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Campaigns / February 2005
Stop Illegal Meat Trade
Since becoming an MP, I have campaigned vigorously for the introduction of tougher measures in controlling the smuggling of illegal meat into the country as well as heavier penalties for those who commit the crime. The trade in illegal meat is every bit as serious as the illegal drug and arms trade, with perhaps more widespread and lethal consequences when contaminated meat infects mainstream food products. Around 12 thousand tons of illegal meat makes it into the country each year and experts estimate that the trade accounts for over £1bn, making it the third most lucrative crime in the UK.
Published 24th February 2005
Council Tax Re-banding
Mobile homes are supposed to be exempt from Council Tax. However, according to current legislation, residents can be taxed according to the value of the land on which their mobile home is stationed. Recent re-bandings by the Welsh Assembly have meant that some owners have been moved from Band A (the lowest level of Council Tax) to Band C. This was based on valuations of the land on which the homes were situated, which were well above the market rate.
Published 24th February 2005
Daniel Morgan
Daniel Morgan, a private detective and father of two from Llanfrehfa, was found axed to death in a South London pub in 1987. Despite an inquest and four separate independent police inquiries, no one has yet been charged with his murder. His mother, Isobel Hulsman from Hay-on-Wye, and his brother Alastair Morgan have, with the help of friends and MPs, devoted the last 17 years of their lives to bring the case to the public's and government's attention.
Published 24th February 2005
Give Gurkhas full British Citizenship
Gurkhas have, in some form or another, provided loyal service to the Crown since 1815 when they joined the British East India Company. In 1947, when the Company was disbanded after India's Independence, the 10 existing Gurkha regiments were split up as a result of the Tripartite Agreement (an agreement between the Gurkha's homeland of Nepal, India - where they served - and Britain, for whom they served). Four regiments were formally transferred into the British Army, forming the Brigade of Gurkhas, and the remaining six regiments were amalgamated with the newly formed Indian Army. The four British Gurkha regiments were moved to the Far East where they developed their expertise in jungle warfare and acquired the distinguished reputation that they still enjoy today.
Published 24th February 2005
Local Services and Facilities
One of the defining features of my 4 years in Parliament has been the recurring need to fight to save local services. From post offices, to telephone boxes, from sports centres to local pubs, I have campaigned relentlessly to protect the things that form such a vital part of our everyday lives.
Published 24th February 2005
Magistrates Courts
Proposals were made by the Dyfed Powys Magistrates Courts Committee to close magistrates courts in Ystradgynlais and Llandrindod Wells causing a great deal of concern throughout the constituency. The size of Brecon and Radnorshire, and the Mid-Wales area in general, means that it is often very difficult for people to have access to basic community services. Courts are by any definition an essential public service.
Published 24th February 2005
Miners' Compensation
Many former coal miners suffer from severe respiratory problems. This is caused by the coal dust they inhaled while working in the mines, because they were not provided with the appropriate protective equipment. A number of others suffer from a condition known as Vibration White Finger (VWF), as a result of the damaging vibrating tools and equipment they used, again without the protection they needed. Following major court action in the 1990s, the government was forced to agree a compensation scheme for both respiratory disease and VWF sufferers.
Published 24th February 2005
Safe Play Equipment
In the run-up to the 2001 elections, New Labour pledged £200m of Lottery money to fund a free and safe play equipment scheme. After the elections, former Secretary of State for Health Frank Dobson MP, was commissioned to look into the matter and produce a report which would set out a detailed framework for the spending of the lottery grant. The report was published on 21 January 2004 and recommended that local authorities be given the power to spend the money according to recommendations made by local residents.
Published 24th February 2005
Save Our Phone Boxes
The red phone box is something of a national institution. However, the rise of mobile technology is now threatening this vital public service in towns and cities across the UK.
Published 24th February 2005
Tan 8 and Windfarms
The Liberal Democrats are renowned for their green policies and in Wales, where the unspoiled countryside is an essential part of our national heritage, this is particularly important. Preventing global warming has become a priority for all signatories to the Kyoto agreement and developing renewable and sustainable energy sources is essential to safeguard our environment for the enjoyment of future generations.
Published 24th February 2005
Axe the Tax
The Liberal Democrats believe council tax is fundamentally unfair and should be abolished. The banding system puts a ceiling on what the richest pay, and a floor under what the poorest pay. This problem is exacerbated by the inefficient council tax benefit system and the fact that your council tax bill is totally unrelated to what you earn. People on low incomes can pay more than many top earners. Because council tax is unrelated to people's ability to pay, it hits hard those people struggling on low and modest incomes . It is a scandal that the poorest 20% of people pay on average nearly 6 times more in council tax, as a share of income, than the richest 20% of people.
Published 24th February 2005
Supermarket Code of Practice
The Supermarket Code of Practice was drawn up by the market watchdog, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), in 2001 to ensure that farmers got a fair deal when selling their goods to supermarkets. However, an OFT report in April 2004 showed that not a single farmer had used the Code since it was introduced, fearing the lack of anonymity and a potential loss of business if complaints were made.
Published 18th February 2005
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