[SinglePic not found]Eric Ollerenshaw, Lancaster and Fleetwood’s Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, has taken his demand for a referendum on the controversial ‘European Union Treaty’, or ‘the Lisbon Treaty’ as it is known in some quarters, straight to the heart of UK decision-making.

Eric was joined in Westminster by between two and three thousand people from across the country, all gathered to protest over the refusal, by the Government, to permit a public vote on the document.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed the Treaty in Lisbon back in December. The piece will create an EU President, a more powerful foreign policy chief as well as binning the national veto in some policy areas.

Sovereignty Doubts

In October, the European Scrutiny Committee based at the House of Commons, raised doubts about the safety of key parts of British sovereignty if the new European Union Treaty was to be adopted by the UK.

It is virtually a carbon-copy of the now defunct European Constitution on which we were promised a say.

Eric Ollerenshaw

Eric said: “Gordon Brown is insulting the public by not offering us a vote on this very fishy new Treaty which has some very dangerous consequences for our governance.

“It is virtually a carbon-copy of the now defunct European Constitution on which we were promised a say.

“I was very proud to be at the rally at Westminster to make sure our community’s voice is being heard in the campaign for a referendum on the Treaty.”

[SinglePic not found]The Conservative Party is to table a motion to be debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday 19th of March, which calls for the suspension of the Post Office closure programme.

The motion will highlight many concerns of local residents, including how the cuts will affect the elderly and disabled and the way the consultation process has worked.

The Government’s ‘access criteria’, which has been held responsible by many for recommending the closure of profitable and popular Post Offices, will also be highlighted.

Commenting, Alan Duncan, Shadow Secretary for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said:

“We understand the widespread public dismay about the plans to close 2,500 post offices, particularly as the ones to be closed seem to be chosen for their geography rather than their viability.

Where the Conservatives are in control, such as in Essex, we are actively putting in money to save rural Post Offices.

Ben Wallace MP

“Across the country, MPs have been campaigning to highlight the failings of the closure plans and the consultation process. We think it is right that, in the light of all the complaints and concerns, Parliament should now call a halt to the process.”

Local MP, Ben Wallace, has praised Essex County Council in their efforts to save rural Post Offices. Discussing the loss of four of Lancaster’s Post Offices, Mr Wallace said:

“I am glad that my Party is not just talking about this issue, but is leading the way in keeping our Post Offices open. Where the Conservatives are in control, such as in Essex, we are actively putting in money to save rural Post Offices.

“Labour MPs who have protested against Gordon Brown’s Post Office cuts should put their votes where their mouths have been and support our calls for a suspension to the closures.

It would be nice if Labour’s Lancashire County Council could for once take a lead from Conservative-run Essex and do something practical to help

Eric Ollerenshaw

“These cuts can be reversed, but it needs MPs of all parties to listen to their constituents.”

Eric Ollerenshaw added “It would be nice if Labour’s Lancashire County Council could for once take a lead from Conservative-run Essex and do something practical to help.”

Eric Ollerenshaw MP

The Home Secretary announced this week that cash payments for scrap metal will be banned and penalties increased, as the Government steps up its action against metal theft.

In a statement to Parliament Theresa May said the Government would:

• create a new criminal offence to prohibit cash payments when purchasing scrap metal
• introduce unlimited penalties on those who break the law.

In November last year the Government announced that a dedicated metal theft taskforce would be established.

These changes are part of a wider plan to tackle all stages in the illegal trading of stolen scrap metal and further measures to crack down on rogue dealers will soon be outlined.

Commenting on the announcement, Lancaster & Fleetwood’s MP, Eric Ollerenshaw, said:

‘This is a really serious problem, already local farms, churches, magistrates courts, school buildings and numerous private businesses have  been hit. People across Lancaster & Fleetwood are disgusted by metal thieves and the criminals who deal in stolen metal.”

‘We need to protect business, the public and our national heritage from metal theft and that’s why I’m pleased to back the Government’s action. It’s right that the Government is stopping cash payments and introducing tough penalties to clamp down on the illegal metal trade’