Number 10 Petition - Ashford Campus

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Fpetitions.number10.gov.uk%252FSave-Brooklands%252F&h=6aee0aeda26557274b3f3bff32aebf40&ref=mf

Please sign the Number 10 petition to save the Ashford Campus of Brooklands College, using the link above.

Ashford Campus, Brooklands College

There is an online NO10 petition to save the College, please sign it now. There is a facebook page too, please join the group. I will be writing to Gordon Brown to ask him to save the college, as I am confident that the goverment will realise that it is the right thing to do. We should all be trying to save further and vocational education for our children in this area. Three of my four children attended this college, and my fourth child should have the opportunity too.

Message from David Cameron on the EU

Yesterday the Lisbon Treaty was signed by the President of the Czech Republic. It is now set to become EU law.
I know from the huge number of letters and emails that I have been receiving how much people will resent the fact we cannot now have the referendum we were promised by Labour.
But I have always been clear that, if this situation came about, I would immediately set out how a Conservative Government would respond.

First, if we win the next election, we will prohibit, by law, the transfer of further power to the EU without a referendum. Never again should it be possible for a British government to transfer power to the EU without the British people's consent.
Second, we will introduce a United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill to make it clear that ultimate authority stays in this country, in our Parliament.
And third, we want to negotiate three specific guarantees with our European partners over powers that we believe should reside with Britain, not the EU. We will negotiate the return of Britain's opt-out from social and employment legislation in those areas which have proved most damaging to our economy and public services. We also want a complete opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights. And we would negotiate for a return of powers in criminal justice to prevent EU judges gaining steadily greater control over our criminal justice system.
If I am elected Prime Minister, the British Government I lead will be an active member of the European Union. Like every other Member State, we will fight our corner to advance our national interests. But our guiding principles will be that Britain's interests are best served by a European Union that is an association of its member states - and we must never allow Britain to slide into a federal Europe.

David Cameron

Brooklands College, Ashford Campus

Brooklands College, Ashford Campus, formerly Spelthorne College. Recent news of closure of the college was a real shock to me. I had written to the right honourable Lord Peter Mandelson at the beginning of July this year, and received a reply in August saying that the LSC would ensure that no college is unable to meet its financial obligations as a result of decisions that have had to be made on capital. It also stated that the project could be prioritised in preparation for the next spending round, and that the LSC and AoC were exploring ways for colleges to access private finance. I took this as positive news, and so the news that the governors of Brooklands College have made the decision to close the college was a real blow. With three of my four children having attended the Ashford college, and the fourth hoping to when old enough, I am in the same position as many other local parents of having no sixth form college in the borough, or within a decent travelling distance. Along with cuts to public transport, how on earth are these young people to access further education in this part of the county, especially as it will soon be compulsory up to the age of 18. Parents, children, and staff at the college, rightly feel badly treated by the government, the LSC, and to some extend the governors of Brooklands College. Retailers in the town also fear for the sustainability of the town if the college was to close, as it brings much trade to, and encouraged many new retailers into the town. There is as much concern about what will happen to the building, as there is about the future education of the children, with residents fearing apartments blocks being built in place of the college. It has also been said that if the borough planning committee had not taken so long to determine the application, the college may not be in this position, 6 months may have made a difference. But what is done is done, and the most important thing now is for all parties to find a solution, and one that is best for the young people and their education, they are our future. Perhaps if the Surrey MP's were not too busy fretting about their expenses, they might get together to help. Maybe it's time education was taken out of the hands of politicians, and run by local areas themselves? To listen to the interview on BBC Radio Surrey at 08:10 this morning, check on the BBC iplayer, or listen again on the BBC website/Radio Surrey.

Rememberance Sunday

The annual service held at Ashford Memorial seems to attract more people every year. I had to miss it last year due to a trip to Stratford Upon Avon, but there was a church next to our hotel with a memorial, so we tagged onto the villagers service, which after the laying of wreaths, was taken into the church for the two minutes silence and following service. I much prefer our Ashford service which is shared by all in the open air, and is much more dignified now that the police have reinstated their traffic duty during the event. What would those poor souls, who gave their lives for us, think of the way this country is being run today, and would they think that it was all worth the fighting and dying, for our freedoms to be given away so readily.

Join Airplot

The Lisbon treaty is an undemocratic constitutional instrument that effectively renders every nation state in Europe into a province of the European UnionBy accepting the treaty of Lisbon we collectively surrender the sovereignty and independence, that European nations have fought so hard to achieve.When Ireland voted 'No' they were pressured to vote again, this time returning the 'Yes' result that the EU required. The only obstacle to the final ratification of the Lisbon treaty is one man; the Czech president, Vaclav Klaus.So far he has demonstrated admirable courage and conviction in refusing to sign this treaty - but, following the Irish 'Yes' vote, he will be under increasing pressure to ratify it on behalf of the Czech people.It is vital to lend Mr. Klaus our full support, and to make him aware that we are behind him and that we support his decision not to sign. If he holds out for a few months until the UK Conservative party gain power at the forthcoming general election there is every chance that the British people will insist upon their own referendum.If this happens, the Lisbon treaty will almost certainly fail, due to the overwhelming opposition of the British electorate.Therefore, we must encourage Vaclav Klaus in his steadfastness, make him aware that millions of Europeans do not want this treaty, - and that they have put their hope and trust into his ability to delay it until Britain is finally able to reject it.Call his office, send letters and emails! Do it TODAY! There is no time to lose!When he sees the amount of support that he has, it will be easier for him to resist the pressure put upon him to sign the treaty as soon as possible.Send your EMAILS of support and encouragement to this address:ladislav.jakl@hrad.cz (political department)OBS! I were informed that Jakl is the best person to contact since he is the presidents political advisor considering this topic. OBS!Contact Information for Vaclav Klaus:http://www.hrad.cz/en/contacts/office-of-the-president-of-the-republic.shtmlSo, in summary:1) Write to him via email or letter.2) Send it to Vaclav’s office3) Join the Facebook group and tell us about your letter of support.4) Sign the petition! http://www.petitiononline.com/sptklaus/petition.html5) Invite your friends and network!The plan is to spread this campaign all over Europe via blogs, newspapers and also through different political organisations in Europe, in an effort to create overwhelming support for Vaclav Klaus, and to encourage him not to sign the Lisbon treaty!