Orpington Labour Party

Following discussions at its meeting on 22 October 2008, Orpington CLP passed a resolution on Government action on the financial crises.

The Bromley Times recently reported that the Orpington Labour Party has avoided publicly backing Gordon Brown by refusing to form an opinion on whether there should be a leadership contest. In fact a recent meeting of Orpington Labour Party fully supported Gordon Brown’s leadership.

Recent headlines suggest that house prices have fallen by more than 10% over the last year. Potential good news for young families who have been struggling to buy their first home. But a potential disaster for anyone who bought a property at the height of the boom – often borrowing five times their annual salary, or even more with self certified mortgages. What, if anything, can the Labour government do?

At our May meeting, members of Orpington Labour Party agreed to submit six amendments to the ‘Partnership in Power’ consultation documents. These amendments will be debated at the National Policy Forum and if adopted should be endorsed at the Labour Party Conference in the autumn.

The Labour government’s massive injection of much needed resources into the NHS and the introduction of targets in health care standards have undoubtably been successful. The cut in waiting times has been dramatic and must have led to the saving of life. However such successes not only have to be balanced by problems occuring afterwards, and the distortions in some other treatments because of this, but also by the fact that in many cases the quality of treatment is still at the bottom of a Euro-comparison list.

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament celebrates its 50th birthday this weekend. Orpington Labour Party support the aims of CND and wish them well in their great work. If you want make your voice heard, join the demonstration against the development of nuclear weapons at Aldermaston on Monday, 24 March.