Decision to close ITV Westcountry will lead to poorer quality local TV says Labour 2 October 2008
Labour has reacted with disappointment to the news that ITV Westcountry is to be closed. After a year of campaigning to save the studios in Plympton and the 90 jobs there ITV announced that it is to close the studio and move Westcountry news to Bristol.
Labour's Luke Pollard said: "This is the news we have long feared, as ITV puts profits before its public service commitments.The loss of ITV Westcountry will not only mean poorer-quality and less relevant news for local people; it will also mean 90 talented people in Plympton will lose their jobs.
This decision has been taken by bean-counters at ITV in London who do not understand Devon and Cornwall. I suspect the news coverage from now on will reflect this distance too.”
Local people say NO to more speed humps 27 September 2008
Residents in Larkham Lane have responded with a clear answer when asked by Labour if they wanted new speed humps in Larkham Lane. A month ago Labour volunteers delivered nearly 1,000 leaflets to homes in the Larkham Lane area of Plympton asking them if they wanted the six new £1,000 each speed humps the Tory Council is planning on introducing.
95% of respondents said NO.
Luke Pollard from SW Devon Labour Party said: "I'm amazed the Tory Council hasn't asked local people if they want new speed humps. If they had bothered they would have found out that they don't. This issue is sadly yet another example of the hockie-kokie politics of local Tories who will say one thing about speed humps to get elected and do the opposite when in office. It is time the Council listened to local people and abandoned plans for these costly and unwanted speed humps."
Luke represents SW Devon at Labour Party Conference 20-24 September 2008
Labour's annual conference this year took place in Manchester and Luke Pollard represented SW Devon at the event. He said:
"I must admit I was nervous beforehand fearing that Labour would not pul together to take on the Tories and expose their policies and the damage it would do to Britain if they won the next election. But the atmosphere at Conference was the exact opposite of my fears and the party really pulled together. It is clear to me that in times of economic uncertainty we don't need an untested novice in Number 10 we need someone with the skills and experience to guide the nation through difficult times and that person is Gordon Brown."
More Speed Humps for Larkham Lane? 6 September 2008
The Tory Council have released more proposals for speed humps on Larkham Lane in Plympton. Local Tory Councillor, Patrick Nicholson, was elected on a ticket opposing speed humps now the Tory council is wanting to introduce new ones. Labour supports new speed humps but only with the support of the local community.
Luke said: "Larkham Lane residents have long suffered from heavy traffic right outside their doorsteps. It is right that the Council is looking at ways to reduce the traffic but it seems utterly hypocritical to have the local Tory Councillor elected on a ticket of opposing speed humps only to have the Tory Council introduce plans for more. It is about time that the residents were listened to. That is why today the Plympton Labour Campaign Team were out talking to lcoal residents asking for their views. Let me be clear Labour is open-minded about speed humps. When used correctly they can have a massively positive impact but only with the support of the local community."
Earlier this week Plympton Library burnt the ground in what Plympton Labour Party has described as "a community tragedy". The library was completely destroyed with the loss of over 25,000 books as well as priceless pieces of local history on display in the library.
Luke Pollard said: "The fire has burnt out the heart of Plympton. Labour has been campaigning for a new library in Plympton for over a year now. We never thought that the campaign would take such a twist though with the existing building burnt to the ground."
"I am pleased that the leader of the Tory Council has promised a bigger and better library for the people of Plympton. It is disappointing that it took a fire to make the tories support a new library."
"But let's be clear about this...Plympton is much poorer for not having a library and no temporary library will fill this gap. The Council needs to publish plans for a new permanant purpose built library as soon as possible. The people I have spoken to today will not stomach any delays because of council bueacracy."
Want to join the team - We're hiring! 15 August 2008
Do you want to join Luke's campaign? Do you want to make a difference to your community and get some valuable political work experience too? If so, why not think about joining his team and appy for his new Campaigns Assistant Intern role.
More details about the job is available here. Or watch the video below to find out more.
Join the Campaign Team ______________________________________________________
Luke expresses concern over regional ITV funding cuts 6 August 2008
Luke has reacted to the news of a £1.6bn fall in ITV's profits warning that this spells bad news for the future of ITV Westcountry.
ITV Executive Chairman Michael Grade commented on his company's annoucement by saying that regional TV broadcasting could not continue in its current configuration calling the regional model of TV news in eleven regions “very expensive and belonging to a monopoly analogue age”. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7544447.stm
In addition to publishing their results ITV also announced that it would be making £35m of savings by end of 2010 and “and £40 million of additional regional savings from the end of 2009.” http://www.itvplc.com/media/newsrelease/?id=9945
Luke has been campaigning for the past year to save ITV Westcountry and said:
“Michael Grade's comments again signal his intention to ignore local people's views and radically scale back local TV News. ITV Westcountry's news is an essential part of TV in the south west and it is disappointing that instead of looking at investing in these flagship programmes he further eludes to closing local TV studios like ITV Westcountry in Plympton.”
“At a time when profits are falling it seems curious to scale back some of their most popular news programmes. Public Service Broadcasting should not be an optional extra for ITV especially when it means coverage for Devon and Cornwall made in Bristol and the loss of 90 jobs in Plympton. ITV should come clean with their proposals for regional TV rather than leaving a question mark hanging over ITV in Plympton in order to give those who support Westcountry TV ability to scrutinise their thinking and make the case for why local TV is best delivered locally.”
Luke's anger at Elburton wind turbine refusal by Tory Councillors 24 July 2008
Luke Pollard has joined Plymouth Labour Councillors in condemning the decision of Tory Councillors in throwing out planning permission for two wind turbines at Coombe Dean school in Plymstock.
The planning application, enthusiastically backed by teachers and children in the school would deliver green energy for the school and local homes.
Local Tory Councillors have lead a protest against the wind turbines. Having won the approval of local planners the final hurdle to achieve green power for the school was today's planning committee.
Having presided over a rowdy circus the Tory Councillors on the committee finally rallied together to vote down the proposal 7 to 4. Labour Councillors voted for green power in Elburton.
Luke Pollard said: "I am amazed that the Tories have voted down this excellent application that I entirely support. The Council's green credentials are now in tatters after voting down this sensible plan on spurious grounds".
"How can the Tory Council tell us to go green in one breath and vote down green power in another - it is a scandal that will disappoint many, many children who only wanted to do their bit for the environment."
"Let's be in no doubt the campaign against this sensible applicaion was lead by the Leader of the Council and it is her who needs to look the children of Commbe Dean in the eye and explain why her party voted for global warming not green energy. The decision of the Tories to vote against wind power blows apart the Conservatives' green image. When it came to the crunch the Tories showed their true colours and it wasn't green. With David Cameron desperately trying to make his party look green Cllr Pengelly has shown that when it comes to the crunch they'll vote against green. It is a scandal."
Luke joins Cabinet Minister at the launch of the Blue Climate and Oceans Project Exhibition 14 July 2008
Luke Pollard, Labour PPC for South West Devon, joined Plymouth Sutton MP Linda Gilroy and Secretary of State for the Environment, Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP at the launch of a special exhibition of The BLUE ® Climate and Oceans Project in the Houses of Parliament.
The BLUE ® Climate and Oceans Project is the brainchild of Plymouth-based round-the-word yachtsman Conrad Humphreys.
BLUE ® seeks to encourage young people to engage with the environment through the mediums of sport, film and digital media. The core objective is to use the popularity of sport, embodied by BLUE ® Ambassadors - charismatic role models for environmental concern - to mobilise people, especially young people, into taking action to reduce our effect on the world's climate and oceans.
Just before the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn officially opened the exhibition in Parliament Luke spoke to the Minister about the importance of the maritime environment to South West Devon.
Plymouth MP, Linda Gilroy, praised the work of Blue's founder Conrad Humphreys, together with BLUE ® Ambassadors Rob Gauntlet and James Hooper, the youngest Britons to climb Mount Everest and world record Free Diver, Sara Campbell.
Linda Gilroy said “I'm delighted to have the chance to showcase The BLUE Climate and Oceans Project in Parliament.
“This exhibition couldn't come at a more appropriate time as both the Climate Change Bill and the draft Marine Bill are currently working their way through the legislative process. Both have the potential to be ground breaking – and both have particular importance to Plymouth”.
Luke Pollard said “Devon has a rich maritime history and if we are to effectively fight climate change we need to understand that it is affecting our seas jsut as much as it is our weather. This project really is superb and I fully support its aims.”
Conrad Humphreys said "Our vision for BLUE is a community that actively cares about sustaining our water environments."
"We plan to harness the popularity of sport and activities that showcase our water environments, to inspire people to be active in reducing their effect on both our climate and our oceans."
Luke celebrates the NHS' 60th Anniversary 5 July 2008
Plymouth and South West Devon Labour Parties celebrated the 60th anniversary of the creation of the NHS at a special event on Saturday 5 July in Stonehouse. Joined by former minister, Lord George Foulkes, local MP Linda Gilroy and Luke Pollard, spoke about the success of the NHS at 60 and the contribution of NHS staff to Plymouth. 50 people from across Plymouth were invited to celebration party that included cutting of a 60th birthday cake for the NHS.
Founded on 5 July 1948 by a Labour Government the NHS celebrates sixty years of continuous operation that has helped save the lives of millions providing healthcare on the basis of healthcare free at the point of delivery.
Lord Foulkes, Linda Gilroy and Luke Pollard spoke about the contribution of the NHS to Plymouth over sixty years, the challenges it faces now and the importance of not diluting the principles that healthcare should be free at the point of delivery in this and successive governments.
Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth Sutton said: “Like most people I have had cause to appreciate the NHS for personal reasons—indeed it saved my life when the NHS itself was only six years old and I was even younger! However, Britain today is very different from Britain 60 years ago, and that is why the Government is modernizing the health service to ensure that it can continue to meet our needs whilst remaining free for all at the point of delivery”.
Luke Pollard, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for South West Devon, said: “Plymouth owes a real debt of gratitude to the NHS for its service to the City over the last sixty years. This anniversary is a celebration of the tireless dedication of NHS staff to the local community they service with distinction. NHS staff give their all for our community each day and it is right that their hard work and effort is celebrated as the NHS turns 60.”
Lord George Foulkes said: “it's a real privilege to come back to Plymouth and speak at the 60th anniversary celebrations. Many people of my generation remember their parents telling them just how expensive healthcare was before the NHS and how the poor were always left out. The past sixty years has revolutionised the nation's health and it is fitting that we celebrate the lasting achievements of the NHS' founders and the work of local NHS staff without whom I know I would probably not be here today.”
Land's End is in SW Devon according to the national Tory website 29 May 2008
As part of his on going efforts to hold the Tories to account Luke Pollard has released details of a web blunder by the Conservative Party on their national website that suggests South West Devon includes Lands End!
Luke Pollard said: "The Tories have never prioritised the south west either when they were in government or in opposition but you would have thought they'd know where their own MPs are. The constituency map on their national website puts South West Devon, currently a Tory seat, at the tip of Cornwall. Voters in Exeter might also be surprised to hear that they've moved to Penzance too - it's a bit embarrassing."
"It is likely that a web designer is going to get the blame for this embarrassing error but the real focus should be on why the Tories are not prioritising issues of importance to south west voters like high utility bills, voting for more affordable housing and supporting government efforts to tackle poverty in the region. Instead each of their MPs has voted against every single penny Labour has put into our schools and hospitals over the last ten years."
"If the Tories want voters to believe theyr'e ready to govern the country you would think they'd start with getting the basics right."
Luke Pollard has joined Plymouth MP Linda Gilroy in speaking to local people after the arrests in Plymouth as part of the terrorism investigation into the bomb in Exeter.
Luke Pollard said: "Devon can seem the last place in Britain that would be the scene of a terrorist attack but the events over the Bank Holiday proved that nowhere is safe and that we all need to play our part in keeping our communities safe and secure."
Luke and Linda spoke to local people in Old Town Street about their views about terrorism and found that local people are standing firm backing the Police and their investigation.
Luke Pollard has joined Plymouth MPs, Linda Gilroy and Alison Seabeck in welcoming the Prime Minister to Plymouth. His visit on 9 May was the first time Gordon Brown had visited Plymouth since becomnig Prime Minsiter last year.
During his visit to Plymouth the PM visited the East End Community Centre and a flagship housing development.
In a meeting with Labour members afterwards the PM expressed his thanks for the hard work put in over the recent local elections acknowledging the challenging political environment. He asked Labour members to believe in the social justice agenda being forwarded by Labour and hold firm.
He also spoke about the need to do more to help people onto the housing ladder with more homes to buy and importantly more homes to rent in the private sector that are truly affordable for local people. The PM also pledged to do more to help people struggling with their utility bills - a big issue in the south west where the cost of living is high and wages are low.
Luke Pollard, Labour's PPC for SW Devon, said: "I was really pleased the PM made Plymouth one of his first places to visit after the local elections. I was also really pleased that he addressed in his speech to local people the same issues I hear time and time ago on the doorstep - utility bills and housing issues."
Find out more about what the Prime Minister is doing here.
Labour has moved from a distant third into second place in key election battlegrounds in South West Devon in Plymouth's local elections held on 1 May 2008.
Labour are now in second place behind the Tories in Plympton St Mary's, Plympton Chaddlewood and Plympton Erle with a strong showing in Plymstock too..
Luke Pollard said: "The team in SW Devon have done a superb job. I want to thank the voters who put their trust in Labour at the polls."
"Clearly the results in the City are disappointing but we have a solid activist base, good issues to campaign on and a local Tory Council still making mistakes."
"The Tories claim that the fields in Chaddlewood are safe. Our job is to ensure this is the case. The Tories again promised a pool for Plymstock. Our job is to ensure they deliver or are held to account for this twenty-year old pledge. This election has proved that we can win more votes in SW Devon and we will continue to campaign to represent local people."
"The Tories think they are going to get an easy ride from now on. They're wrong. Our job is to hold them to account and that is precisely what we shall do."
For a full breakdown of results go to Plymouth City Council's election pages - click here.
Use your vote to Save Chaddlewood Fields - Labour 24 April 2008
Labour have responded to the claims made by the Tory Councillor for Plympton Chaddlewood that Chaddlewood Fields are safe in their hands, describing the pledge as 'empty'.
Luke Pollard, Labour's PPC for SW Devon said: "I'm pleased that after nearly three months of campaigning on saving Chaddlewood Fields the Councillor representing the ward has finally woken up to the very real threat of sale. To say that the fields are safe in tory hands when it is a Tory Council that lists the fields on their own asset disposal register is somewhat misleading to say the least."
"If the Tories didn't want to sell the fields why did they put them on the Council's Asset Disposal Register and why have they not taken them off this for sale list. If you wanted to save Chaddlewood Fields would you keep them on a list of land to be sold off? No, neither would we!"
Pauline Murphy who is standing for Labour in Chaddlewood said: "People in Chaddlewood want to know their fields are safe. How can the fields be safe on an Asset Disposal Register. This is a list of land for sale not for safe keeping. The claims by the lcoal Tories that the fields are safe smack of electioneering coming as they do only days before the local elections."
"The Tories are running scared on this issue", Pauline warns "I'd expect to see more Tory activits in Chaddlewood than the ward has seen for years as they panic to firm up their vote ahead of the crunch vote on 1 May."
lBrendan Torely, Pauline Murphy, Cllr Brian Vincent and Luke Pollard call on voters in Chaddlewood to use their vote on 1 May to Save Chaddlewood Fields by voting for Pauline Murphy
Plymstock Labour have reacted with disappointment to news that the Tories are promising to build a swimming pool for the people of Plymstock in their election literature.
The Labour Party has been running a campaign to force the Tories to publish plans for a new swimming pool in Plymstock or apologise to voters for misleading them. On 1 May Plymstock votes for a new councillor.
Luke Pollard, who has been spearheading the campaign for Labour said: "Earlier this year I challenged the Tories to deliver plans for a pool or apologise to voters. The local Tories have been cynically using the Plymstock Pool issue to garner votes for two decades now and I'm disappointed, but not surprised, they're doing it again at these elections."
Earlier this year Labour's investigations uncovered plans to build a swimming pool in the Sherford new town - a town the Tories opposed tooth and nail.
Have you seen plans for a Plymstock Pool? Use your vote on 1 May to hold the Tories to account. Two decades of promises and not a drop of water to swim in!
The latest plans to merge ITV Westcountry with studios in Bristol are "disappointing" according to Labour's PPC for South West Devon, Luke Pollard.
In a new leaked briefing document sent to MPs ITV says it will press head with creating nine super-regions from the current 15 regional TV franchises. ITV claims this new strucutre will give viewers what they want, but Luke Pollard is sceptical.
He said: "Labour has been campaigning in South West Devon on the issue of ITV Westcountry for six months and in this time I have only met one person in favour of the proposals and that was ITV's Chairman, Michael Grade."
"We understand that the company must cuts costs but slashing lcoal TV news and threatneing the jobs of people in Plympton is simply unacceptable."
Sign Labour's petition against the closure of ITV.
Disclaimer: Luke used to work as a studio manager on the ITV programme 'Birthday People' based in Plympton.
Luke welcomes Parliamentary Water report 2 April 2008
Luke Pollard has joined fellow Plymouth MPs in welcoming the publication of a report on water affordability in Parliament.
Luke joined MPs, water companies, charities and consumer groups at the launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Water Group into water in the House of Commons. The report looked at how to reform the water sector to make bills more affordable and minimise the environmental impact of the water industry on the environment.
Luke said: "Water is an issue fast rising up the political agenda and rightly so. Water is a major issue for people in South West Devon and ensuring everyone can afford safe, clean drinknig water must be a priority for Government."
"This report makes strong recommendations on compulsory metering, environmental sustainability and helping those who struggle to pay their water bills."
"It is a shame that, yet again, Gary Streeter chose not to attend this important event. After missing an important debate on water only a few weeks ago, I had expected to see him at this event, but sadly not. I was pleased to see Alison Seabeck and Linda Gilroy at this event. Linda has done so much to champion the views of water customers in the south west and has been right at the heart of this debate. The challenge for Government now is to rise to the challenge."
South West Devon is asking its members and Labour supporters to come out and help the Party win votes in May's local elections.
The election looks like a tight-run contest in many wards across Plymouth. In SW Devon we have been campaigning on the ground in Plympton and Plymstock for many months highlighting the Tories' broken promises and putting forward the positive case for a Labour alternative.
On Saturday 26 April Labour is holding a special campaign day where people are beign asked to help in South West Devon and across Plymouth. Click here for more details.
We need your help...please help us fight for Plymouth
Local election launched with call to Save Chaddlewood Fields 16 March 2008
Plympton Labour Party today launched their election push for the local elections with a call to Save Chaddlewood Fields. Speaking at the launch of Labour's election drive Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of the Labour Group on Plymouth City Council, warned that "the Tories need to find £86m to balance their books. This means land is going to be sold off - beware."
Luke Pollard said: "We have now delivered nearly three thousands leaflets in Chaddlewood asking local residents to support our campaign to Save Chaddlewood Fields. The local elections are a chance to send a message to the Tories that plotting to sell land without the consent of local people is not acceptable."
"After the Tories U-turned on their election promise not to build on Central Park how can we trust their promise not to sell Chaddlewood Fields when they appear on the asset disposal register?"
Pauline Murphy, Labour's candidate for Chaddlewood said: "This election is fast becoming a choice for local people betweena party intent on selling off Plymouth's assets at any price to balance their books and the Labour Party committed to protecting community green spaces. I ask voters to think about where they want their children to play in the future when deciding which way to vote".
Eighty people have now joined the Save Chaddlewood Fields Facebook Group - have you invited your friends to join yet? If you are not online look out for Labour's petition coming door to door in your area!
Luke Pollard has welcomed the Chancellor's Budget describnig it as "common sense". Luke said: "Budget day can sometimes be known for all the bells and whistles in the Budget. What the economy needs now is stability and I am pleased that this was a Budget that delivered exactly that - no big bangs, no flashes - just commonsense stability."
Luke backs Devonport Dockyard campaign in Parliament...but where was Gary Streeter? 6 March 2008
Yesterday, I added my support to Linda Gilroy's Parliamentary campaign to support Devonport Dockyard. Labour's MP for Plymouth Sutton had secured an adjournment debate in the House of Commons to raise the issue of Devonport's continuing role supporting the Royal Navy. Read a transcrpt of the debate here.
"Devonport Dockyard is the backbone of Plymouth's economy and every effort must be made to protect the jobs and work for the yard. Linda Gilroy and Alison Seabeck have been doing a superb job in defending our dockyard and I support their efforts. Yesterday's debate reinforced a secure future for Devonport with further Ministerial assurances about the yard's future.
Recent attempts by the Tories to talk down the Dockyard's future for short term political gain is shameful. Do they not realise that everytime they talk down the dockyard they not only put people off from investing in Plymouth and moving to our city but they talk down everyone who works in the dockyard?
With a multi-million pounds investments by the Labour Government and reassurances from Ministers the future of Devonport is secure. We need to start talking up its future and those who support the Royal Navy so brilliantly in Plymouth.
What voters in South West Devon will want to know is why wasn't Gary Streeter present at the debate? Why wasn't he representing the views of voters in SW Devon? I have written to Mr Streeter asking him why he wasn't in the debate and will publish his response on this site."
Do you know why Gary wasn't at the debate? If so e-mail me: luke@lukepollard.net
Plympton Labour Party are warning local residents in Chaddlewood that their green fields are under threat after the Tory Council published its latest asset disposal register effectively putting a for sale sign above the fields.
Luke Pollard, Labour PPC for South West Devon, said: "The Tory Council need to sell off nearly a hundred acres of land over the next five years to bal;ance its books and after breaking their election promise by building on Central Park is your local park next? Chaddlewood Fields is an essential part of the Plympton community giving people a place to play and get fresh air."
"The local community must be involved in a dialogue about the future of their green spaces. Labour are campaigning to Save Chaddlewood Fields and I encourage people to join our campaign to keep your local green fields."
Pauline Murphy, from Plympton Labour Party said: "I'm concerned that local people have not had their voices heard and before the Tory Council make any decisions the local community must be given all the facts." s
What can you do to help Save Chaddlewood Fields?
Join the Save Chaddlewood Fields Facebook Group - click here
Sign Labour's petition to Save Chaddlewood Fields
Write to your local Tory Councillor demanding he U-turns from wanting to sell off the fields to joining our campaign to Save Chaddlewood Fields.
Join members and supporters at South West Devon's Annual Pub Quiz at Tuscany's, Legion Lane, Brixton on Sunday 17 February 2008 from 730pm. Test your general knowledge against local party members with the winner taking home the title 'Pollard Challenge Cup Winner 2008'.
Entry is £6.50 waged and £5.50 unwaged. If you need a lift to the venue please let me know.
Luke helps Parliament draw against Wapping in Hockey clash 30 January 2007
Luke picked up his hockey stick after a period of injurty to help the Pariamentary hockey team draw against London's mighty Wapping Hockey Club. Playing at Wapping's ground in the shadows of Tower Bridge, Luke was selected by Tory MP, Tim Loughton, to be one of four Labour members in the House of Lords and Commons Hockey Team.
Luke was playing in defence with Labour Foreign Office Minister, Meg Munn MP, and Shadow Sports Minister, Hugh Robertson MP.
Wapping were two goals ahead after half time but a sterdy defence in the second half repelled Wapping's attack and allowed Parliament to break to score twice levelling the game at two a piece after full time.
After challenging local Conservative Councillors in Plymstock to deliver plans for the swimming pool the Tories have been promising the people of Plymstock for twenty years or apologise for misleading voters, the Tory Council has published plans for a new pool. Not in Plymstock - in Sherford.
Luke Pollard said: "It's good news that the Tories have bowed to Labour pressure and published plans for a new pool. I'm pleased they've decided to go back to Labour's plans that they voted against."
"The Tories are in deep water about this pledge. They're now supporting a pool in Sherford, not as promised in Plymstock, but the tories spent years opposing Sherford. So they're now pro-pool but anti-Sherford. How does this work? Meanwhile, whilst the Tories are busy botching their pool plans the people of Plymstock are still waiting for a pool. It is simply not good enough."
Send us your views about the twenty year old promise from the Conservatives to build a swimming pool. E-mail luke@lukepollard.net
Plymstock Labour Party has challenged local Conservative Councillors in Plymstock to deliver plans for the swimming pool the Tories have been promising the people of Plymstock for twenty years or apologise for misleading voters.
Luke Pollard said: "With the local elections fast approaching in May I expect the Conservatives to reel out their promise to build a new pool. My challenge to the Tories is simple come clean about your intentions to either build a pool by publishing plans for a pool or admit you are not going to build one."
Send us your views about the twenty year old promise from the Conservatives to build a swimming pool. E-mail luke@lukepollard.net
Happy Christmas from South West Devon Labour Party 14 December 2007
Happy Christmas from South West Devon Labour Party! 2007 has been a busy year for your local Labour Party. In this video Luke Pollard joins local members in wishing the people of South West Devon a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Break the silence about HIV in the south west 1 December 2007
To mark World Aids Day, Luke Pollard, Labour PPC for SW Devon has called upon the people of the South West to help break the silence on HIV by starting talking about HIV and AIDS. There are currently 73,000 people with HIV in the UK and the number of people in the south west with HIV increased by 15% in the last year.
Luke Pollard said: "There are now 2,103 people living with HIV in the South West. This is not just a number each figure represents a real person. If we are to stop the increase in HIV infections here in Devon we need to break the silence on HIV and get talking about how to prevent the spread of HIV."
For more information about HIV visit the World Aids Day website here.
No decision made over ITV Westcountry's future, CEO tells MPs 29 November 2007
Fears that ITV will close its Plymouth base are premature, Michael Grade, the ITV Chief Executive, told MPs and members of the House of Lords at a special meeting held in Parliament. Speaking at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for ITV he said no decision had been made yet to close ITV Westcountry.
Speaking in response to a question from Labour Peer Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, Mr Grade said
'We are still considering it [closing ITV Westcountry]. It's widely assumed that it will go to Bristol but that hasn't been decided. It is possible Bristol might be closed and services moved to Plymouth'.
Sign Labour's petition against the closure of ITV.
Luke Pollard, Labour's PPC for South West Devon said: "ITV need to clarify what their plans are for ITV Westcountry. Dropping hints about its future without making clear commitments is unfair to the 90 people who depend on Westcountry for their jobs."
The people of the south west have a strong voice and our challenge now is to make it heard at the TV regulator, Ofcom, so it throws it ITV's plan to rob local people of high quality local news on ITV."
"I have written to Gary Streeter offering to work on a cross-party basis to support ITV Westcountry. I look forward to his reply."
To read the Plymouth Herald's coverage of this meeting click here.
Declaration: Luke used to work as a studio manager on the ITV programme 'Birthday People' based in Plympton.
Sign Labour's petition against the closure of ITV Westcountry 10 November 2007
The campaign against the closure of ITV Westcountry is gearing up with Labour collecting signatures in Plympton against the closure of ITV Westcountry.
Luke Pollard, from South West Devon Labour Party, was joined by Councillors and volunteers from across Plymouth in Plympton as he called upon local people to back the campaign to oppose ITV CEO's Michael Grade's plans to close the studios in Plympton.
Luke Pollard said: "The response from local people has been incredible and the message is clear - the people of Plympton want to keep ITV in Plympton."
The Labour Party has so far collected hundreds of names that will be presented to Michael Grade, ITV's Chief Executive. Have you signed the petition yet?
Declaration: Luke used to work as a studio manager on the ITV programme 'Birthday People' based in Plympton.
November 2007: Sign Labour's petition to save ITV Westcountry -
have you signed it yet?
Pollard takes fears over loss of local news to ITV's Chief Executive
5 October 2007
Luke Pollard, Labour's candidate in South West Devon, has taken local people's concerns about the possible closure of ITV Westcountry in Plympton to ITV Chief Executive, Michael Grade. Speaking to Mr Grade at Labour Conference Luke Pollard expressed concern about the loss of 90 jobs from the local area and also the effects this would have on the quality of local news coverage. Mr Grade replied that the company was reviewing its operations and had handed over its thoughts to OFCOM, the TV regulator for discussion.
Luke Pollard has written to David Currie, the Chair of OFCOM, demanding that the views of local people are not forgotten in the restructuring of ITV.
Luke said: "ITV local news has been part of Westcountry life ever since the launch of TSW in the 1980s. We all understand that ITV needs to restructure to deliver value and pump more money into programming but not at any cost. Viewers in the south west want to know that ITV will not be retreating from the westcountry. Closing ITV Westcountry in Plympton is a step in the wrong direction and will do little to endear the company to Westcountry viewers after the phone votes scandal. I have written to Ofcom expressing the concerns of people I have spoken to on the doorstep who fear closure of ITV in Plympton will mean the end of truly local news for Devon on ITV. I look forward to hearing back from Ofcom and ITV."
Declaration: Luke used to work as a studio manager on the ITV programme 'Birthday People' based in Plympton.
Continue to invest in the Dockyard, Pollard tells Labour Conference 28 September 2007
In his first platform speech at Labour Party Conference Luke Pollard, Labour's PPC for South West Devon, called upon the Government to award key new contracts to Devonport Dockyard (see picture below). Speaking in the 'Britain in the World Debate', Luke spoke of the pride he feels in Britain's armed forces serving around the world and the sense of pride in South West Devon in the UK's armed forces and in Devonport Dockyard.
Luke said "Now that Des Browne (the Defence Secretary) has secured the future of the Dockyard we now need new contracts to secure the skilled labour and manufacturing in Devon".
Luke's speech was carried live on BBC Parliament and also covered on BBC Radio Devon.
Luke speaking about the importance of Devonport Dockyard at Labour's 2007 Annual Conference in Bournemouth
Request a Postal Vote 25 September 2007
Luke Pollard is encouraging voters in South West Devon to apply for a postal vote. You can request a postal vote from your local council. Please click on one of the links below to be taken to either Plymouth City Council or South Hams District Council where you will be able to request a postal vote. Remember, you can request a postal vote up until 11 days before polling day.
Stay updated with news and events from my campaign using Facebook. Join my campaign group 'Luke Pollard for South West Devon' to be kept informed of news updates, campaigning dates and how you can help Labour win locally.
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