Charlotte MacKenzie

Standing up for Cornwall’s children

In news on March 11, 2010 at 9:00 am

Labour’s Charlotte MacKenzie today lent her support to two campaigns to move children’s services to the top of the political agenda.

Charlotte said:

“In Cornwall, we know that the investment in new children’s centres – which I warmly welcome – hasn’t always been matched by the effective co-ordination needed to make children’s services fail-safe. I am glad that the Ofsted inspection brought the urgent need for improvement to light before the communication gaps in Cornwall caused a preventable child tragedy. Leadership is vital and following the resignation of Cllr Sally Bain I hope Cornwall Council moves quickly to appoint a new portfolio holder in this area.

“I know how difficult it is for people working in front line children’s services – support for front line staff is vital and the Ofsted report also highlighted staffing needs.

“I am supporting two national campaigns for children.

“Everyone in Cornwall who is concerned about the problems in local children’s services will welcome the NSPCC’s child protection campaign.

“People have been raising specific issues with me about caring for children with disabilities in Cornwall. The Every Disabled Child Matters campaign is highlighting this important issue and support services are also influenced by local decision making.”

You can find out more at http://charlottemackenzie.com

For more information see National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and http://www.ncb.org.uk/edcm/home.aspx

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Charlotte demands answer on Ashcroft funding in Truro and Falmouth

In news on March 8, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Charlotte MacKenzie has written to the local Tory PPC demanding answers on funding from Lord Ashcroft:
     “I am writing to follow up some of your comments at the recent Falmouth School hustings; these were about what I can only describe as your party’s Deputy Chairman Lord Ashcroft’s bankrolling of political campaigns.
     The facts have been widely reported. In 1999, when Conservative leader at the time William Hague first recommended Lord Ashcroft for a Peerage, he was rejected. It was only in 2000, after he promised to return to live in Britain and pay tax here, that the House of Lords allowed him to become a member. It has now emerged that this is a promise he never kept. Instead of paying tens of millions of pounds in tax – money that might have helped to fund Cornish schools and hospitals – Lord Ashcroft chose to spend the money on Conservative political campaigns instead. 
     I have three simple questions for you in relation to Lord Ashcroft: 
1. Do you think it is right that Lord Ashcroft should have been allowed by your party’s leaders to conceal the truth about his status for 10 years?
2. Will you repay any money that has come from Lord Ashcroft or one of his companies directly or indirectly via Tory central office?
3. Will you rule out taking any donations from Lord Ashcroft or his companies in future?  
I won’t allow a fair future for people in Cornwall to be bought off by a billionaire from Belize. People here have a right to know how many £s from Lord Ashcroft’s donations have been spent on your Conservative campaigns contacting people in Truro and Falmouth constituency. At the Falmouth School public event you said you would be privileged if you were elected, and I agree. 
     Next time people in Truro and Falmouth receive one of your letters or leaflets, they have a right to feel and recognise that your expensive Tory campaigns may have come at the cost of a new school or new health care facilities for people in Cornwall. The Conservative Party also want to cut Sure Start, cut the Child Tax Credit, and scrap the Child Trust Fund for millions of UK families.  While at the same time giving the richest people in Britain a huge £200,000 tax break.
     Given the importance of this matter I am copying this letter to local media.
     I would not want this letter to compromise our friendly and direct recognition as the two main Party candidates here since 2007. The coming general election will be a choice between a Labour and Tory government, and we have one shared belief in common: Cornwall needs representation of the Party in Government.
 
Yours sincerely
Charlotte”
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The hunting act 2004 – five years old today

In news on February 19, 2010 at 10:12 am

Five years ago, on 18 February 2004, the Labour Government’s Hunting Act became law, ending the cruelty and suffering of hunting with dogs.

Labour’s prospective MP for Truro and Falmouth Charlotte MacKenzie said:

“In this rural constituency, I hear both sides of the arguments for and against the Hunting Act. But the majority of people who have contacted me on this issue are asking me to confirm that I will vote against any proposed repeal that would allow the cruelty of hunting with dogs to return.

“The fifth anniversary of this hard won Labour law is a day of celebration for those who support animal protection, and believe it is an ethical as well as environmental cause. Rather than trying to turn the clock back on hunting with dogs, those seeking a sustainable future for rural communities, as I do, need to look to the future.

“It would not be a good use of parliamentary time to bring forward a proposed repeal of the Hunting Act. It shows just how out of touch the Tories are with the issues that matter most to people, including those in rural communities:  jobs, the economy, health services, schools, housing, and transport.

“But if a proposed repeal of the Hunting Act were brought forward, I will vote to continue the ban on this cruelty, and I have also pledged to support a wider range of animal protection measures by ‘voting cruelty free’.”

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