Communities
Jonathan Todd, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, recently visited Anne Irving’s Optometrists on Stramongate, Kendal, to discuss optical and wider health issues with Ms. Irving and Mr. Simon Everett, another leading local optometrist.
Mr. Todd said:
“At the risk of using a horrible pun, I’d genuinely say it was a very eye opening visit. Ms. Irving and Mr. Everett are impressive people, who exude a real public service ethos. They raised a range of issues with me and made a very convincing case for the wider public health roles that optometrists can fulfil, particularly in relation to diabetes and glaucoma.
“Some changes to public policy will be needed to enable optometrists to better fulfil these roles and I will work with them to achieve these changes. These changes are particularly important in Westmorland and Lonsdale, as many health issues are best addressed within rural communities by a visit to the optometrists down the street at an early stage. The unhappy alternative is letting things fester or go undetected, making a longer journey to a hospital necessary.”
Many people in Westmorland and Lonsdale are concerned about litter and other aspects of their environment. These are issues upon which SLDC has failed. Labour wants to do better and is the only fair choice on these issues. Along with Labour SLDC council candidate Kieran Roberts, I explain this in the video below.
Jonathan Todd, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has joined forces with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). He wants to promote the interests of Britain’s pub goers, champion community pubs, press for reform of the ‘beer tie’ to deliver a fair deal for consumers and support the role of well-run pubs as solutions to alcohol misuse.
These commitments are based on a campaign being run by CAMRA, 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.
Mr Todd said:
“CAMRA is a fantastic organisation, with a strong campaigning platform that would bring positive change not only to pubs and their drinkers and communities, but also to public health. CAMRA’s proposals will make it more likely that people drink in the safe, regulated environments of pubs, rather than buying alcohol at rock bottom prices in supermarkets. Buying alcohol from supermarkets in this way tends to fuel unhealthy binge drinking and anti-social behaviour. This is something that I will work to change.”
Mike Benner, CAMRA’s Chief Executive welcomed Jonathan Todd’s support for the Charter, saying:
“We are delighted that Jonathan Todd 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.”
Inspite of the score line, I recently had a great day at Wembley watching Carlisle United. As a Cumbrian born and bred, and football fanatic, it was with great pride that I saw Carlisle take to the field, cheered on by so many Carlisle United fans.
I played a lot of football when I was growing up and saw many matches at Brunton Park. Sports participation helps build character and keeps people and communities fit. Clubs like Carlisle United are also vital to the health of their communities.
As MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, I’d do all that I could to support and encourage sports participation and Cumbrian teams like Carlisle United.
Jonathan Todd, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Westmorland and Lonsdale, has welcomed news that the Labour government will provide more than £2 million to help repair potholes in Cumbria’s roads.
Chancellor Alistair Darling has said Cumbria will be given £2.3 million from a £100 million fund to repair roads damaged by the snow, ice and plummeting temperatures in recent months.
Mr Todd said:
“Potholes are an issue which many local people raise with me. This welcome news illustrates the responsiveness of the Labour government to the needs of Cumbria. I hope this money is fairly used throughout the county and that Westmorland and Lonsdale gets the share that we need.”
The funding will allow local authorities to pay for the most urgent immediate repairs.
Local resident Lois Sparling said:
“As someone who frequently cycles and also drives on local roads, I am very much aware of the damage which the past winter has inflicted upon them. This extra help to deal with potholes is very timely.”
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis said:
“The Chancellor announced an extra £100 million for local authorities to repair pothole damage as a result of this winter’s severe weather. I intend to allocate this to councils as soon as possible, so that they can immediately get their maintenance staff filling potholes and making our roads as safe as possible for drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists. We have trebled funding to local authorities over the last 10 years for road maintenance. This pothole fund further demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our roads are in the best possible condition.”
