Grangetown Branch Labour Party

Demolishing Grangetown’s library would be ‘an act of vandalism’ says Barrett

2006-01-24T09:48:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Lib Dems need to clean-up their act says AM

2005-12-23T02:26:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

AM backs ‘Labour Plus’ budget

2005-12-07T18:39:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Tories, Liberals & Plaid turn backs on extra money for health and pensioners

2005-12-07T18:38:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Don't drink and drive this Christmas

2005-12-05T18:37:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Labour delivers boost for childcare

2005-11-30T18:35:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Welsh Labour delivers justice, safety and security for all

2005-11-29T18:36:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Welsh Labour delivers justice, safety and security for all

2005-11-29T18:34:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

'Target communities most in need' says Barrett

2005-10-06T12:13:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Make Sure You are Signed Up for the Winter Fuel Payment

2005-09-01T10:05:00.000Z

Alun Michael MP

AM’s reaction to London attacks

2005-07-08T06:27:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Terrorists will not destroy what we hold dear - Tony Blair

2005-07-07T02:12:00.000Z

The Prime Minister described the terrorist attacks on London today as 'barbaric'.
In a statement from the G8 summit in Gleneagles Tony Blair said: "It is reasonably clear that there have been a series of terrorist attacks in London. There are obviously casualties, both people who have died and people who are seriously injured, and our thoughts and prayers, of course, are with the victims and their families.
"It is my intention to leave the G8 within the next couple of hours and go down to London and get a report face-to-face with the police and the emergency services and the ministers who have been dealing with this and then to return later this evening. It is the will of all the leaders of the G8, however, that the meeting should continue in my absence, that we should continue to discuss the issues that we were going to discuss and reach the conclusions that we were going to reach.
"Each of the countries round that table have some experience of the effects of terrorism and all the leaders, as they will indicate a little bit later, share our complete resolution to defeat terrorism. It is particularly barbaric that this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try to help the problems of poverty in Africa and the long term problems of climate change and the environment. Just as it is reasonably clear that this is a terrorist attack or a series of terrorist attacks it is also reasonably clear that it is designed and aimed to coincide with the opening of the G8. There will be time to talk later about this.
"It is important, however, that those engaged in terrorism realize that our determination to defend our values and our way of life is greater than their determination to cause death and destruction to innocent people in a desire impose extremism on the world. Whatever they do it is our determination that they will never succeed in destroying what we hold dear in this country and in other civilised nations throughout the world."

'Hypocrisy' over Lib Dems' £2.4m

2005-05-27T14:27:00.000Z

From The Guardian:

"Labour last night accused the Liberal Democrats of "hypocrisy" in accepting £2.4m from a derivatives trader based in Majorca, despite the party calling a £50,000 cap on gifts made by individuals.

The donation, from Michael Brown, 39, is the largest that the party has ever received, and amounted to more than half its election budget, funding an ambitious billboard and advertising campaign.

The Liberal Democrats have repeatedly argued that donations of more than £50,000 should be banned."

Application to build student flats on Avana Bakery site, Pendyris St

2005-05-22T11:37:00.000Z

The Echo reports that a planning application has been made for the development of a 334 bedroom student accomodation complex on the site of the old Avana Bakery on Pendyris Street.

The full planning application (scroll down to almost the very bottom), which is being made by Unite plc, a private company specialising in student accomodation, can be inspected during working hours in the Regulatory Services reception, City Hall.

Grangetown's Labour Team would very much like to hear the views of local residents in North Grangetown regarding these proposals and any specific concerns you may have about their local impact (e.g. noise, parking, litter).

It is clear that something needs to be done with the old bakery site, so we would also welcome suggestions on what sort of redevelopment residents would prefer. We will then take up your ideas with council officers and others to explore what is viable.

Please let us know what you think, either in the comments section, or by emailing Lorraine Barrett AM or Alun Michael MP,

AM renews call to help cut crime in Grangetown

2005-04-20T00:54:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Alun Michael Condemns Lib Dems Local Income Tax

2005-04-19T02:12:00.000Z

RIP Jim Callaghan (1912-2005)

2005-03-30T15:14:00.000Z

Many people more eloquent than ourselves have already paid tribute to Grangetown's Member of Parliament from 1945 - 1987.

For the benefit of those of us who are too young to directly remember the 60's & 70's the 10 Downing Street website offers this brief biography:
The son of a naval chief petty officer, James Callaghan left school at 14. He worked as a tax officer and was later employed by the Inland Revenue Staff Federation.
After serving in World War Two he was elected as a Labour MP for Cardiff South in the post-war Labour landslide, and later represented Cardiff South East. He rose steadily through the party in Opposition, and stood for the leadership after Gaitskell's death in 1963, losing with respectable minority support.
As Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1964, Callaghan's decision not to devalue the pound proved disastrous. After devaluation the discredited Callaghan resigned as Chancellor, to become Home Secretary, where he salvaged his reputation.
During this time he sent troops to Northern Ireland in 1969 to cope with worsening violence. As a staunch defender of trade unions, he opposed efforts to reform them, earning the title 'keeper of the cloth cap'.
In Opposition Callaghan became Shadow Foreign Secretary, and in government after 1974 it was his job to renegotiate the terms of Britains EC membership. When Harold Wilson resigned unexpectedly, Callaghan was not the favourite to win the leadership, being the oldest candidate at 64. However, he was the least divisive candidate, and won the vote.
As Prime Minister Callaghan presided over a sterling crisis, which led to negotiations with the IMF for a rescue package, but he did keep his Cabinet team together during the controversy over the conditions set. Spending cuts and pay restraint were demanded, but the left wing Labour conference nevertheless voted for more spending.
Things were made more difficult still when Labour's small majority disappeared in 1977, making Labour dependent on the support of the Liberals. However, Callaghan persevered in office even when this pact broke down.
During the 'Winter of Discontent' in 1978, industrial action over pay policy severely damaged the governments authority. The government lost a confidence motion on 28 March 1979 by just one vote a classic piece of high-tension political theatre.
Callaghan was obliged to hold a general election, which was won by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party. As Labour's left wing gained strength in the early 1980s, Callaghan's influence waned, and he resigned as leader after 18 months.
He retired from the House of Commons in 1987 and was active in the House of Lords as a life peer.
Lord Callaghan passed away at home in East Sussex on 26 March 2005, one day short of his 93rd birthday. He was the longest living former British PM in history.

A more detailed biography is available from here

His successor as our Member of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Alun Michael JP, MP said:
"Jim Callaghan personified the link between national leadership and the people. Coming from a poor family, he never forgot his background. He was a trade unionist before he was an MP. And above all his personal roots and loyalty to the people who first elected him in 1945 never wavered – even long after he stood down after 42 years as the MP for Cardiff South & Penarth.
At the heart of our constitution is the relationship between the MP and the constituency – talk of Ministers being "out of touch" ignores the fact that each Minister is also an MP, returning each weekend to family, friends and the people who send us to Parliament. As the only person ever to hold the four Great Offices of State, who better to set the tone for Parliamentary democracy than Jim ?
Respected by world leaders for his shrewd insight and sound judgement – the Falklands War could never have happened on his watch - Jim still asked what people were saying in Splott and Llanrumney and Penarth. He held monthly surgeries, took part in the monthly meetings of the Constituency Labour Party and listened to local views passed through a passionately loyal group of supporters - not least his agent Jack (now Lord Brooks of Tremorfa) and his constituency chairman, Gordon Houlston.
This went far beyond public opinion. As Chancellor and Prime Minister, he sought to help the economy of South Wales – the Mint in Llantrisant, Companies House, Fords in Bridgend and many other developments reflected his belief in the need for renewal of our economy. Had the 1979 election not allowed Mrs Thatcher to put a stop to it all, British Rail and Ministry of Defence jobs would have followed to Cardiff.
Even in retirement, he continued to be a tower of strength for Cardiff’s future – he knew better than most that the devastating loss of jobs which followed the closure of East Moors required more than incremental change. When the battle raged, he backed the new vision for our capital city which only the Barrage could provide.
He also led the search for the right building for the new Welsh Assembly Chamber – and no-one should underestimate Jim’s contribution to the building now under construction in Cardiff Bay – at last.
One commentator said that given a decent majority Jim "could have been" a great Prime Minister. No, Jim was a great prime minister. He gave strong leadership despite having no majority and in the face of overwhelming odds. As a trade unionist, Jim could never have been against the trade unions – but through the tribulations of his final months in office he reminded us that the Labour Movement exists not just to represent its members but also to create a better society and opportunity for all. On that there could be no compromise.
Jim’s death, as the longest-living ex-premier, follows close on the death of Audrey who campaigned vigorously for children and on health issues. We salute and remember two wonderful people who gave us so much over the past 60 years."

The Prime Minister & Leader of the Labour Party pays tribute to his predecessor here.
"He was a patriot, a loyal servant of party and country and a devoted husband and father. His love for Audrey was very special."

Cardiff West AM & Welsh First Minister, the Rt. Hon. Rhodri Morgan AM has also paid tribute.

Other obituaries penned by contemporaries from the Labour governments of the 1960's & 70's include Shirley Williams in the Independent on Sunday, Gerald Kaufman in the Sunday Telegraph and the late Roy Jenkins who penned his obituary for the Sunday Times shortly before his own death.

Representing the younger generation, Tom Watson MP recalls his first meeting with Jim in 1995, while economist Oliver Kamm makes a balanced assessment of his record as PM.

A Book of Condolence has today been opened at City Hall in Cardiff.

Anyone living locally with memories of Jim Callaghan in his days as our MP, or subsequently, is very welcome to post a comment, or email us, and we will pass them onto his children, Margaret, Michael and Julia in due course.

Jim Callaghan was truly representative of the political generation, shaped by the inter war years, World War Two and the great Attlee government of 1945, whose undogmatic, moderate, democratic socialist outlook, combined with his bluff personality and superb political skills to take him to the premiership. His tragedy was that his decision to see through his government's programme (including the referenda on devolution for Scotland & Wales), rather than going to the country in 1978, followed by the 'winter of discontent', marked the final phase of the post war social democratic consensus he personified above all his political contemporaries.

Neither new nor old, but more 'original' Labour, despite his grief at Audrey's loss, no-one would have been more pleased than Jim to have lived to see his party winning an historic 3rd term and continuing the gradual and pragmatic programme of redistribution and investment in the main pillars of the welfare state that he himself stood for. The best memorial we can leave him is to ensure that 3rd term is secured.

A big man in every sense, Jim Callaghan will be warmly remembered and sorely missed.

Lib Dem Councillor’s Contempt for Constituents

2005-03-23T18:24:00.000Z

Grangetown Deserves Better – Lib Dem Councillor’s Contempt for Constituents
"The more you help them, the more they want. To all the Mr Jones and Mrs Evans out there, try yoga!"

Local Labour campaigners have attacked Grangetown Lib Dem councillor, Francesca Montemaggi following the discovery on her website of comments revealing the contempt in which she holds her constituents.

Councillor Montemaggi, who works for senior Swansea Lib Dem Assembly Member Peter Black, reveals in her on-line diary, or ‘weblog’, that in her opinion constituents: "are not all bad, there are nutters as well". She goes on to further insult the people she represents claiming that they "care only about themselves" and "are moved by fear of change and greed".

Labour spokesperson for Grangetown, Lynda Thorne said:
"I was horrified and angry to read about the disdain which councillor Montemaggi feels for those whose interests she was elected to serve."

"Nothing sums up the arrogance and hypocrisy of the Lib Dems more clearly than these statements from councillor Montemaggi. It is clear that she prefers to hang out with her Lib Dem cronies in County Hall and the Assembly rather than paying attention to the concerns of her constituents."

"The scores of Lib Dem Focus leaflets before the election failed to mention that local people with problems should "try yoga" instead of contacting their councillors, nor that two of their "local" candidates actually live, not in Grangetown, but in leafy Cyncoed!"

"Grangetown people want someone who is on their side. Labour’s team for Grangetown will continue to work hard with our MP Alun Michael and AM Lorraine Barrett to ensure that local people are properly represented and that their concerns about crime, litter, anti social behaviour and so forth are acted on, not patronisingly passed over. The people of Grangetown deserve better, and they will not let the Lib Dems get away with this insult."

ENDS - Notes follow …

Notes for Editors:
In an entry on her weblog dated November 13th 2003, Ms Montemaggi reflects on her job working for senior Lib Dem AM, Peter Black, reserving especial disdain for the constituents she encounters. The relevant section is copied below, along with a hyperlink to the webpage:

"The Public: they are not all bad, there are the nutters as well! :) Also known as constituents, on the ugly side they care only about themselves, they are moved by fear of change and greed, they believe media-made scares such as asylum seekers are taking all our money, housing facilities and health services, and/or there are paedophiles out there preying on young children. In defence I'll say that if you listen to them, they'll listen to you. On the 'nutter' side, they are of a persecutory kind, they keep on coming back. The more you help them, the more they want. To all the Mr Jones and Mrs Evans out there, try yoga!"
http://paswonky.blogspot.com/2003_11_01_paswonky_archive.html#106873158861491818

UPDATE: No apology as yet, but Francesca has removed the entire offending entry from her blog. In the interests of transparency and openness in local government, we therefore re-publish it in full.

Thursday, November 13, 2003
Working in the Welsh AssemblyNo doubts the Welsh Assembly is an interesting place to work in but not for the reasons you might think. After almost 1 and 1/2 years in this place I'm still trying to figure out the Assembly itself, the press, the politicians and the public. The Assembly: I used to think that all computerised evil was a Microsoft invention, then I experienced the Assembly computers. The whole point is to have obsolete technology, be unable to download anything useful, have your internet connection cut off for no apparent reason and have different servers so that you can't use internal e-mail for everybody. Also, why do I need a pass to go to the loo? I got stuck outside the 'pass zone' several times already waiting for somebody to swipe their pass. :( I'd better not mention the canteen, it is indescribable.Other Offices: why don't they ever get back to me?Politicians: It must be something to do with their genes. They can't help taking themselves seriously and relate everything to themselves. Yes, Peter dear, the first thing you noticed of my blog was that it didn't have a link to yours! :)They are vain egocentric sods but after all they have to put up with the press and the public (their right desert! I say).The Press: why on earth is Alun Cairns always on the news? The media are all about money, leftwing papers pay pittances (so that you join unions and fight capitalism?) so leftwing journalists crowd the likes of the Daily Mail etc. but submit to the scandal-thirsty public, which brings me to the… The Public: they are not all bad, there are the nutters as well! :) Also known as constituents, on the ugly side they care only about themselves, they are moved by fear of change and greed, they believe media-made scares such as asylum seekers are taking all our money, housing facilities and health services, and/or there are paedophiles out there preying on young children. In defence I'll say that if you listen to them, they'll listen to you. On the 'nutter' side, they are of a persecutory kind, they keep on coming back. The more you help them, the more they want. To all the Mr Jones and Mrs Evans out there, try yoga!
# posted by Francesca : 1:52 PM
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Lib Dem Cardiff leisure centre cuts slammed

2005-03-18T00:40:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Tough on Training

2005-03-15T15:42:00.000Z

Cardiff’s Lib Dem Council has dealt a blow to the employment opportunities of young people in Cardiff by freezing funding for vocational training.

Access Training (Wales) was set up by Dave Bennett and Les Underdown, two local men who wanted to provide vocational training opportunities for young people.

The company has two centres in Grangetown and provides youngsters with opportunities to train in bricklaying, plastering, carpentry, plumbing and motor vehicle mechanics. They have already helped over 400 young people from Cardiff. Funding has not been a problem previously, but Access Training have recently been informed by Lib Dem controlled Cardiff Council that their funding may disappear.

Dave Bennett said: "We provide a vital service to young people in Cardiff - now all that may be threatened by the actions of the Council."

Alun Michael MP said: "If this business closes there will be no-one to provide this type of vocational training which will be nothing short of a disaster for young people in Cardiff."

Labour’s Grangetown spokesperson Lynda Thorne added: "Before the 2004 elections the Liberal Democrats promised the earth. Now they are showing their true colours. This scheme and Labour policies like the New Deal, have cut long term youth unemployment in Cardiff by 84% - This decision must be reversed or young people in Grangetown will suffer."

Grand Slam ???

2005-03-15T15:35:00.000Z

We've all got our fingers crossed.

Of course we're all already Proud of Wales, but won't it be fantastic if Mike Ruddock and his men can win on Saturday ... Mike might even find people starting to call him the Great Redeemer!

Cardiff City Football Club

2005-03-15T15:13:00.000Z

Leighton Andrews (AM for Rhondda) is a Bluebirds season ticket holder & shareholder. His blog carries some in depth analysis, from the perspective of a fan with some understanding of finance, of the cash flow difficulties facing the Club. Bluebirds fans wondering what is going on should check it out.

Also he's been kind enough to give us a plug, so one good turn ...

Soft on Crime

2005-03-15T15:05:00.000Z

The Lib Dem crime plan:
• Vote against powers to break up teen gangs
Voted against dispersal orders, Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, 24 June 2003
• Oppose fixed penalty notices for drunken louts
Opposed roll out of fixed penalty notices, Lib Dem press release, 31 October 2002
• End all jail sentences for drug possession
‘Honesty, Realism, Responsibility’ Lib Dem drugs reform policy paper, passed 8-10 March 2002
• Never send young teen criminals to court
Lib Dem Policy Motion F46, passed 23 September 2004
• Block measures to tackle graffiti
Opposed measures to limit sale of spray paint to teenagers 24 June 2003

Alun Michael MP said: "We have had a real struggle to bring the Liberal Democrats into the real world. Their crime plans would let young troublemakers run riot in Grangetown knowing the courts could not touch them. The Lib Dems also want to ban courts from jailing crack and heroin abusers whereas we are increasing treatment and counselling as well as tackling offending.

The last thing the people of Grangetown need is excuses for those who break the law. Labour stands for the rights of the law-abiding majority and puts the rights of victims ahead of law-breakers."

Lib Dems dishonest on rebanding

2005-01-30T02:05:00.000Z

Lorraine Barrett AM

Tackling Knife Crime

2005-01-20T14:04:00.000Z

Alun Michael MP