Politics

Political round-up Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher Sunak could weaken Truss’s strong line

My Private Member’s Bill to reduce the maximum annual increase in pitch fees for park home residents from RPI to CPI passed all its stages in the House of Commons on Friday, November 18. It is the first time since 1998 that a Backbencher has achieved this which is some consolation that it took me several attempts in earlier years to persuade the Government to agree. The Bill will now be considered in the House of Lords and, hopefully, will become law in the New Year. This is good news for thousands of park home residents across Dorset. As Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Park Homes, I recognise that there is still much work to do on their behalf because Government still treats them as a forgotten minority. nListening to the Autumn Statement setting out the Government’s latest plans for taxes and spending was a grim experience. The extent of the Chancellor’s attack on the living standards of almost everyone was highlighted by the fact that MPs were left cheering the retention of the triple lock despite both the current Prime Minister and his predecessor having publicly affirmed their commitment to honouring that pledge in the Conservative 2019 General Election manifesto. Earlier, the Government had inexplicably asked Conservative MPs to abstain on a motion in the House of Commons to honour the Government’s own pledge. As the only Conservative MP who supported that motion, it was gratifying to receive a congratulatory email from a constituent in the following terms: ‘I do like the fact that you are prepared to take a stand for what you believe in. I love a rebel – that is what democracy is all about and it obviously went just a small way towards the Chancellor’s decision. Well done’. nThe strong line which Liz Truss rightly took against China is in danger of being weakened by Rishi Sunak. I, therefore, asked him whether he agreed that: ‘Putin was emboldened to attack Ukraine by the continual appeasement from west democracies over many years’. I enquired as to why he doesn’t think that a similar appeasement of the Chinese dictatorship will result in a similar disaster. The Prime Minister’s response was: ‘Our approach to China is in complete alignment with the United States, Canada and Australia. ‘It is one that is clear-eyed about the challenges that China poses to our values, interests and economic security, which is why it is right that we take robust action to defend ourselves against that, as we saw with the recent decision on Chinese investment in a sensitive industry in this country’. Please let me have your assessment on whether you are reassured by the Prime Minister’s response.

Christchurch & East Dorset CHRIS CHOPE MP

It’s hello to austerity, and goodbye from me

On first glance, the budget (AKA Autumn Statement) wasn’t as bad as many people feared. As I wrote in my previous column, the Government scares us all through threatening to sacrifice sacred cows like the triple lock on pensions or Sizewell C, but in the event deploys an intricate set of smoke and mirrors to hide the real pain. On income, whilst the 20% and 40% headline rates may have not been increased, the thresholds at which people start paying them have been frozen in cash terms. Yes, I know Gordon Brown used similar ‘stealth tax’ raises but, under him, people’s incomes and our public services were indisputably in a better state. Conversely, with this Conservative government, we are all poorer. We are set to experience the largest fall in disposable income since the late 1940s. The UK is the only country with an economy smaller than before Covid-19. Despite the rhetoric of a ‘recession made in Russia’, the fact is other G7 nations that are more dependent on imported Russian gas are still doing better than the UK. On public spending, the Government has broken its commitment in its 2019 manifesto and will run a budget deficit for day to day spending (rather than only borrowing for capital investment). It’s also shunted the bulk of spending cuts to – you guessed it! – after the next election. The Autumn Statement wasn’t good news for local authorities either. A 5% tax rise in Dorset seems inevitable, especially since Dorset receives no central government funding. Whilst the reduction in business rates for small retailers confirmed in the Autumn Statement is welcome, that will also (unless I am misunderstanding something) reduce the amount of business rates Dorset gets to keep as its share. So expect a further squeeze on local authority-delivered public services. Expect more of what Dorset Council are trying to do on library services. As Shaftesbury town councillor Andy Hollingshead had pointed out, their consultation on library opening hours doesn’t even allow you to say you want the library to open the same times as it does currently. Instead, you’re presented with a cut of 25-50% in opening hours, and you can merely tick a box for when it remains open. n Finally, a little announcement. I have taken up a different job that requires me to be rather more circumspect politically. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your view...) this means I won’t be able to write a column on national or party political issues any more. So, most of the Labour columns will be written by Alan Cross going forward. Thanks for reading my wittering, and I’m sure you’ll hear from me again on my local hobby horses from time to time.

Dorset Labour GREG WILLIAMS

by Lorraine Gibson

As the latest series of I’m a Celebrity ends , one of its most popular previous winners, Harry Redknapp, swung into Christchurch with his wife Sandra to launch an online art auction in support of Macmillan’s new Mac Unit hospice. Called Canvas for the Mac, the auction, features dozens of signed canvas artworks, doodles, sketches and lyrics by well-known names from the worlds of TV, sport, art and music, all of which has been ‘brought to life’ by artists and is availablke by online until Thursday, December 8. All money raised goes straight to Macmillan Caring Locally which is raising funds to create a modern Macmillan unit in the grounds of Christchurch Hospital, which already provides palliative care and support for more than 1,600 people and their families a year. Harry and Sandra attended a preview of some of the canvases at the Captain’s Club, Christchurch, which sponsored the event and Harry chatted to supporters, nursing staff from the unit, and several of the artists who turned the celeb’s works into desirable auction lots. Posing in front of some sports-themed canvases, which include Marcus Rashford, Leah Williamson, Gareth Southgate and Eddie Howe, Harry urged fans to bid for a memento of their favourite famous person. “I’m in great company here!” he joked, “There are some fabulous canvases featuring some really famous people. “I hope fans will go online and bag themselves a unique piece of memorabilia whilst also helping the Mac Unit, which provides such outstanding care to so many patients and their families each year.” Other celebrities who’ve signed canvases include Ricky Gervais, Martin Clunes, Sir David Jason, Howard, Gary and Mark from Take That and Queen guitarist, Brian May. Artworks carry a certificate of authenticity and where possible, a photo of their wellknown creators. The Canvas For The Mac auction is online until Thursday, December 8, at: the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auctioncatalogues/excaliburauctions/catalogue-idexcali10074.

START THE BIDDING: Harry Redknapp and wife Sandra at the auction launch in aid of the Mac Unit at Christchurch Hospital Picture: DEEP SOUTH MEDIA

by Lorraine Gibson

A schoolgirl has pledged to clean a mile of Dorset beach every week of the year to raise vital funds for rural Cambodian communities. Scarlet Sutcliffe has taken on a challenge to clean 60 miles of South West coastline to raise money for the trip abroad to help with charity projects, including community development and wildlife and environmental conservation. “Picking up litter is easy but it has such a big impact,” says the 15-year-old Queen Elizabeth School pupil. “I want to help people and when Camps International came and talked about going to Cambodia to make a difference by volunteering within rural communities I had to take it!” “It’s a huge undertaking. I have to raise £4,500 to get there which is why I am doing the beach clean in hope that people will sponsor me.” “I really care about the environment and helping others less fortunate than me so I chose to do this trip but also to do my bit for the local area. “Every pound I raise is going to a good cause and I’ve already recycled two thirds of the litter - mostly plastic or glass bottles, cans and coffee cups.’’ So far, Scarlet has completed eight miles along Sandbanks and Durdle Door, filling bin liners with rubbish and rating each location’s cleanliness on an Instagram journal. “The plan is to cover as much of the Dorset coastline as possible. Next on my list are Mudeford and Hengistbury Head.” I point out that picking up other people’s trash is a rubbish - and potentially hazardous - job. She agrees but she’s determined and, importantly, well prepared. “It’s upsetting that people have such little regard for our planet - not just those who leave litter but also those who walk past it without picking it up. “I’m grateful to Wimborne War on Waste who’ve kindly loaned me gloves, a litter picker and robust bags made of recycled tents.” She will spend four weeks in Cambodia in 2024, supporting the expedition’s core objectives to raise the educational and living standards of developing communities and assist with ongoing conservation programs. Scarlet’s take on Greta Thunberg? “I admire anyone who is passionate about doing good things and is willing to speak up for what they believe in, so she’s a good role model.” To help, visit gofund. me/8da523f7 And you can follow her beach clean journey on Instagram at Challenge_Cambodia_2024 campsinternational.com.