http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articlearchive.php Recent Press Articles from Sittingbourne and Sheppey Liberal Democrats en-GB Sittingbourne and Sheppey Liberal Democrats http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/ Prater Raines Ltd http://www.praterraines.co.uk/ (c) 2010 Sittingbourne and Sheppey Liberal Democrats 2010-07-30T13:30+01:00 United Kingdom http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000015/pupil_premium_is_a_real_liberal_democrat_achievement.html I came into politics to make a difference for the most disadvantaged in our society. It is over three years since I, as Liberal Democrat education spokesperson, championed the Pupil Premium as our flagship education policy and debated it at Conference. I never dared imagine a time when I would be unveiling it as Government policy and then actually implementing it. But this week, the Coalition Government announced that a Pupil Premium, funded from outside the schools budget, will be introduced next September. It will mean that from next year, schools taking disadvantaged children will get the additional money they need to provide them with the extra support they deserve, no matter where they are in the country. This could mean more individual tuition or catch-up classes, but it will be for the school to decide, we won't be telling headteachers how to spend the money. 2010-07-27T14:30+01:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000014/letter_in_gazette_120710.html I find it interesting given the whole economic crisis was mainly caused by the greediness of the banking industry that there should be some voting in the European parliament against cash bonus caps on top bankers. However given that the banks can only make a mess of people's lives if we let them, surely it is time that opinion leaders including the churches made sure that their own money is deposited with banks or building societies that pursued ethical policies. 2010-07-14T09:15+01:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000013/winning_fairer_votes_we_need_to_inspire_enthuse_and_persuade.html Today I announced that, for the first time, the British people will have a choice about the system they use to elect their MPs. On May 5th 2011, there will be a referendum on whether to adopt the Alternative Vote. 2010-07-06T10:07+01:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000012/letter_in_east_kent_gazette_05052010.html I was intrigued by Martin Clarke's comments on drugs. One item which has rarely hit the headlines is that whilst drink and driving still cause of many road accidents including fatal one that drugs whilst not so important as a cause of fatal accidents is an increasing factor. 2010-05-05T11:18+01:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000011/letter_in_east_kent_gazette_28042010.html I was intrigued by Lord Adonis visit to Sittingbourne on 15th April. As a political opponent I thought that he listened well and I know that he has managed unlike many ministers of transport of different political complexions to be well regarded by many in the transport industry. I am sorry that the question afterwards did not mention the topics of safety . Whilst the number of dealt in the U.K. because of road accidents has gone down considerably around 3000 deaths and many serious injuries is still too high as anyone who has suffered bereavement will know. Could we not look at the imposition in many residential; roads of a 20 mph limit. This is done in Germany with a speed limit of 30 kph around 19 mph . Because of likely fuel shortages and to improve safety should we not also be looking at cyber cars for which there have been experiments in Daventry? 2010-04-28T11:25+01:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000010/east_kent_gazette_21st_april_2010.html As an author of 13 textbooks including 4 economics textbooks I note with interest the comments about the economy at General election time. 2010-04-22T11:02+01:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000009/lost_labours.html Today I launched my pamphlet, Lost labours, with Nick Clegg. As somebody who has a long involvement with the Labour party, including editing the New Statesman magazine, I have been able to give a frank and honest appraisal of a decade and a half of New Labour. And in it I explain why I can no longer support them, and am instead turning to the Liberal Democrats. 2010-03-09T18:47+00:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000008/haiti_and_aftermath.html I know little about Haiti but as an owner and founder of a Nairobi college in Kenya I know a little about third world poverty. As an author of 12 text books including 4 economics textbooks can I suggest that we go through the syndicalist route or similar rather than the traditional public sector / private route where many of us find ourselves alienated from the bureaucracy. 2010-02-26T18:47+00:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000007/letter_to_east_kent_gazette.html Dear Sirs 2010-01-15T10:16+00:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000006/letter_to_east_kent_gazette.html I note with interest Angela Harrison's comments about parking charges at hospitals. Has she considered the problems of people who do not have cars in the first place? It is difficult to get information about the local bus services. Kent county council no longer publish a comprehensive timetable for Sittingbourne or Sheppey which they did at one stage and which would be helpful now since it often requires more than one operator to get to say Medway hospital and individual operator's timetables do not show this. 2009-12-16T16:16+00:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000005/letter_to_east_kent_gazette.html Dear Sir 2009-11-06T13:15+00:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000004/letter_to_east_kent_gazette.html Dear Madam 2009-11-06T13:12+00:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000003/letter_to_east_kent_gazette.html Dear Sir /madam 2009-10-23T09:56+01:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000002/seize_the_opportunity.html This is an extraordinary moment in British politics. Political and economic crises mean that great changes are possible - and I want Liberal Democrats to seize the opportunity ahead. 2009-06-08T23:43+01:00 http://www.swale-libdems.org.uk/articles/000001/its_time_to_do_things_differently.html Britain is facing a difficult year. 2008-12-31T09:12+00:00