Three for three! Amazing night for the Labour team in Lancaster on 5th May!

Lizzi Collinge for Lancaster East was elected to Lancashire County Council with 50% of the votes on a 32% turnout.
In the city council by-elections, Oscar Tynne held John O'Gaunt ward and John Reynolds gained Carnforth and Millhead, each with over 40% of the votes on 34% turnouts.
And Clive Grunshaw was re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire with 56% of the final votes on a 29% turnout.
Congratulations to all four!
Full Details:
Lancashire County Council - Lancaster East division
Lizzi Collinge (Lab) 1758 ; elected with 50% of votes
Tim Hamilton-Cox (Green) 1408
Robin Long (LD) 231
Steve Metcalfe (TUSC) 60
Spoilt 49. Votes cast 3606, turnout 32%
Lancaster City Council - John O'Gaunt ward
Kieran Cooke (Con) 221
Bethany Frost (LD) 85
Niall Semple (UKIP) 112
Paul Stubbins (Green) 650
Oscar Thynne (Lab) 857 ; elected with 44% of votes
Spoilt 16. Votes cast 1941, turnout 34%
Lancaster City Council - Carnforth & Millhead ward
John Bassinder (Con) 671
Phil Dunster (LD) 74
Robert Gillespie (UKIP) 134
John Reynolds (Lab) 702 ; elected with 43% of votes
Cait Sinclair (Green) 49
Spoilt 7. Votes cast 1637, turnout 34%
Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire
First Count Second Count
James Barker (UKIP) 49,987
Clive Grunshaw (Lab) 132,261 152,714
Andy Pratt (Con) 96,746 118,941
Graham Roach (LD) 23,164
Spoilt papers 9,697. Turnout 29%
Sat 07 May
Three for three! Amazing night for the Labour team in Lancaster on 5th May! Lizzi Collinge for Lancaster East was elected to Lancashire County Council with 50% of...
Are you registered to vote? Details how to...
Clive Grunshaw is running for re-election as Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire,

and two by-elections to replace Labour Councillor Richard Newman-Thompson who died in February: Lizzi Collinge for Lancaster East on Lancashire County Council

and Oscar Thynne for John O’Gaunt on Lancaster City Council. The links are to their Facebook pages, where details of campaigns can be found.

Sat 09 April
Are you registered to vote? Details how to... Clive Grunshaw is running for re-election as Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, and two by-elections to replace Labour Councillor Richard...
WARM TRIBUTES TO COUNCILLOR
A large congregation heard warm tributes to the life of Lancaster city and Lancashire county councillor Richard Newman-Thompson at his civic funeral at Lancaster Priory on February 29 2016.
His best friend, Ray Hill, said Councillor Newman-Thompson was a man of immense personal courage and total and absolute loyalty, who was always there to be relied on.
He was decent, clean-living and hard-working and never let a political or philosophical disagreement influence his view of a person.
Both men were Labour Party colleagues and Heysham High School governors at the same time.
Leader of Lancaster City Council Councillor Eileen Blamire, Councillor Newman-Thompson's John o'Gaunt Ward colleague, described him as intelligent, dedicated, committed, wise, totally reliable and, above all, caring.
He cared passionately about health and, as Cabinet member for finance, did a magnificent job in preparing the council's budget, she said.
“Colleagues and friends are devastated by his death,” said Councillor Blamire. “I personally owe him a great debt. He made a difference to any life he touched.”
The Vicar of Lancaster, the Rev Chris Newlands, spoke of Councillor Newman-Thompson's passion, energy, commitment and self-sacrifice for the good of others.
The service was attended by the Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Jon Barry; the MP for Lancaster, Cat Smith; and the Chairman of Lancashire County Council, County Councillor Margaret Brindle.
Councillor Newman-Thompson died of cancer at home on February 22 aged 53. Donations in his memory are going to St John's Hospice.
Thu 03 March
WARM TRIBUTES TO COUNCILLOR A large congregation heard warm tributes to the life of Lancaster city and Lancashire county councillor Richard Newman-Thompson at his civic funeral at Lancaster Priory on...
A discussion document from the Lancaster Branch of the Labour Party, February 2016
This is presented here in order to generate further discussion amongst Labour Party members. It presents the briefing papers considered and summarises the opinions expressed when about 20 members of the Lancaster Branch of the Lancaster and Fleetwood Constituency Labour Party met for a Policy Discussion Meeting on 10 February 2016. People took a variety of views, and inclusion in this account does not imply approval by all of the members present, or even by a majority. The briefing documents and the report of the meeting discussions have been prepared by John Whitehead, Nick Moule and James Groves, respectively Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the Branch.
Three topics are covered (as pdf files to view or download):
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UK voting systems
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Implications of UK devolution for England
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The future of the House of Lords
For each topic, the briefing paper presented at the meeting is given below, followed by a summary of the discussion.
A further document presenting some voting scenarios is included.
Mon 29 February
A discussion document from the Lancaster Branch of the Labour Party, February 2016 This is presented here in order to generate further discussion amongst Labour Party members. It presents the...
Labour will campaign for Britain to stay in Europe in the referendum that the prime minister has called for June, regardless of Cameron’s overblown tinkering, says Jeremy Corbyn. That’s not because we don’t think the EU needs reform – far from it. Labour will be running a positive campaign for the real change we need: to unite opposition to austerity and build a Europe of sustainable growth, jobs and social justice. That can only be achieved by working with allies who share our aims across the continent. We want a social Europe of decent jobs and equality for all. Being part of Europe has brought Britain investment, jobs and protection for workers, consumers and the environment. We are convinced that the EU is a vital framework for European trade and international cooperation in the 21st century, and that a vote to remain in Europe is in the best interest of our people.
Cat Smith writes: A British exit from the EU would have a seriously detrimental impact on the free movement of people; trade union and human rights; environmental protection; international cooperation; and a host of other vital issues. While the EU is in need of a democratic reform, an exit at the current time would boost right-wing movements and parties and hurt ordinary people in the UK. European politics has been dominated by neoliberal thinking for far too long – as recent events in Greece brutally demonstrate. But changing this means working to strengthen anti-austerity movements across all of Europe – not walking away. Our campaign will put the case for staying in the EU independently of Cameron and big business, opposing any part of a “renegotiation” that attacks workers’, migrants’ or human rights. We will combine campaigning for an in vote with arguing for an alternative economic model, maintaining European citizens’ rights to live and work across the EU, and for far-reaching democratic reforms of European institutions.
Britain is better off in Europe. It is clear that being in the European Union brings us jobs, growth and investment. The EU has helped to secure workers’ rights and make consumers better off too. That’s why Labour is In for Britain - declares Alan Johnson, chair of the Labour In for Britain Campaign.
For more facts (and myth-busting) about the impact of the EU on Britain
Labour In for Britain
Another Europe Is Possible
Sat 27 February
Labour will campaign for Britain to stay in Europe in the referendum that the prime minister has called for June, regardless of Cameron’s overblown tinkering, says Jeremy Corbyn. That’s not...
Because of Government cuts to local councils - 44% cut in our budget in real terms since 2010 - your Lancashire County Council are being forced to cut local services by over £262million. The council's reluctant responses to this problem the government has imposed on them include:
-cut bus services
-reduce bin collections
-closing libraries and museums
But that's just the start...
Wed 17 February
Because of Government cuts to local councils - 44% cut in our budget in real terms since 2010 - your Lancashire County Council are being forced to cut local services...
Read more
In the wake of the general election result of May 2015, about 30 members of the Lancaster Branch of the Lancaster and Fleetwood Constituency Labour Party met for a Policy Discussion Meeting.
This document summarises the opinions expressed. People took a variety of views, and inclusion in this account does not imply approval by all of the members present, or even by a majority. The document is presented here in order to generate further discussion amongst Labour Party members and supporters, and amongst those whose support we have either lost or so far failed to attract, who are nevertheless concerned by the direction taken by the current government of the country.
The text has been prepared from the meeting discussions by John Whitehead and Nick Moule, respectively Chairman and Secretary of the Branch.
Wed 19 August
In the wake of the general election result of May 2015, about 30 members of the Lancaster Branch of the Lancaster and Fleetwood Constituency Labour Party met for a Policy...
Read more

To help local people with their problems, Cat Smith MP is currently advertising for a caseworker to join her staff team in the constituency.
The successful applicant will need to:
- attend surgeries and other meetings as appropriate
- manage and progress a portfolio of casework appropriately
- liaise with government agencies, voluntary sector and others to resolve constituency matters
- develop knowledge in specialist areas
- be sympathetic to the values of the Labour Party and wider Labour Movement
- have a current full UK driving licence
- ability to operate in a political environment
For full details please see the advert on W4MPjobs.org.
Thu 21 May
To help local people with their problems, Cat Smith MP is currently advertising for a caseworker to join her staff team in the constituency. The successful applicant will need to:...

This morning Nick Clegg was asked five times to rule out a further rise in tuition fees – and he refused to do so. William Hague also said that the Tories have not ruled out another rise in tuition fees.
Five years ago the Lib Dems promised to scrap tuition fees – and then they raised them three times higher. Now they are getting ready to raise them again.
Analysis of the Tories' extreme spending plans means that they are poised to increase tuition fees yet again – to £11,500 per year.
Labour will cut tuition fees from £9,000 to £6,000. And if we fail in that task, Ed Miliband has said he will not stand for office as Prime Minister in 2020. Because there should be consequences when people’s trust is let down.
Sun 03 May
This morning Nick Clegg was asked five times to rule out a further rise in tuition fees – and he refused to do so. William Hague also said that the...
Labour's Shadow Health Minister, Andy Burnham, visited Lancaster and launched Labour’s five pledges to help improve the local Royal Lancaster Infirmary, setting out Labour’s better plan for local NHS services in the Morecambe Bay Trust. This includes, the first pledge, to recognise the special circumstances of Morecambe Bay Trust in relation to funding.
Labour has launched five pledges to help improve the local Royal Lancaster Infirmary:
- Recognise the special circumstances of Morecambe Bay Trust in relation to funding
- Work with our brilliant NHS staff to make the Royal Lancaster Infirmary a better hospital
- More doctors and nurses for our hospital
- Guarantee a GP appointment in 48 hours across the Morecambe Bay area
- Repeal the Tory Health Act that opened up our hospitals to privatisation
It's fantastic that after years of work from Labour candidates and MPs we've got a pledge from the Labour Party that Morecambe Bay's special circumstances will be recognised under a Labour government when it comes to funding. We have fantastic NHS staff locally, but the current funding doesn't meet local need or recognise the challenging geography of the Trust.
Wed 29 April
Labour's Shadow Health Minister, Andy Burnham, visited Lancaster and launched Labour’s five pledges to help improve the local Royal Lancaster Infirmary, setting out Labour’s better plan for local NHS...