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Press Release

When ever we are out and about talking to residents of Hastings and St Leonards we constantly get asked why the Conservatives never appear, or hardly ever appear, in the Hastings Observer. We cannot give a satisfactory answer, but what we do say is it is not for lack of effort! The following pages are the press releases which we send in each week to the newspaper. The Rye Observer, however, does seem to print our material more frequently.

Response from Ian Coucher, Chief Executive of Network Rail on Amber’s protest to cuts to Cannon Street to Hastings Rail Service - September 1st 2009.

“At least there is evidence that we are being listened to and our protest may result in the reversal of this absurd suggestion,” commented Amber.

Amber wrote to Ian Coucher, and sent him the petition of over 100 signatures objecting to the closure of the Hastings to Cannon Street Rail Service.  She has since set up the protest website “HastingsNeedsBetterTrains” ( http://hastingsneedsbettertrains.co.uk/) which is continuing to collect signatures and new supporters. The full text of the letter is on the website.

The key comment in Mr Coucher’s letter which gives encouragement to the protesters is, “....please be assured that your concerns and those of other stakeholders in the Hastings area have been heard through the consultation process and a number of alternative solutions to the withdrawal of the Hastings to Cannon Street service are being evaluated.”

Amber is continuing her campaign and is urging Hastings residents to show their objection to these cuts by signing the petition or writing themselves to Network Rail. 

“The loss of this service would not only be a blow to the commuters who actually use the service, but also to all those who are concerned with the regeneration of Hastings.  We need better trains, a faster service – not cuts to the existing one,”  said Amber.

Michael Foster challenged Amber to give her views on Daniel Hannan’s comments regarding the NHS.  Here she does so: - August 18th 2009

1.  It is disappointing to see that Michael is trotting out the usual Labour lies and scare stories about the Conservatives and the NHS.  The truth is that the NHS will be better funded and better run by a Conservative Government.  We are committed to maintaining and improving the service.  What we are against is the waste, such as the monolithic and costly IT System initially estimated at £6bn and now estimated at £12bn.

2.  In my last news release regarding the Conquest I covered preparation for swine flu and the problem that could emerge with the destructive target culture if we have a pandemic – it is exactly this sort of inflexible approach to managing hospitals that create current problems and that a Conservative Government would be against.

3.  Daniel Hannan is a back bench MEP with zero influence on health policy.  Political parties contain many different views.  I do not agree with his on the NHS.  I am confident that Michael has many colleagues on his benches with views he does not agree with.  Let us remember that the public want parties with individuals with views, not just party machines that trot out the latest line – whether it is true or not. 

Jayne Black with Amber Rudd in front of the Conquest’s Swine Flu poster

Hastings Parliamentary Candidate Amber Rudd Welcomes Conquest Preparation for Swine Flu and Continues to raise concerns regarding “target culture” - August 3rd 2009.

“Following many concerned conversations with residents regarding swine flu I went to the Conquest myself to find out what preparations they have been making,” said Amber, “After all, it’s best to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”

Amber met Jayne Black, Director of Operations, with specific responsibility for the preparations in case of a swine flu pandemic  at the Conquest on Friday July 31st to discuss what preparations are in place.

Jayne explained that the hospital is monitoring attendances carefully and so far the incidents have been relatively low (two actually admitted).  But the hospital is not complacent and they have a contingency plan in place in case the incidence suddenly escalate.  She pointed out that the hospital needs to be prepared not only for the possibility of the number of admissions soaring but also the fact that the staff would  be affected and preparations need to be made to have replacement staff brought in and other staff moved around as necessary.

Amber has been a vociferous critic of the Labour Government’s “target culture” and continues to spell out her concerns regarding these targets.  “Our doctors and nurses need to be trusted to put patient safety first – not dictated to by Whitehall about how they should make judgements.  My private conversations with staff at the Conquest hospital clearly indicate the utter frustration that frontline staff are feeling in response to the rigid and bureaucratic targets that are forced upon them,” said Amber.  “This is especially serious in the climate of concern about swine flu.”

“My biggest concern is that the pursuit of targets – not the safety of patients –is being prioritised by this Labour Government.  We need to make sure that our doctors and nurses are able to make the right judgements on behalf of patient care – not box ticking and fear of fines.”

“We are very lucky to have a well-managed hospital staffed by dedicated professionals.  But their work is being undermined by the so-called target culture.  They must be allowed to do their job and put patient safety first. 

Amber’s strong voice not quite strong enough ....

Although local resident and Conservative Parliamentary Candidate Amber Rudd, is well known for having a strong voice, she narrowly failed to win the Old Town Cryer Competition on the steps of St Clements on Monday August 3rd.

“It was tough and loud competition,” said Amber, “but it was great fun whatever the outcome!”

Amber on the steps of St Clements, trying to raise the roof ....

Press Release from Cllr Matthew Beaver

Hastings Conservative Councillors slammed the Labour Opposition at the Council meeting this week after they tried to award some of their members an increase in allowances.
 
The Conservative Group were joined by the Lib Dems and the Independant Councillor in defeating an amendment that would have increased the allowances to some of the Labour backbenchers.
 
Deputy Leader Cllr Matthew Beaver said, " It is unbelievable that, at a time when residents are facing sometimes impossible choices about how to pay for food, utilities, rent or mortage, the only thing Labour can do is to try to award thier own councillors more money."
 
"With Britain in recession, residents are worried about thier jobs and reduced income, especially those on fixed incomes."
 
"The elderly are struggling on incomes decimated by this Government's destruction of pensions."
 
"Families are having to make tough decisions about how to pay for the day to day running of thier lives."
 
"The young people of our town are increasingly worried about getting into employment and off benefits."
 
"This is nothing less than a slap in the face to those residents who face constant financial difficulties and their action does nothing to improve the standing of politicians in the minds of residents.

Another Successful year for the Pett Flower Show on Sat July 25th

“Each year the sun shines for the Pett Flower Show,” said Amber, “and although it was a windy day, the sun certainly shone for this wonderful local  event.”

Pett Flower Show is an annual summer event, with flower, vegetable and cake competitions, alongside an array of stalls and games.  This year the dog show was a particular success and the organisers were grateful for the support of Rush, Witt and Wilson in sponsoring the event. 

The Treasurer, Philippa Strickland, said that money was still being counted but that she was hopeful that 2009 would be another successful year.  The funds raised go towards local charities after the costs are covered.

“I particularly enjoyed the dog show, and then the burger prepared by the two Johns,” commented Amber – see picture below!

John Brooker, Amber Rudd and John Dyer at the burger and hot dog stall.

Conservative Association Hosts Summer Fete Sunday July 19th in Markwick Gardens and Launches Ferrero Rocher Challenge - July 14th 2009

“This year we are holding our summer Fete in Markwick Gardens,” said Amber, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Hastings and Rye,”and together with a host of local stalls and community groups, we are holding Hastings’ first ever Ferrero Rocher Challenge.”

The Fete is from 11.00am to 4.00pm and will have lots of events and stalls for all the family.  There will be face-painting, tombolas and raffles.  “This is also a good opportunity to see the lovely Markwick Gardens,” said Amber.

Conservative activists are also running the first Hastings Ferrero Rocher Challenge.  Entrants will be asked to race each other in eating Ferrero Rochers in under a minute.  Judging will be fair but strict.

The Challenge is being run by Amber Rudd’s daughter, Flora who lives with her in Hastings.

Martha McGuirk, Flora Gill, Sophie Hill – with the Ferrero Rochers

Leave Our Line Alone! - July 14th 2009

Network Rail consider reducing the Cannon St service to Hastings in 2015 – deadline for public consultation July 23rd.

“I am appalled that Network Rail are considering cutting the Cannon Street to Hastings service in 2015.  They are asking for views in their public consultation, as part of the Kent Route Utilisation Strategy, and I am collecting signatures to make our views clear.”

“The service to Cannon Street is an important service for those who live in and around Hastings, including Battle, and work in the City.  We must not see any reduction to this service.”

“I collected 100 signatures to my petition in one evening alone and will be building on that this week and submitting the petition to Network Rail by July 23rd.

The Public Consultation is open until July 23rd.  Amber is urging members of the public to show their objections to cutting the Hastings to Cannon Street service by writing to Network Rail or signing her petition on www.amberrudd.co.uk

 Amber Rudd collecting signatures for her petition at Hastings Station with a member of the public

Details of the public consultation are at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/kent/kent%20rus%20draft.pdf <http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/kent/kent%20rus%20draft.pdf>

Comment from Amber re. Threat to Conquest A and E

“Proposals to consider closing the A and E at either the Conquest or Eastbourne DGH are madness,”  said Amber. “We fought to stop the closures to the maternity unit and if this proposal goes forward there will be massive local fight to stop it happening.”

“I have personal experience of the Conquest A and E as only last month, I had to drive my 18 year old daughter there to get stitches to her foot following a collision with a glass.  The A and E was packed.  There were people with all sorts of injuries and policemen escorting one man in handcuffs.  We received an excellent service and drove home again three hours after she had received 6 stitches and an X-ray.

“But my experience that night demonstrated to me the vital role played by our local A and E.  It would have been difficult for me to drive my sobbing, bleeding daughter to Eastbourne that night and impossible for several other more injured patients that night.

“We will not accept any cuts to this vital local service.”

Hastings and Rother Gay Helpline Launch Fund-Raising Appeal at AGM

At the AGM of the Hastings and Rother Gay Helpline on Sunday June 14th, at the Horntye Sports Centre Hastings,  the committee launched a fund-raising appeal to raise the necessary funds to keep the helpline going.

“This is a really important service to the community of Hastings and Rother and we need to make sure that our provision of a helpline continues,” commented Ambrose O’Boyle, Chairman of the organisation.  “We need to raise £3,000 per year to pay for our basic costs, and we would also like more volunteers to help provide the service.”

The Hastings and Rother Gay Helpline, formerly the Hastings Befrienders, was formed in 1987. 

The Secretary, Roger Sweetman, was enthusiastic about the progress that has been made but insisted that more needed to be done in Hastings and Rother to support gay people.  He welcomed the work of the Rainbow Alliance and Hastings Voluntary Action to support the LGB community.

The meeting was well attended by committee members and other parties, including Amanda Bidgen from Victim Support (Co-ordinator of the Hate Crime Project) and Seon Mill from the Safer Communities Team of East Sussex County Council.

Amber Rudd, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate also attended for the first time and commented,”This helpline does really important work supporting the gay community.  As always in Hastings they are kept going by the volunteers who are so generous with their time.  We are lucky to have them.”

Potential donors or fund-raisers are encouraged to contact Ambrose O’Boyle on Ambrose@oboyle0.orangehome.co.uk

From left to right:  Ambrose O’Boyle, Amanda Bigden, Roger Sweetman, Les Tostevin, Jenny Ryan