Jordan's Journal

I was appaulled by the behaviour of local Conservative Councillors at the recent Colchester Borough Council Budget Setting Meeting.

The Councillors in question had advocated freezing the wages of our hard working council staff - like street wardens and refuse collectors - while only months ago they voted to squander the Council's budget on hitherto mismanaged and unnecessary projects.

They opposed the Administration’s budget, which balanced a low council tax increase with capacity for extra resources for important services that would benefit communities across Colchester.
 
This plan was met by remarks like "they’re lucky to have a job", reminding us all that the Conservative's overall policy at this time of economic hardship is that 'unemployment is a price worth paying'.

As someone recently said - ‘if the Tories are the answer it must be a very strange and disturbing question.’

I was appaulled by the behaviour of local Conservative Councillors at the recent Colchester Borough Council Budget Setting Meeting.

The Councillors in question had advocated freezing the wages of our hard working council staff - like street wardens and refuse collectors - while only months ago they voted to squander the Council's budget on hitherto mismanaged and unnecessary projects.

They opposed the Administration’s budget, which balanced a low council tax increase with capacity for extra resources for important services that would benefit communities across Colchester.
 
This plan was met by remarks like "they’re lucky to have a job", reminding us all that the Conservative's overall policy at this time of economic hardship is that 'unemployment is a price worth paying'.

As someone recently said - ‘if the Tories are the answer it must be a very strange and disturbing question.’

I was appaulled by the behaviour of local Conservative Councillors at the recent Colchester Borough Council Budget Setting Meeting.

The Councillors in question had advocated freezing the wages of our hard working council staff - like street wardens and refuse collectors - while only months ago they voted to squander the Council's budget on hitherto mismanaged and unnecessary projects.

They opposed the Administration’s budget, which balanced a low council tax increase with capacity for extra resources for important services that would benefit communities across Colchester.
 
This plan was met by remarks like "they’re lucky to have a job", reminding us all that the Conservative's overall policy at this time of economic hardship is that 'unemployment is a price worth paying'.

As someone recently said - ‘if the Tories are the answer it must be a very strange and disturbing question.’

Great news from the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, who has announced plans for extra support for police officers to get them out on the beat - fighting the crimes that matter to us here in Colchester.

While many people are worried about the effect of the credit crunch on jobs and homes and savings, people are also concerned about the effect the recession willhave on crime and the safety of our communities. That's precisely why the Government is taking action; slashing red tape, scrapping time sheets and freeing up more time for police to be out on the beat.

I am told by the Home Office that this will save up to seven million hours of police time - freeing up the equivalent of an extra 3,500 officers.

Already, Neighbourhood Policing Teams are working hard across Colchester, and Labour has introduced a 'Policing Pledge' to ensure the standards of service you can expect from your local force.

But its not all about red tape. The Labour Government is investing heavily in new technology to help police officers in their day-to-day duties. New hand-held computers are now being used to allow officers to stay in touch with the station while they're out on the streets.

Unfortunately, the Tories cannot say the same. In fact, they take every opportunity they can to talk our communities down. Even in these hard times, we must never give up on our communities like the Tories did in the last recession. 

Great news from the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, who has announced plans for extra support for police officers to get them out on the beat - fighting the crimes that matter to us here in Colchester.

While many people are worried about the effect of the credit crunch on jobs and homes and savings, people are also concerned about the effect the recession willhave on crime and the safety of our communities. That's precisely why the Government is taking action; slashing red tape, scrapping time sheets and freeing up more time for police to be out on the beat.

I am told by the Home Office that this will save up to seven million hours of police time - freeing up the equivalent of an extra 3,500 officers.

Already, Neighbourhood Policing Teams are working hard across Colchester, and Labour has introduced a 'Policing Pledge' to ensure the standards of service you can expect from your local force.

But its not all about red tape. The Labour Government is investing heavily in new technology to help police officers in their day-to-day duties. New hand-held computers are now being used to allow officers to stay in touch with the station while they're out on the streets.

Unfortunately, the Tories cannot say the same. In fact, they take every opportunity they can to talk our communities down. Even in these hard times, we must never give up on our communities like the Tories did in the last recession. 

Great news from the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, who has announced plans for extra support for police officers to get them out on the beat - fighting the crimes that matter to us here in Colchester.

While many people are worried about the effect of the credit crunch on jobs and homes and savings, people are also concerned about the effect the recession willhave on crime and the safety of our communities. That's precisely why the Government is taking action; slashing red tape, scrapping time sheets and freeing up more time for police to be out on the beat.

I am told by the Home Office that this will save up to seven million hours of police time - freeing up the equivalent of an extra 3,500 officers.

Already, Neighbourhood Policing Teams are working hard across Colchester, and Labour has introduced a 'Policing Pledge' to ensure the standards of service you can expect from your local force.

But its not all about red tape. The Labour Government is investing heavily in new technology to help police officers in their day-to-day duties. New hand-held computers are now being used to allow officers to stay in touch with the station while they're out on the streets.

Unfortunately, the Tories cannot say the same. In fact, they take every opportunity they can to talk our communities down. Even in these hard times, we must never give up on our communities like the Tories did in the last recession. 

It was a pleasure to be able to join students on campus at the University of Essex last night for their Student Union election results party.

It was an extremely tense evening, following two weeks of campaigning amongst the different student groupings on campus. I was really encouraged by the spirit of commitment and commradeship shared not only between campaigners but by all the students who had taken part in the elections, whether as candidates or campaigners.

The evening throw up a mixture of results, and I too could not escape being caught up in the tense of the presidential race. The result coming down to a 9 vote majority for the new Student Union President. Having previously lost a council seat myself by just 33 votes, I completely sympathised with the defeated candidate and his supporters.

The elections had been dominated by lots of different issues, ranging from student welfare issues to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Whether it was university, national or international issues, I was impressed with the dedication and commitment of all those who took part. For me, the evening demonstrated that student politics is alive and well in university campus' across the country.

It was a pleasure to be able to join students on campus at the University of Essex last night for their Student Union election results party.

It was an extremely tense evening, following two weeks of campaigning amongst the different student groupings on campus. I was really encouraged by the spirit of commitment and commradeship shared not only between campaigners but by all the students who had taken part in the elections, whether as candidates or campaigners.

The evening throw up a mixture of results, and I too could not escape being caught up in the tense of the presidential race. The result coming down to a 9 vote majority for the new Student Union President. Having previously lost a council seat myself by just 33 votes, I completely sympathised with the defeated candidate and his supporters.

The elections had been dominated by lots of different issues, ranging from student welfare issues to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Whether it was university, national or international issues, I was impressed with the dedication and commitment of all those who took part. For me, the evening demonstrated that student politics is alive and well in university campus' across the country.

It was a pleasure to be able to join students on campus at the University of Essex last night for their Student Union election results party.

It was an extremely tense evening, following two weeks of campaigning amongst the different student groupings on campus. I was really encouraged by the spirit of commitment and commradeship shared not only between campaigners but by all the students who had taken part in the elections, whether as candidates or campaigners.

The evening throw up a mixture of results, and I too could not escape being caught up in the tense of the presidential race. The result coming down to a 9 vote majority for the new Student Union President. Having previously lost a council seat myself by just 33 votes, I completely sympathised with the defeated candidate and his supporters.

The elections had been dominated by lots of different issues, ranging from student welfare issues to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Whether it was university, national or international issues, I was impressed with the dedication and commitment of all those who took part. For me, the evening demonstrated that student politics is alive and well in university campus' across the country.

A recent stay in Colchester General Hospital showed me first hand the strain that can be placed on NHS staff and resources over the winter months.

Statistics released last week however showed the NHS is continuing to make excellent progress in reducing hospital waiting times to 18 Weeks. The average waiting time for non-admitted patients for referral to hospital is also down and now stands at just 4 weeks. This is great news for patients in England who can expect much faster access to NHS care.

Twelve years ago, it was not uncommon for patients to have to wait well over 18 months for an operation. Achieving our 18 Week commitment nationally five months early is great news for patients in England who can now expect much faster access to NHS care.

Since 1997, Labour’s investment and reform in the NHS has delivered real improvements for patients after 18 years of Tory neglect and underinvestment. In 1997, 284,000 patients were waiting for over six months for their operations. Today, most patients now wait less than 13 weeks, and now nobody has to wait for more than 18 weeks from GP referral to the start of treatment.

Last year ofcourse, Colchester recieved its new NHS trust status which replaced Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust with the new Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust. It was timely that this coincided with the National Health Service's 60th birthday. The aim of NHS Foundation Trusts is to hand back decision-making from central Government to local communities, making health service bosses more responsive to local people and allow them to have a say on local health issues

I was extremely impressed with the dedication and professionalism of the staff at Colchester General Hospital. It proved to my that even after 60 years, we should all still be 'Proud of the NHS'.

A recent stay in Colchester General Hospital showed me first hand the strain that can be placed on NHS staff and resources over the winter months.

Statistics released last week however showed the NHS is continuing to make excellent progress in reducing hospital waiting times to 18 Weeks. The average waiting time for non-admitted patients for referral to hospital is also down and now stands at just 4 weeks. This is great news for patients in England who can expect much faster access to NHS care.

Twelve years ago, it was not uncommon for patients to have to wait well over 18 months for an operation. Achieving our 18 Week commitment nationally five months early is great news for patients in England who can now expect much faster access to NHS care.

Since 1997, Labour’s investment and reform in the NHS has delivered real improvements for patients after 18 years of Tory neglect and underinvestment. In 1997, 284,000 patients were waiting for over six months for their operations. Today, most patients now wait less than 13 weeks, and now nobody has to wait for more than 18 weeks from GP referral to the start of treatment.

Last year ofcourse, Colchester recieved its new NHS trust status which replaced Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust with the new Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust. It was timely that this coincided with the National Health Service's 60th birthday. The aim of NHS Foundation Trusts is to hand back decision-making from central Government to local communities, making health service bosses more responsive to local people and allow them to have a say on local health issues

I was extremely impressed with the dedication and professionalism of the staff at Colchester General Hospital. It proved to my that even after 60 years, we should all still be 'Proud of the NHS'.

A recent stay in Colchester General Hospital showed me first hand the strain that can be placed on NHS staff and resources over the winter months.

Statistics released last week however showed the NHS is continuing to make excellent progress in reducing hospital waiting times to 18 Weeks. The average waiting time for non-admitted patients for referral to hospital is also down and now stands at just 4 weeks. This is great news for patients in England who can expect much faster access to NHS care.

Twelve years ago, it was not uncommon for patients to have to wait well over 18 months for an operation. Achieving our 18 Week commitment nationally five months early is great news for patients in England who can now expect much faster access to NHS care.

Since 1997, Labour’s investment and reform in the NHS has delivered real improvements for patients after 18 years of Tory neglect and underinvestment. In 1997, 284,000 patients were waiting for over six months for their operations. Today, most patients now wait less than 13 weeks, and now nobody has to wait for more than 18 weeks from GP referral to the start of treatment.

Last year ofcourse, Colchester recieved its new NHS trust status which replaced Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust with the new Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust. It was timely that this coincided with the National Health Service's 60th birthday. The aim of NHS Foundation Trusts is to hand back decision-making from central Government to local communities, making health service bosses more responsive to local people and allow them to have a say on local health issues

I was extremely impressed with the dedication and professionalism of the staff at Colchester General Hospital. It proved to my that even after 60 years, we should all still be 'Proud of the NHS'.