MP criticised for praising herself

A LEADING Liberal Democrat in Gateshead has criticised a Labour MP in the borough for writing and promoting a Parliamentary motion praising herself.

Dr Jonathan Wallace, Councillor for Whickham South and Sunniside, is calling on Sharon Hodgson MP to explain why she used the Parliamentary device of an Early Day Motion to welcome her own actions.

Motion 1386, proposed by Ms Hodgson, attacks the customer complaints procedure of no frills airline EasyJet. But is also includes the line: "welcomes efforts by the hon. Member for Gateshead East and Washington West to ensure that the rights of online consumers are incorporated in the Consumer, Estate Agents and Redress Bill."

Ms Hodgson is the Member for Gateshead East and Washington West!

“Whilst people have come to expect a degree of self-promotion from MPs, this one beats just about everything else I have seen,” said Councillor Wallace.

“Early Day Motions are a device for raising in Parliament issues of concern to MPs and their constituents. Sometimes they are used by MPs to promote and praise the work of local community groups and constituents.

“So it is rather surprising to find an MP using one to heap praise on herself.”

In December 2006, the Gateshead Labour Party adopted Dave Clelland as their candidate for the new Gateshead Constituency, leaving Ms Hodgson to search for a Parliamentary seat outside the borough.

A full copy of the motion can be found on: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=33167&SESSION=885

Street lights to be repaired in Streetgate

Street lights on the main road leading up to the the village of Streetgate, near Sunniside, Gateshead, are to be repaired following concerns raised by the area’s Liberal Democrat Councillor, Jonathan Wallace.

The stretch of lights from Fugar Bar, next to Washingwell Woods, up to the village, have not been working for a number of weeks, leaving the entire stretch of road in the dark.

Councillor Wallace raised his concerns about the lights with officers who have now checked out the situation and have agreed to the repairs.

The road is the main Gateshead to Consett route and is used by thousands of drivers each day.

“I’m pleased the repairs are to be carried out and the lights on this main road will be back on again shortly,” said Councillor Wallace.

Skons Park Opencast Appeal Withdrawn

This is the video I shot for residents about the decision by Halls of Durham to withdraw their appeal over the refusal to grant planning permission for an opencast site at Skons Park next to Gibside.

Lib Dems survey on recycling

LIBERAL Democrats in Gateshead have extended a survey they are carrying out on recycling to the villages of Marley Hill and Byermoor and the Watergate Estate in Whickham.

The survey was launched following the decision by Labour run Gateshead Council to reject a call to set up kerbside collections of plastics and cardboard for recycling. The survey includes a petition calling for a collection scheme to be introduced.

The survey was carried out by Councillor Jonathan Wallace in Byermoor and Marley Hill and by Councillor Peter Maughan in Watergate. It will be extended to other villages in the area shortly.

“The survey so far shows that people have been disappointed with the refusal by Labour in Gateshead to extend kerbside collections to plastics and cardboard,” said Councillor Wallace.

“We already have a large number of signatures on the petition and are looking forward to collecting more.”

Councillor Maughan said, “Our thanks to everyone so far who has taken part in the survey. We will be looking into the issues raised.”

Gateshead Summer Flower Show July 2007

Gateshead Summer Flower Show was held at the Central Nursery and Watergate Park on 27-29 July 2007.