Month: July 2015

Uncategorized

Wythenshawe Labour Party backs Corbyn in leadership race

jc-smallWythenshawe Constituency Labour Party members have voted to back left winger Jeremy Corbyn in  his bid to become the new party leader.

In a packed meeting at Wythenshawe Cricket Club tonight Corbyn won the nomination ballot with Leigh MP, Andy Burnham coming second in the ballot.

Dozens of new members came to the meeting as well as Labour supporters who also voted to back Corbyn in a consultative ballot.

Corbyn is currently the bookies favourite to win the leadership race having first being ranked as an outsider. Polls are giving him a commanding lead and he has the support of a large number of constituency parties and trade unions, including Unite, Unison and the Communication Workers Union.

The veteran MP is standing on an anti-austerity platform and was the only candidate to vote against the government’s Welfare Reform and Work Bill while the others abstained.

The other candidates in the election are Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall.

Anyone who wants to vote in the election can do so by registering as a Labour Supporter for £3 before August 12.

News, Politics

Wythenshawe MP explains why he abstained in welfare vote

kaneWythenshawe MP, Mike Kane has explained why he abstained in the vote on the government’s Welfare Reform and Work Bill which will impose a £20,000 a year benefit cap on families.

And the Labour MP has vowed to continue to push for changes to the bill when it reaches at the next stage in parliament.

He told the Wythenshawe reporter: “There are some measures in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill which we support and some measures which we oppose. I do not think it is in the interests of my constituents to vote against measures such as 3 million apprenticeships, cuts in council rents, support for troubled families and loans for mortgage interest.

“We will however now be seeking in the Committee stage to heavily amend the Bill to try and prevent the Government from doing things like abolishing targets for reducing child poverty and cutting to support for the sick and disabled who are not fit for work.”

“I and my Labour colleagues will vote against the tax credit cuts which will make three million low and middle income working families worse off. These measures are not in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill – they will be in statutory Instruments in the autumn, and I will oppose them.”

The bill was opposed by 48 Labour MPs, who defied an order from their acting party leader Harriet Harman not to vote.

Mr Kane voted for a Labour bid to halt the bill whilst supporting the benefit cap. But when the amendment was defeated, the MP remained neutral and abstained in the final vote on the bill.

News, Politics

Wythenshawe MP abstains in vote on Welfare Reform and Work Bill as 48 Labour MPs defy party leader and vote against it

kaneWythenshawe’s Labour MP, Mike Kane, has abstained in the vote in the first debate in parliament over the government’s Welfare Reform Bill, within a fortnight of heckling the Chancellor over £12 billion of cuts which will hit 60 per cent of families in the town.

The bill, which will cap the total benefit entitlement for a family at £385 a week as well as slash child and tax credits for low paid workers, was opposed by 48 Labour MPs, who defied an order from their acting party leader Harriet Harman not to vote.

Mr Kane voted for a Labour bid to halt the bill whilst supporting the benefit cap. But when the amendment was defeated, the MP towed the party line by remaining neutral and abstained in the final vote on the bill.

The Wythenshawe MP was reprimanded by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons during the budget speech on July 8th when he and two other MPs tried to drown out Chancellor George Osborne as he tried to announce cuts.

He said he was happy to be be part of  “a gang of three standing up to a gang of 300 Tory MPs whose cuts will impoverish the people of Wythenshawe.” Continue reading “Wythenshawe MP abstains in vote on Welfare Reform and Work Bill as 48 Labour MPs defy party leader and vote against it” →

Crime, News

Defiant Firbank landlord to reopen tonight after arsonists hit pubs in Newall Green and Baguley

The bosses of  two Wythenshawe pubs which suffered arson attacks within half an hour of each other have thanked locals for their support.

The Firbank in Newall Green and the Black Boy in Baguley were hit by arsonists in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Firbank landlord, Simon Delaney has vowed not to be beaten by the fire-raisers and said the pub will re-open the main lounge of the pub this evening (Thursday). Continue reading “Defiant Firbank landlord to reopen tonight after arsonists hit pubs in Newall Green and Baguley” →

Community News, News

Real Food Wythenshawe project looking for votes to scoop National Lottery prize

A Wythenshawe project aimed at getting local people growing and cooking fresh food to encourage healthier lifestyles are finalists in the National Lottery Awards. 

The Real Food Wythenshawe project is hoping to scoop the title of best environment project for a place at a star-studded awards ceremony, televised on BBC1.

The Lottery funded project is up against six other vying for votes for the title and a £2000 prize. Voting can be done online until July 29.

Real Food Wythenshawe is a five-year programme aimed at getting people in Wythenshawe growing and cooking fresh, sustainable food.

It’s an ambitious project that aims to reach people across the whole community, supporting them all to lead healthier, lower carbon lifestyles through the food they grow, cook and eat.