Standing up for Crewe and Nantwich

Support the shopworkers call for respect

2010-10-15T07:47:00.000+01:00

David Williams has backed Usdaw in their call for respect for retail workers, after they released preliminary survey results that show over one million shopworkers were assaulted, threatened or verbally abused in the last twelve months.

The survey shows that in the past 12 months, 6% of shopworkers were subjected to violent attack, 37% were threatened with harm and a massive 70% had suffered verbal abuse. The survey Also revealed that around 50% of incidents of abuse were as a result of selling age-restricted products, like alcohol, cigarettes, aerosols, etc.

David Williams said: “Shopworkers deserve respect and they have my full support. We must do more to help them do their job safely.

“I would like to see a high profile publicity campaign in support of ‘no id – no sale’ and ensuring that young people are aware that it is an offence to attempt to buy alcohol if you are under 18.”

“I am calling on MPs to sign EDM 791 to show my support and help make the voices of shopworkers heard.”

“I am challenging the Coalition Government not to declare shops as automatically safe workplaces, as has been suggested by Lord Young. They need health and safety inspections from time to time to ensure that risks are minimised. The Government must continue to support the HSE and local authorities to inspect all workplaces.

“I would also be concerned by a drop in the current record numbers of police and Community Support Officers who protect front-line workers and the public from violence, threats and abuse. The Government has a duty to protect communities.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, added: “We are delighted that David is supporting our campaign on behalf of shopworkers in Crewe and Nantwich.

"These figures are once again quite shocking and show that Usdaw's Freedom from Fear campaign is needed more than ever.

"Age restricted sales is an issue of real concern to our members. If they make a mistake and serve somebody under-18 they risk being prosecuted and receiving an £80 fine.

“If they fail to ask for age identification from somebody under-25, they run the risk of being disciplined for not following company policy.

“But asking for age identification can lead to abuse from customers who get frustrated and a refusal to serve can be a real flashpoint for threats or even violence. That’s why we are asking the shopping public to show respect and understand that the shopworkers are only doing what they’ve been told to do.”

Picture: David Williams attended an Usdaw event in Westminster. David put himself in the shoes of a shopworker and got behind a checkout to experience for himself the difficult situations Usdaw members face every day.

Join Labour before 8 September...

2010-05-18T15:33:00.000+01:00

...and you can help us choose our new leader.

Thank you letter to the Chronicle

2010-05-11T22:35:00.000+01:00

Dear Sir

I would like to congratulate Edward Timpson on his victory at the general election and thank him and the other candidates for a good natured and well fought campaign. I believe that we all gave the voters a real choice, which is what democracy is all about.

I would also like to thank all those who came out to vote, I was delighted to see the turnout increase and I hope this trend that continues. It is really important that our democracy is built on the mass particpation of the electorate. I am particularly grateful to everyone who put their trust in me and gave me their vote, I am only sorry it did not lead to the election of a Labour MP. I was, however delighted that the Labour vote went up by 5,000, which gives me great hope for the future.

I am grateful to my Agent, Ken James, and his team of volunteers who worked tirelessly for a cause they truly believe in. We might not have had the full-time staff, expensive offices or considerable financial backing, but we do have a group of grafters who went much further than the extra mile. We are always looking for new people to get involved and anyone who wants to be part of Labour's team should e-mail me at: david@davidwilliams.org.uk

All the way through this election I had a simple message. We must get on with the regeneration of Crewe and Nantwich, so that we can bring new employers to the area and create much needed jobs. I have been frustrated by the lack of progress so far, we need an end to dither and delay. We need a redeveloped station on its existing site, a new town centre, a bus station that links in with rail services, the completion of the by-pass around the south side of Crewe and the development of the Basford sites that could bring 8,000 much needed jobs to the area.

If these crucial projects are not progressed, Crewe and Nantwich could be left behind. It is on these matters that our political leaders should be judged. Not by how many meetings have taken place, consultants employed or reports written; but by how many jobs are created, bricks laid, roads built and new employers brought to the area.

I have heard all the excuses over the last few years about how the lack of action is all the Labour Government's fault, which by the way is not true. Well that doesn't wash anymore. The people have spoken, the votes were cast and we now finally know the result of the general election: A Conservative Government, propped up by the Liberal Democrats. We've got a Tory MP, a Tory Council and a Tory Government, so there are no excuses now.

Yours faithfully

David Williams
Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich
david@davidwilliams.org.uk
4 Chantry Court, Forge Street, Crewe, CW1 2DL

The result

2010-05-07T04:35:00.000+01:00

Vote Labour Today

2010-05-06T06:49:00.000+01:00

Gordon Brown - the choice for Britain

2010-05-05T14:40:00.001+01:00

In a speech today, the Prime Minister set out the choice facing Britain:

"To those who are undecided, and I know there are many, let me say:

"After a huge global crisis that we had to fight against and overcome, it is right for people to ask what happened, to reflect on what was done to turn this global crisis around and what can be done to make sure that this global crisis never happens again.

"As you reflect I ask you to consider this:

"At every time in this crisis, I have put the British people first.

"Not the banks nor the financial industry not those at the top who do not want to pay their fair share - but the British people.

"For me the British people have been and always will be my first priority.

"And I tell you adversity has been my best teacher.

"Honesty my best guide.

"And faith in the future the greatest source of my strength.

"So we are fired with new determination.

"We are full of energy and firm of purpose because the values that are the core of a Labour Britain - your Britain - are now at stake and have to be fought for, for not only is the economic recovery at risk so is social justice.

"And we are all full of energy and purpose because we are on the road to renewing our economy so that we can build our new future of fairness and prosperity for all.

"And every second of the day and every inch of the way I am fighting so hard because I want 2010 not to be the beginning of Conservative cuts but the end of global recession.

"I am fighting so hard because I want 2010 not to be the year Britain starts going backwards with the Conservatives but the year when our NHS our schools and our police move forward together.

"I am fighting so ha rd because I want 2010 not to mark unemployment going up again, repossessions on the rise, more small business failing again as they all did in the 1990s.

"I want 2010, 2011, 2012 to be years of renewal and prosperity.

"I ask you when you go in to the polling booths to ask yourself.

"Who will stand up for you?

"Who when the forces of privilege raise their voice will raise their voice for you?

"Who when the economy is on the line will be your spokesman, who will always put your standard of living first?

"And who will fight for your family because they know what it is to walk in your shoes?

"And I say with humility - I will.

"And so I ask you to stand up for the great values of the British people that will make this country what it can and should become.

"And with all my resolve I pledge that I will always fight for you - I will secure the recovery, never put your livelihood at risk, and always, always, always fight for your future.

"And with that same humility I ask for your vote - and ask you to vote not just for me - but to vote for yourself, for your family, vote for your future - and see Labour as your best home, and your best hope."

DAVID WILLIAMS SHARES RESIDENTS ANGER AS O2 PHONE MAST GOES AHEAD

2010-05-05T07:58:00.000+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, met and spoke with local residents in the Valley Road and Readesdale Avenue area of Crewe today and shares their anger as the O2 phone mast goes ahead.

David said, “Local residents contacted me and asked me to meet with them as the O2 phone mast was erected in Readesdale Avenue/Valley Road Crewe. I immediately met them at the site. I understand that Edward Timpson was also invited but he failed to put in an appearance.”

David added, “Local residents have campaigned to stop this mast being erected in this residential area. Mr Timpson had been involved and has gone on record as supporting the campaign against the mast, but his Tory colleagues on Cheshire East have paid little attention, either to him or to the local campaigners. I understand that a Notice of Motion to the council had been withdrawn at the last minute, denying Labour Councillors the opportunity to voice their opposition to the mast.”

Local resident Nerys Steventon of Readesdale Avenue said, “Thank you for taking the time out of what I know is a very frantic schedule to speak to the group and show your support. I am convinced that if Gwyneth Dunwoody was still our MP, the mast would never have received the go-ahead in the first place.”

David commented, “Here is yet another example of Edward Timpson saying one thing in public and then failing to follow it through. Crewe and Nantwich needs a strong voice, someone who will stand up for Crewe and Nantwich both nationally in parliament and locally. I am not afraid to stand up against the Tory-controlled Cheshire East Council and to voice the hopes, needs and wishes of the people of Crewe and Nantwich.”

He added, “I think there is going to be a need for a further campaign to stop more mast being erected in this area. The campaigners will have my full and active support.”

DAVID WILLIAMS: APPRENTICE TO MP?

2010-05-04T07:53:00.000+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, could become the first apprentice to represent Crewe and Nantwich in parliament.

David said, “Here in Crewe and Nantwich we have always been proud of our tradition of apprentices – the future represented in the training of new skilled people. I served my apprenticeship in Crewe at Rolls Royce and Bentley Motor Cars in Pyms Lane. I am proud to be a skilled coach trimmer, a craftsman making seats for the then best car in the world.”

If elected on 6th May, David Williams will be the first apprentice to represent Crewe and Nantwich in the House of Commons.

David added, “The House of Commons is stacked full of lawyers, graduates and so-called ‘professional politicians’. Many people tell me that they want a different type of MP. I offer something different. I know what it is like to get my hands dirty. I know what it is like to do a hard day’s work. I am proud of my roots and will never forget where I came from."

DAVID WILLIAMS WILL BE LEADING A WALK AROUND CREWE AND NANTWICH ON THE SUNDAY AFTER THE ELECTION

2010-05-03T07:35:00.000+01:00

Irrespective of the result of the election on 6th May, David Williams, the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, will be spending the Sunday after the election walking around the constituency.

David Williams, who is a keen walker, will be leading a group from the Long Distance Walkers Association on a walk around the Crewe and Nantwich constituency on Sunday 9th May – the Sunday following the election, and he is extending an invitation to residents of Crewe and Nantwich to join him on all or part of the walk.

David said, “Win, lose or draw, I will be taking a walk around the constituency in some of the most beautiful countryside that Cheshire has to offer."

The walk will be starting off from Crewe Railway Station at 9.00am on the following Sunday and heading towards Bridgemere aiming to arrive in time for lunch. From Bridgemere it is on to Nantwich for tea at The Red Lion, and then back to Crewe.

David said, “I am hoping that the weather continues to be fine for the walk. I would welcome anyone who wishes to join us, either for the whole day’s walk, or at any point on route.”

The constituency of Crewe, Cheshire need a Labour MP

2010-04-30T07:38:00.000+01:00

By Paul Routledge: In Crewe, Cheshire, to interview Health Secretary Andy Burnham, I bumped into Labour’s candidate David Williams.

I wish him well next Thursday. This constituency needs a Labour MP once again, after losing the by-election in 2008 to Tory Edward Timpson, heir to the High Street shoe repair shop fortune. Timpot sank without trace at Westminster, as I predicted. David Williams, a former shop steward at the town’s Rolls-Royce plant and on the buses, is a much better bet. He was agent to Gwyneth Dunwoody when she was the MP, and these days he’s political officer for shopworkers’ union Usdaw.

David halted in its tracks the daft idea of moving Crewe station out of the town centre, and secured funding to develop the magnificent Victorian building. It must be the only junction to star in a music hall song “Oh! Mr Porter…

He jokes: “I’ve worn out six pairs of shoes in this campaign – I can’t get them mended because the Tory candidate owns all the repair shops in the Crewe and Nantwich constituency!”

The constituency of Crewe, Cheshire need a Labour MP

DAVID WILLIAMS AND NORTHERN IRELAND MINISTER MEET SHOPPERS IN NANTWICH TOWN CENTRE

2010-04-29T17:18:00.001+01:00

David Williams, Labour'S Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, was joined in Nantwich Town Centre yesterday by Rt Hon Shaun Woodward, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

David and Shaun spent several hours on the square at Nantwich meeting and speaking with shoppers.

David said, “Lots of shoppers were keen to stop and have a chat. Most wanted to talk about the things that matter to them – the bus passes for the elderly, tax credits, winter fuel allowances, the minimum wage and the Health Guarantees were mentioned time and time again. The economy of course underpins all of these.”

The Secretary of State said, “I am really pleased that I have been able to come to Nantwich to support David Williams today. Crewe and Nantwich is a very important seat and I believe that David will be the ideal person to represent Crewe and Nantwich as their MP. He is a local person, who is extremely capable and experienced. I know that he is getting lots of support but it is important that people turn out on 6th May and use their vote ... and use their vote for David Williams.”

The Labour Party balloons and carrier bags were popular again and lots of people wanted to take time out to speak to David.

DAVID WILLIAMS BACKS THE ‘SAVE OUR CHEQUES’ CAMPAIGN DURING HIS VISIT TO COMMUNISIS

2010-04-28T14:09:00.000+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, visited the Communisis print factory in Catherine Street today.

David said, “I was keen to visit Communisis who specialise in security printing as I am aware that recent moves to do away with chequebooks and replace them with plastic credit and debit cards could mean job losses at Communisis. I have backed the ‘Save our Cheques’ campaign.”

He added, “I toured Bentley Motors in the morning and then came on to visit Communisis in the afternoon. Although the two are very different in terms of product and scale, I was struck by the thing that they both have in common - a highly skilled and dedicated workforce. Crewe and Nantwich has a reputation for producing highly skilled workers and I am determined to do everything I can to ensure that we continue to provide jobs in this area for them to go to.”

DAVID WILLIAMS TOURS BENTLEY MOTORS CREWE

2010-04-28T13:40:00.001+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, who was a young apprentice at Rolls Royce and Bentley Motor Cars, went back to tour the Pyms Lane Factory last Wednesday.

David, who was joined in on his tour by members of the trade union Unite, spent some time in the various departments and chatted to the Bentley workers who were keen to show him their skills.

David said, “I spent several years here serving an apprenticeship and emerging as a skilled coach trimmer making seats, so it was extremely interesting for me to return to the factory and find that the highly-skilled crafts and meticulous attention to detail is still very much the rule at Bentley.”

He added, “Bentley Motors has a very well-deserved reputation for building the best cars in the world. After a spell of difficulty, they have emerged stronger than ever and are expanding their operations in Crewe. Much of this is due to the highly skilled work-force which is a credit to the company.”

David Williams with Ed Miliband at the Red Lion

2010-04-28T07:13:00.001+01:00

Courtesy of Jules Hornbrook at Crewe Blog

DAVID WILLIAMS AND JOHN PRESCOTT MEET STUDENTS AT SOUTH CHESHIRE COLLEGE

2010-04-27T17:29:00.000+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, and former deputy Prime Minister John Prescott visited South Cheshire College, Dane Bank Avenue, Crewe last Friday.

The former Deputy Prime Minister arrived at the college in ‘The Prescott Express’. John and David were greeted by spontaneous applause as they entered ‘The Bubble’ where they addressed a packed hall of students in an extended Question and Answer session.

David commented, “The hall was packed full and we had a very good reception. The students raised some very thoughtful and challenging questions. John was very entertaining and yet serious at the same time and he certainly connected with the students who gave him a rousing reception.”

John Prescott said, “It is pleasure to be back in Crewe again supporting David Williams. He will make a very fine MP for Crewe and Nantwich. South Cheshire College is a fine centre of learning, another example of the results of our investment in education. The new building will build on an already excellent record of achievement at the college.”

Out in Crewe Town Centre Today

2010-04-24T18:41:00.001+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, was meeting with shoppers in Crewe Town Centre and with Crewe Alex supporters in Gresty Road on the penultimate Saturday before the election on 6th May.

David Williams and his team are now a common sight in Crewe Town Centre on a Saturday morning. With only two Saturdays left before the election of 6th May, David was once again meeting and chatting with shoppers last Saturday where he received a warm welcome.

David said, “I have been able to meet and chat with lots of people and have found it very useful in finding out what their concerns and hopes are. I am a firm believer in making myself available to chat with people in an informal way, and without the need to make an appointment to see me.”

He added, “A number of shoppers said they had not made their minds up yet and were keen to chat. A couple who vote for the Conservative candidate in the By-election were keen to tell me that they would be voting Labour on 6th May.”

Red balloons and ‘Vote Labour’ carrier bags proved to be very popular. Two young girls (pictured) were happy to pose with their red balloons while their mum quizzed David on what he had to offer to Crewe and Nantwich. The elderly lady (pictured) wanted something done about the uneven pavements in the town centre.

After spending the morning in the town centre, David moved on to Gresty Road where he spent some time talking with Crewe Alex supporters before watching the Alex overturn the defeat at Accrington by winning 5-1.

David commented, “The very successful morning in the town centre, was crowned by an equally successful afternoon in Gresty Road. A number of fans stopped to have a chat, and it was made special for me as I had a chance to chat with Crewe Alex (and Stoke City) Legend Johnny King. To round off the day, The Alex reversed the defeat at Accrington in what could have been a dull end-of-season match but turned out to be a very entertaining game.

Jules from Crewe Blog joined us for a short time and took a few snaps. Click here for the full story.

DAVID WILLIAMS ‘ROCKS THE VOTE’ AT CREWE GIG

2010-04-23T07:29:00.000+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, joined over a hundred young people for a ‘Rock the Vote’ gig at The Box on Nantwich Road Crewe last week.

Over a hundred students and young people attended the ‘Rock the Vote’ gig at The Box on Nantwich Road, Crewe last week. The gig was organised by the South Cheshire Young Labour and Labour Students Group.

Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party’s Youth Officer, Benn Minshall said, “It was a good night. Emma Dyall, a Young Labour member, performed with her group ‘Photo Booth Smile’ and everyone had a good time.”

David Williams said, “Young Labour invited me to join in the party. I was able to chat with many of the young people there and stress the importance of using their votes. I especially enjoyed Emma’s band ‘Photo Booth Smile’ and I had a good night out.”

Sam Colclough, Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party’s Student Officer added, “We had a lot of interest from local students and several joined Young Labour during the evening.”

Andy Burnham with David Williams

2010-04-22T21:31:00.001+01:00

Video courtesy of Jules Hornbrook at Crewe Blog

David Williams, the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, and Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Health, visited the Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre in Dunwoody Way, Crewe yesterday afternoon.

They toured the centre visiting the multitude of facilities and departments, speaking to staff and patients.

David commented, “Eagle Bridge brought together three GP practices under one roof together with a whole host of facilities such as Dentistry, Blood Testing, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, and even a cafe run by ‘Wishing Well’ – a local community group. I was proud to be able to show the Secretary of State a fine example of how Labour’s investment in the NHS has resulted in a first class facility, and this is only one of three such centres in Crewe and Nantwich.”

The Secretary of State said, “The Eagle Bridge Health and Well Being Centre is a great example of Labour investment in the NHS. It is a wonderful state-of-the-art facility for the people of Crewe and Nantwich.”

Following the visit to Eagle Bridge, the Secretary of State went to David’s Campaign Office at Chantry Court to meet and speak with Labour Party members.

Declaration of Interests Form

2010-04-22T13:20:00.003+01:00

Name of candidate: David Williams
Constituency: Crewe and Nantwich
Political party: THE LABOUR PARTY
Date of publication: 22/04/2010

(a)Other paid jobs and whether I intend to continue to hold them, if elected

Full-time National Political Officer for the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, earning £41K per year. If elected I will resign from this post immediately, becoming a full-time MP with no second job.

(b) positions of responsibility in some types of organisation, even if unpaid, and whether I intend to continue to hold them, if elected.

None.

(c)(i)Directorships, and whether I intend to continue to hold them, if elected.

I hold no directorships.

(c)(ii) Clients, and whether I intend to continue to advise them, if elected.

None.

(c)(iii) Land and property, and whether I intend to continue to hold this, if elected.

I only own a family home with my wife. We will have a family home in Crewe and Nantwich after the election.

(c)(iv)Shareholdings, and whether I intend to continue to hold these, if elected.

I hold no shares.

(d)Tax matters

I pay all my tax in the UK.

(e)Any other interests which I consider relevant.

None.

DAVID WILLIAMS CALLS FOR ACTION TO CLEAN UP LOCAL ‘GROT SPOTS’

2010-04-20T07:26:00.001+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has called on Cheshire East Council to take positive action to clean up local ‘Grot Spots’.

David commented, “In walking around areas of Crewe, meeting and speaking with local residents, many have drawn my attention to areas that have become dumping grounds for all sorts of rubbish. In many cases the residents tell me that they have requested the council to clear the rubbish, but have been told that it is not their responsibility.”

Simon Thomas from Lord Street has approached the council on a number of occasions but they refuse to clear the rubbish saying that it is not on public land.

Helga Armonies in Chamber Street is in a similar situation with rubbish accumulating in the alleyway behind her house.

David said, “Many of these ‘grot spots’ pose a health and safety hazard and as such Cheshire East Council should be taking action rather than trying to pass the responsibility on to someone else. If Crewe had a Town Council, they could have employed a local handyman as many other Town Councils have done. Areas such as these would then have been cleared quite quickly and easily by the ‘man and his van’. As Cheshire East refused to allow Crewe to have its own Town Council, they must also accept that it is their responsibility to do those things that a Town Council would have done.”

DAVID WILLIAMS DEPOSITS HIS NOMINATION PAPERS

2010-04-19T18:40:00.001+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has deposited his nomination papers for the General Election to be held on 6th May.

David commented, “I am proud to be the Labour candidate for Crewe and Nantwich. Now that my nomination papers have been submitted, it marks the start of a very important election campaign”

David’s nomination has been supported by many well-known local people including:

Doug Butterill – former Mayor of Crewe & Nantwich and active member of Nantwich in Bloom.

Jules Hornbrook – local author and creator of the Crewe Blog.

Dorothy Flude – Mayor of Crewe and Leader of the Labour Group on Cheshire East Council.

David Newton – former Chairman of Cheshire County Council.

Peter Nurse – former Cheshire County Council and Chair of the Cheshire Police Authority.

Howard Curran – former Mayor of Crewe & Nantwich and local historian and author.

Connie Jones – well-known Nantwich personality and active member of Nantwich in Bloom.

Peter Kent – former Mayor of Crewe & Nantwich and Leader of the Borough Council for 16 years.

David Williams said, “This election is probably the most important for over sixty years. Several people have said to me that they voted Conservative at the by-election as a protest against the government but in the knowledge that it would not change the government. That is no longer the case. This election is all about who will form the government and the road that the country will travel over the next five years. Labour has already shown that their policies are bringing the country out of the world-recession and it is vitally important to us all that we secure that recovery and not make the same mistakes of the past. We need investment now to ensure that people have jobs and to protect the NHS, Education and the Police. In the recession of the 1980s the Tories said that high unemployment was ‘a price worth paying’. Labour does not accept that.

The first debate

2010-04-15T22:24:00.000+01:00

You can airbrush your posters, David Cameron, but you can't airbrush your policies.

In the debate tonight, Gordon Brown spoke for all of us when he demanded to know what the Tories will do to safeguard the economic recovery and protect jobs. No surprise - Cameron refused to offer any guarantees.

Above is my favourite moment from tonight's debate, when Gordon Brown wouldn't take it anymore.

Over the last two years, the Tories have used every trick in the PR handbook in order to duck the difficult questions. As the debate rolled on, Cameron boasted again and again about his plan to cut £6 billion out of the budget - but again and again he couldn't tell us where it would come from.

That's because there are some answers that even David Cameron can't airbrush. The simple truth is that deep cuts like those the Tories propose will mean lost jobs, poorer public services, and a real threat to the fragile recovery.

The Tories may think that's a price worth paying - but you and I know better.

After watching tonight's debate, there is no doubt in my mind: a Tory government would be a disaster for ordinary working people in Britain. Join me and other union members to get the word out.

Labour's Manifesto

2010-04-12T12:27:00.001+01:00

The Road Ahead

2010-04-11T19:28:00.001+01:00

NEW POWERS FOR PARISH COUNCILS TO BOOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING

2010-04-04T15:34:00.001+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, welcomed the Housing & Planning Minister John Healey MP to Crewe and Nantwich where he announced new powers for Parish Councils to boost affordable rural housing.

David said, “John was with me today visiting residents of Crewe and Nantwich when he made the announcement. Cheshire East Council is delivering only 43% of the affordable homes that the national housing charity ‘Shelter’ believe are necessary. Recent figures show that Cheshire East is one of 216 local councils that are delivering less than half of the number of homes that they have identified as being needed.”

David added, “John’s announcement will give a boost to rural communities with proposals to give a special planning power to Parish Councils to build new affordable homes. The proposals will be consulted on this summer and will allow a limited number of affordable homes to be built in rural villages without the need for individual planning applications, where the parish council has backed the new homes.”

The Housing & Planning Minister wants to extend ‘permitted development’ rights so that a maximum of 10-15 new affordable homes could be built when parish councils have set out clear evidence and design expectations. This means decisions on how many homes are required, what they look like and where they are built would be taken locally by those who are closest to what the local communities need and want.

New guidance on social housing allocations that was published in December has also strengthened the scope for local authorities to ensure that people living and working locally are given greater priority for affordable houses in rural parishes.

John Healey said, “There is a need for more affordable homes in rural communities, where the price of an average home is £40,000 higher than in towns and cities. My concern is to see new homes available at affordable rents, especially for local young people and their families who otherwise have little or no option but to leave the area. A handful of new homes can make huge differences to the life of rural villages and make local schools, pubs and shops more sustainable. My aim is to place more power with Parish Councils to see new homes built.”

He continued, “I propose to establish a permitted development freedom for Parish Councils to initiate the building of a small number of homes in their area without the need to gain planning permission from the local authority. This would help Parish Councils directly and swiftly to meet the need for affordable local homes in rural areas. It will give Parish Council the power to breathe new life into their villages and small towns. This would be a radical reform of the planning system and a significant new power and freedom for our most local elected councils.”

The new permitted development right will be made available to Parish and Town Councils in settlements of less than 3,000 people where the council identifies a registered social landlord as their development partner. Green Belt, Habitat Sites and other important designated protections will be retained.

David Williams commented, “The availability of affordable homes is vital to our local communities and even more so in the rural areas. Cheshire East Council commissioned independent experts to investigate the need for affordable housing. They said that 577 new affordable homes were needed to be built in Cheshire East each year but only 247 were built last year. I welcome the new proposals as they will go some way towards closing the deficit that Cheshire East Council has left. The lack of new homes in rural areas has created huge pressures that are now holding many rural communities back. More affordable homes will help rural towns and villages prosper and provide an essential boost to local businesses. With more opportunity to stay in their own communities, young people will be less likely to leave for cities in search of cheaper houses.”

Pictured, David and John Healey MP in Crewe today.

DAVID WILLIAMS WELCOMES EXTRA GOVERNMENT CASH TO TACKLE POTHOLES

2010-04-03T07:29:00.001+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has welcomed the boost from the Labour Government to tackle the pothole problem in Cheshire East.

The Labour Government has injected an extra £900,000 into Cheshire East to repair the potholes caused by the recent severe weather.

David said, “It seems that everywhere you go in Crewe and Nantwich there are big potholes in the road, and they are getting bigger every day. Cheshire East Council has boasted that they have done a good job in repairing the roads, but it does not seem that way around here. This extra cash from the Government – just under an extra million pounds – is very welcome and I hope that Cheshire East will be using it to tackle the pothole problem in Crewe and Nantwich where it is needed most.”

He added, “I am receiving complaints from residents on a daily basis. It has never been as bad as this before. Some repairs have been done, but filling the holes with a shovelful of tarmac is no answer. As soon as a few cars have run over it, the tarmac is gone and the pothole is bigger than before. We need a proper repair job doing. The Government money is very welcome but it is now up to Cheshire East Council to use it wisely.”

I hope you enjoyed yesterday's April Fool posting...

2010-04-02T08:00:00.000+01:00

...nicked from the Guardian.

We remember the Tories

2010-04-02T07:45:00.000+01:00

What is Labour's greatest achievement

2010-04-02T07:30:00.000+01:00

"We've changed the world before, and we are going to change the world again."

Gordon Brown's words are the very essence of what the Labour Party is fighting for. Over the past decade, we've fought and won so many battles for working families - from cutting crime in half to bringing half a million children out of poverty.

We still have so much work to do - so we must remind Britain of our greatest achievements to encourage our future plans and agenda. What have you been most proud of?

Tell us your ideas of Labour's greatest achievement of the decade

Step Outside Posh Boy

2010-04-01T07:16:00.001+01:00

Labour's Poster Challenge

2010-03-31T12:46:00.000+01:00

One of the entries in the competition to design Labour's next poster:

www.labour.org.uk

Question to the candidates: David Williams on rural affairs

2010-03-31T07:37:00.001+01:00

Crewe and Nantwich constituency had a much larger rural patch when I worked for our former MP, the late Gwyneth Dunwoody, and I used to assist her with monthly Saturday afternoon surgeries, touring the villages.

Some of the most pressing concerns for rural communities are often shared with those living in towns. People in rural areas are equally worried about employment opportunities, income, affordable housing, public transport, etc. But living in the countryside can make overcoming these difficulties more problematic.

Many people benefited from the selling of council houses. However, I doubt Mrs Thatcher foresaw the impact on rural families, making it very difficult for sons and daughters to find affordable housing, forced to move into town when they leave home. This break up of countryside communities adversely affected the viability of businesses like shops and pubs. Labour is helping small businesses in the recession, the Tories would leave them to sink or swim.

The Tories’ bus deregulation made routes to villages unattractive to private operators. They became reliant on public subsidy, which successive Tory-led councils have cut back on.

Labour helps rural and urban communities. The Government has provided additional funds to build affordable housing, yet Cheshire East Tories fail to make land available. The National Minimum Wage and Tax Credits are making work pay for agricultural, food manufacturing, retail and tourism workers who were abandoned on poverty pay when the Tories abolished the wages councils.

The Conservatives have consistently let down people in the countryside, as they take their votes for granted. Despite these issues the Tories’ key countryside priority is to repeal the hunting ban, a policy I and most rural dwellers oppose.

If elected I promise to stand up for everyone across the whole of Crewe and Nantwich.

Tony Blair puts the case for a 4th term Labour Government

2010-03-30T17:57:00.000+01:00

Building a foundation

2010-03-30T07:34:00.000+01:00

DAVID WILLIAMS SUPPORTS MMU STUDENTS UNION OVER TUITION FEES

2010-03-29T07:24:00.000+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has pledged his support against any increase in higher education fees in the next parliament.

David Williams visited the Students Union at MMU Cheshire yesterday to meet with Leanne Cardill, the out-going MUS Cheshire Vice-President and Rhiannon Sears, the newly elected Vice-President. David also met and chatted with some of the students at MMU Cheshire over a cup of coffee.

David said, “Leanne and Rhiannon made me very welcome and I was more than willing to add my name to the NUS pledge against any increase in tuition fees. Labour is committed to education and I believe that young people should have every opportunity to take up a university place.”

David added, “I met and chatted with some of the students at MMU Cheshire and I was impressed by the facilities and the standard of tuition available at the Crewe campus. We can be very proud of the Higher Education provision in Crewe and Nantwich. MMU Cheshire University, South Cheshire College and Reasesheath Agricultural College, together with many excellent schools, make Crewe and Nantwich a centre of educational excellence.”

NUS - Vote for Students

DAVID WILLIAMS URGES EARLY START ON CREWE LINK ROAD

2010-03-28T07:32:00.000+01:00

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, welcomes the Government funding for the Crewe Link Road and is urging Cheshire East Council to come up with its share to enable an early start to be made.

The Labour Government has given Crewe a huge boost by confirming £22m in funding towards the Crewe Green Link Road South. Cheshire East Council now has to develop full plans to connect the Weston Gate roundabout to the Shavington by-pass. A further £14m will be needed to complete the project.

David Williams said, “I welcome this boost to Crewe. This vital road link will open up land that could provide 7,000 to 8,000 jobs. I am amazed however that a Tory MP and a Tory Council are going cap-in-hand to the Government for funding. They must be hoping that Labour wins the election because there is no chance of a Tory Government backing this much-needed scheme. The Tories have already said that they will immediately put all projects under review and doubt if they will support any of Labour’s existing commitments.”

David continued, “Progress on this scheme is crucial for Crewe and Nantwich to take advantage of the recovery, yet the council has dithered and delayed, and the MP is now trying to score political points against the Department of Transport to cover-up his lack of action. Unbelievable! I want to see the council immediately stump-up its share of the costs so that work can start straightaway.”

David commented, “I have brought two Transport Secretaries to Crewe to get action on redeveloping the station and promoting the Crewe Gateway Project. On the first occasion we stopped the nonsensical move of the station to Basford and on the second occasion we secured new money to help revamp the station on its existing site. At every attempt to make progress I have been frustrated by a Tory Council and a Tory MP who couldn’t make up his mind on whether the station should be moved or not.”

David concluded, “I have always been very clear that the area is best served by having Crewe Station in Crewe. That might sound obvious, but there are those who do not understand that simple concept. I have always been clear that the best way for us to combat unemployment is by encouraging new employers to the Basford site, not by turning it into a shed-like station and a massive car park. If our elected politicians had shown similar clarity of thought, we would be in a much better position than we are now. Crewe and Nantwich has been let down by the Tories yet again.”

The word of mouth campaign

2010-03-27T07:39:00.000Z

DAVID WILLIAMS SUPPORTS MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

2010-03-26T07:07:00.000Z

David Williams, the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, is supporting the National Housing Federation’s campaign for the provision of more affordable housing.

David said, “Never has the availability of affordable housing been so important for the people of Crewe and Nantwich. With housing waiting lists rising, most house prices are still beyond the reach of many. Families and young people are simply unable to get on to the ‘housing ladder’. I have signed up to the National Housing Federation’s campaign to help ensure that the issue of affordable housing remains a top priority.”

David added, “Cheshire East Council is delivering only 43% of the affordable homes that the national housing charity ‘Shelter’ believe are necessary. Recent figures show that Cheshire East are one of 216 local councils that are delivering less than half of the number of homes that they have identified as being needed.”

‘Shelter’s Chief Executive, Campbell Robb said, “These figures are extremely worrying. With more than 7,000 households on the housing waiting list in Cheshire East, the council must work far harder to ensure more desperately needed afforded homes are provided if it ever hopes to meet the housing needs of the local population.”

David commented, “Cheshire East Council commissioned independent experts to investigate the need for affordable housing. They said that 577 new affordable homes were needed to be built in Cheshire East each year. Last year only 247 were built. Cheshire East Council must stop dragging their feet on this and take positive action to meet their targets.”

Take a long hard look at the Tories on crime

2010-03-25T07:54:00.000Z

When it comes to crime, the current Tory MP is more concerned with headlines than policies. That’s why he talks Crewe and Nantwich down by deliberately misleading the public about crime figures, even though his party has been censured by the Statistics Authority for doing this. Only Labour is taking the action necessary to reduce crime.

Questions to the candidates: David Williams on proportional Representation

2010-03-24T07:35:00.001Z

Democracy is not a mathematical puzzle. Democracy is about representation and accountability.

As a researcher for Gwyneth Dunwoody I learnt a lot about representing the people who elect you. Gwyneth was a strong supporter of the current electoral system because she believed in the direct link between MP and elector; she represented constituents regardless of how they vote.

That is my core principle. Elections should be about debates and discussions between competing views, but once the balloting is done, the counting is over and the result announced; the successful candidate should put party politics aside and represent all constituents.

In the current climate of mistrust of MPs, it is their behaviour that is more important than electoral systems. It is about whether our elected representatives are open, accountable and honest. It’s about whether they do a proper job of work for their constituents or just parade themselves around a variety of photo-opportunities seeking self-publicity.

If I have the honour of representing the people of Crewe and Nantwich, I will be an accessible, honest and accountable MP. I will hold Saturday surgeries all year round, not just at election time. Constituents will be able to see me without an appointment and will not be pre-interviewed by a member of staff. That’s the level of service we had under Gwyneth and I will restore it.

The more proportional the electoral system, the weaker the link between elected representative and voter. Crewe and Nantwich already has a proportional election for the European Parliament. It is so popular that only 16% of voters participate, around half the turnout of when it was a first-past-the-post system. Hardly a ringing endorsement for electoral reform, but worse still can anyone honestly say they feel connected to their MEP?

Letter to the Chronicle

2010-03-24T07:29:00.000Z

Dear Sir

There's no point the MP attempting a cover-up by organising Tory cronies to abuse me letters page, yet again. The fact is he's been caught red-handed using fake crime statistics to talk down Crewe and Nantwich (Chronicle, 3 February), making out we live and work in a dangerous and violent place.

The local Detective Chief Inspector confirmed that the Tory stats do not compare like with like (Chronicle, 17 March).

Even Cllr Brian Silvestor, not a man I often agree with, says the MP got it wrong (Chronicle, 10 March).

The truth is that crime under Labour has come down by one-third. That over the last twelve months overall crime is down by 9% across Cheshire. This is unprecedented in a recession, people will remember that crime rocketed in the Tory recessions of the 1980s and 1990s. The police and the council should be congratulated not criticised.

The MP aspires to be a 'honourable member', well it's time he did the honourable thing: Apologise for using fake and misleading stats; acknowledge that Labour's policies have helped the police and the council bring down crime, and promise to stop talking down Crewe and Nantwich.

Yours faithfully

David Williams
Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich
david@davidwilliams.org.uk
01270 589 132
4 Chantry Court, Forge Street, Crewe, CW1 2DL

For the latest news on David's campaigns: www.davidwilliams.org.uk

DAVID WILLIAMS VISITS HUNGERFORD SCHOOL

2010-03-23T07:20:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, visited Hungerford Primary School yesterday, accompanied by Bill Bailey, Chair of the Governors and School Governor Jeff Welch.

David spent some time with a class of young pupils who questioned him about what a MP did and then subjected him to a spelling test.

David said, “I was spot-on with Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, which surprised me, but I managed to forget the second ‘m’ in accommodation.”

David then toured the school accompanied by the Head-teacher Rhian Futcher, Chair of Governors Bill Bailey and Governor Jeff Welch, before chatting with them about the school.

David said, “I am really impressed with the school. I am especially keen to support the school’s bid for funds to build two new classrooms that would link the infants and the junior’s blocks together and dispense with the need for the mobile classroom. This would be a tremendous improvement to what is already a great school. The school has been described by Ofsted as being ‘an outstanding school in all aspects’ and the addition of two new classrooms will enable the great work being done at the school to continue.”

DAVID WILLIAMS INTERVIEWED BY GRANADA TV

2010-03-23T07:11:00.001Z

David Williams, the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, recorded an interview with Granada Television during his visit to Hungerford Primary School yesterday.

David said, “Granada Television has identified Crewe and Nantwich as being one the ‘critical’ constituencies in the North-West. If the Tories win in Crewe and Nantwich they will most likely form the next Government.”

David continued, “Granada is recording interviews with the candidates in these bell-weather constituencies in readiness for the General Election. Crewe and Nantwich will come under the spotlight during the election and I anticipate that more national media will be focused on Crewe and Nantwich. This will be an opportunity to promote the area.”

David added, “The Tories asked people at the by-election to lend them their vote on the basis that it wouldn’t lead to a Tory Government. Well that isn’t the case at this election. If Crewe and Nantwich votes Conservative, we will probably have a Tory Government. From the conversations I am having on the doorstep that is not what the people of Crewe and Nantwich want because they remember what the Tories did to Crewe and Nantwich in the 1980s and 1990s. The Tories have not changed. They did not back Labour’s investment in jobs because they still believe that unemployment is a ‘price worth paying’. This election is about a real choice on who will secure the recovery and help people back to work.”

TRADE UNION FORUM

2010-03-22T07:59:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, together with Tony Lloyd MP, the Chair of the Parliamentary Group of Trades Union MPs, met with representatives of Crewe and Nantwich Trades Unions yesterday.

About 50 representatives of local Trades Unions went along to The Alexandra Suite in Gresty Road last Sunday to listen to and talk with Tony Lloyd MP. The forum was chaired by Dorothy Flude, Leader of the Labour Group on Cheshire East Council.

Tony said, “David Williams asked me if I would come to Crewe and Nantwich to meet with local Trades Unionists and to listen to their views at first-hand. I was delighted to do so, and the evening proved to be very successful.”

David added, “Not surprisingly the subject of taking the railways back into public ownership was high on the agenda for local Trades Unionists. It is something that I personally support and have campaigned for. It was also clear that local Trade Unionists felt they were ‘under attack’ by the Tories and that the coming elections would be all about the choice we have to make, about the kind of values we uphold and the kind of society we want to be.”

DAVID WILLIAMS CONGRATULATES CHESHIRE EAST COUNCIL ON SCHOOL ADMISSIONS

2010-03-21T07:47:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has congratulated Cheshire East Council on the rise of First Choice applications that have been approved for secondary school admissions in September 2010.

David Williams, the Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has welcomed the fact that the percentage of Cheshire East parents and carers securing their first place preference school has increased this year to 93.62% compared to 91.32% last year.

David said, “I am pleased that more parents and carers have been offered their first choice of school. Following the Government guidelines, Cheshire East have improved the allocations process with the resultant increase in offers being made. I would now urge the council to find speedy resolutions to the outstanding cases by listening to the needs of both the parents and students.”

DAVID WILLIAMS GETS ON HIS BIKE FOR SPORTS RELIEF

2010-03-20T17:14:00.002Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, got on his bike in an 'end-to-end' challenge at Nantwich Sainsbury's in aid of Sports Relief last Saturday.

David Williams joined a relay of bike riders cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End without leaving Nantwich.

Nantwich Sainsbury's organised the bike ride in aid of ‘Sports Relief’ and installed an exercise bicycle in the entrance to their store. A team of riders took it in turns on the bike and the distance they covered was closely monitored.

David said, “I was more than happy to accept Sainsbury’s invitation to take part in this ride. Sports Relief is a cause close to my heart and one that I am pleased to support. As a keen walker and cyclist I was able to bring the total distance completed up to the 900 miles mark and the exercise has done me good as well.”

David’s son, Tom, joined his Dad in supporting Sports Relief as he took over from him on the next stint of the journey.

David added, “Theoretically I spent the morning cycling in Cornwall towards the end of the journey from one end of the country to the other. Sainsburys Staff and their friends have done a great job in raising funds and many of the shoppers at Sainsburys did their bit by dropping donations into the collecting buckets as they left the store."

Sport Relief Website

DAVID WILLIAMS DEPLORES THE TORIES ‘NO GUARANTEES’FOR MAJOR RAIL SCHEMES

2010-03-19T07:34:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has deplored the statement made by Theresa Villiers, Tory Shadow Transport Secretary, in the current issue of Railnews.

In an interview with ‘Railnews’ the Tory Shadow Transport Secretary said that, if the Tories were to win at the coming General Election, they would review major railway projects and plans and would not give a ‘guarantee that any scheme would go ahead under a Conservative government’ She is also reluctant to give any commitment on such major procurement schemes such as the Thameslink Programme fleet and Intercity Express.

David Williams said, “More delay on investment in the railways is just what we do not need at this time. It appears that dithering and delay not only applies to Tory-controlled Cheshire East Council, it also applies to the Tory Party nationally. When the Tories broke up the railways in the early 1990s we warned that it could lead to a loss of railway engineering work and skills in this country and the Tories seem determined to see that happen. Crewe is a proud railway town with an enviable reputation for railway engineering skills, but if there is no work, those skills will not be passed on to future generations.”

David continued, “I support the calls for the Government to explore ways of taking the railways back into public ownership. I support and urgently ask for more investment in the railways. The last thing we need right now is more dithering and delay.”

Railnews article

Pictured: David with Lord Adonis, at Crewe Station, talking about Labour's future investment in railways.

Questions to the candidates: Pensions

2010-03-17T07:10:00.002Z

Pensioners are better off with Labour. We are a long way from the days when Edwina Curry used to tell elderly people to stay warm by wearing their overcoats, hat and gloves in their own living room. Labour introduced the Winter Fuel Allowance for over 60s, worth £250 and £400 for over 80s. There’s also free home insulation for over 70s.

Margaret Thatcher broke the link with earnings, devaluing the state pension. Labour introduced the Minimum Income Guarantee, so no single pensioner has to live on less than £130 per week or £198 for couples. Labour increased the state pension by more than inflation and will restore the link with earnings.

Labour introduced the over 65s tax allowance, which has almost doubled pensioners’ tax-free earnings to £9,450 per year.

All this combined means that the average pensioner household is over £1,500 per year better off under Labour.

Under the Tories, Cheshire pensioners had to pay two-thirds of an adult bus fare and full fare outside the county. Labour has given all pensioners a free off-peak bus travel for all England and over 75s get free passports.

Mrs Thatcher brought in charges for eye tests, Labour made them free for pensioners.

Under the Tories there was no funding for flu jabs, Labour has made them available for all pensioners.

We learn about the future by studying the past. The Tories haven’t changed. Labour made all of the above available to everyone regardless of income, but the Tories are already talking of ending benefits for ‘middle-class’ people. So that’s means-testing and when they say ‘middle-class’ I believe everyone with a modest company or private pension will lose out under a Tory Government.

Happy St Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T07:07:00.000Z

Each and every year on St Patrick’s Day we celebrate the links between Britain and Ireland and the enormous contribution the Irish have made to the world.

But of course this St Patrick’s Day is particularly notable for us, because this year we are able to look forward to the completion of the final stage of devolution in Northern Ireland – and with it the dawn of a lasting peace.

It took hard work. It took many hours of detailed negotiation. But most of all it took men and women of courage prepared to forgive the past in the service of the future.

This settlement would simply never have happened without the intense levels of cooperation between UK and Ireland – and in partnership we have achieved a dream many said could never come to pass.

And this year, with the upcoming Papal visit in September, many people in our Irish community have another reason to celebrate the links between Britain and the wider world and to reflect upon the values which unite us across boundaries of religion and geography and nation.

This year we stand stronger together than we could ever be apart.

Please pass my warm best wishes for St Patrick’s Day to your family and friends.

John Prescott and David enjoying chips

2010-03-14T07:34:00.002Z

David Williams, the Labour Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, and former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott rounded off their day with chips at TJs on the corner of Nantwich Road and Gresty Road Crewe.

After a busy day, during which John Prescott officially opened the new Labour Party Campaign Office in Chantry Court and then walked round Crewe Town Centre with David Williams meeting and speaking with local shoppers, they nipped round to TJs Chippy on Nantwich Road for a quick snack and a chat with owner Jack.

David said, “TJs is well-known with Crewe Alex fans and I often pop in here either on the way to or coming back from a game. I can heartily recommend both their chips and their service. TJs therefore seemed an appropriate place to come for a bite to eat and a chat.”

John commented, “We’ve had a very good reception here in Crewe. I came down to support David and to win back Crewe and Nantwich for Labour, but he did promise me that we could get a good fish and chip supper here at TJs. People are realising that there is a very important election on, and that we should never have lost Crewe and Nantwich. It was our fault, not the people, but we are now correcting that and we will take it back for Labour.”

David concluded, “The By-election was a referendum on the Government at that particular time. We were getting some things wrong and we were told by the people of Crewe and Nantwich very clearly that we were getting some things wrong. We have learnt from that. The General election will about who you want to run the country. The Tories are falling far short of gaining the confidence of the people. Gordon Brown is showing himself to be an important Leader, one who is bring the country out of recession in the best shape to take advantage of the recovery. A Business man like Jack here at TJs needs a good recovery, and the best way to provide that is by voting Labour in the General Election.”

Thanks to Jules at Crewe Blog for the video interview yesterday.

JOHN PRESCOTT MP OFFICIALLY OPENS THE CAMPAIGN

2010-03-13T19:26:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, welcomed Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to Crewe last Saturday when he performed the official opening of the Labour Campaign Office at 4 Chantry Court.

John Prescott, who is the former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Deputy Prime Minister, arrived in ‘The Prescott Express’ Battle Bus to the theme from Rocky blazing out from loudspeakers.

David said, “John is a very popular and inspiring figure both within and outside of the Labour Party. I was delighted to welcome him back to Crewe, a town he knows very well.”

John gave a rousing and very well received speech to the crowd that had gathered at Chantry Court to welcome him – so well received that a man at the nearby ‘Hops Bar’ came across to him with two half pints of beer saying he agreed whole-heartedly with what he had said and invited John to have a drink with him.

Following the opening John and David toured Crewe Town Centre meeting and speaking to shoppers.

Photo courtesy of stefbennettphotography.com

JOHN PRESCOTT MEET SHOPPERS IN CREWE

2010-03-13T19:05:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, and former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott met and talked with shoppers in Crewe Town Centre last Saturday.

After opening the new Labour Party Campaign Office in Chantry Court Crewe last Saturday, John Prescott and David Williams walked into Crewe Town Centre to meet and speak with shoppers.

David said, “John proved to be very popular with the shoppers in Crewe, especially with young people. There were many very anxious to hear what he had to say and to have their photo taken with him.”

Photo courtesy of stefbennettphototography.com

John Prescott in Crewe

2010-03-13T17:01:00.000Z

Thanks to Jules Hornbrook of Crewe Blog fame for capturing part of John Prescott's barnstorming speech at the opening of the Crewe and Nantwich Labour Campaign Headquarters. If you've never heard John's version of "the punch" then you're in for a treat.

DAVID WILLIAMS SIGNS UP TO THE ‘EVERY DISABLED CHILD MATTRSS CONSTITUENCY PLEDGE’

2010-03-12T07:53:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has expressed his support for ‘Every Disabled Child Matters’ campaign and added his name to the growing ‘Constituency Pledge’.

David said, “There are around 770,000 disabled children aged under 16 in the UK and the number is growing, particularly for children with complex health needs and those diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorders. They and their families are one of society’s most vulnerable and marginalised groups. Of the 770,000 disabled children, only about 6% receive any form of regular specialist support.”

The ‘Every Disabled Child Matters’ campaign is being organised by a consortium of four of the leading organisations working with disabled children and their families : ‘Contact a Family’, ‘The Council for Disabled Children’, ‘Mencap’ and ‘The Special Educational Consortium’

The campaign is asking both Central and Local Government to

- Give disabled children and their families new rights to the services and support they need to lead ordinary lives.

- Invest in new resources to make sure these rights can become a reality. This will be achieved through funding to sustain, embed and build on ‘Aiming High for Disabled Children’.

- Give disabled children and their families a new level of priority, and work with them to improve the services they receive.

David said, “The Labour Government is committed to raising the priority of the needs of disabled children, and the needs of children in general. The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, only last week announced a series of new measures to support trainee teachers who want to work with severely disabled children. I support the aims of ‘Every Disabled Child Matters’ and urge the Government to continue the work that is being done to address the needs of disabled children and their families.”

David added, “There are a number of organisations in Crewe and Nantwich that work with disabled children and do amazing work, usually manned by volunteers and usually on very limited resources. I would urge Cheshire East Council to look closely at how they could support the good work being done by these organisations by way of grants, free use of premises, access to specialist advice and support etc.”

CHESHIRE EAST TORIES ARE TURNING THEIR BACKS ON CREWE AND NANTWICH

2010-03-12T07:16:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, points to further evidence that Tory-controlled Cheshire East Council is turning its’ back on Crewe and Nantwich.

A recent press release from Cheshire East Council lauds the fact that they have approved £3.5 million for the regeneration of Poynton village centre.

David Williams commented, “I do not want to set town again town and I have nothing against Poynton, but this is further proof that the Tories simply do not care about Crewe and Nantwich.. Yet again we see priority being given to a town in the old Macclesfield borough and no money or assistance for Crewe and Nantwich.”

David said, “Crewe is the key driver of the Cheshire East economy and yet we are suffering dither and delay on key projects such as the Crewe Gateway Project, the regeneration of Crewe town centre, the replacement of the bus station and interminable delays in the completion of Queens Park. Worse still, residents and visitors to Crewe and Nantwich are penalised with the highest parking charges in Cheshire East.”

David concluded, “It is time for the people of Crewe and Nantwich to take a stand. We are not asking for any preferential treatment, we just want fairness and equality from Cheshire East Council, something that we are clearly not getting at the moment.”

Questions to the candidates: David Williams on the economy

2010-03-09T07:12:00.001Z

There is no doubt that we’ve been through tough times recently, but it could have been so much worse. Labour’s fiscal stimulus saved jobs. For those who suffered the personal tragedy of redundancy, we are helping them back to work quickly. We did not pass by on the other side.

Contrast that with the Tories, who would have let the recession run its course, leaving people to sink or swim in the deepest economic downturn since the 1930s.

The Tories fundamentally called it wrong three times. First, they would have let a bank go bust, thereby deepening the banking crisis. Second, to make deep and savage cuts now risks the fragile recovery. Third, having said they would back Labour’s action, they u-turned and bottled taking the tough decisions.

Gordon Brown led the world in tackling the global economic crisis. The Tories proved they cannot be trusted on the economy and we see that writ large with their leadership of Cheshire East Council. They should have been preparing the area for the recovery, but have dithered and delayed. They failed to rebuild Crewe station, they failed to regenerate Crewe town centre and they failed to open up land in Basford that could create thousands of job opportunities.

Unlike the Tory recessions of the 1980s and 1990s we will not leave young people with no hope and no opportunities. Unemployment is not a price worth paying.

Labour is the only party that promises to halve the deficit over four years, whilst continuing to invest in front line services and offering young people the guarantee of an apprenticeship, training, college place or work.

HOME OFFICE MINISTER DAVID HANSON LISTENs TO RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON CRIME AND POLICING

2010-03-08T14:13:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, and the Minister of State at the Home Office David Hanson MP visited the Marshfield Community Centre last Monday to listen to residents’ views on crime and policing.

David Williams and David Hanson, Home Office Minister with responsibility for Crime and Policing, attended a packed meeting at the Marshfield Community Centre in Crewe last Monday. David Williams arranged the meeting to enable the Minister to hear the views of residents on crime and policing.

David Williams said, “I think it is important that Minister should be able to hear directly from local residents about their hopes and fears, about their concerns and about the success stories. I was therefore very pleased to be able to bring the minister for State at the Home Office who has responsibility for crime and policing to the meeting.”

David Hanson said, “Crime in general has reduced steadily and this is the first time ever that the UK has gone through a recession without crime rising. During the recessions of the 1980s and 1990s crime rose considerably and everyone expect it to rise again during the current recession but crime actually fell this time around so we must be doing something right.”

The latest crime figures for Crewe and Nantwich show that crime fell by 7.9% in Crewe and by 2.9% in Nantwich when compared to the same three month period last year.

He continued, “I was pleased to hear of the work being done by the local Police Community Support Officers in Crewe. It is clear that they have formed very valuable partnerships with the local communities and fulfil a role that is valued by those communities. The Tories are proposing to cut the ring-fenced funding of PCSOs if they win the next election and I think this is a grave mistake on their part. It is obvious to me that PCSOs play a very important part in communities and will be sorely missed if the funding for them disappears.”

The Minister went on to announce the introduction of a 101 non-emergency telephone number to be introduced later this year. He said, “This telephone number will allow resident to contact the police in a non-emergency situation rather than by using the 999 number thus freeing up that 999 system for use by true emergencies.”

He also criticised the Tories attempt to politicise the police by their commitment to introduce directly-elected Police Commissioners to run our police forces.

David Williams commented, “The meeting with the Minister went really well and enabled local residents to put their points directly to him and to hear about some of the plans for the future.”

HOME OFFICE MINISTER DAVID HANSON VISIT ‘THE RAVINE’

2010-03-08T12:04:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, and Minister of State at the Home Office David Hanson visited ‘The Ravine’ last Saturday at the request of local residents.

David Williams and David Hanson, Home Office Minister with responsibility for Crime and Policing, accepted the invitation of local residents of The Rockwood Estate in Crewe, to visit what is locally known as ‘The Ravine’ – a long wide strip of open land running between the aluminium bungalows in Doddington Road and the houses in Capenhurst Avenue.

Local resident Kath Harvey said, “The residents in this area have banded together over the past few years to transform our estate from what was once a poor rated area into one where there is a great deal of local pride and community spirit. We have worked well with the two local PCSOs and the results have been fantastic. The one area that is still an eyesore and a source of petty crime is ‘The Ravine’. People from outside the area gather there to consume alcohol and use drugs. There is a litter problem and because it is so overgrown with bushes and trees it is a very difficult problem to tackle.”

Kath added, “We have worked closely with the local community police officers and they have been a great help, but, despite requests to Cheshire East Council to clear out the overgrown bushes and trees we do not seem to be getting anywhere. That is why I spoke to David Williams to see if he could help.”

David Williams said, “When Kath spoke to me I went down to see The Ravine for myself and it is very densely planted with trees and shrubs that have not received any maintenance since they were planted. I can well see how this is a problem area. The local PCSOs have been very helpful in doing all they can but more pressure is now need to be put on Cheshire East Council to clear out the dense bushes and make the area one that not only can be used as a play area by the children, but can be properly police by the PCSOs. I invited David Hanson to have a look at the area and speak with local residents, and to hear about the good partnership that has been built up between the residents and the Community Police Officers.”

David Hanson commented, “It is good to hear about how successful the partnership between the local residents and the PCSOs has been in this area. It is a message than I am hearing all over the country. ‘The Ravine’ would be an ideal spot for children to play, away from the roads, or for the residents to hold community events to build on the community spirit that has already been established, but in its present state it is a haven for petty crime and anti-social behaviour. The local council need to drastically clear out the overgrown bushes and trees and transform it from an eyesore to something that is useful in the community.”

David Williams concluded, “Together with the residents and the local community police, I will be asking Cheshire East Council to take action on clearing this area and make it an asset for the local community rather than a source of annoyance.”

Car Park Charges Protest Continues

2010-03-08T07:06:00.001Z

JOIN THE DEBATE ON CREWE BLOG

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, is leading a ‘Rainbow Alliance’ to protest over Cheshire East Councils’ car parking policy.

Following on from the Protest held on Saturday 27th February, David will lead a Protest March against Cheshire East Council’s policies on Saturday 13th March. The March will start at 11.00am from Chantry Court, near to the Hops Bar and Christ Church car park, and will proceed at a gentle pace along Forge Street, through the Town Centre and end outside the Crewe Municipal Buildings in Earle Street.

David said, “We plan what may more correctly be called a protest stroll rather than a march. The Tory-controlled Cheshire East Council has turned their backs on Crewe and Nantwich and we need to show them that will not tolerate that.”

David continued, “Following our protest on 27th February, the Leader of Cheshire East has conceded that there needs to be ‘fairness’ on the issue of Sunday parking and is proposing to scrap the charge in Crewe and Nantwich. This is a victory achieved by a small demonstration. What we want now is equality on parking charges. Crewe and Nantwich pay 70p per hour whilst Macclesfield pay 60p and in Congleton it is only 30p. A large turn-out on Saturday 13th March will show Cheshire East Council that we mean business. I would appeal to everyone to join us on Saturday 13th March to show the Council that we are not prepared to be ignored. Meet at Chantry Court at 11.00am and make your voice heard.”

DAVID KIDNEY VISITS SOUTH CHESHIRE COLLEGE TO LISTEN TO STUDENTS’ VIEWS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

2010-03-07T17:56:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, and David Kidney MP, Environment Minister at the Department for Energy and Climate Change, spoke with students at South Cheshire College last Friday.

The visit was arranged by the South Cheshire Young Labour and David Williams to enable David Kidney to meet with students at the college and to listen to their views on the environment and climate change.

Sam Colclough, Student Officer for Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party, and himself a student at South Cheshire College, said, “There is a lot of interest in environmental issues among the students, and I asked David Williams if he could arrange for a Minister to come along and listen to their views. We were delighted when David Kidney agreed to come along and he was very interested in what we had to say.”

David Williams said, “David Kidney was more that delighted to visit South Cheshire College. He was able to hear at first-hand the concerns and ideas of local students and to tell them about some of the things that the Labour Government has been doing to combat climate change. In addition we were able to look round the construction of the new college buildings.”

David Kidney commented, “I am always eager to hear the views of young people on the environment and the dangers threatened by Climate Change. We had a very good session in the ‘Cafe Chill’ area and I was impressed by their ideas. I was also very impressed by the work that is being done in building the new college and I am especially interested in the energy-saving measures that are being incorporated into the design.”

David Williams added, “I know that there has been some disruption to residents around the college site during the building work. I also know that college officials have been consulting with residents during the building programme. Most residents accept that there is bound to be some disruption but I am keen to see that every step is taken to keep that disruption to a minimum. The new college is due to open in September and the main building work will be finished some time before that, so the situation will ease quite considerably. The new building will be really impressive and will match the very high reputation that the college has for academic achievement.”

Sam Colclough concluded, “It’s not every day you have a chance to put your views directly to the Government Minister. The Students at Danebank certainly appreciated his visit and the fact that he was keen to listen to us.”

DAVID WILLIAMS SHOUTS OUT FOR A SURE START

2010-03-07T07:48:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has this week given his backing to the campaign in support of Sure Start Children’s centres, which provide universal services for all families and children under five.

The ‘Shout out for a Sure Start’ campaign was launched by the charity 4Children and the popular children’s TV character Peppa Pig. The campaign has the support of children’s charities, Trades Unions and the Children’s Secretary Ed Balls.

David Williams said, “Parents across Crewe and Nantwich tell me all the time how much they value their local Sure Start Children’s Centres, the services on offer and the help and support they provide. Most parents I talk to cannot imagine what it would be like if their local Children’s Centre was no longer there. That’s why I’m backing this campaign to shout out for a Sure Start and to promote the universal services on offer for families in Crewe and Nantwich.”

Back in 1997 there were no Children’s Centre, but, thanks to investment from the Labour Government, there are now twelve Sure Start Centres across Cheshire East with five Centres in Crewe and Nantwich, delivering services to 12,280 children and their families across Cheshire East. By the end of the year another eight are expected to open meeting the Government’s target of 3,500 centres open by 2010.

The Labour Government has said it will keep investing in Sure Start because the early years of a child’s life are so important, but the Tories plans to cut £200million a year from Sure Start budgets. This is the equivalent of one in five Children’s Centres having to close its doors.

David said, “David Cameron has said that the Tories would take Sure Start away from families on modest and middle incomes and focus it on the poorest families instead, but I think that would be a big step backwards. Sure Start makes a difference to hundreds of families across Crewe and Nantwich. It should be open to all parents and children, not just a few. That’s why I am going to keep shouting out for Sure Start and I urge local parents to back the campaign as well.”

CREWE PENSIONER PUT VAT SAVINGS TO GOOD USE

2010-03-06T07:27:00.002Z

David Williams, the Labour Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, congratulates local pensioner Nan Walton on making good use of the savings from the temporary reduction in VAT.

Local pensioner Nanette Walton of Brierley Street in Crewe is putting the savings she has made from last year’s VAT reduction to good use.

She told David Williams “During the time that VAT was reduced from 17.5% to 15%, every time I went to the shop I put the saving into a jar. Over the year it mounted up and I found that I have £55.56p.”

Nan continued, “I've been supporting Crewe Alex for 60 years and I’ve decided to put the money towards next year’s season ticket.”

David said, “When the Government brought in the temporary reduction in VAT they intended to put money into people’s pockets to help stimulate the economy during the global economic downturn. Although we were criticised by the Tories, Nan has demonstrated just how much this initiative was worth to people.”

DAVID WILLIAMS WELCOMES FEWER REPOSSESSIONS BUT WANTS HELP TO CONTINUE

2010-03-05T07:37:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has welcomed the news that the number of repossessions during 2009 was less than had been forecast, and is almost half of the number that took place in the early 1990s, but he insists that the Government must continue their help for homeowners.

David said, “Lower interest rates and Labour’s measures to help people have assisted more struggling families stay in their homes than previously predicted. Repossessions in Crewe and Nantwich have fallen by over 7% but I believe that this is still too high and that the Government must continue with its help for struggling homeowners.”

Compared to the early 1990s recession, fewer houses have been repossessed – 46,000 across the UK in 2009 against 75,500 across the UK in 1991. Arrears are also down whilst the number of mortgages has increased from 9.8m to 11.1m.

David commented, “The main difference this time is that Labour has taken action to support people. Instead of leaving people to sink or swim, we have invested to help keep people in their homes. This help must continue if we are to see the number of repossession fall further.”

Michael Coogan, Director General of the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said, “The fact that mortgage arrears and possessions did not rise as much as we feared in 2009 is testament to the effect of low interest rates, and a great deal of concerted efforts by lenders, Government and the advice sector to help borrowers to address financial difficulties when they occur.”

Howard Archer, Chief UK and European Economist at IHS Global Insight, said, “The CML and Ministry of Justice data indicate that Government initiatives to reduce repossessions by requiring lenders and borrowers to examine all alternatives is having a significant beneficial impact in helping people to keep their homes.”

David concluded, “The risk of repossessions is still too high and families are still feeling pressure on their finances. That is why the Government must continue and extend its support for those who need it most. The Government is working with local advice agencies to make sure people can access the help they need – from free legal advice to the backstop Mortgage Rescue Scheme for the most vulnerable households. More than 330,000 families have benefitted from help advice with their mortgage over the past year and Labour is committed to doing everything we can to prevent families from going through the trauma of repossession.”

Camera on health

2010-03-04T07:52:00.001Z

Car Park Charges Protest

2010-03-03T17:19:00.001Z

Tory councillors called on to resign in shame as anger grows over Crewe and Nantwich car parking charges

A rainbow alliance of local residents, Labour and Nantwich Independent councillors took to the streets on Saturday to protest over Cheshire East Council car parking charges policy.

The protesters gathered on a rainy day at Christ Church Car Park and were lead by would-be MP David Williams and Clr Dorothy Flude, Labour Group Leader in Cheshire East.

David Williams said, “It's time to take a stand because this Tory controlled council are not listening to reasoned argument. I congratulate the Labour, Liberal and Independent Councilors for their efforts to reach a fair settlement for Crewe and Nantwich.

“This week’s Cheshire East Budget Meeting proved that the Tories have turned their back on Crewe and Nantwich. The area is are being undermined with parking charges higher than other nearby towns. This disgracefully unfair policy is damaging to local businesses trying to survive in these difficult times.

Dorothy Flude said, “All we are asking for is fairness for Crewe and Nantwich. Yet local Tory councilors, who claim to represent the area, failed to stand up for us. None of them joined the Labour, Liberal and Independent opposition to these terrible parking charges aimed at fleecing local motorists.

“How can it be right that in the same authority we in Crewe and Nantwich pay 70p per hour; Macclesfield pays 60p, and it’s only 30p in Congleton. Yet again Crewe and Nantwich is the poor relation.

Nantwich Independent Councilor Arthur Moran said, “Parking in Crewe and Nantwich is really expensive and it will harm businesses in the two towns. We must remain a shopping destination and attract people from outside the area otherwise we will end up with two ghost towns. The situation is that serious.”

David Williams concluded, “Crewe and Nantwich Tories either abstained or voted against a proposal to reduce parking charges. They should hang their heads in shame, or better still resign and make way for people who will stand up for local motorists.

“Feelings are running high amongst local residents and we are not going to let this go. We are planning another protest in two weeks time and we will keep up the pressure until Cheshire East listens to reason.”

The next protest will take place on Saturday 13 March. Meet at 11am, at Chantry Court opposite Christ Church Car Park in central Crewe.

Questions to the candidates: David Williams on Law and Order

2010-03-03T07:15:00.000Z

Labour has reduced overall crime by over one-third tackling years of Tory under-investment in community policing. Labour has delivered more uniformed officers patrolling our streets, ASBOs to tackle anti-social behaviour and local councils now work closely with the police.

Neighbourhood policing has been a big step forward. Every time I raise constituents’ concerns I receive an immediate and positive response from local PCSOs and police officers who are eager to help.

I know how effective these measures have been because I work with retail employers against crime and anti-social behaviour in shopping areas. I organise a high profile campaign to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse for my trade union Usdaw and lobby Government and councils for action.

In this global economic downturn we feared crime would increase. It rocketed in the Tory recessions of the 1980s and 1990s. However, Cheshire’s overall recorded crime is down by 9% over the last year, unheard of in a recession. It shows that Labour’s action has made a lasting difference and I’d like to thank the police for their hard work in achieving that reduction.

The Tories offer nothing but fake statistics and an immediate 10% in the police budget, with further savage cuts to come. They make up stories suggesting Crewe and Nantwich is a dangerous and violent place to live, which I totally reject.

Despite the improving situation, too many people’s lives are blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour, so we have much more to do. If Labour wins the election we will tackle the most difficult families; providing help to overcome issues of truancy, criminal activity, vandalism and anti-social behaviour that so often brings down a neighbourhood.

Labour is the only party that offers tough action on crime and continued investment in a highly visible uniformed presence on our streets.

Camera on Ashcroft

2010-03-02T16:27:00.002Z

Letter to the Chronicle

2010-03-02T07:39:00.001Z

Dear Sir

It was bad enough that along with thousands of others I watched the Alex go down 0-1 to Chesterfield; but my Wednesday evening got even worse when I was left waiting for an hour for a bus to Sandbach.

Having left the match a minute before time to sprint down Gresty Road and catch the 2140 from Crewe Arms, I and others had to wait an hour, because our bus had been cancelled. Now I'm sure that Arriva have a genuine reason for this and to be fair to them the 38 route is generally very reliable, but where are the contingencies?

Our frustration was compounded by seeing an "out of service" Arriva bus pass us twice during the one hour wait. If it was being driven by a mechanic rather than a bus driver, and therefore unable to pick up passengers, he could at least have stopped to tell us our bus was cancelled. We'd have been grateful in the knowledge that we could have retired to one of Nantwich Road's excellent pubs and wait for the 2240 in the warm.

I used to be a bus driver in Crewe when the situation would have been very different. First there used to be two buses to Sandbach every hour in the evening; the Macclesfield bus and the Winsford bus. Second, because Arriva's predecessors garaged at Crewe Bus Station they were able to mobilise alternative vehicles very quickly in the event of a breakdown.

When I look at the investment Labour has made in bus services and the fantastic improvements for passengers in other areas, I feel badly let down by Cheshire East Council. It's twenty years since I was on the buses, the local service has deteriorated in that time, whilst services improved elsewhere. Why does the Council expect people to use the bus when the services are so infrequent and the information is so poor?

These are my three top priorities for bus improvements and I hope Cheshire East Council is listening:

1. Live passenger information at bus stops. Commonplace in many areas, keeping passengers informed of delays and cancellations. It is a disgrace that some bus stops in Crewe and Nantwich that don't even have a timetable, just an expensive telephone number to call for information.

2. A new bus terminus in Crewe. We are all fed up with our existing bus station, it is an embarrasment to the Town. We need a new bus station, not in the town centre, but at the railway station. Let's have a proper integrated transport network that reflects the geography of the town and links to the Crewe Gateway Project, which could deliver an upgraded rail station on the existing site, a new link road and the opportunity to create 7-8,000 jobs on the Basford sites.

3. Crewe and Nantwich based bus companies. I believe that Cheshire East should only hand out contracts to companies who garage their buses in the Crewe and Nantwich area. We are a major bus and rail hub and it is unacceptible that existing local operators garage way outside the area.

If the Tory leadership of Cheshire East Council were as reliant on public transport as I and many others are, we would have a better bus service. The only way to tackle environmental concerns and the ever increasing problems of congestion is to have a bus network that is fast, frequent and friendly to passenger needs. The ball is in your court Cheshire East Tories.

Yours faithfully

David Williams
Labour's Parliamentary Candidate
for Crewe and Nantwich

DAVID WILLIAMS CONDEMNS COUNCIL DITHER AND DELAY OVER CREWE RAILWAY STATION

2010-03-01T07:27:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, condemned Cheshire East Council for delaying improvements to Crewe Railway Station in its so-called ‘Vision for Crewe’.

David said, “The presentation made recently to local Councillors is further evidence that Cheshire East is all words and precious little action. The plan, which now has a twenty-year time-span, put the much needed improvements to Crewe Railway Station in doubt once again.”

David Williams has consistently campaigned for a redeveloped Crewe station on its existing site and has work closely with CREAM to this end. He has twice brought the Secretary of State for Transport to Crewe. After the first visit the immediate threat of the station moving to Basford was removed and after the second visit he secured new funding for investment in the existing station.

David said, “I am increasingly frustrated by Cheshire East’s dither and delay. Instead of employing consultants to kick the project into the long grass, they should be building the link road to open up the Basford sites. Cheshire East Council is preventing Crewe and Nantwich taking full advantage of the recovery. These sites could provide 7,000 to 8,000 jobs and we should be bidding for investment and attracting new employers to the area rather than wasting money in an excuse to do nothing.”

David went on to say, “The local MP is failing to stand up for Crewe and Nantwich. He spends most of his time running down the area and making false claims on plans for a Basford super-prison. He does not want to stand up to his Tory mates in Macclesfield, who prioritised a by-pass around Alderley Edge over a job-creating link road for Crewe.”

Local Councillor and member of CREAM, Roy Cartlidge said, “I am appalled at this latest presentation. Cheshire East Council is now asking Crewe to wait another 20 years before we see any improvements. Can Crewe afford to sand by and wait another twenty years?. It seems that Cheshire East Council and the local MP do not care about Crewe at all and that only David Williams is prepared to stand up for Crewe and Nantwich as he is the only one that has made any progress on this.”

DAVID WILLIAMS SUPPORTS 'WORLD BOOK DAY'

2010-02-27T07:37:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, is supporting ‘World Book Day’ on 4th March by donating books and attending events at local community centres in Crewe and Nantwich.

‘World Book Day’ is being celebrated in Crewe and Nantwich with events at a number of local Community Centres. World Book Day is the biggest annual celebration of books and reading in the UK and Ireland and local Councillor Roy Cartlidge is helping to organise events at a number of centres in the West End of Crewe.

Roy Cartlidge said, “On Thursday 4th March from 8 o’clock in the morning until 8 o’clock in the evening, you can pop in at Beechmere Extra Care Village, Marshfield Community Centre, Webby’s Community Centre or St Barnabas Church Hall for a quick read or to listen to a story.”

David Williams said, “I am supporting ‘World Book Day’ locally by donating books that will be passed on to the Community Centres. I believe that books provide a gateway into the imagination, whether it is a story for youngsters, a biography of someone, an adventure novel of derring-do, or a factual reference book. Books are a source of wonderment and amazement and they inspire us to great things. Our own imagination can provide much better pictures than the television of movies.

He added, “If you have any books that you have read and no longer require, please bring them along to one of the centres on the day, or pass them on to either myself or Roy, so that they may be enjoyed by others. Do please try to pop in at one or more of the centres and see what’s going on.”

World Book Day

DAVID WILLIAMS SUPPORTS ‘FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT’

2010-02-26T07:24:00.001Z

David Williams, the Labour Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has welcomed and supports ‘Fairtrade Fortnight 2010’ and urges residents and organisations in Crewe and Nantwich to get involved.

‘Fairtrade Fortnight 2010’ runs from Monday 22nd February until Sunday 7th March, and aims to increase the awareness and purchasing of Fairtrade products. This year the theme is ‘The Big Swap’ which encourages people to swap more products to Fairtrade. The target is one million and one swaps by the end of the Fortnight.

David said, “I am encouraging shoppers in Crewe and Nantwich to buy Fairtrade products during this fortnight, but not to stop there. Over 4,500 products have been licensed to carry the Fairtrade Mark and there are over 460 producer organisations selling to the UK, representing more than 1.5 million farmers and workers in developing countries. Small changes in our shopping habits can make a big difference to the world’s poorest people. By buying food, gifts and other products from developing countries, we can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.”

Douglas Alexander, Labour’s International Development Secretary, said, “David Williams has been a passionate campaigner on fair trade. I hope shoppers across Crewe and Nantwich will join David during Fairtrade Fortnight and take the chance to swap their usual shopping for Fairtrade products.”

The Government has supported Fairtrade since 1997 with funding from the Department for International Development (DFID), but this year Labour is significantly boosting support for Fairtrade by quadrupling funding to £12m over the next four years (2010-2013) through the global body FLO. Farmers in developing countries will also see double the amount invested directly back through their local organisations for community projects such as irrigation and clinics through ‘Fairtrade Premiums’.

David commented, “When consumers and retailers act together to promote and buy goods from developing countries, we can make a real difference to peoples’ lives. I am supporting those people by buying Fairtrade products and I would urge residents of Crewe and Nantwich to join me in three simple steps. First, where possible swap your shopping for a Fairtrade labelled product. Second, if there is no Fairtrade labelled alternative, ask the retailer to offer Fairtrade products in future. Third, ask for clear labelling about where products have come from and about the working conditions of those who produced the goods. By ‘shopping for development’ we can held provide a vital route out of poverty for many, and by following these three simple steps we can have an immediate effect.”

Camera on Adoption

2010-02-25T07:37:00.000Z

Questions to the candidates: David Williams on health

2010-02-24T07:36:00.000Z

Labour created the National Health Service, which is our greatest achievement. The Tories bitterly opposed the NHS from the start and practically destroyed it in the 1980s and 1990s. We in Crewe and Nantwich know only too well because Leighton had the longest waiting list in the country under Mrs Thatcher.

Labour prioritised the health service, putting it back on its feet. Our investment breathed new life into the NHS after 18 years of neglect.

That investment has given us three new medical centres: Eagle Bridge, Rope Green and Church View. Leighton Hospital had a new ‘state of the art’ treatment centre (pictured), new eye clinic and a major refurbishment of the old hospital buildings.

Labour also looked after the staff, because they are the beating heart of the health service. I stood on a picket line at Leighton in the 1990s to end poverty pay for nurses. I also helped paramedics collect signatures in Crewe town centre for better pay. Labour significantly increased the pay of these important workers and the Tories heavily criticised us for that. Like other NHS users, I very much value the staff.

NHS Direct is a Labour innovation that we often take for granted. Operating out of the old Barony Hospital it is source of professional advice that’s just a phone call away.

Looking forward Labour will introduce a patient guarantee for everyone suspected of having Cancer. You will be seen in less than two weeks of your GP’s referral and receive the test results within one week. Everyone knows that the sooner you are diagnosed and treated for Cancer the better chance you have. I do not understand why the Tories won’t match Labour’s guarantee?

If you want it - you have to vote for it. Only Labour offers patient guarantees and continued NHS investment.

Letter to the Chronicle

2010-02-23T07:52:00.001Z

Dear Sir

Instead of the Words from Westminster column continually knocking Crewe and Nantwich and talking down the area, wouldn't it be good to read something positive.

Perhaps I can give Chronicle readers a taste of my Words from Westminster should the voters of Crewe and Nantwich put their trust in me to be their MP.

The following written parliamentary question was answered recently: "How many pupils in Crewe and Nantwich constituency obtained five or more A* to C GCSE grades in each academic year since 1997?"

Responding, the Minister revealed that in every year of Labour in Government local school results have improved and overall a third more pupils now obtain five or more A* to C grades, rising from 45.7% in 1997 to 61.3% in 2008.

Congratulations to the young people of Crewe and Nantwich who have worked so hard to achieve this progress, a far cry from the Tories' "Broken Britain".

In light of this wonderful news will David Cameron still proclaim "We cannot go on like this"? Well I want to see the improvements in education carry on, that's why I support Labour's continued investment and oppose the Tories' promised "savage cuts".

I also wish to congratulate the hardworking staff in local schools who have made this improvement possible. All the teachers, classroom assistants and ancillary staff who do so much to give our children a great start in life. I speak to many parents in Crewe and Nantwich and I know they are very proud of their child's school and the progress that we've made together.

These achievements should be sung from the rooftops.

Yours faithfully

David Williams
Labour's Parliamentary Candidate
for Crewe and Nantwich

The change we choose...

2010-02-21T17:20:00.001Z

DAVID WILLIAMS SUPPORTS THE CAMPAIGN BY ‘SCOPE’ TO ENSURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO POLLING STATION ON ELECTION DAY

2010-02-12T08:00:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has backed the campaign being run by ‘Scope’ to ensure that there is Access for All to polling stations on Election Day.

In the 21st Century you would think that disabled people would be able to vote independently and in secret like everyone else. At the 2005 General Election however, 68% of the polling stations across the country had one or more serious access barriers that could have prevented a disabled person from casting the vote.

David Williams has backed the ‘Polls Apart’ campaign being run by ‘Scope’ to ensure that disabled people have the same access to Britain’s democracy as everyone else and to make sure that the local polling stations in Crewe and Nantwich are fully accessible to local people with disabilities.

David said, “There are 10.6 million disabled people in Britain, that’s an average of around 15,000 disabled voters in each parliamentary constituency. I am calling on Cheshire East Council in the run-up to the General Election to make sure that each and every polling station throughout the Crewe and Nantwich constituency has suitable facilities for use by anyone with a disability.”

David went on to say, “Where a polling station does present difficulties, then the first and best option is to look for an alternative polling station in the area, but if this proves impossible, then there is a provision for the presiding officer to bring a ballot paper and the ballot box out of the polling station for someone who cannot walk from a car to the polling station.”

David added, “There is also the provision for anyone, for whatever reason, to request a Postal Vote, which will be sent direct to your home and can be completed and returned in a pre-paid envelope. The right to vote by post is no longer restricted to someone with a disability, or someone who is away on holiday. Anyone can now request a postal vote if they would prefer to vote in that way.”

David concluded by saying, “I am calling on Cheshire East Council to ensure that all these arrangements are in place in good time for the General Election.”

Letter to the Chronicle

2010-02-10T07:18:00.000Z

I think the column Words from Westminster should be renamed Spin from Tory Central Office. It is often nothing more than rehashed press releases passed down from Tory high command.

Last week (Chronicle, February 3) was no exception. Nothing more than dodgy claims on rises in violent crime that, if some commentators are right, will result in the Tory Shadow Home Secretary losing his job.

Well the current MP should know better and check his facts before he talks Crewe and Nantwich down, and paints a picture of the area being a violent and dangerous place to live. That simply is not true.

The facts are that that under Labour overall crime has fallen by 36% and violent crime has fallen by 41%. Far from the false Tory statistic of violent crime rising in Crewe and Nantwich by 148% in the last decade, as the MP stated (Chronicle, January 27). I can’t imagine what Cheshire’s Chief Constable or the council’s Safer and Stronger Communities Portfolio Holder thought when they saw that, perhaps they would care to comment?

I would like to thank Cheshire’s police officers and PCSOs for their hard work and dedication to reducing crime in these difficult economic times, unlike the Tories who seem to be suggesting that the police have lost control.

Conventional wisdom tells us that in recessions crime goes up. It rocketed in the Tory recessions of the 1980s and 1990s. However in the recent global economic downturn crime has actually gone down. In the Cheshire Constabulary area overall recorded crime is down by 9% over the last twelve months, with violence against the person down by 6%.

Labour has invested in the police by funding over 10,000 additional uniformed officers and introducing additional measures like ASBOs to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Contrast that with the Tories who would have cut this year’s police budget by 10%, with further savage cuts to come.

Tackling crime needs an open and honest discussion, the current MP has fallen far short of that. Surely he owes the police and the readers of the Chronicle a humble apology for his gross misrepresentation of the truth?

David Williams
Labour's Parliamentary Candidate
for Crewe and Nantwich

DAVID WILLIAMS WELCOMES THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

2010-02-06T07:27:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has welcomed the announcement by HM Treasury that £700m will be made available to nearly 3,000 small businesses across the UK.

HM Treasury have announced that £700m of funding from the European Investment Bank will be made available to nearly 3,000 small businesses across the UK, through participating banks.

David Williams said, “Together with a range of other measures being implemented by the Government, this scheme will help to ensure that well managed small businesses in the UK will continue to have access to the best support available.”

Ian Pearson MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury commented, “Support for SMEs is key to driving growth in the UK, so I am delighted that small businesses are benefiting from this finance. This scheme forms part of the Government’s continued commitment to help SMEs access the finance they need to take their businesses forward, which is vital to our long-term growth strategy.”

The Government’s aim of securing £1bn of finance from the European Investment Bank for SMEs has been more than achieved with banks having now secured a total of £1.39bn to help small businesses in the UK.

David Williams said, “There are a large number of small and medium sized enterprises in Crewe and Nantwich and I want to encourage all of them to get in touch with their local banks to find out if they can get access to this funding. It is an easy process and it is certainly worth pursuing.”

John Wright, National Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said, “The FSB welcomes the news that nearly 3,000 SMEs will benefit from low cost loans. We continue to urge non-participating banks to enter the scheme to make loans available.”

David Williams added, “UK Banks that have been involved in this scheme include the Bank of Scotland (HBOS), Barclays Bank, Close Brothers, Lloyds-TSB, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS including NatWest), Santander UK and Ulster Bank (for Northern Ireland – also part of the RBS Group). I would echo John Wright’s comments and urge other banks to join this scheme. These cheaper simpler and more flexible loans will enable increased investment to expand and I again urge small businesses in Crewe and Nantwich to contact their banks to see if they could benefit from this extra investment.”

DAVID WILLIAMS CALLS ON CHESHIRE EAST TO RETHINK IT’S MARRIAGE FEES

2010-02-05T07:16:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has called on Cheshire East Council to think again on it outrageous increase in marriage fees.

Cheshire East Council are proposing to make massive increases in their charges for marriage taking place in anywhere other than a church or registry office as from 1st April 2010.

David Williams said, “I find these proposed increase to be absolutely ludicrous. The Tories nationally are banging on about how they propose to support marriage and yet here we have the local Tories in Cheshire East imposing increases in marriage fees way about the rate of inflation. These proposals will deter many from getting married as they will just not be able to afford the extortionate fees and there will be a knock-on effect on the local economy as these proposals will also hit the hotels and other places where weddings take place.”

Councillor Dorothy Flude, Leader of the Labour Group on Cheshire East Council added, “Marriage is a very important ceremony for many people. Many struggle to put together enough money to have a marriage ceremony. Cheshire East is not encouraging people to get married at these prices.”

As from 1st April 2010, Cheshire East Council is proposing to increase the fee for ‘Marriage at Approved Premises’. The fees will vary depending on the day chosen for the wedding.

- On Monday to Friday the fee will increase from £250 to £385
- On Saturday before 2.00pm the fee will increase from £320 to £460
- On Saturday after 2.00pm the fee will increase from £330 to £600
- On Sunday the fee will increase from £320 to £500
- On Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday the fee will increase from £320 to £800
- On all other Public Holidays the fee will increase from £320 to £500.

These fees do not include the hire of the room or any other wedding services and must be paid four weeks in advance of the wedding.

David Williams commented, “Cheshire East proudly say on their web site ‘Welcome to Cheshire East, a county of beauty and contrasts. From idyllic rural locations to splendid historic towns, Cheshire East has the perfect setting for your Wedding’ Day’ and that there are over sixty licensed venues in Cheshire East to choose from, what they do not say is that, if you do choose to get married in any of these, then they will sting you for as much money as possible.”

DAVID WILLIAMS CALLS ON CHESHIRE EAST TO PLAY FAIR WITH SCHOOL CARETAKERS ON ELECTION DAY

2010-02-03T07:12:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, calls on Cheshire East Council to play fair with schools and school caretakers on Election Day

Cheshire East Council stand accused of ‘penny-pinching’ in their treatment of schools and school caretakers where the school is used as a Polling Station on Election Day. Typically a school caretaker will work from 7.30am until 6.00pm. If the school is being used as a Polling Station, the caretaker will be required work as normal and to be on-call for the full opening hours of the election. Polling Stations will be open from 7.00am until 10.00pm, but Cheshire East Council is only proposing to pay an extra half-hour at the start and an extra hour at the end of the day. This means that caretakers will be required to be on call for an extra four hours without any form of ‘on-call allowance’.

David Williams said, “I deplore this exploitation of school staff by Cheshire East Council. I understand that some School Governors are so concerned at the failure of the Council to play fair with their caretakers that they are proposing to pay the difference from their own budgets. Whilst I commend the actions of the Governors, I am concerned that the payments will be taken from their school funds. It is entirely wrong to force schools to use funds that should be used for educational purposes. The council should be making these payments direct.”

It's the fighters and believers who changed our world..

2010-02-01T07:12:00.000Z

PCSOs COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE BEAT UNDER THE TORIES

2010-01-29T07:55:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has deplored the announcement by the Tories that they plan to scrap Police Community Support Officers.

The Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling recently announced that they plan to remove PCSOs from the beat if they win the next general Election.

David Williams said, “In Crewe and Nantwich the PCSOs play an important role in our community. They provide a visible link between the public and the police and carry out much of the neighbourhood liaison work that has a real effect in preventing crime and releasing Police Officers to concentrate on crime detection. PCSOs are an important element in Cheshire’s Neighbourhood Policing Policy and to scrap them would destroy the good work done by them over the last few years.”

Cheshire Constabulary says on their web site, “Police Community Support Officers are a valuable addition to the police family and Cheshire Police are keen to build on the success of existing PCSOs who are already making a real difference to local communities. Cheshire Police currently has over 200 PCSOs in Force who work as an integral part of the 18 Neighbourhood Policing Units. Their role is non-confrontational and they provide a reassuring uniform presence in local communities.”

David Williams commented, “Crime in Cheshire has fallen by 7% and in Crewe and Nantwich the PCSOs have played a very important role in working with local residents to prevent crime and to improve the neighbourhoods themselves. They are seen as a valuable link between the residents and the Police Force, working in partnership with residents, Neighbourhood Forums and other agencies. Locally there are PCSOs who have won awards for the work that they have done and I fully support them in their efforts to improve our local neighbourhoods.”

David Williams presents cheque to ‘Bonus Ball’ winner

2010-01-28T22:25:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, presented a cheque for £100 to Aldin Francis at a local Labour Party meeting tonight.

At a meeting of the Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party, held at The Crewe Arms hotel last Thursday, David Williams presented a cheque to Aldin Francis who is the latest winner of the Labour Party ‘Bonus Ball’ scheme.

David said, “I am very often called on to speak at meetings and every so often I have the pleasure of being able to present a cheque. Tonight is one of those nights and I am very pleased to be able to present this cheque for £100 to Aldin Francis on behalf of the Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party.

Peter Kent, the local Labour Party Treasurer commented, “The ‘Bonus Ball’ scheme raises funds for the local party on a regular basis and provides a nice cheque for someone each month. Members of the scheme pay £5 a month and I am always pleased to enrol new members into the scheme.”

David Williams deplores Tory chief’s abuse of railway workers

2010-01-24T07:21:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has deplored the news that David Cameron’s Directory of Strategy abused railway workers.

Channel 4 News reported recently that Steve Hilton, one of David Cameron’s top advisers, was arrested over a train ticket dispute. Conservative Central Office confirmed that the Tory Leader’s Director of Strategy was fined £80 for disorder in October 2008. It is understood that Hilton was dashing to get the train back to London at the end of the party’s conference in Birmingham. He was asked to show his ticket, failed to produce it quickly and then got into a dispute with train staff. The police were called and he started to swear at the railway staff, He was promptly arrested and taken to a police station at Birmingham New Street. Once he had calmed down, he was issued with a penalty notice for disorder under Section 5 of the Public Disorder Act.

David Williams said, “I have a long history of campaigning for action to tackle violence, threats and abuse against workers. I am currently working with the Rail Unions for an additional penalty against those who assault workers in the course of their duties. Whilst on this occasion there was no physical violence, verbal abuse is extremely hurtful and distressing.”

David added, “I have spoken to workers who tell me that insults and swearing are all too common and that they dread the next customer who is going to give them a mouthful. I firmly believe that no worker should regard abuse as being part of the job. I call on all passengers to remember that rail workers are real people, doing the job they are paid to do and that they deserve our respect.”

David Williams welcomes new protection for agency workers

2010-01-22T07:23:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has welcomed the new regulations with give protection to Agency Workers from exploitation.

The Government has this week laid regulations in the House of Commons that, for the first time, will entitle agency workers to equal treatment on basic working an employment conditions, including pay and holidays, as if they had been recruited directly by the employer.

David Williams said, “This is a big step forward in ensuring fairness in the workplace, and it is something that I have campaigned for over many years. This is not just about protecting agency workers, as important as that it, The new regulations also protect permanently employed staff from being undercut by rogue employers.”

The new rules will come into force in October of next year.

David added, “In Crewe and Nantwich we have seen at first hand where local permanently employed staff have seen jobs disappear to agency working, often migrant labour on worse terms and conditions of employment. That exploitation is as wrong for migrant workers as it is for local workers and I am pleased that the Government is acting to make the situation fairer to all.”

Equal treatment means things such as pay, holidays, overtime, rest breaks and access to vacancies and facilities such as workplace crèches etc. The Government is introducing the new regulations with the agreement of Trades Unions and employers, but the Tory Party remains opposed to them.

David Williams commented, “I am by no means opposed to the employment of agency workers, indeed my wife is an Agency Supply Teacher,. I fully support the flexibility that offers to employers and employees alike. There is nothing wrong with companies and organisations using agency labour to meet peaks in demand, but when they do, they must act fairly with the workers and not exploit them.”

David concluded by saying, “Should the Tories win power at the next election, they are committed to scrapping this and other important employment rights. I was shocked to hear that the current MP for Crewe and Nantwich is opposed to these important new workplace rights. I can only assume that he either does not understand that there are workers in Crewe and Nantwich, and indeed across the country, that are being exploited by rogue traders, or that he is happy to see local workers undercut and local jobs disappear."

Latest Tory Poster!!!!

2010-01-16T07:45:00.002Z

Please click on the picture to enlarge

Veterans Minister visits Nantwich

2010-01-08T17:00:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, hosted a meeting today with Veterans Minister, Kevan Jones MP, and local representatives of Veterans and the Services organisations.

Early in December last year, David Williams was invited by the Nantwich branch of the Royal British Legion to address their meeting at the Conservative Club on Churchyardside in Nantwich, when he signed up to their ‘Do Your Bit’ campaign.

David said, “The Nantwich branch of the Royal British Legion made me very welcome and we had a very useful and fruitful discussion. The branch raised a few issues that I promised to take back and discuss with the appropriate Government Minister. As a result of that I thought it would be more helpful if I invited Kevan Jones MP, who is the Minister for Veterans, to come to Crewe and Nantwich and meet with representatives of The Royal British Legion and other organisations representing Veterans and members of the Armed Services so that he could hear their views at first hand.”

Kevan Jones MP said, “I was delighted to accept the invitation from David Williams to visit Crewe and Nantwich and listen directly to the concerns and views of local veterans. I have listened and will take those view back. Local veterans and serving soldiers and their families can be confident that they have a strong voice in David Williams and he will represent their views and concerns directly to me.”

The Minister added, “Labour regards the health and welfare of veterans and serving personnel very seriously. We are the first Government to have a Veterans Minister. People who have served our country deserve special recognition and, for me, that means special treatment. My job in Government is to make sure that our veterans are well looked after and I work closely with first rate organisations such as the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and Help for Heroes.”

Present at the meeting were representatives from the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, The Mercian Regiment, The Air Training Corp, The TA and various individual veterans.

David Williams said, “The Royal British Legion do great work for our Armed Services Family – our serving personnel, veterans and their families. I fully support the Legion’s ‘Do Your Bit’ campaign and I signed up to support that campaign last year. I was therefore delighted to welcome the Minister to Crewe and Nantwich in order to give local Veteran and Armed Services organisations the chance to have their say and hear about the Governments plans for the future.”

He added, “I share the concern expressed at the meeting about extremist protests in Wootton Bassett. We should have nothing but admiration for what that town does to recognise those brave people who have lost their lives and it is wrong for anyone to try to hijack their efforts for their own political gain. I was delighted that the Minister confirmed that the Government had stopped the planned protest. These extremist groups do not represent the vast majority of British Muslims who contribute a great deal to the armed forces and have done so for many decades.”

David concluded by saying, “I felt that we had a very productive and interesting discussion and I look forward to working closely with the Legion and others in future.”

Pictured: Kevan Jones MP, Minister for Veterans, with David Williams and the veterans who attended today's meeting.

David Williams welcomes the plans for a party leader debate and calls for a local debate

2010-01-04T07:28:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, today welcomed the agreement for a debate between the Party Leaders and called for a local debate between candidates.

David said, “I think it is absolutely right that politicians put themselves up for public scrutiny. The Prime Minister is quizzed on a weekly basis, but the Opposition Leaders never have to answer questions about their policies. The televised debates will rightly put the spotlight on all three major party leaders, and will give voters a real choice.”

David added, “It is time however for greater local accountability, and the Tories are falling a long way short of the mark. On Cheshire East Council they’ve banned supplementary questions from Councillors, and the current MP persistently refuses my calls for a public debate. Apparently he does not think it is in his interest to debate with me. Well I’m sorry he feels that way, but it is the interest of democracy that should be paramount, not the interest of personal gain. He continues to take pot-shots at the Government, run the country down, and tell blatant lies about Labour policy, but he will not subject himself to scrutiny or cross-examination.”

David concluded by saying, “The next election is about real choices and whilst some politicians play cynical games to suppress debate, the electorate will not engage. We have a duty to collectively rebuild people’s trust in politics, and that can only be achieved through open and honest debate.”

DAVID WILLIAMS CONDEMNS TORY POLICE PROPOSALS

2010-01-03T07:35:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has today called the Tory proposals to introduce elected Police Chiefs ‘a dangerous politicisation’ that could lead to extremism in our Police Forces.

David Cameron has pledged that a Tory Government would introduce locally elected ‘Commissioners’ to run Police Forces. The Tory proposals follow controversial comments made by Boris Johnson’s Deputy, Kit Malthouse, who claimed that the Tories now “have our hands on the tiller” of the Metropolitan Police.

David Williams said, “In London the Tories are already claiming that they have operational control of the police. Their proposals nationally are even more ominous. This politicisation of the police is extremely dangerous and only broad-based Police Authorities with Councillors and Independent Members can avoid the potential dangers of politicisation and extremism that a single elected person could create.”

David added, “The operational independence of Chief Officers is a crucial constitutional principle that no government should interfere with.”

Home Secretary Alan Johnson said, “We have never considered introducing elected Commissioners because we are clear that Chief Officers, and Chief Officers alone, are responsible for running their force – there can only be confusion and dysfunction under the Tories’ plans to introduce a second quasi-operational Commissioners. David Cameron’s proposals represent a dangerous politicisation of the police force and I have yet to meet a senior officer who supports it.”

The Tory plans have been described by Sir Hugh Orde, President of the Association of Chief Police Officers as “undemocratic” and Scotland Yard have expressed anger at the claims that the Tories are ‘running The Met’ and said that policing was “far too important to be used as a political football”.

David Williams commented, “Do we really want the police in Crewe and Nantwich to be run by one of the Tories on Cheshire East Council? This is a most dangerous right-wing proposal that could seriously undermine our local Police Force and must be opposed at all costs.”

Sleeping Beauty

2010-01-02T22:34:00.003Z

The family and I had a great evening out at the panto tonight.

"Oh no you didn't"

Oh yes we did.

Another superb production by the team at the Lyceum Theatre in Crewe.

We've been going every year since my eldest was a nipper and we've always had a great night out.

Being the last night the cast were having a party on stage, playing jokes on each other and generally having a great time with the audience loving it. The whole thing overran by 30 minutes, I'll certainly be doing the last night again.

It's a smashing theatre and should be cherished by all in Crewe and neighbouring areas.

I just hope the Council don't see it as an easy target for budget cuts. They were certainly looking at it last year.

Politicians from all sides, who support the Lyceum, must stand together and fight any attack on the theatre.

I hope many more choose to have a great night out at the Lyceum Theatre - an Edwardian delight.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T00:01:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich said, “I would like to give my best wishes to you for the new year.”

“2009 was challenging for many people, but evidence suggests that the Government's positive action to help people through these difficult times has made a real difference. That is why I backed the exceptional measures taken by Gordon Brown. With unemployment and home repossessions fewer than in previous recessions, it appears that the mistakes of the 1980s and early 1990s have not be repeated. That does not mean we should be complacent. The recovery is very fragile and we must continue throughout 2010 to help people back to work and invest in jobs. Now is not the time to abandon people, putting jobs and homes at risk.

"There is a real challenge for local politicians to work together for the future prosperity of Crewe and Nantwich. We need to get the Crewe Gateway Scheme up and running, with a station developed on it's existing site and a link road to the Basford development sites that could bring more than 7,000 jobs to the area. We need a town centre redevelopment and a new bus station to enable us to compete with neighbouring shopping destinations. And we need investment in training opportunities for young people so that they can have a good start to their working lives.

"Of course this year there will be a general election and people will have their say on a range of issues. Confidence in MPs is low and voters will be looking for an open and honest debate, which is the only way we can rebuild confidence in Parliamentary democracy.

"All the best for 2010."

Back the Ban

2009-12-26T07:15:00.000Z

backtheban.com

Happy Christmas

2009-12-25T07:05:00.003Z

David Williams, Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, said:

"Today is a very special day and I hope everyone enjoys themselves. It is particularly special for children and a chance for families to take a well earned breather from the daily grind.

"My thoughts are with those who have to work on Christmas Day and, particularly our emergency service workers and our armed forces, my thanks go out to them.

"There are of course people across the world who are living in much poorer circumstances than us. It is important that we remember them and direct some of our seasonal generosity towards tackling worldwide poverty. Political solutions are also crucial and it is incumbent upon all politicians to work towards a lasting worldwide settlement on conflict, famine, poverty and other humanitarian issues.

"Please accept my sincere best wishes and season’s greetings."

Make a difference today on world poverty, please visit the War On Want website

DAVID WILLIAMS ADDRESSES THE NANTWICH BRANCH OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

2009-12-18T07:21:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, was invited to address the Nantwich branch of The Royal British Legion at the Conservative Club on Churchyardside, and has signed up to their ‘Do Your Bit’ campaign.

David said, "The Royal British Legion does great work for our Armed Forces family – our serving personnel, veterans and their families. I fully support the Legion’s ‘Do Your Bit’ campaign and have already signed up in support of their campaign.”

The Royal British Legion have drawn up a manifesto for the next General Election and to ensure that the next Government does their bit for the whole Armed Forces family.

David Williams told the Nantwich branch that the Government has already announced a review of the Armed Forces Compensation scheme, with Admiral the Lord Boyce acting as an independent chair of the review. Ensuring that our Armed Forces have better accommodation has also been a priority of this Government in remedying decades of under investment. The Government has committed £3bn to enhancing accommodation over the next ten years. The 2009 pay award of 2.8% meant that for the third year running the Forces pay increase was amongst the highest in the public sector. Welfare support for casualties in hospitals has been much improved.

Last year the Government published the ‘Service Personnel Command Paper’ which the Royal British Legion praised at the time. Amongst the forty commitments in the paper are steps to ensure that:

• Service dependents can retain their place on an NHS waiting list when they move to a new area.

• Injured personnel can now access grants of up to £30,000 to adapt their home, without their compensation payments being means-tested. Seriously injured personnel are entitled to privileged access to affordable housing schemes in England.

• Priority status in affordable housing schemes across Great Britain, including the ability to apply 12 months after discharge.

David concluded, “The Nantwich branch of the Royal British Legion made me very welcome and we had a very useful and fruitful discussion. The branch raised a few issues that I will take back and discuss with the appropriate Government Minister.

DAVID WILLIAMS CONDEMNS RAILWAY STONE THROWERS

2009-12-14T07:42:00.001Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, strongly condemned the increase in the number of incidents of people throwing stones at railway trains.

David Williams, addressing a meeting of Labour supporters, said, “I am extremely concerned at the recent announcement by the British Transport Police regarding the increase in the number of incidents of young people throwing stones at passing trains. Fortunately no-one has been injured as yet.”

A recent report by the BT Police shows that the number of such incidents has increased over the past few weeks, and that children as young as ten have been seen throwing stones and other objects at trains in the Crewe area.

David said, “I welcome the moves by BT Police to step up their patrols and efforts to put a stop to this very dangerous practice. If a stone were to break one of the windows on the train then passengers could suffer terrible injuries. If the driver’s window was to be shattered, then a serious accident could result. The BT Police are quite right in treating these incidents as very serious and I support their actions to bring a stop to this dreadful and thoughtless practice.”

DAVID WILLIAMS CONGRATULATES LABOUR MERIT AWARD RECIPIENT

2009-12-11T07:04:00.004Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has congratulated Hon Alderman Peter Kent on receiving the prestigious Award of Merit from the Labour Party.

Hon Alderman Peter Kent was presented with the Labour Party’s prestigious ‘Award of Merit’ by David Williams and Stephen Twigg last week. The award recognises a lifetime’s dedication to the Labour Party.

David Williams said, “Peter joined the Labour Party at the age of 15 and has dedicated his life to working for our principles and policies. He has played a very important part in improving the lives of many people over the years and I am pleased that I and the Labour Party in general can show our appreciation of his work through this award.”

Stephen Twigg added, “This Award of Merit’ is usually given to Labour Party members who are nearing the twilight of their activities for the Party. Peter assures me that he has no intention of ‘winding-down’ just yet. His record of service to the Party and to the public in general speaks for itself and this award is a small recognition of that dedication.”

Peter Kent responded, “I have been proud to put my Socialist principles into practice and to help improve the quality of life through those principles. This award means a great deal to me and I am pleased and honoured to accept it. Stephen is quite correct in thinking that I have no intention whatsoever of ‘winding-down’, in fact it is quite the opposite. We have a mission in Crewe and Nantwich which is to get David Williams elected as the next MP. I knew Gwyneth Dunwoody for a long time, not only as an MP but also as a personal friend. I know of no better successor to her than David Williams.”

DAVID WILLIAMS WELCOMES LABOUR’S REDUCTION IN BINGO TAX

2009-12-10T07:54:00.000Z

David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has welcomed the reduction in Bingo Tax recently announced in the Pre-Budget Report, but wants it to go further.

David Williams said, "I very much welcome the move to reduce Bingo Tax from 22% to 20%. It shows that the Chancellor is listening and is prepared to act even when we are in the middle of a recession. However, I will continue to campaign for a further reduction to bring the tax in line with other forms of gambling."

At present the rate of tax applied to sport betting, betting exchanges, casino games, internet gambling and football pools is levied at 15 per cent. That also includes internet bingo.

David Williams went on to comment, "I do not understand why there is a separate bingo tax in the first place. It seems bizarre that online bingo has a lower tax levy than playing the same game in real life. I understand why that's infuriating for the bingo industry. Thousands of people in Crewe and Nantwich enjoy a night out at the bingo. I don't see why bingo hall owners are penalised in this way."

TORY TAX CREDIT PLANS WOULD HIT MILLIONS OF FAMILIES

2009-12-08T07:14:00.000Z

‘DAVID WILLIAMS HITS OUT AS THE TRUE COST OF TORY TAX CREDIT PLANS WOULD HIT MILLIONS OF MODEST INCOME FAMILIES’.

David Williams, the Labour Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, has issued a stark warning as the true cost of the Tory Tax Credit plans is revealed.

At the Tory Conference earlier this year, George Osborne outlined the Tories’ plan to get rid of the Child Tex Credit for households on more than £50,000 per year in total. They said that this would raise them £400million.

It emerged at the end of last week however that George Osborne has got his sums wrong and there is a real threat that a couple on as little as £16,000 each, less than the average earning, would be hit by the Tory proposals.

David Williams said, “Cutting Child Tax Credit for families on more than £50,000, far from raising £400 million, would only raise £45 million. If the Tories need to raise £400 million they would have to withdraw Child Tax Credit from millions of families on much more modest incomes. This is at the same time as the Tories are promising to give £200,000 to the riches estates through their inheritance tax cut.”

David continued, “It is not clear to me whether this huge miscalculation is down to George Osborne’s bad judgement, his inexperience, or whether it is something much more sinister. What is clear is that the Treasury figures expose how George Osborne has misled millions of people over the true scale of cuts he would make to their Tax Credits.”

David Williams went on to say, “The Tory proposals would severely hit many thousands of families in Crewe and Nantwich. At a time when we should be helping families I find it unbelievable that the Tories are not being honest and telling the people of Crewe and Nantwich just what their proposals will actually mean to them. I am totally opposed to these moves to remove Child Tax Credits.”

Tax Credits Online

STEPHEN TWIGG AT LABOUR PARTY CURRY NIGHT

2009-12-04T07:20:00.001Z

The Bombay Restaurant in High Street Crewe was packed to the rafters last Thursday when Crewe and Nantwich Labour Party held a ‘Curry Night’ and listened to Stephen Twigg speak in support of David Williams, the Labour Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich.

In introducing Stephen Twigg as Guest Speaker, David Williams said, “Stephen will forever be remembered as the man who won the Enfield Southgate constituency from the then Tory Cabinet Minister Michael Portillo in the 1997 General Election. He held the seat with an increased majority at the 2001 election and subsequently served as Parliamentary Secretary to The Leader of the House of Commons Robin Cook and in 2002 became a junior minister in the Department for Education and Skills. In 2004 he was promoted to Minister of State for Schools.”

Stephen Twigg gave an entertaining talk. He spoke in support of David Williams saying, “David is just the person to win back Crewe and Nantwich for Labour. His contacts through his work for USDAW make him an ideal candidate and I am sure that after the General Election we will see David Williams MP.”

David Williams backs World AIDS Day

2009-12-01T07:46:00.001Z

David Williams today backed World AIDS Day to raise awareness of the plight of the more than 33 million people around the world living with HIV.

Every day, over 6,000 people become infected with HIV and over 5,000 people die from AIDS. An estimated 1.9 million people were newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa last year, bringing to 22.4 million the number of people living with HIV. Around 14 million children have been orphaned due to AIDS.

Douglas Alexander, Labour’s International Development Secretary, said: “We have made tackling this disease a top priority and I am proud that, under Labour, the UK has become the 2nd largest funder tackling HIV/AIDS. We are committed to investing £6 billion to achieving the goal of universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes, treatment, care and support. We can make a difference, if we show the political will to act.”

David Williams said:“Access to AIDS services across the developing world remains unacceptably low. Most prevention strategies are available to fewer than 1 in 5 people who need them. But we can make a difference. Labour’s continued commitment to overseas aid and support for health services in poor countries is vital to tackling this devastating epidemic.”

Labour is investing:
• £6bn up to 2015 targeted at strengthening sustainable health systems.
• £1bn for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tubercolosis and Malaria to 2015.
• A 50% increase in funding for research and development of AIDS vaccines and microbicides.
• £90 million to UNITAID to increase access to paediatric care.
• Targeting women for access to anti-retrovirals to reduce mother-to-child transmission.

Labour is making progress in the fight against HIV/AIDs:
• more than 4 million people can now access anti-retrovirals, compared to just 100,000people who received treatment back in 2001.
• the rate of new HIV infections has been reduced, with the most progress seen in sub-Saharan Africa
• The percentage of the world’s population living with HIV has levelled off.
• Since 2004, 20 times more people have access to life-saving treatment. Since 2003 the price of first line AIDS drugs has halved.