My Recent Activities in Parliament.

Let me wish you all a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

I have decided to publish a quarterly newsletter of my activities in Parliament and in the local community.

These are just some of my main speeches in Parliament since I returned in September after my illness. It doesn't include the numerous questions and other interventions I have also made. If you would like to receive my newsletter by email directly please drop me an email and I will make sure that you do.

In addition to these speeches, last week I also challenged the Prime Minister at Prime Minister's Question Time about his past statements opposing Heathrow Airport Expansion and his commissioning of the Davies Report, which has recommended potentially two new runways at Heathrow. I reminded him that many local people supported him at the last election because of his statement "No ifs, no buts, there will be no third runway at Heathrow airport" but that now as a result of his Davies Report many felt that they had lost faith in him as someone who kept his word. Needless to say, I received a fairly meaningless reply. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25432914

I am extremely concerned at the risk to our community and have convened a public meeting on Thursday 16th January at 7pm at William Byrd School in Harlington to discuss this threat and what we as local residents can do about it. Please do come along.

These are the other main speeches I have made in Parliament since the new session started.

August

29^th: Commons vote on Military Intervention in Syria

I spoke in the Chamber to make it clear that I would not support any motion that, in principle, supports military interventions in Syria that can only do more harm than good. I questioned the Prime Minister as to why Great Britain, as a sovereign independent state, should automatically fall in line with American foreign policy.

I called on colleagues to learn from the Experiences of Iraq and Afghanistan, to remember that military intervention does not just cost lives but undermines the credibility of peace settlements, international institutions we look to secure peace in the world, and to focus on conflict prevention and resolution rather than military aggression.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130829/debtext/130829-0001.htm#1308298000503

September

11^th: Transparency of Lobbying Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill 

I spoke extensively during second reading, report stage and third reading and strongly opposed the gagging bill for its attempt to block community organisations campaigining and its biased prejudice against trade unions and trade unionism.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130911/debtext/130911-0002.htm#13091143001813

October

22^nd: Immigration Bill

When the Home Secretary made her first statement to the Commons on this Bill I questioned her on the practicalities and the deeply concerning and xenophobic implications of this Bill.  When asked what sanctions, fines or prison sentence would be given to a doctor or nurse whom treats, or a vicar who marries, a disqualified adult, the Home Secretary was unable to provide an adequate response.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131022/debtext/131022-0001.htm#13102262000295

22^nd: Anti Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Bill

At the report stage of this Bill I supported amendments to strip it of its most draconian powers that would inevitable lead to injustice. The Bill gave provisions for the Police to prosecute someone on the basis that they could commit a crime in the future. That is a burden of judgment placed on a police officer or others that is almost impossible to determine. I spoke out in favour of the right to protest and called on the House to ensure people have the right to express their views. I fear that this Bill if made law will result in injustice.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131014/debtext/131014-0003.htm#13101431001136

28^th: Local Audit and Accountability Bill

At second reading I addressed three issues: The first was the Bill’s failure to acknowledge the fears about corruption and lack of probity in local government, the second, its failure to address the structural and procedural breakdown of accountability of councillors and council officers and the third, the new code of practice for council newspapers to prevent councils campaigning on issues of local concern.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131028/debtext/131028-0002.htm#13102819000344

 29^th: Pensions Bill

I tried to use this Bill to protect the pensions of workers whose jobs had been privatised and their pensions cut. I reminded MPs that they have a moral responsibility that is separate from government. When Governments give promises to people, Parliament has a role in ensuring that they are adhered to. I tabled a new clause to urge the government to recognise that railway workers whose jobs had been privatised had lost pension benefits depite all the promises of previous Governments.I called on the government to send out a message that Governments had a responsibility to abide by its commitment to protect people’s pensions.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131029/debtext/131029-0002.htm#13102969002704

31^st High Speed Rail Preparation Bill

I tabled amendment 23 on the link between the network and Heathrow, an issue I raised on behalf of my constituents in each debate we have had on High Speed 2.

My background is in supporting rail expansion and investment. In Hayes and Harlington we have a railway estate and a large number of railway workers and, in addition, I chair the RMT trade union group in Parliament. When the idea of high-speed rail was first proposed it was welcomed in our constituency for a number of reasons. One was that if we could get railway journeys below four hours, that would take pressure off Heathrow airport and reduce the need short-haul flights into Heathrow. That assisted in our campaign against the expansion of Heathrow.

However when the route was published, every Member south of Birmingham could assess its impact on their constituency, except me, because the link to Heathrow was not included. The route of the link to Old Oak Common was published, but then we were told that there would be a direct link at some stage, the options would be published, there would be a consultation, a preferred option would be considered, compensation arrangements for those affected would be discussed and then this House would made a considered decision. I raised my concerns in the Commons chamber that constituents now have no idea what impact the route will have on them because, following the introduction of the Davies commission, the whole timetable and consultation process for the link to Heathrow have been deferred until after the next election.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131031/debtext/131031-0003.htm#13103165001418

November

 

11^th Offender Rehabilitation Bill

I made it clear in this debate that I am deeply worried about the privatisation of the probation service. I have no confidence that private companies will be able to supervise effetively ex offenders who have committed a range of serious crimes. i believe that the general public will be put at risk. I threatened ministers if any of my constituents are hurt by probation privatisation I will do all I can to stop them holding public office again
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131111/debtext/131111-0002.htm#1311119000193

20^th Regulation of Refractive Eye Surgery

I introduced a Bill to regulate refractive eye surgery, including laser eye surgery. The purpose of the bill is to tackle current failings within the industry. There are too many stories of people having their eyesight damaged as a result of this surgery and too many reports of high pressure sales tactics used by companies to persuade people to buy laser eye surgery without enough explanation of the risks involved and then not enough aftercare when things go wrong.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131120/debtext/131120-0002.htm#13112092001816

20^th Defence Reform Bill

I spoke out against ideologically motivated and unworkable Tory plans to privatise defence procurement. I challenged the Secretary of State that surely the concept of competition is stretched to absurdity when there is only one bidder. We risk demoralising the staff we employ at the moment.
On the 10^th of December the Defence Secretary was forced to abandon his dangerous plans to privatise procurement, which I welcomed but explained in the Commons chamber that there are 16,000 workers whose futures are still vulnerable following the Secretary of State’s statement.

 December

16^th Care Bill

I spoke on a number issues that have been raised with me by constituents. The first concern raised centred on the regulation of carers who are recruited as a result of direct payments. In our constituency, the borough has moved progressively towards direct payments, where the individual recruits carers on the open market. I raised the concern that these carers are included in the regulation system of the Care Quality Commission, which is not currently the case. Secondly I brought up the issue that the Bill should cover the whole range of abuse by carers should be covered by the Bill.  Thirdly I raised the issue of assessment and reassessment drawing on the extreme difficulties some in our community face during the process of assessment.

The social care services in our areas are under intense stress and, as a result, people with substantial needs are not being addressed—those with moderate needs, which are still significant and should be within the system, are being ignored completely.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131216/debtext/131216-0003.htm#1312171000798

17^th Local Audit and Accountability Bill
At report stage I tabled new clauses to the Bill to draw attention to some of the issues raised by the Transparency International report surrounding corruption in local government. It is critical that we maintain the confidence of the general public in the administration of local government. I think that Transparency International has helped us greatly. Given the lack of data on corruption in local government collected at national level or any other level, Transparency International looks at the systems implemented to make sure that corruption does not take place.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131217/debtext/131217-0002.htm#13121751000401

23rd General PreRecess Debate
I raised a number of issues including Heathrow expansion, the cuts to local Policing and the Fire Fighters strike planned for Christmas Eve. I appealed to Ministers to meet with the Fire Brigades Union to negotiate a settlement to this dispute.

 

 

Chancellor's Autumn Statement

I raised with the Chancellor in his Autumn Statement yesterday the issue of the return of the bonus culture in the City of London. I am worried that Bankers' pay has risen by 35% in the last year whilst most people have had their pay cut, frozen or at best a 1% increase, not even matching inflation. We appear to be returing to the casino economy practices in the City that caused the economic crisis. 

John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): Whatever one’s view of the past, there are worrying signs that the bonus culture is returning to the City, with large payouts, share distributions and high dividend payments disguising what were formerly bonuses. Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer make it clear that the Government stand ready to introduce further measures to control the bonus culture? I believe that they would have the support of the whole House in doing so.
5 Dec 2013 : Column 1123
Mr Osborne: I find myself in agreement with the hon. Gentleman. He put his question in a very measured way. We do not want to see a return to the uncontrolled bonus culture. We now have a much tougher regime in respect of the transparency of bonuses and clawback, which means that if things go wrong in trades or for a bank, they can get the money back that they have paid people in bonuses. We will take measures to tackle things such as dual contracts, as I mentioned briefly in my statement and as is set out in the document. People who work in the financial industry often split their contract so that they can claim that they are only working for part of the time in the UK to avoid tax. Where there is egregious tax avoidance, we will take steps. I agree with him that the banking system as a whole must be cognisant of the times in which it lives.

Powerday Planning Application for Tavistock Road, West Drayton

I spoke at last night's packed public meeting in St Matthews Church in West Drayton organised by the local residents' association to oppose the planning application by Powerday for a massive recycling operation on Tavistock Road.

Over 150 people attended and expressed their worries about the impact of this development so close to a residential area. People's main concerns were the increase in heavy traffic in an already congested road network, a worsening of air pollution in one of the most air polluted areas in the country and the increase in noise and dust from the site.

All the local councillors, John Randall the MP for Uxbridge and I confirmed our opposition to this planning application. It was reported that a contract had just been signed by the West London Waste Authority to transport local waste by rail to a recycling centre in Bristol.

Local residents have submitted a petition of over 3000 signatures and over 200 letters to the council opposing the planning application. I have expressed my opposition as well.

The Council's Planning Committee meets on Tuesday 11th December at 8pm at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge. Local residents are urged to attend to show their opposition to this proposal.

If the Council rejects this application it will go the the Mayor for London for his views and if Powerday appeals it will go to the Secretary of State for him to set up a planning appeal inquiry.

Hayes FM – on the lookout for volunteers

- Would you like to present a radio show to over 3000 people?

- Are you interested in joining a team of experts who will help you learn the ropes?

- Are you looking for more experience in radio production?

- Do you want to take part in trainings to develop your research, production and presentation skills?

Hayes FM, our major West London local community radio station, is re-launching at its brand new studios at Rosedale College in Hayes in February next year and we're on the hunt for volunteers to help run it.

To prepare for the re-launch we are looking for more volunteers to help in researching, producing and presenting programmes as well as helping sell advertising and raise funds.

Could you consider volunteering or is there anyone you know who could be interested?

There is training provided for all the roles we need volunteers to fill and support as people go on air for the first time.

Also would you or an organisation you know be interested in broadcasting its own programme on Hayes FM?

We particularly need presenters for daytime shows and programmes for daytime broadcasting. There are opportunities for pre-recording programmes as well in order to suit the times you or your group could be available.

If you are interested in joining us at Hayes FM, please drop me an email and I will arrange for Hayes FM to contact you to discuss how you can become part of our team.

Hayes FM is not just a community radio station, it provides training and opportunities for many young people to gain the confidence and experience to gain employment or go on to further training.

Best wishes,

John McDonnell MP and Chair of Hayes FM

Statement from John McDonnell MP

Back in May I experienced chest pains for several days but had a busy schedule of meetings in the constituency and activities in Parliament and so continued on working until after speaking at a public meeting I suffered severe pains and my wife insisted that she take me to hospital.

I visited the Accident and Emergency Unit at Hillingdon Hospital and was diagnosed as having a minor heart attack. I was promptly taken by ambulance to Harefield Hospital where I was operated on successfully within 24 hours.
I am now on the hospital's rehabilitation programme and feeling well and increasingly stronger.

Last week I returned to Parliament to speak in the debate on Syria and this week I am back in my constituency office and raising further issues in the Commons.

I want to thank the doctors, nurses, paramedics and other staff at both Hillingdon Hospital and Harefield Hospital and my own GP, Dr Verma, for the excellent care and treatment they provided to me. They were all extremely warm and caring, whilst providing the highest possible professional treatment. This was the NHS at its finest.

I have written to the Chief Executives of both hospitals to pass on my praise and thanks to these wonderful NHS staff. I have also agreed to revisit Harefield Hospital this month to speak at the hospital's annual seminar on treating heart attacks.

I tried to return to work soon after my heart attack but this proved to be too soon and I had a setback. However during my period of recuperation my colleague, Helen Lowder, who manages my constituency office, and her team of staff and volunteers have worked incredibly hard to respond to the needs of my constituents and to deal with local issues as they have arisen. I wish to place on record my thanks to Helen and her team for their hard work and dedication.

As people have become aware of my illness I have received numerous cards and messages of support. I wish to thank all those individuals and organisations who have sent their best wishes and offered their support. Many religious groups have not only expressed their hopes for a speedy recovery but have also mentioned me in their prayers. I am grateful for this kindness.

I have really missed not being at the heart of community activities over the last three months and I am looking forward to getting fully back into action, especially working with local people and local community groups.

Hillingdon Council Rips Out Hedges at Botwell Common/Lake Farm

Hillingdon Council has ripped out the historic hedge that was the border between Lake Farm Country Park and Botwell Common.This act of appalling environmental vandalism has destroyed the habitat of the local birds just at nesting time contrary to the legislation protecting these habitats at this time of the year.  

“Why is the Council seizing much more land than it needs to build school on Lake Farm?"

The Council is being forced to consult on how much land it is
appropriating to build a new school Botwell Common and Lake Farm. In the
consultation papers it is revealed that the Council is seizing at least
50% more land than it originally said it needed in its planning
application for the new school.

Local MP, John McDonnell, commented "The only reason the council is
trying to seize so much more land is that it must have a hidden agenda
to build on more of our country park. Is there a hidden plan for housing
or a secondary school on the park or both? Are we witnessing another
sell off and asset stripping exercise in the south of the borough by
these Uxbridge and Ruislip councillors? We are demanding answers."

Guru Nanak's New Primary School Plans Means Council Has No Need to Build on Lake Farm

Guru Nanak School has now applied to the Council to build a new fourth
form of entry primary school on its site in the same ward as the council
plans to build a school on Botwell Common and Lake farm.

The pupils that have been accepted to attend the new Guru Nanak Primary
School are overwhelmingly drawn from the local Hayes area.

The new school is to be built on the existing school site surrounded by
existing school buildings and although technically on green belt land,
it is land not open to the public and not in the country park area.

Local MP John McDonnell commented

"I am reluctant to see any area of green belt built upon but allowing
this school to go ahead on land that is already on the school site,
surrounded by school buildings, is inaccessible to the general public
and not in a country park, means that the council has no need to build
on our Botwell Common and Lake Farm country park. This development could
save our country park. I am urging the council even at this late stage
to drop its plans to destroy Botwell Common and Lake Farm Country Park.
This new school means that there will be enough school places in the
area. There is now simply no need to destroy our park. To press ahead
now means that the Council must have a hidden agenda for the Lake Farm
site."

Betrayed by Boris

We have now learnt that Boris Johnson mayor for London has given the go
ahead to Hillingdon council to build on Lake Farm Country Park and
Botwell common. We await the outcome of the secretary of state's
decision which is expected this week.

I convened a meeting on Saturday 20th April at which local residents
expressed their fury at the Mayor for London's decision. Boris Johnson's
decision flies in the face of his earlier commitments to protect the
green belt and his statements opposing school developments on green belt
land.

This is a disgraceful betrayal of our local community by Boris Johnson.
He has broken every promise he gave to us before he was re-elected that
he would protect our green belt. He has also contradicted his recent
statements against building schools on the green belt and using school
developments as an excuse to build on our cherished open spaces. Our
local residents, local councillors and I are committed to campaigning
against the threat to our green belt.

It was also revealed at the public meeting that the council has
submitted a formal proposal to appropriate a much bigger piece of the
Lake Farm and Botwell common than originally planned for the new primary
school. I am really worried now that the council is taking a much larger
proportion of our country park than was first proposed. I fear that they
now have plans to build on another section of the park for a secondary
school. The council starts its consultation on secondary school
expansion in September. It is too much of a coincidence that they now
want to appropriate such a sizeable increase in the land take of our
country park. Consultation on this appropriation of the land ends on the
30th April. No local residents have been written to and only a small
advert has been written in the gazette. I am urging local residents to
write in objecting to this land grab by the council.

Council Forces Through Plans to Build on Lake Farm and Botwell Common

Last night the Council convened a special Planning Committee at short
notice to force through its plans to build on Lake Farm Country Park and
Botwell Common. The Planning meeting degenerated into near chaos as
information contained in the Council's reports recommending the
development was comprehensively challenged by local residents and local
Labour councillors.

The Councillors heard that there was no need for a new school to be
built on this green belt land as pupil numbers could be catered for in
the new Guru Nanak Free School to be opened later this year in the samee
ward,. In addition a Governor from the new Rosedale Primary School
repeated the Governors' and School Headteacher's offer to expand this
school by a further form to assist in preventing the need to build on
the green belt. It was revealed atht the old Hayes Swimming Pool site
could also accomodate a new 2 form of entry school, thus avoiding the
need to build on Lake Farm and Botwell Common. All this was rejected by
the Conservative councillors on the committee, not one of whom lives in
the Hayes area.

The campaign against this disastrous destruction of our green belt is
now moving on to lobby Boris Johnson to call this planning application
in for him to determine as it flies in the face of his policies to
protect the green belt. I will be joining local residents at 1pm at City
Hall next Tuesday to deliver our letters to him urging him to intervene
to save our park from these local vandal Conservative councillors. Come
and join on Tuesday.

Planning Committee Meeting To Decide on Lake Farm on Tuesday 5th March at 7pm

The Council has convened a Council Planning meeting tomorrow night to
determine its planning application to build on Lake Farm Country Park
and Botwell Common. The Council is seeking to force this application
through despite all the opposition from the local community.Local
residents will be meeting outside the Civic Centre at 6.15 to
demonstrate our opposition to this attack on our local park and green
belt. Come along and join us. The Planning Committee will be held at 7pm
in the main Council Chamber and is open to the public. Come to the
Committee to show your concern at what the council is doing to destroy
our open spaces.

Cuts in Local Police

There was a debate in Parliament today on the future of the Metropolitan Police Service. This follows the publication of figures that showed that since the election in 2010 London has lost over 1100 Police Officers. The Mayor for London is undertaking a consultation this month on his strategy for Policing in the capital. I am worried that we have already seen Policing cuts in our area and we face a threat to our local Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams that have been successful in our community in getting more Police Officers on our streets. I spoke in the debate to draw attention to our local fears for Policing in our area.

High Speed Rail: Government's Preferred Route to Heathrow

Although the Government has yet again delayed its decision until 2015 on
the way in which HS2 will link up with Heathrow and whether there will
be a spur from HS2 to the airport, it has shown us what its preferred
route would be. This is the map of the route.

High Speed 2 Announcement: Government Delays Decision on Heathrow Spur Link Until 2015

Because of yet another Government delay my constituents are faced with the worst of all worlds. This continuing uncertainty is unacceptable. It is certainly no way to run a railway or a transport policy. I called on the Government in Parliament today to bring forward the Davies Commission report on airports so that this report can rule out Heathrow expansion once and for all and then the Government can be honest about its plans for linking HS2 with Heathrow.

Volunteers Undertake RSPB Bird Count on Lake Farm

On Saturday (26th January 2013)local volunteers undertook the annual Royal Society for the Protection of Birds bird count on Lake Farm. We found the country park teeming with bird life including a sparrow hawk, a lesser spotted woodpecker, skylarks and many blue tits and great tits, robins, thrushes, magpies, gulls and of course hundreds of pigeons. This wonderful display of bird life in the park makes it all the more important that do not allow the council to build over this park and disturb and destroy the habitat of so many birds forever. We must do all we can to protect this site so that generations to come will be able to enjoy the sight of so many beautifiul birds in this country park as we do today.