Jordan's Journal

Last week I joined students at the University of Essex in Colchester to launch a week of activities marking Holocaust Memorial Day. Along with our Labour MEP Richard Howitt, we rallied students to back the Holocaust Memorial Trust’s 2009 campaign message - ‘Stand Up to Hatred’.

I was delighted that Richard could join us. His role as Vice-President of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee and a Foreign Affairs spokesman for the European Labour Party provided an invaulable sight into Europe's role in promoting and protecting our human rights.

Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us of the horrors that can happen when hatred goes unopposed and only by working together with hope, not hate, can we protect future generations from such tragedy. For me, isupporting this eyar's campaign message is very important. Acts of hatred always involve making a choice. We can choose to attack, to abuse and to stand back and do nothing – or we choose to resist, to respect, to protect and that is what we are doing by supporting this campaign.

I am a strong believer that we cannot afford to see the talents of our diverse communities be wasted. That is why Labour is determined to ensure that everyone in Britain can make the most of their talents regardless of their age, gender, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. However, we do recognise that there is still more to do to attack prejudice and to ensure that everyone is treated equally. That is why it is so important to 'Stand Up To Hatred' in 2009.

Last week I joined students at the University of Essex in Colchester to launch a week of activities marking Holocaust Memorial Day. Along with our Labour MEP Richard Howitt, we rallied students to back the Holocaust Memorial Trust’s 2009 campaign message - ‘Stand Up to Hatred’.

I was delighted that Richard could join us. His role as Vice-President of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee and a Foreign Affairs spokesman for the European Labour Party provided an invaulable sight into Europe's role in promoting and protecting our human rights.

Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us of the horrors that can happen when hatred goes unopposed and only by working together with hope, not hate, can we protect future generations from such tragedy. For me, isupporting this eyar's campaign message is very important. Acts of hatred always involve making a choice. We can choose to attack, to abuse and to stand back and do nothing – or we choose to resist, to respect, to protect and that is what we are doing by supporting this campaign.

I am a strong believer that we cannot afford to see the talents of our diverse communities be wasted. That is why Labour is determined to ensure that everyone in Britain can make the most of their talents regardless of their age, gender, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. However, we do recognise that there is still more to do to attack prejudice and to ensure that everyone is treated equally. That is why it is so important to 'Stand Up To Hatred' in 2009.

Last week I joined students at the University of Essex in Colchester to launch a week of activities marking Holocaust Memorial Day. Along with our Labour MEP Richard Howitt, we rallied students to back the Holocaust Memorial Trust’s 2009 campaign message - ‘Stand Up to Hatred’.

I was delighted that Richard could join us. His role as Vice-President of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee and a Foreign Affairs spokesman for the European Labour Party provided an invaulable sight into Europe's role in promoting and protecting our human rights.

Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us of the horrors that can happen when hatred goes unopposed and only by working together with hope, not hate, can we protect future generations from such tragedy. For me, isupporting this eyar's campaign message is very important. Acts of hatred always involve making a choice. We can choose to attack, to abuse and to stand back and do nothing – or we choose to resist, to respect, to protect and that is what we are doing by supporting this campaign.

I am a strong believer that we cannot afford to see the talents of our diverse communities be wasted. That is why Labour is determined to ensure that everyone in Britain can make the most of their talents regardless of their age, gender, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. However, we do recognise that there is still more to do to attack prejudice and to ensure that everyone is treated equally. That is why it is so important to 'Stand Up To Hatred' in 2009.

The inaugeration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of United States yesterday marked a new chapter in the history of America's relations with Britain. Even through the tough and testing eight years of the Bush Presidency, I believe our relations with the US will remain strong.

Britain and America have shared values and indeed, shared political priorities. These shared priorities range from Afghanistan and the Middle East to Climate Change. President Obama has already set out clear, detailed policies on how he will tackle the global financial crisis and I am sure that over the coming days will get a similar clear picture of the foreign policy the Obama administration intends to pursue. We have already seen how Mr Obama intends to tread a different course from his predecessor with the closure of Guantanamo Bay. The UK has already expressed its commitment to human rights by calling for the closure.

The media will never the less be fussing over which foreign leader Mr Obama seeks to engage first; but it is not a question of who's is the first presidential plane in Washington or who is first world leader welcomed to The White House. After all, Jacques Chirac was the first world leader to visit George W. Bush in 2001, and that certainly didn't turn out to be a special relationship!

Barack Obama brings to the Oval Office as sense of calmness and a sense of consistency. The no fuss, no drama approach of President Obama that we have seen will be welcomed as the United States seeks to re-engage with the world.

The inaugeration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of United States yesterday marked a new chapter in the history of America's relations with Britain. Even through the tough and testing eight years of the Bush Presidency, I believe our relations with the US will remain strong.

Britain and America have shared values and indeed, shared political priorities. These shared priorities range from Afghanistan and the Middle East to Climate Change. President Obama has already set out clear, detailed policies on how he will tackle the global financial crisis and I am sure that over the coming days will get a similar clear picture of the foreign policy the Obama administration intends to pursue. We have already seen how Mr Obama intends to tread a different course from his predecessor with the closure of Guantanamo Bay. The UK has already expressed its commitment to human rights by calling for the closure.

The media will never the less be fussing over which foreign leader Mr Obama seeks to engage first; but it is not a question of who's is the first presidential plane in Washington or who is first world leader welcomed to The White House. After all, Jacques Chirac was the first world leader to visit George W. Bush in 2001, and that certainly didn't turn out to be a special relationship!

Barack Obama brings to the Oval Office as sense of calmness and a sense of consistency. The no fuss, no drama approach of President Obama that we have seen will be welcomed as the United States seeks to re-engage with the world.

The inaugeration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of United States yesterday marked a new chapter in the history of America's relations with Britain. Even through the tough and testing eight years of the Bush Presidency, I believe our relations with the US will remain strong.

Britain and America have shared values and indeed, shared political priorities. These shared priorities range from Afghanistan and the Middle East to Climate Change. President Obama has already set out clear, detailed policies on how he will tackle the global financial crisis and I am sure that over the coming days will get a similar clear picture of the foreign policy the Obama administration intends to pursue. We have already seen how Mr Obama intends to tread a different course from his predecessor with the closure of Guantanamo Bay. The UK has already expressed its commitment to human rights by calling for the closure.

The media will never the less be fussing over which foreign leader Mr Obama seeks to engage first; but it is not a question of who's is the first presidential plane in Washington or who is first world leader welcomed to The White House. After all, Jacques Chirac was the first world leader to visit George W. Bush in 2001, and that certainly didn't turn out to be a special relationship!

Barack Obama brings to the Oval Office as sense of calmness and a sense of consistency. The no fuss, no drama approach of President Obama that we have seen will be welcomed as the United States seeks to re-engage with the world.

Today, the Govrnment has announced at £20 billion package of measure to help small businesses across the country. The move is another measure from a Government that is offering real help now for people affected by the economic downturn.

Here in Colchester, we are seeing at first hand the growing effect of the economy downturn on local businesses and local jobs. Indeed, recent statistics have shown that unemployment in our area is now at 49%.

Earlier this week, I was shopping at Zaavi in Culver Square and was encouraged by the professionalism on show from the staff at the branch despite the ever growing uncertainty regarding their own jobs. It was a similar professionalism shown by their colleagues at the nearby Woolworths store, which has closed after 94 years of trading. I was also very sad to learn that a number of smaller businesses in the town have closed over the last few weeks.

The loss of a job is a massive personal tragedy, not only to for those immediately affected but for the families and other dependents. The effects of the Woolworths closure and the uncertainty of other businesses in our town have made a distressing start to the New Year.

I support the actions the Government is taking to help those who have lost their jobs due to the current period of international economic turbulence. £20 million worth of measures to help businesses and families were announced before Christmas, and included the 2.5% VAT cut which will put £12.4bn into the economy. Business will also be supported with extra loans and deferred tax payments, while unemployment will be tackled by bringing forward capital projects to provide jobs right now when the economy is under pressure.

These extra measures are both short-term actions, to help individuals and businesses cope with the current economic difficulties, and also long-term reforms that I believe are vital to boost skills and employment. They are a stark contrast to the 'Do Nothing' Conservative Party and their 'No Action' Plan.

Supporting the economy, business and hard working people is a key priority for Labour, both in Colchester and across Britain

Today, the Govrnment has announced at £20 billion package of measure to help small businesses across the country. The move is another measure from a Government that is offering real help now for people affected by the economic downturn.

Here in Colchester, we are seeing at first hand the growing effect of the economy downturn on local businesses and local jobs. Indeed, recent statistics have shown that unemployment in our area is now at 49%.

Earlier this week, I was shopping at Zaavi in Culver Square and was encouraged by the professionalism on show from the staff at the branch despite the ever growing uncertainty regarding their own jobs. It was a similar professionalism shown by their colleagues at the nearby Woolworths store, which has closed after 94 years of trading. I was also very sad to learn that a number of smaller businesses in the town have closed over the last few weeks.

The loss of a job is a massive personal tragedy, not only to for those immediately affected but for the families and other dependents. The effects of the Woolworths closure and the uncertainty of other businesses in our town have made a distressing start to the New Year.

I support the actions the Government is taking to help those who have lost their jobs due to the current period of international economic turbulence. £20 million worth of measures to help businesses and families were announced before Christmas, and included the 2.5% VAT cut which will put £12.4bn into the economy. Business will also be supported with extra loans and deferred tax payments, while unemployment will be tackled by bringing forward capital projects to provide jobs right now when the economy is under pressure.

These extra measures are both short-term actions, to help individuals and businesses cope with the current economic difficulties, and also long-term reforms that I believe are vital to boost skills and employment. They are a stark contrast to the 'Do Nothing' Conservative Party and their 'No Action' Plan.

Supporting the economy, business and hard working people is a key priority for Labour, both in Colchester and across Britain

Today, the Govrnment has announced at £20 billion package of measure to help small businesses across the country. The move is another measure from a Government that is offering real help now for people affected by the economic downturn.

Here in Colchester, we are seeing at first hand the growing effect of the economy downturn on local businesses and local jobs. Indeed, recent statistics have shown that unemployment in our area is now at 49%.

Earlier this week, I was shopping at Zaavi in Culver Square and was encouraged by the professionalism on show from the staff at the branch despite the ever growing uncertainty regarding their own jobs. It was a similar professionalism shown by their colleagues at the nearby Woolworths store, which has closed after 94 years of trading. I was also very sad to learn that a number of smaller businesses in the town have closed over the last few weeks.

The loss of a job is a massive personal tragedy, not only to for those immediately affected but for the families and other dependents. The effects of the Woolworths closure and the uncertainty of other businesses in our town have made a distressing start to the New Year.

I support the actions the Government is taking to help those who have lost their jobs due to the current period of international economic turbulence. £20 million worth of measures to help businesses and families were announced before Christmas, and included the 2.5% VAT cut which will put £12.4bn into the economy. Business will also be supported with extra loans and deferred tax payments, while unemployment will be tackled by bringing forward capital projects to provide jobs right now when the economy is under pressure.

These extra measures are both short-term actions, to help individuals and businesses cope with the current economic difficulties, and also long-term reforms that I believe are vital to boost skills and employment. They are a stark contrast to the 'Do Nothing' Conservative Party and their 'No Action' Plan.

Supporting the economy, business and hard working people is a key priority for Labour, both in Colchester and across Britain

Yesterday, train operating companies across the country introduced above-inflation increases on their rail fares. Here in Colchester, the price of a yearly season ticket from Colchester to London rose by £220, an increase of 5.9% on last years fare price. At a time when the cost of living is rising, people are facing uncertainty at work and when many people are struggling with their personal finances, this increase is difficult to explain.

Train firms say more money will allow greater investment in services. However, as well as dealing with the fall out from the credit crunch, the Government has already made increasing investment in our railways, with the biggest investment in capacity in a generation.

As Passenger Focus put it, "Rail fares have got completely out of kilter with what is happening in the real economy."

While train operators believe that commuting by rail is still less expensive than traveling by car, the latest rise will do little to encourage people to use public transport, especially with falling petrol prices. I firmly believe that fares should be set at levels that encourage people to use trains more.

I am sure that I was not the only commuter who shivered at the station this morning, not with cold, but by the impact of this 'un-fare' rise.

Yesterday, train operating companies across the country introduced above-inflation increases on their rail fares. Here in Colchester, the price of a yearly season ticket from Colchester to London rose by £220, an increase of 5.9% on last years fare price. At a time when the cost of living is rising, people are facing uncertainty at work and when many people are struggling with their personal finances, this increase is difficult to explain.

Train firms say more money will allow greater investment in services. However, as well as dealing with the fall out from the credit crunch, the Government has already made increasing investment in our railways, with the biggest investment in capacity in a generation.

As Passenger Focus put it, "Rail fares have got completely out of kilter with what is happening in the real economy."

While train operators believe that commuting by rail is still less expensive than traveling by car, the latest rise will do little to encourage people to use public transport, especially with falling petrol prices. I firmly believe that fares should be set at levels that encourage people to use trains more.

I am sure that I was not the only commuter who shivered at the station this morning, not with cold, but by the impact of this 'un-fare' rise.

Yesterday, train operating companies across the country introduced above-inflation increases on their rail fares. Here in Colchester, the price of a yearly season ticket from Colchester to London rose by £220, an increase of 5.9% on last years fare price. At a time when the cost of living is rising, people are facing uncertainty at work and when many people are struggling with their personal finances, this increase is difficult to explain.

Train firms say more money will allow greater investment in services. However, as well as dealing with the fall out from the credit crunch, the Government has already made increasing investment in our railways, with the biggest investment in capacity in a generation.

As Passenger Focus put it, "Rail fares have got completely out of kilter with what is happening in the real economy."

While train operators believe that commuting by rail is still less expensive than traveling by car, the latest rise will do little to encourage people to use public transport, especially with falling petrol prices. I firmly believe that fares should be set at levels that encourage people to use trains more.

I am sure that I was not the only commuter who shivered at the station this morning, not with cold, but by the impact of this 'un-fare' rise.