Sharp and the Liberal Democrats in the High Peak are fighting for a better future for local people, which include affordable housing, public transport and protecting the rural community.

The Lib Dems are fighting for lower taxes for local families. They have real plans to tackle the rise of anti-social behaviour and violent crime. They will protect and improve vital local services like hospitals, schools and post offices. Only the Liberal Democrats will put protecting the environment at the heart of government.

Steve sets out his vision for the High Peak

Steve speaking at conference about problems facing the High Peak

Steve has announced his strategy for the constituency this week. In his bid to become the next MP for the High Peak, he will campaign relentlessly in the issues that hit areas of rural market town constituencies like High Peak. Much more has to be done to provide affordable and social homes, a lack of public transport coupled with increasing costs for car travel and the financial squeeze on businesses, all threaten the vibrant economy of the area.

Steve said: “There is a real shortage of affordable and social housing across the country, but the shortage is at its worst in rural areas like the High Peak.

“In most areas of High Peak housing is more expensive than in bigger towns and cities, but salaries are generally much lower. This means it is particularly difficult for first-time buyers to get their foot on the first rung of the housing ladder in areas like ours. Young local families and those on low incomes are being totally priced out of their own communities.

Steve adds, “This a real problem in the central area and Hope Valley and the moratorium on house building has only added to this. Glossop has seen development but has an extremely poor infrastructure, particularly with the road network. Buxton has seen a boom in populous due to the University but no attempt to find proper housing to accommodate these residents.

“We have poor public transport links within the High Peak and to neighbouring areas. With petrol now at £6 a gallon those residents who have to travel distances to work are really being hit whilst there is a shortage of higher paid jobs within the High Peak.

“We need to look at how we can create those desperately needed jobs in rural areas. Without jobs more and more of our countryside will become a zone of just second homes and retirement cottages. Small businesses should be encouraged in the countryside, and we should make the planning system more flexible to enable this - particularly when it comes to work-based extensions to homes. We should be proposing that housing associations should end their ban on people setting up home-based businesses in their properties.

“There is a lot more the Government could do to deliver affordable rural housing. Unused land owned by the Government and other public sector bodies should be used for building affordable housing. We need to push for more action from the Government to bring empty homes back into use.

“People want homes that they can afford, not be priced out of market. The credit crunch and Labour’s economic meltdown has helped to push mortgage rates up and up with little or no sign of improvement. “The one question we all want answering is, how much longer do the residents of the High Peak has to pay off Gordon Brown’s and Labour’s debt? The High Peak is desperate for a change of direction and an MP who is going to speak out and stand up for our residents.”

'I'm alright Jack' say Labour on pensions

High Peak Liberal Democrat PPC Steve Sharp has spoken out this week on the state of the economy and current pension provisions, both private and state.

Steve said "As the nation's economic woes go from bad to worse, the Government is bracing itself for further bad news as this week as they admit that under their management the country is heading into recession. It will also be reeling as it is named for wrongfully allowing the collapse of the Equitable Life Insurance Company, and taxpayers will have to cough up to compensate private policyholders.

"It will be interesting to see what High Peak MP Tom Levitt has to say on this issue after doing nothing in the fight for pension justice for the employees of Federal Mogul in Chapel-en-le-Frith"

"Putting Labour's pension policy in context, a recent poll from the policyholders of Friends Provident showed that only 5% said they trusted Gordon Brown and Labour to be charge of their pension fund. What an absolute embarrassment for the Government.

"The size of the state pension is presently £90.70, after a rise of £3.40 this year. This is an insult, especially as pensioners are among the hardest hit as food and heating bills go through the roof.

"Dr Ros Altman, former pension advisor to the Government, said recently 'Our state pension is a national disgrace. It is the lowest in the developed world. We cannot continue to treat old people this way.'

Steve is more forthright in his condemnation of the Government and its policies in this area. He said "It was Gordon Brown's controversial tax grab on pensions, one of the Government's first acts in 1997, which has fuelled much public outrage and caused many of these problems. He scrapped the tax relief on dividends paid into pension funds, which is probably the greatest scandal of the past decade. It cost prudent and careful pension savers over £100 billion.

"Labour has a basic 'I'm all right Jack' approach to pension policy: they don't want anyone else to have one but they have carefully ensured MPs have gold plated their own pension from the public purse. No doubt Tom Levitt will be informing us in his weekly column that he's worth every penny; unfortunately he's probably the only one in his High Peak constituency who thinks so.

Labour have sided with phone giants against local communities

Liberal Democrats in High Peak have launched a stinging attack on Tom Levitt, Labour MP for the High Peak for siding with phone company giants rather than residents in a row over the power of communities to stop inappropriately sited phone masts.

Currently, fewer restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for controversial proposals.

Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

But Labour MPs, including Tom Levitt voted against the call and the Tory MPs did not bother voting at all.

“Tom Levitt had the opportunity to side with local communities or with giant phone companies,” said Alistair Stevens High Peak Consituency Vice-Chair “It is extremely disappointing so see that he decided to back the latter.

“The change the Liberal Democrats proposed in the House of Commons would have given residents a fighting chance to stop inappropriately sited phone masts. It would have meant the phone companies would have had to apply for full planning permission in the same way that any other business would need to.

“What is more remarkable is that Tom Levitt actually backed a Parliamentary motion at the end of 2006 which called for the same powers he voted against at the end of June. Residents of the High Peak deserve good representation from their MP, not as usual more hypocrisy.”

High Peak MP condemned for blocking independent audit proposals

Not one Liberal Democrat MP voted against the audit plans.

Commenting, Steve Sharp Liberal Democrat PPC for the HighPeak said: “This decision by MPs is very foolish and totally wrong. It is a disaster for anyone who believes in cleaning up our politics and improving Parliament’s reputation. The House of Commons had the chance to vote for proper auditing of everything MPs do with public money, but an unholy coalition of Labour and Tory MPs prevented it.

“I am extremely disappointed that Tom Levitt voted against allowing all MPs’ allowances to be externally audited. 52 of his Labour colleagues joined the Liberal Democrats and some Tories in voting for independent auditing. Tom Levitt must tell us – why did he vote to water down the proposals?

“Rarely a week seems to pass without a story in the press about MPs apparently fiddling their finances. The vast majority of MPs are not corrupt. But so long as they resist having their expenses and allowances subject to robust, external audit, the public can be forgiven for wondering what they have got to hide.”

“One should not forget Tom Levitt recently announced his expenses which were in the top ten of all MP’s in Britain. By supporting the continuation of the ‘John Lewis List’ he has made it clear he is happy with public perception that MP’s have ‘got their snouts in the trough’ again!

Steve Sharp is delighted with the announcement by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg that his party is committing to unilaterally introduce proposals rejected by Parliament yesterday, including independent spot checks of the expenses of the party’s MPs:

“It is excellent to see Liberal Democrat MPs setting the example again and showing that they have nothing to fear from open, independent scrutiny of their expenses.

“I hope that the Labour and the Tory leaderships will follow Nick Clegg’s lead in implementing these measures, and we can begin to restore public confidence in politicians.”

"Big Brother Britain "

Steve with Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne MP

On reading Tom Levitt’s column regarding 42 day detention, two facts seem clear. Firstly, he voted for it because he is loyal Labour lobby fodder. Secondly, he doesn't write the article. If it is written by him, then he should check the facts before going to print.

There is still not a shred of evidence that a blanket extension from 28 to 42 days will either prevent or reduce terrorism.

I am yet to speak to anyone who disagrees with my view that, if the police have sufficient reason and evidence and can show a need to hold a suspect for more than 28 days, then why can't they submit their request on that case to a Judge who could scrutinise the evidence - on that particular case alone - and independently extend the detention by a maximum of two weeks if the evidence etc merits it.

I fully accept that the state has to protect its citizens but not at the cost of losing the general civil liberties of those very citizens.

Britain is becoming more like George Orwell's 1984 every day under this Labour Government. ID cards, blanket 42 day detention, and cameras watching your every move. Instead of wasting billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money creating a 'Big Brother Britain' they should invest in giving the police the financial support they need to do an effective job.

It is ironic that in the same week Tom Levitt promotes 42 days of detention, the Derbyshire Police make a formal statement on the miserly funding they are receiving and the fact they are one of the most under-funded forces in the country. Even on Home Office figures, their budget is £6 million a year lower than it should be. The result is that there is to be yet more rationalisation of the policing within the High Peak with the risk that possible gaps in service might emerge despite the police's best endeavours.

This Government, and Tom Levitt in particular, are long overdue in getting their priorities right. Instead of coming up with more and more grandiose schemes and unworkable legislation they should do what they are elected to do; serve the people.

High Peak hammered by Post Office Closure Plan

Steve outside Tintwistle Post Office

Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for the High Peak Steve Sharp has lambasted Tom Levitt and the Labour Government over their merciless slashing of Post Offices across the High Peak.

Steve said "Has Tom Levitt totally taken leave of his senses, going on radio to say 'Its not as bad as it could have been'! To lose one post office in a rural area is one to many, but to lose five is a disaster. A letter I received from him states 'We never had a proper network of post offices in this country and this not a rational way of organizing a public service.' What utter rubbish. We had the finest post services in the world for well over a century, and sub post offices have served our communities the length and breath of the country for many, many decades.

"The Post Office at Birch Vale, which is on the list, also runs a sorting office, so where is this work going to go? The debacle of the New Mills cuts should be a lesson to everyone. After the sorting office was closed the staff now travel to Stockport and back everyday before they can even start to deliver the post. The Post Office at Tintwistle is one of very few shops in the village, so residents will have travel into Hadfield or Hollingworth. Tom Levitt should hang his head in shame for supporting such disgraceful legislation.

"Post Offices are open when the banks are closed on Saturday mornings and until 5.30pm each evening. They offer services such as car tax, passport checking facilities, postal orders and the card account system for those on state pension and tax credits. They are a community facility incorporated in a small business.They are the sub postmasters' livelihood and a unique service which should be cherished and promoted.

"This is all down to cost cutting and nothing more. It is only losing money due to the failure of Government policies over twenty five years, started by the Tories under Thatcher. It has been in steady decline ever since.

"Of the 380 offices in Greater Manchester, High Peak and Cheshire - which serve almost 2.5m people - this is to be cut to 260 in towns and 53 in rural areas like ours. I totally despair of Tom Levitt and Labour. They have absolutely no concept of promoting and protecting one of our most valuable institutions for the benefit of society.

"I urge everyone to join the campaign to save our post offices and make Tom Levitt eat his ridiculous comments, blindly following the government as always. Say No to Post Office closures and say it now!"

Full details and You Tube interview on the New Mills page. Council Chair Cllr Alsitair Stevens with fellow Councillors Steve Sharp, Janet Carter, Jacqui Gadd, Chantal Hanell and Mark Gadd.

Liberal Democrats across the High Peak welcome transport plans

Graham Boardman long suffering Diabetic with Steve discussing Diabetes

Steve is calling for greater screening for diabetes after worrying new figures revealed that there has been a steady rise in the number of emergency admissions to local hospitals for a life threatening condition which develops if diabetes remains undetected.

Steve said "A great many people are not aware they are diabetic. Early detection could save lives by preventing diabetic ketoascidosis (DKA), a life threatening form of the illness."

After a national service framework has been set up to ensure that all the Primary Care Trusts offer screening to those most at risk from developing diabetes. Currently, only 57% of PCTs are offering such screening.

Steve goes on to say "Diabetics are increasingly being put at very serious risk, often because they don't know enough about their condition.

"Far too many people don't realise they have diabetes in the first place. We need better education to warn diabetics of the life-threatening dangers of DKA, and also a greater awareness campaign so that people can spot the symptoms of diabetes early. The government simply isn't doing enough.

"As residents of the High Peak use Macclesfield, Tameside and Stepping Hill Hospital's all three PCTs must do all they can to ensure people benefit from the National Service Framework. I strongly feel that local health services should highlight the need for indivduals to watch out for any symptoms of diabetes and encourage people concerned they are developing the illness to be screened."

Labour just keeping pumping up the Tax

Steve inspecting rising fuel prices across the High Peak 129 a litre

Steve is asking some very hard questions regard Labour's policies on excessive fuel prices and retrospective increases in road tax.

Steve said "Across the country people are being crucified by the Government's basic lack of imagination on fuel prices and road fund licence fees.

"The current massive costs are unacceptable and, for rural areas like the High Peak are becoming unbearable. It is over twenty years since the Tories brought in the imbecilic policies of deregulating the buses and then the rail network. This leaves majority of High Peak residents, with no services at weekends or after 6pm, are therefore left totally reliant on the car.

"When you add the fact we have no hospitals of our own in the High Peak, a car is an absolutely essential tool for maintaining a basic way of life.

"It is noticeable that Tom Levitt has been extremely low profile on this issue. Andrew Bingham and the Tories daren't jump on this particular bandwagon because, if they had been in office, fuel would have been substantially more expensive than it is now, due to their fatally flawed fuel escalator policy.

"If fuel and road tax continue to rise like this, it affects one and all. The increases are passed on to everybody so the cost of living and price inflation will continue to shoot up, leaving those on low and fixed incomes worse off week after week.

"If the Government wants to make a difference they should look at my ideas, which would cut the current outrageous level of fuel duty, especially for those rural areas like the High Peak. A simple national policy of reducing VAT on fuel costs to 5%, which is the same rate applied to gas and electric, would help enormously and this could be done overnight.

"To encourage more environmentally friendly cars they should promote realistic innovations. Why don't they give incentives for bio-fuels and LPG? If they want people out of older cars and into greener vehicles why don't they offer vouchers for people to get a discount off a new car, subject to sustantially lower carbon emissions?

"If the Government was not wasting billions of pounds of our money on an illegal war on Iraq, or further billions of pounds on rescuing the failed Northern Rock, they might be in a financial position to take on board these suggestions and actually give help to the families that need it."

High Peak Liberal Democrats back National Recycling Week

National Recycling Week is being held on 2nd-8th June. This is the fifth year it has been held. It is run by Waste Resources Action Programme, a national organisation set up to help people produce less waste and advise on how best to deal with rubbish in an environmentally friendly way.

Steve Sharp said " In the High Peak the recycling and composting levels set by the Tory run Borough Council is extremely unchallenging. This means we still have a long way to go before we are dealing with our waste that does not leave a lasting problem for generations to come.

"There is little or no chance of the Tories supporting serious recycling in the High Peak, at a recent council meeting Tory Executive Member for Simmondley, John Hakin informed the Liberal Democrats at full council they wouldn't support plastic recycling as there was "no money in it!"

"Liberal Democrats across the High Peak are delighted to be able to back National Recycling Week. We are encouraging as many residents as possible to make small changes in their lifestyles which will make large strides to ensuring we do not wreck our environment.

"We waste a huge amount of food each year - on average we throw away 112kg of food each, most of which is still usable. People can avoid this waste by doing simple things such as producing a shopping list of what food is needed, rather than wandering around the supermarket buying what takes your fancy!

"Last year in the UK, it was estimated that we spent £8 billion on food that was still fit to be used when it was thrown away. Being green can save money! But if you do produce food waste, why not get a compost bin if you have a garden?

"People should also try to buy food and other goods which have less packaging. And full use should be made of recycling facilities to dispose of waste. It is better that waste is turned back into something that is useful rather than dumped in the ground.

"There is a limit to how much rubbish we can throw into holes in the ground.There comes a point when we have to say that we cannot go on getting rid of waste in this way.

"I am therefore delighted that National Recycling Week is underway. I hope it will be a great success and will help residents of the High Peak to cut waste and live greener lifestyles."

1 Million still losing out despite Chancellor's by-election budget

Commenting on the Chancellor's plans to compensate low paid workers and those on low incomes who lost out when the 10p income tax rate was abolished , Steve said:

"This Government's tax policy has descended into a complete farce.

"The abolition of the 10p rate was designed to help Labour win the election that never was. Now this cynical by-election budget is only designed to help them cling on to Crewe in next week's vote.

"The Chancellor is desperately trying to backtrack from the disatrous decisions of a lame duck Prime Minister but still hasn't managed to get it right. This u-turn still leaves 1.1 million of the lowest paid workers losing up to £100 each.

"We can have no confidence in either a Prime Minister or a Chancellor who continue to make tax policy on the hoof, while still leaving the poorest out in the cold."

Labour challenged on Foreign Policy

Steve Sharp PPC for the High Peak has challenged Tom Levitt over his foreign policy statement in last weeks media.

Steve said, "Our MP wrote a column last week that was even harder to stomach than usual.

Tom Levitt portrayed Palestine and the Gaza strip in graphic detail and lamented the fact these poor people have no living standards after a lifetime of broken promises and utter despair.

I hope others have also noted the sheer hypocrisy in his words on the Middle East, written by someone who supported and voted for an illegal invasion of Iraq to start a war when the government could not get a resolution passed by the United Nations.

The premise on which we were told we went to war was a total fabrication. 'Weapons of mass destruction'. After this was exposed, the Labour Government quietly changed horses, offering up 'regime change' as a reason. This in a world with Mugabe in Zimbabwe and Kim Jong-il in North Korea and a host of other despots and dictators. Of course the regimes in control there are without the important missing ingredient that our MP seems strangely shy of mentioning. Oil.

At the time of writing, 176 of our excellent servicemen and women have given their lives in an unwinable conflict. What really saddens me most of all is that there is still no end in sight for UK service personnel serving in Iraq, overworked and overstretched, and for the citizens living in such dire conditions.

Tom says Gaza is a living hell. But in Iraq following the Labour-backed invasion supported by the Tories the people also now have little or no law and order or the basics of life such as gas, electric and water are nearly non-existent. In Iraq post-invasion, civilians are being bombed and murdered every day in a country with medical provision which is totally appalling for these poor desperate people.

So I suggest that Tom and his Labour Government give a more rounded view of hardship and toil when talking about the Middle East, and include the total shambles and hell-hole that they have made of a country in the region. One of Tom's favourie comments is "Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story". He would do well to remember this before he puts pen to paper next time."

Rise in homeless families within the High Peak

Steve Sharp along with Liberal Democrats across the High Peak are demanding for government action to tackle homelessness after figures revealed there has been a shock rise in the number of local families living in temporary accommodation.

Government figures show that there were 187 households without a home of their own in the High Peak in 2006/7. This is a rise of 120 since 1997 when Labour came to power.

During that decade there has been an overall fall of 450,000 affordable houses for rent from social landlords, such as local councils, in England.

Steve said,"These are totally appalling figures. They mean 187 families from the High Peak are without a proper home.

"There has been a lamentable failure by the Government to address the housing crisis in England. Labour are strangling council housing. Gordon Brown has ensured only a handful of new council houses have been built during the past decade across the country.

"The rise in the number of people in temporary accommodation here in the High Peak is a symptom of Labour's abject failure. Tom Levitt MP has been extremely quite on this issue, in his weekly press statement where he informs us 'everything in the garden is rosy' when the truth is very different.

"Back in March, Liberal Democrats backed calls in Parliament to give councils the power and resources to build new houses. The measure was defeated by the Government whilst the Tories sat on their hands and refused to take part in the vote. So little or no change there, Tories don't care about affordable housing and the homeless, actions always speak louder than words.

"Had the measure been agreed, we could start to address the housing shortage here in the High Peak. Instead, we will end up with more people in temporary housing and many others living in over crowded conditions."

Tom Levitt falls in line again!

Steve Sharp is fuming at the High Peak Labour MP Tom Levitt for yet again letting down local people on low and modest incomes, by backing the Government over the doubling of the 10p tax rate without an adequate compensation package.

Steve, said "The total hypocrisy of Tom Levitt is quite breathtaking a couple of weeks ago he states in the media the decsion to abolish the 10p tax rate was a mistake, then votes for it twice more! He has taken in by the Government. The Governments's compensation promise offers no guarantees at all.

"The Government won't say how many people it will help. They won't say if it will be permanent, or just for one year. They have already gone back on their promise that it will all be backdated. Quite frankly they don't know what to do or how to put it right.

"How do the Government expect people on below average incomes to pay today's bills with money they won't get for at least another six months - and that there is no guarantee they will even get then?

"MPs had a chance to guarantee that the compensation package that the Government eventually come up with will be an adequate one - by voting for an amendment that said the 10p rate would ge restored at the start of next year unless MPs have voted to approve a compensation package they judge to be adequate before then.

"So as always Tom Levitt falls in line and voted against this proposal. He and his Labour collegues must be the only people who are content to trust Gordon Brown on this, when all the evidence so far suggests he cannot be trusted on this issue. It was Gordon Brown after all, who originally claimed no - one would lose out under these changes.

" Labour MPs have now been fooled twice on the 10p rate. First in March last year, when they cheered Gordon Brown's budgett and it was left to the Liberal Democrats to point out he was upping tax on the low paid. Now they been fooled again by a promise of compensation which has more holes than fishing net.

"It is clear for one and all to see that Tom Levitt has no interest in, nor can he be relied upon to stand up for local people on low and modest incomes in the High Peak.

" It is clear that the Liberal Democrats, not Labour are the only party of fairness in Britain today."

Promise of "Jam Tomorrow"

Lord Razall with Steve discussing the 10p tax situation

Steve Sharp and the High Peak Liberal Democrats have attacked the Governments miserly offer to compensate low-income earners losing out under tax changes as "vague promises of jam tomorrow".

The deplorable doubling of the 10p income tax starter was announced last year but was put into operation at the start of April after Labour MPs including Tom Levitt voted for it in March. Since then, Labour MPs have suffered a backlash from low-income people whose tax rates were doubled by Gordon Brown.

Steve said "The sheer cheek of Tom Levitt in his column last week, he states no-one mentioned the 10p tax rate in March 2007. Not to be Johnny rain cloud but I think he should check his facts, the Liberal Democrats recognised the problem from the outset and voiced them. No one has a bigger critic of Labour's tax and benefits policy than me; this is just another example of total incompetence, which is hitting the most vulnerable in society again.

"Thousands of residents of the High Peak have been hit very hard by Labour's tight fisted decision to double the 10p income tax starter rate," said Steve. "Labour MPs having only just voted to put this rise into operation, suddenly started shouting about how terrible it was including Tom Levitt.

"It is extremely disappointing that they have now all caved in and agreed to back the Government's last minute offer of vague promises of compensation. All that is on offer is jam tomorrow. There are absolutely no details of how the compensation scheme will work.

" Having previously been told there was no money in the kitty to reverse the grossly unfair tax rise, the Government has failed to explain how they will pay for the compensation scheme.

"And as is so often the case with this government, we should believe it when it happens. In the meantime, those on low incomes in the High Peak continue to lose out whilst Gordon Brown's tax rises bite into pay packets and pensions.

"it is staggering that in the same week as these vague concessions for some of the lowest paid people in the country were dragged out of the Government, Gordon Brown's door to Downing Street was wide open for bankers to visit him and sucessfully argue for a £50 billion bailout from the taxpayer to keep the banking system afloat.

"There is something seriously wrong when a Labour Government turns it back on ordinary people. On reflection perhaps not because everyone knows that New Labour is just Old Tory."

Crewe & Nantwich Forthcoming By-Election

After the sad and sudden death of outspoken Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody, a By-Election is expected over the summer months in the Crewe and Nantwich Constituency. This is a seat where the Liberal Democrats will be looking to make real progress and possibly even take the seat. Steve Sharp Liberal Democrat PPC for the High Peak has been approached to see if he would be interested in putting himself forward as a possible candidate.

Steve said " Firstly can I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Gwyneth Dunwoody. Whilst she came from a different political persuasion than myself, I always felt she stood up for her beliefs and was an excellent MP for her constituents. She dedicated her life to public service and will be sadly missed on all sides of the political spectrum."

Steve added " I am extremely flattered to be even considered, but I had no hesitation in declining the offer. I gave a commitment to the High Peak and I have no intention of going back on my word. If I cannot get elected where I work and live, to represent the people of the High Peak, then I would rather not stand at all. I feel this is in marked contrast to Labour or the Tories, who parachute candidates into safe seats with the only objective to get elected at any cost. Charles Hendry, the last Tory MP for the High Peak is a prime example. He lost his seat here in 1997 so gets another in Wealdon down south, no real interest in the electorate just in being an MP somewhere.

"However I will go to Crewe to campaign and assist whoever the party decides to adopt as the candidate. This gives the Liberal Democrats a real opportunity for a parliamentary gain from Labour. This would be in addition to the drubbing I predict they will get throughout the length and breadth of the country on May 1st. In the forthcoming local elections I can see the Labour vote just totally collapsing. Locally, the only solace Tom Levitt can take is that I doubt there will be a general election before 2010, so he has another two years before he is unseated. I honesty believe, on looking at his voting record in parliament, that he has no real interest in the people of the High Peak so it is academic to him which constituency he represents."

Photographs of Crewe and the surrounding area

£40,000 Council Bill Farce says Cllr Mike Harrison

Mike has been outraged that High Peak householders face paying the equivalent of nearly one percent of the annual council tax bill just to get one repair job in the Pavilion Gardens finished in time for this year's Buxton Festival. Mike who is a Chapel-en-le-Frith Town Councillor and HPBC Councillor says "The Tory run Borough Council has waived its own rules in the rush to get work on the Conservatory completed before tourist arrive in July for the popular annual event."

Mike first raised his serious concerns at a meeting of the Borough Council's Corporate Select Committee last week. He added "An extra £40,000 - in addition to the total cost of £160,000 for the structural repairs - was not necessary."

" In order for the repairs to be completed on time, it was proposed work be carried out using multiple shifts at a premuim of 25% of the total contract value, representing a sum of £40,000, or almost one percent on the annual council tax bill."

" Residents have a right to know why they are expected to pay £40,000 extra for a repair, simply to meet what I consider to be this artificial deadline of the Festival. It' not crucial to the success of the Festival."

" I think this is total disgrace. I was elected in 2003 on the basis that I felt council tax increases were too high. The Tory group has done a fair job of keeping the council tax rise down to 3% this year, but consequently it is completely disgraceful to spend £40,000 that doesn't need to be spent."

Mike also slammed the decision to suspend the council's standard rules on contract procedure to enable the work to be carried out.

Thousands of residents of the High Peak suffer tax grab

Steve with Mike North pensioner and bookeeper on tax returns

Steve has launched a stinging attack on Tom Levitt MP and the Government for bringing in Scrooge like tax changes that have increased income tax bills for thousands of High Peak residents.

On 6th April, Labour doubled the starting rate of income tax from 10p to 20p in the pound. Previously, a 10p rate was paid on the first £2230 of taxable income. As a result, instead of taking £223 in income tax on this portion of people's wages, Gordon Brown's government is now taking £446.

Though the standard rate of income tax has been cut from 22p to 20p in the pound, a single person with no children would have to be earning over £18,500 a year to be better off under the tax changes.

"How mean can you get? Things have gone seriously wrong when Labour has pushed up taxes on people on the lowest incomes to pay for tax cuts for the better off," said Steve. "This is a case of Labour robbing taxpayer Peter to pay taxpayer Paul. It came as no surprise to me that Tom Levitt MP voted for the tax hike for the most vulnerable in society again.