Campaign news

INTERVIEW: John Morgan

20th April 2010

Labour PPC for Rutland and Melton John Morgan responds to five questions about the sort of policies he wants nationally and locally, and how you can help him to win in Rutland and Melton:

What three policies would you like to see in the 2010 Labour manifesto?

1. More rights at work. Freedom of speech should include the right to put your case on a picket line. Right to strike, including secondary action, without needing the permission of a judge. While I am generally in favour of secret ballots, I am concerned that it does not allow for spontaneous action.
2. Stop privatising and start bringing more industries back into public ownership, including the railways, which could be brought back for free where Train Operating Companies do not fulfil their contracts.
3. A stronger commitment to resisting climate change, with intermediate targets as well as a long term one, and without going over to nuclear power

What issues will you be campaigning on in Parliament if re-elected?
More jobs. More rights at work. Oppose all “workfare” schemes. Oppose privatisation in the health service and the prison service. Save the Minor Injuries Unit at Rutland Memorial Hospital and Accident & Emergency Unit at Melton Hospital

What do you think has been Labour’s greatest achievement and its greatest mistake in Government?
Worst single decision was invading Iraq. Worst long term trend was to continue Tory privatisation.
Best single decision was to introduce the National Minimum Wage. Best long term trend was increased employment.

What are the major local issues in Rutland and Melton?
Save the Accident & Emergency Unit at Melton Hospital and the Minor Injuries Unit at Rutland Memorial Hospital. Save RAF Cottesmore. Oppose Conservative Councils (both Rutland and Melton) destroying small town shopping centres by building big supermarkets that distort the locl market, while putting up parking charges to high levels.

How can activists help you to win in Rutland and Melton?
Come and help. If you cannot come in person, we can get some telephone canvassing for you to do. If you cannot do that, please send us some cash so we can print some more leaflets.