Yvonne backs Andy Burnham in Labour Leadership race

Yvonne Fovargue MP has today backed Andy Burnham MP to be the next leader of the Labour Party.

The boost to the Leigh MP comes ahead of his leadership launch at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday, 26th May.

Yvonne Fovargue MP said, “Andy is down to earth, approachable, rooted in Labour Party values and I believe can reach out and reconnect with Labour’s supporters."

“He is always willing to listen and take up issues and is best placed to inspire and re-build support for Labour. His candidacy is good for the future prosperity of the North West and the Wigan borough.”

Yvonne is calling on local people across the borough to back Andy’s campaign by visiting his website at http://www.andy4leader.com/

First Advice Surgery details announced

Yvonne will be pleased to meet constituents at her first advice surgeries to be held at Platt Bridge Community First School, Rivington Ave on Friday, 4th June (6.30pm-8pm) and Ashton Town Hall, Bryn St on Saturday, 19th June (10am-12noon).

Details of further advice surgeries across the constituency will be announced shortly.

Makerfield General Election Result

Yvonne Fovargue                    Labour                 20,700
Itrat Ali                                   Conservative           8,210
David Crowther                      Lib Dem                  7,082
Bob Brierley                           Independent             3,424
Ken Haslam                            BNP                        3,229
John Mather                           Independent              1,126

Majority 12,490
Turnout 59.4%

The Tories are a risk to the recovery as secret memo to raise VAT leaked

Conservative economic plans pose a great risk to the recovery according to Yvonne Fovargue following the leaking of a secret memo detailing plans to raise VAT to 19.5% in a future Tory budget.

Yvonne Fovargue said, “The Tories got it consistently wrong during the recession and they are now getting it wrong on the recovery."

“The Tories are committed to an emergency budget within 50 days of the election immediately taking £6 billion out of the economy putting the recovery at risk."

“Today we have learned of a Tory secret plan to raise VAT to 19.5% at that budget and hitting hard working local families and pensioners.”

Yvonne Fovargue believes this demonstrates Tory values and instincts. She added, “Underneath the glossy poster adverts lie the real values of the Tory party. A VAT increase that would hit local people hard in the pocket but a £200,000 tax giveaway to the 3,000 richest estates in the country.”

One-week cancer diagnosis with Labour

At the heart of Labour’s vision for the future of the NHS is our policy of guarantees. People know they have a right to be treated by the NHS fast – or the NHS will pay for you to go private. One of Labour’s key commitments on the NHS is to guarantee a 1 week cancer diagnosis.

As a result of Labour’s plans, more than 1.5 million people will be seen more quickly and get their cancer test results more quickly. Independent experts have identified that between 5,000 and 10,000 lives could be saved each year through a greater focus on early diagnosis and rapid treatment.

Labour’s Yvonne Fovargue has called on her Tory opponent in Makerfield to back Labour’s one week cancer guarantee. Yvonne said, “With Labour, the NHS already guarantees that if your GP thinks you may have cancer, you will see a specialist within two weeks, and that you will get hospital treatment within 18 weeks. Now, we will go further, and guarantee access to diagnostic tests for cancer, with results, within just one week. That means that 1.5million people will be guaranteed faster access to cancer tests under Labour. Experts say that this will save up to 10,000 lives a year."

“The Tories say they are the party of the NHS but in fact they will scrap all of Labour’s targets and guarantees in the NHS.”

Brilliant Britain

Minister hails ground breaking scheme for the joiners and bricklayers of the future

Yvonne Fovargue and Housing Minister John Healey MP visited the Western Skills Centre based in Bryn which will train the construction workers of the future in the trades of Joinery and Brickwork.

Pupils from local secondary schools walking through the Skills Centre’s doors receive specialised training thanks to a unique collaboration between five Wigan High Schools, Wigan Council and Mears, the leading social housing repairs and maintenance provider in the country. At its opening it was believed that this partnership was a first both locally and nationally.

Yvonne Fovargue said, “The Skill Centre is a wonderful achievement and an excellent example of local schools working together. Again Wigan leads the way, providing opportunities for pupils to learn a trade and equipping them with the skills to gain employment in the future.”

John Healey MP said, “No one can afford to overlook young people’s talent and the UK of tomorrow will need the young joiners and bricklayers here today to build the homes of the future."

“Labour is making sure the Tory mistakes in the recessions of the 80s and 90s do not happen again. In the teeth of recession, we supported hard working businesses and struggling families alike. Now with our eyes firmly on growth and economic recovery, it is vital that we keep up investment to create new jobs and pay for apprenticeships for young people. That's why with Labour every 18 - 24 year old who has been out of work for more than six months will be guaranteed a job, training or college place.”

Yvonne is pictured with Housing Minister John Healey, Ian McCartney and Labour's candidate for Bryn Ward, Ann Rampling.

I remember....

A lovely day for a street stall in Winstanley

Yvonne joined Clive Morgan, Labour's local election candidate for Winstanley and Labour Party members today at the shopping precinct on Holmes House Ave.

Armed with balloons, leaflets and stickers a plenty it was a warm, sunny spring day to talk to voters about Labour's plans to protect frontline public services and secure the recovery.

With important local elections on Thursday, 6th May coinciding with an as yet unconfimed general election on the same date, the election is not just about what happens in Westminster, of equal importance are the issues raised about our local area too.

‘Time to do your bit’ as parliamentary hopeful pledges support for HM Armed Forces

Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Makerfield has pledged to do their bit for Britain’s Armed Forces.

Yvonne Fovargue and Labour's parliamentary candidate for Wigan, Lisa Nandy visited the new home of the Wigan Borough Veteran Council (WBVC) in Platt Bridge and met with veteran leaders in the borough.

The Royal British Legion has called on parliamentary candidates to support the whole Armed Forces family. The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) to “do their bit” for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

Mel Lee of the Ashton branch of the Royal British Legion said, “I am delighted that Yvonne and Lisa have pledged today to do their bit. This is a great way of showing their support for the whole Armed Forces family.

“Both the serving and ex-Service community need the support of politicians and our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help, and we hope that, if elected, both Yvonne and Lisa will give it serious consideration”.

Lisa Nandy said, “I was really pleased to get my pledge card from the Legion. I know the work they do for the whole Armed Forces family matters not just to me, but to so many local people as well. It’s so important we all get behind them and that’s why I had no hesitation in pledging to do my bit.”

WBVC have also launched a campaign to extend the eligibility criteria for the popular Veteran Lapel badge. Currently, a posthumous award can only be sanctioned if the widow/widower of the deceased veteran is in receipt of a war widows pension.

In practice this means that many widows/widowers miss out on the award of the lapel badge. Both Lisa and Yvonne have pledged to campaign to end this restriction so that widows/widowers can receive the badge.

Yvonne Fovargue said, “The lapel badge has been a tremendous success and it is a common sight to see veterans proudly wearing the badge as they go about their daily business."

“Wigan Borough Veterans Council have rightly pointed out the current restriction and we will campaign to extend the eligibility criteria.”

Securing the recovery and protecting front line services

In the months ahead, the British people will make a big choice about the kind of future we want for Britain. A choice between creating a future that is fair for all, or a change that puts the recovery at risk, threatens public services and makes life tougher for families.

Today, Alistair Darling set out Labour’s choices in the budget.

In Makerfield like the rest of the country, the recovery is still in its infancy. We believe, as do economists and businesses all over Britain and the world, that the worst possible course to take now would be to slam on the brakes through the cuts this year proposed by the Conservatives. So we will keep helping businesses, families and the unemployed until recovery is secured.

That’s why I’m pleased that the Budget extended our ‘Time To Pay’ scheme, which between November 2008 and February 2010 deferred taxes worth a total of £20million for over 1,300 small and medium businesses here in Wigan.

I believe that people in Makerfield want a government that is on their side and fighting for a fairer future. So we will put economic growth first, to ensure that people have the skills and jobs they need to succeed in the world and their children have the opportunities to get on and get ahead. That is why we continue investing in growth.

And while we bring borrowing down, we will protect vital frontline services – in health, education and police numbers.

This means services like Sure Start – there are 20 Sure Starts in Wigan. It means the 8,148 police officers in our local police force. And it means protecting the fantastic gains we’ve made in the health service. There are now new ‘state of the art’ health centres across the borough, more NHS staff in our region than there were in 1997, and waiting times have fallen dramatically.

I believe that people in Makerfield want a government which stands up for the many – not the few. That’s why the greatest burden will be carried by those with the broadest shoulders. In contrast the Tories are cutting Child Tax Credits and Child Trust Funds for families on modest incomes so they can promise £200,000 for the 3000 richest estates.

Their plans to cut public spending and tax business investment would wreck the recovery. They refuse to tell anyone what their cuts would be in just a few months time or in the years to come. All they will say is they will cut further and faster.

Incredibly, just weeks away from an election, David Cameron is still refusing to answer even the most basic questions. How much are they planning to cut from spending in 2010/11? They won’t say. How quickly would they halve the deficit? They won’t say.

Unlike Labour, David Cameron can’t answer a single one of these questions. People will rightly conclude the Tories either haven’t got a clue what to do or they’re deliberately concealing their plans from the British people. That’s up to the Tories. In the Budget, we set out our plan. It is time for the Tories to come clean.

Yvonne Fovargue pledges support for NSPCC campaign to protect children

Yvonne Fovargue prospective parliamentary candidate for Makerfield has pledged to support the NSPCC’s ‘I stand for children’ campaign which aims to make child protection a priority for the next Parliament.

Yvonne said, “As the Labour Party candidate in Makerfield I’m supporting the NSPCC’s new campaign to ensure protecting children is a political priority.”

“We need to make sure that the next elected Government keeps child protection high on its list of priorities. By signing up to the campaign, I acknowledge the role that I can play to keep our children safe and ensure that the wellbeing of all children is a top priority for government.”

The NSPCC’s campaign is calling on candidates to commit to a range of child protection measures including:

• Making the internet safer for children
• Continued funding of helpline services for children and for adults concerned about the safety or welfare of a
  child
• Tackling domestic violence from a child's point of view
• Ensuring that vital child protection reforms are fully implemented and resourced, following the death of
  Baby Peter and other child deaths since
• Provision of resources for vital therapeutic services for children who have experienced abuse
• Strengthening the role of the children's commissioner in England to act as a genuinely independent voice for
  children.

Visit http://www.istandforchildren.com/ for more information.

Yvonne Fovargue backs Cancer Research UK by signing 'Commit to Beat Cancer' Pledge

The Committment covers all aspects of cancer from prevention to treatment and scientific research. The Cancer Commitment calls on MPs in the next Parliament to take action in five key areas:

* Detecting cancer earlier;
* Providing world class treatment;
* Preventing more cancers;
* Tackling cancer inequalities;
* Protecting the UK’s research base

Yvonne said, “I am delighted to pledge my support for Cancer Research UK’s vital campaign. We all know from our own lives, a family member, friend or work colleague who have been diagnosed with Cancer. With a concerted effort from the next Parliament, we can give hope to the millions of people affected by cancer and their friends and family."

"Now that Labour's investment and reform have brought waiting lists down, I welcome the pledge that Labour will create legally binding guarantees for all patients including one-week cancer diagnosis. A future Labour Government will focus on early cancer diagnosis, giving GPs direct access to ultrasound and MRI scans, to create a right to diagnostic tests, with results, within one week."

Yvonne Backs Community Pubs, Local Brewers and Consumer Rights!

Yvonne Fovargue has today committed to:

• Promote the interests of Britain’s pub goers
• Champion well-run community pubs
• Support the rebalancing of alcohol taxation to support beer and pubs
• Press for reform of beer tie to deliver a fair deal for consumers
• Support the role of well-run pubs as solutions to alcohol misuse

These commitments are based on a campaign being run by CAMRA, The Campaign for Real Ale which is asking all Prospective Parliamentary Candidates whether they are willing to speak up for Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers. CAMRA’s new Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter sets out a series of options for supporting well-run community pubs, local brewers and consumer rights.

Mike Benner, CAMRA’s Chief Executive welcomed Yvonne Fovergue’s support for the Charter, saying, “We are delighted that Yvonne Fovargue has promised to work to promote the interests of beer drinkers and pub goers. Well-run pubs make a huge contribution to community life, each of which injects £80,000 into their local economy every year. Amid growing concern over the loss of more than 5 pubs a day, it is now more important than ever to support well-run community pubs, to promote local brewers and to protect the interests of consumers.”

Speaking after signing up to CAMRA’s Beer Drinkers and Pub Goers Charter, Yvonne said, “I am proud to be speaking up for community pubs, local brewers and consumers. Well-run pubs are the bedrock of community life – they are part of the solution to the problem of alcohol misuse and not part of the problem. They deserve our support.”

For more information on the campaign visit http://www.camra.org.uk/

Shout out for a Sure Start!

Yvonne Fovargue has this week given her backing to a new campaign in support of Sure Start Children’s Centres, which provide universal services for all families and children under five.

The ‘Shout out for a Sure Start’ campaign was launched this month by the charity 4Children and the popular children’s TV character Peppa Pig. The campaign has the support of children’s charities, trade unions and the Children’s Secretary Ed Balls and parents can find out more by visiting the new website at http://www.shoutoutforasurestart.org.uk/

Yvonne said, “Parents value their local Sure Start Children’s Centres, the services on offer and the help and support at hand. Most parents I talk to can’t imagine what it would be like if their local Children’s Centre was not there."

“That’s why I’m backing this campaign to shout out for Sure Start and promote the universal services on offer for families across Makerfield like childcare and healthcare."

“Back in 1997 there were no Children’s Centres but thanks to investment from the Labour government every community across Wigan will be served by a Sure Start centre."

“The Labour Government has said it will keep investing in Sure Start because the early years of a child’s life are so important. But I know local families will be worried about Conservative plans to cut £200 million from the Sure Start budget. This is the equivalent of one in five Children’s Centres in our area – having to close their doors."

“David Cameron also says the Tories would take Sure Start away from families on modest and middle incomes and focus it on the poorest families instead. But I think that would be a big step backwards. Sure Start makes a difference to hundreds of families across Makerfield. It should be open to all parents and children, not just a few. That’s why I’m going to keep shouting out for Sure Start and urge local parents to back the campaign too.”

Yvonne is pictured with Labour's candidate for Hindley Green Ward, Keir Stitt at the Hindley Sure Start centre on Mornington Rd.

Change We Choose

Yvonne signs up to six point promise

Yvonne Fovargue Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Makerfield has signed up to a six point promise that she will put the public's interest first. Speaking last year Gordon Brown said, "The first thing we've got to do is to clean up politics once and for all. We've got to make sure that people see that their members of Parliament and those who seek to represent them are acting in the public interest and not in their self interest."

"We've got to make sure that people see that their politicians are in it not for what they can get, but for what they can give. That's why we promise that we will uphold the highest standards of integrity, we promise that there will be transparency in everything we do, we promise that we will report to our constituents and do so as regularly as possible. Report not only to our own party but to all sections of the community in our constituencies so they can raise their concerns with us and we can be true and honoured servants of the people of this country.

The pledge signed by Yvonne today is as follows:

The Labour Party is a great movement for change, made up of people determined to serve the public interest and not their own.

As a Labour candidate:

I seek elected office for the honour of serving the public and our democracy;
I will subscribe to high standards of integrity, transparency, accountability and prudence with public money;
I will publish online my full salary and parliamentary allowances;
I believe it a duty to hold regular meetings, engagement events and surgeries with my  community and constituents and will do so;
I will communicate regularly with my electorate and will be available through email, telephone and other means to my constituents;
I will regularly report back to my constituency party as well as to my constituents.

Yvonne Fovargue said, "It is important that constituents know what they are getting from their candidates at the next general election. I am delighted to make these promises to the people of Makerfield."

Makerfield Labour Party selects Parliamentary Candidate

Yvonne Fovargue has been selected by Makerfield Labour Party as its Prospective Parliamentary Candidate. Please see Article for more information.