Bruce George MP addressed a large meeting of members of his Walsall South Constituency Labour Party on Friday Evening.

Bruce George told members present “I was, of course, very disappointed with the election results and, indeed, the outcome of the London Mayoral elections. However, I was delighted that in Walsall the Labour Party retained the seats we were defending and I congratulate the Labour Party candidates on their victory.”

He continued by explaining fully the 10p tax foul up which cost Labour dearly but he and others inside and outside Parliament were pressing for a full explanation as to the Government’s proposals to remedy their mistake which they have accepted an roundly apologised for.

Bruce George said “It is imperative for the Government to now fully outline how those adversely affected by this decision are going to be compensated and by which date they can expect to have this rectified.”

Bruce continued by saying that the Labour Government has much to be proud of and has achieved a great deal since its election in 1997. He mentioned the massive new hospital project, more doctors, more medical centres, shorter waiting times for hospital appointments, the minimum wage and better pensions for our elderly citizens. He urged all senior citizens and disabled to apply for their free bus pas enabling them to travel anywhere in Englan.

He argued that much of the wonderful regeneration that is taking place in Walsall was Government funded. The statistics on crime were, in most categories, showing a downward trend.

This Government is going to be in office at least until 2010 and there is still much more to be done. Bruce said “I am confident that the Government will continue to work in order to achieve a better Britain.”

Bruce George MP has congratulated Park Hall Residents who attended a special meeting at Park Hall Junior School on Monday 12th 2008 to discuss the future of the former Three Crowns Special School site for the stance they have taken.

The meeting were informed by an Officer form Walsall Council that an application to the Department for Children, Schools and Families has still to be made as the Council has yet to make a final decision on how it intends to spend any capital receipts generated by the disposal of the playing field elements of the school site.

Furthermore, the Council has yet to make a final decision on the type of development they propose for the site.

There were strongly held views expressed by those in attendance that the Council should make this very important decision quickly. This will indicate to residents living in the vicinity of the site how this would affect them and, indeed, signal the Council’s position on the issue of the Green Belt.

There were many who stated that as the site has a green belt status then perhaps the Council should set an example and let it remain as such. They should also take into consideration the wildlife that exists although an assurance was given that the woodland would be retained.

A non-State school in the area is keen to enter into negotiations with the Council so that the site could, once again, he utilised as an education establishment.

Bruce George said “Clearly there is a strong swell of opinion, which I share, that this site which is on th Green Belt should be protected. I fear that developers may have already made their interests known to both Officers and possibly some members of the council. Clearly the Cabinet now need to make th key decision as to the type of development they propose for the site.

The issue of the Daisy Bank annexe was also raised and I have already written to the Chief Executive of Walsall Primary Care Trust to ascertain what is planned for this site following closure. I am awaiting his response. I will be watching the process very carefully to ensure the high ethical standards required under planning regulations are strictly adhered to.”

When I wrote three weeks ago about the problems the government was facing, things appeared to be pretty difficult. There was the hope, to use a well know phrase, that “things can only get better.” But as of now that has not been the case. Things, in fact, have gotten worse.

Labour supporters are however eternal optimists. On the positive side we didn’t lose any seats in the Walsall council elections. But it would be an act of self-delusion to see things bottoming out. Yet having been in politics for forty years I have seen the highs and lows before. So to those hopeful replacements my advice would be don’t give up the day job. There will be many who will read this who will hope for a revival of the public bickering by senior party members which helped to destroy credibility of the Conservatives in the mid-1990s. People should learn the lessons.

Politics is about making tough decisions. Governments do no one any favours by shirking them. Indeed it usually makes it worse in the long run; eventually that delayed decision will have to be made.

I was invited, but not able to attend, a meeting on the future of the site of the former Three Crowns School, which has stood empty for three years. Property developers have cast their eyes on this green belt site. Had I attended (there was a big vote in Parliament preventing me ) I would have informed those there that the site is within the green belt and is therefore protected; secondly I have seen a document which guarantees it will not be built on.

Thirdly there is a strong organisation set up to oppose any further building on the green belt. Finally I know of a local Christian school who are considering bidding to occupy the disused school. I earnestly hope that Councillors will throw out the proposed plan by the property developers. In the meantime I have written to the Department for Children, Schools and Family who have a role in this process urging them to turn down the application when it is submitted.

As a Welshman people expect me to be a good singer. Wrong! But I love choral singing and I give great support to the Shelfield Male Voice Choir. They perform every year in Walsall Town Hall and I was delighted to be there last week. I go every year, but this year was extra special. The Choir was brilliant as usual, but this year accompanying them was not a brass band or another choir but a pop group that I vividly recall from my younger days. The audience is always dominated by the middle aged or those in retirement. This was the exact audience to remember the Tremeloes from their late teens/early twenties. The audience were waving their arms, many standing up, sticks thrown away and enthusiastically joining in the wonderful choruses of such memorable songs as Silence is Golden and Even the Bad Times are Good. What a wonderful evening. Next year perhaps they will invite some other pop heroes from the mid-60s.

I’m off for a few days next week to Georgia, not the Georgia with its capital Atlanta, but Tbilisi in the South Caucasus. I shall be observing the forthcoming parliamentary elections. I am resolutely committed to helping to build capacity in democratising legislatures and in promoting democratic institutions. I headed the election observation by the international community four years ago which played a major role in exposing corrupt elections. Rumours have been circulating that there was a bit of ballot rigging in our own local elections last week and I suspect, indeed I hope, if evidence is provided there will be a full inquiry.