Paddy Tipping MP, the Chair of Parliament’s Energy and Climate Change Committee, visits Stokesley

Need for Climate Change Measures is Vital

A packed audience in Stokesley was told at the weekend that five million people in rural areas across the country do not have access to gas supplies, giving them less choice in their energy provision.

Paddy Tipping MP, the Chair of Parliament’s Energy and Climate Change Committee made his comments during a lively debate on climate change.

The Labour MP for Sherwood, Nottingham, told the audience at Stokesley Town Hall on Saturday that there was urgency involved in encouraging nations across the globe to undertake climate change measures.

Providing facts and figures, and answering numerous questions, he warned that  “output from renewables in this country at present is 4% but needs to be 30-40% of renewable electricity by 2020”

Eileen Driver, North Yorkshire Labour Party candidate who organised the event, commented: “It provided an excellent opportunity for local people to listen and question an MP who is at the heart of decision-making on climate change.

“People are becoming more concerned about what is happening in terms of climate change, as it has a profound effect on all our lives, and will have for generations to come. A wide range of topics was discussed, from carbon rationing, nuclear power, wind turbines to electric cars and transport issues.”

And she added: “At present 30% of carbon emissions are from transport. The challenge is to reduce this."

Chris Mullin Mp supports local Labour Group in Northallerton

Politically-interested people travelled from far and wide on a stormy morning to hear Chris Mullin, Labour MP for Sunderland South speak about his widely-acclaimed diaries, “A View from the Foothills” at  an open lunchtime meeting in Northallerton Town Hall last week. Chris was supporting the local Labour group and their parliamentary candidate, Eileen Driver, (2^nd from left in photo) who said, “We were very lucky to have such a significant political Mp and writer supporting us. Chris’ diaries have been reviewed as “the best political diaries of the Blair years.” Not only was Chris a morale boost for our campaign but it was a remarkable opportunity for local people to hear a shrewd, witty politician give us many insights into recent important political events. Chris also answered a wide range of probing questions on topics such as MPs expenses, agency workers, Somalia, the Environment and George Osborne’s misjudgements. His visit was very enjoyable, leaving the audience with good appetites to devour his diaries and a spur to the Labour campaign in the Richmond, Northallerton and Stokesley areas.