Labour’s Castle Point candidate questions new power station pollution

Castle Point Labour Party is concerned about the proposed development of a 900 megawatt natural gas-fired power station in Coryton.

This development is proposed by InterGen, the owner of the existing Coryton Energy Power Station located on The Manorway.

InterGen is planning to develop the 900 megawatt natural gas-fired power station, called the Gateway Energy Centre, within the London Gateway site which is on previously developed land on the north bank of the River Thames. The power station will be situated approximately 4 kilometres to the south east of Corringham, and approximately 1 kilometre west of the existing 800MW Coryton plant.

This power station is sited on Thurrock’s eastern geographical boundary. This boundary is also Castle Point’s western boundary.

Labour’s Castle Point candidate pays tribute to Michael Foot

Many across Castle Point and beyond will be saddened by the news that Michael Foot has passed away.

Labour Parliamentary Candidate Julian Ware-Lane said “this is a moment of personal sadness – progressive politics has lost a great champion.”

Michael Foot, born in 1913, led the Labour Party from 1980 to 1983.

“He was a large figure in my early political education” added Julian. “I liked his style, where policies more than personalities mattered. He was a principled man.”

“Rest in peace seems more than appropriate for a man of peace, although one should remember the courage of this man who volunteered in the Second World War, despite being unwell and therefore rejected for service.”

Labour’s Castle Point candidate commits to beat cancer in a decade

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Castle Point has joined hundreds of candidates across the country in signing up to Cancer Research UK’s Cancer Commitment, aiming to make UK cancer outcomes among the best in Europe in the next ten years.

Julian Ware-Lane said: “I am delighted to pledge my support for Cancer Research UK’s vital campaign. Cancer remains the public’s number one fear. With a concerted effort from the next Parliament, we can give hope to the millions of people affected by cancer and their friends and family.”

More than one in three people in Castle Point will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. In the last thirty years, the UK’s 10-year survival rates have doubled but cancer survival rates still lag behind the best performing countries in Europe such as Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Labour opposes proposed development of Benfleet High Road

For a good number of years various proposals have been put forward to the Council for replacement of the shops and flats in the High Road in South Benfleet, opposite St. Mary’s Church. Each application has been more outrageous than the last.

The latest proposal, by a London Developer, for five retail units, fourteen flats and two offices with twenty-one car parking spaces is an example of shocking overdevelopment in a sensitive area. This proposal is in an area adjacent to the Benfleet Conservation area and overlooking the historic St. Mary’s Church.

Whilst accepting the need for improvements and some development in the area, Castle Point Labour party believe this latest suggestion is distinctly out of character for the area and would spoil an otherwise scenic vista.

Three stories high and occupying a footprint about twice the size of the existing building, this proposed development is gives every impression that greed and maximizing profits are taking higher priority than local need.

Unlike Tories, I don’t want to travel first class says Labour candidate

In contrast to at least one senior Conservative politician, the Labour candidate for Castle Point, Julian Ware-Lane, has stated that he is more than happy to travel standard class on trains.

“I do not see myself as a separate class from the voters in Castle Point, nor do I see myself as superior. In fact, I have felt that my strengths include being Essex-born and very much of the people I seek to represent.

“The people in Castle Point are not ‘a totally different type of people’ to me.”

Julian added “I have used standard class in all of my travelling – how can anyone claim to be in touch with ordinary people otherwise?”

“Neither do I feel that an MP’s salary is like ‘living on rations’ – just what planet do these people live on?” added Julian. “They still seem to think they are born to lead and not there to serve the wishes of their constituents.”

“Of the people and for the people is a motto that suits me”.

Labour’s Castle Point candidate slams Conservative Council’s potholes

The recent cold weather, which still shows no sign of abating, has made the already poor state of the roads in Castle Point worse.

“Any road user will point out just how shockingly poor they are,” said Labour candidate Julian Ware-Lane. “One resident told me that the potholes in his road had caused several hundred pounds worth of damage.”

Road maintenance is largely the responsibility of either Essex County Council and, to a lesser degree, Castle Point Borough Council, with major arterial routes being looked after by the Highways Agency.

In the drive to lower costs to taxpayers the Conservative-run local authorities have spoiled the ship for a ha’p'orth of tar.

Roads that are diligently maintained, with appropriate surface dressing, will not damage in the way that has been seen this year.

Figures show local unemployment was much higher in the previous recession

Whilst far from delighted about any unemployment, recently released figures highlight how the current economic woes and the Government’s response to it differ markedly from the last recession.

Not only are the comparisons as regards to interest rates and inflation highlighting huge differences, but the details in unemployment numbers are worth stating.

In December 1992 Castle Point had 4,433 unemployed, 8.1% of the resident working population.

November 2009’s figures for Castle Point show that 1,730 are unemployed, which equates to 3.3% of the resident working population.

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour Candidate for Castle Point, said: “Not only is there a huge gap between the interest rates of 16% that mortgage payers had to endure under the last Conservative administration and what we see today, but also unemployment ran at twice current levels.

Vulnerable can keep the heating on, but only with Labour

Julian Ware-Lane today told vulnerable families in Castle Point not to worry about turning up the heat as the Government pays out millions in Cold Weather Payments.

Around £200 million in payments has been racked up so far this winter, with just over £70 million of this over the cold New Year’s weekend.

Julian Ware-Lane said: “As the cold weather continues, I don’t want vulnerable people to feel left in the cold. I especially want the elderly to know that extra help is on the way.

“There are two ways we are helping this winter – with Winter Fuel payments of £250 or £400 for the over 80s, and many people in our area getting the increased Cold Weather Payments of £25.

125,000 households set to benefit from Boiler Scrappage money

Labour Candidate Julian Ware-Lane is encouraging the residents of Castle Point to take advantage of the Labour Government’s boiler scrappage scheme to get a new boiler during the cold snap.

It is thought that the scheme will sustain work for the heating industry during the recession, save families around £200 per year on fuel bills, as well as helping the environment.

Up to 125,000 households in England with working “G-rated” boilers can from today apply for a voucher which will entitle them to £400 off the price of a new, modern “A rated” boiler or a renewable heating system, like a biomass boiler or a heat pump. The Government’s action has already triggered some companies to complement, and in some cases match, the offer and it is expected others will follow suit- similar to the successful car scrappage scheme launched last year.

Julian Ware-Lane said: “The coldest winter for twenty years is a reminder of why an efficient boiler is so important.

Julian Ware-Lane speaking out for public services

Julian Ware-Lane, Labour’s candidate for Castle Point, has added his voice to the Unison campaign to create a fairer society.

“I believe we need public services to help our economy recover from the recession. Our services look after people in good times and in bad and are making our country a fairer place. Our public services need investment, not cuts and privatisation.”

“I have been a public servant, and have family members and friends who work in public services. I know they work hard for little reward, doing valuable work” said Julian.

Julian chose to support the ‘A million voices for change’ campaign when Lorraine Warwick, Vice Chair for Unison Labour Link, approached me and explained that UNISON, the UK’s leading public service union, is at the forefront of the campaign to create a fairer society and want to see changes that put people before profit and public interest before private greed.