GM Ellesmere Move Welcomed
May 17, 2012May 17 2012 – Merseyside and Cheshire papers
Dear Sir,
The announcement by General Motors to save the Ellesmere Port Vauxhall plant at a cost of potentially mothballing an Opel factory in Germany is good news not only for the town, but for Cheshire as a whole.
With traditional manufacturing jobs being squeezed, it is reassuring that the UK car sector in the North West is able to defy the economic trend by not only saving over 2,000 jobs until at least 2020, but create as many as 700 new permanent posts in the process.
Our North West car plants, including the nearby JLR factory in Halewood, go to show that given the right level of investment, our automotive manufacturing industry is second to none, capable of producing not only the quality, but the quantity of cars being demanded either in Europe or in the emerging markets.
Yours faithfully
Paul Nuttall MEP
MEP Supports Reform Section 5 Campaign
May 17, 2012
RIGHT TO BE INSULTED
A campaign calling for the right to be insulted without running to the law for protection from hurt feelings is being backed by UKIP.
Local MEP Paul Nuttall, the Party’s Deputy Leader, said that the Party has pledged wholehearted support for the “Reform Section 5” campaign which is calling for the repeal of Section 5 of the Public Order Act.
“The principle that freedom of speech, a basic liberty, must be defended and protected from well meaning legislation is one that UKIP has supported for years. We have had a commitment to reform Section 5 almost since we had any commitments.
“In a robust democracy people must be free to insult and be insulted. We have laws that protect against incitement to violence and hatred, that should be enough. To protect my feelings from those who wish to laugh at me or hold me in contempt is a freedom I never wanted, nor hoped for,” he said
The Government launched a consultation on the Public Order Act last October, including whether the word ‘insulting’ in Section 5 strikes a good balance between freedom of expression and the right not to be harassed, alarmed or distressed. It is expected MPs will be able to vote on repealing Section 5 later this year.
“I am delighted that the campaign is gaining momentum and various bodies, including the Christian Institute, the National Secular Society and the Freedom Association and prominent individuals are standing up for the liberty of people to throw verbal brickbats around,” said Mr Nuttall..
Reform Section 5 Campaign can be found here
http://www.reformsection5.org.uk/
Nuttall shocked by Preston employment stats
May 16, 2012May 16 2012 – to Lancashire Evening Post
The rise in youth unemployment in Preston by a whopping 346% in the past 12 months is a shocking statistic that no one can be proud of.
Too many young people are finding themselves neither in work, education or training as they are being overlooked and not given the opportunities they deserve to get on with life.
However, local MP Mark Hendrick is wrong to point the blame solely on the poor decision making of the Conservative-Lib Dem Coalition. Perhaps he needs reminding that it was under his Labour party that unskilled immigration from Eastern Europe spiralled out of control creating the tragic situation where nearly 9 in 10 new jobs created are filled by migrant workers.
Yours faithfully
Paul Nuttall MEP
Coalition Should “Work Harder” – Griffiths
May 15 2012
Just what is it about this incompetent government, that having failed to deliver a budget and set out a Queen’s Speech that offers and encourages growth to our economy, that they are wasting time on talk of reforming the House of Lords and gay marriage?
Whilst these two issues are apparently important to Nick Clegg and the left- leaning PM David Cameron, neither will have any impact on our economy.
As the coalition appears to have run out of both excuses and ideas, their response to criticism from business leaders came from William Hague MP, who told them to stop complaining and work harder.
I would suggest that the coalition start doing the same. They have been in power for over two years and show they are clueless at governing our country, each blaming the other, and for good measure, the previous Labour governments.
Yours faithfully
Philip Griffiths, North West Chairman UK Independence Party
Dangerous Dogs Guidelines Welcomed
May 15, 2012
DANGEROUS DOG PLANS
Proposals to impose harsher punishments on owners of dangerous dogs have been welcomed by local MEP Paul Nuttall.
The Sentencing Guidelines Council has set new guidelines which mean more offenders will face prison sentences and they have set 18 months as suitable for the most serious cases.
“I am not usually in accord with the decisions of this body, as they tend to reduce sentencing tariffs and also, in effect, tie the judges’ hands. But on this occasion I agree that sentences for dangerous dog owners need to be tougher,” said Mr Nuttall, UKIP Deputy Leader.
“Many of us see on a daily basis cocky young lads strutting around with pit bull type dogs and mastiffs designed to enhance their tough image, and it can be very intimidating.
“Of course other owners have perfectly well behaved dogs who they keep muzzled and under control but it is the minority that pose a danger. We all can recall horrific incidents were people have been savaged to death.
“I also think DEFRA is right to considering whether it should be a criminal offence for possessing an out-of-control dog on private property but I am against compulsory microchipping which is also under consideration.
“The vast majority of dog owners are law abiding, sensible and considerate and they are the ones who would be financially hit by such a move, particularly pensioners. Those with the dangerous dogs will just ignore it and carry on laughing at the law,” said Mr Nuttall.
