Luke Pollard for South West Devon

Latest News

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.

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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.

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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.

Help save ITV Westcountry - 27 October 2007

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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.

Plymouth City Council
South Hams District Council

South West Devon Online

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