Islington politicians clash on BBC

31st March 2006

Emily Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury and Baroness Sarah Ludford, Lib Dem MEP for London clashed on the BBC’s Daily Politics.

Highlights from the show include:

Economic Growth and Investment in Public Services

‘We’ve just gone into the tenth year of continual growth in this country. The economy has never done so well, as it has done now. Of course we have difficulties, I’m not going to pretend that we don’t. Fundamentally the economy is doing well and we’re investing in public services. When push comes to shove that’s what real politics is about’

Lib Dems want to ‘chop baby bonds’

Lib Dem MEP Baroness Ludford today said that she wants to ‘chop baby bonds’ when grilled by Labour MP Emily Thornberry on the BBC 2 Daily Politics show.

Whilst Baroness Ludford attempted to defend Lib Dem plans to cut public services, Emily pointed out that she hadn’t mentioned the Lib Dems plans to scrap the Child Trust Fund.

Sarah Ludford confirmed then said: ‘We are going to chop baby bonds’.

Following the programme Emily said:

‘Baby Bonds are an investment in our children’s future and are specially targeted for children from poor families. They aim provide a nest egg for youngsters starting out in life, but the Lib Dems want them scrapped’

The Child Trust Fund is a long term savings and investment account. Children born after 1st September 2002 are eligible for at least £250 to start off the account, with children from the poorest families receiving £500. Up to £1200 each year can be saved in the account by parents, family or friends. Gordon Brown announced in the latest budget that a further £250 will be put in children’s accounts when they reach 7, with children from the poorest families receiving £500.

‘They’re laughing at Ming’ says Daily Politics host Sally Magnusson

Whilst Baroness tried to defend the hapless new Lib Dem leader Ming Campbell she was stopped in her tracks by Daily Politics host Sally Magnusson. Sally brought Baroness Ludford back to reality, saying ‘but they are actually laughing at Ming now, don’t you think?’.

Lib Dem plans to privatise our Royal Mail

Emily and Baroness Ludford also clashed over Lib Dem plans to privatise the Royal Mail. The plans are opposed by the Labour Government which promised in its manifesto to keep the Royal Mail in public ownership.

Commenting on the clash, Roger Charles, CWU Branch Secretary from Mount Pleasant said:

“The Lib Dem privatisation plans would threaten customer services, represent bad value for money, whilst doing nothing for the average Royal Mail worker. It shows how right wingers like Baroness Ludford have got control of the Lib Dems. That’s why Lib Dem Lord Greaves described the plans as moving the Lib Dems ‘to the right of David Cameron’. We’re glad that Emily is standing up to the Lib Dems on this. The government made a manifesto promise to keep Royal Mail public and it looks like they’re going to keep their promise.”

After the show, Emily said:

‘I want to see exactly what our manifesto said – a publicly-owned Royal Mail, fully restored to good health, providing customers with excellent service and its employees with rewarding employment. The Lib Dems plans would mean the opposite’

Labour’s Record on the Royal Mail and Post Office

·        The Labour manifesto said: “We want to see a publicly-owned Royal Mail, fully restored to good health, providing customers with excellent service and its employees with rewarding employment”.

·        Labour’s track record shows commitment to support Royal Mail and Post Offices:

o       The Government has invested over £2 billion in supporting Post Offices since 1997.

o       Since 2003 the Government has provided £150 million per year to ensure Post Offices can stay open where they are needed. Since 2000 not a single rural Post Office has been closed unless it has been impossible to find new management.

o       Just last month the Government secured European backing for £300 million in government support for Post Office over the next two years

o       94% of people live within 1 mile of a Post Office

Notes:

Daily Politics website http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/the_daily_politics/