Latest News
Cambridge Labour Party defies government and backs postal workers fight against privatisation
17th April 2009
Cambridge Labour Party are backing local postal workers in their fight against privatisation and supported their demonstration outside the Guildhall on April 18th.
Daniel Zeichner, Cambridge Labour Party Parliamentary spokesman, who attended the demonstration, said that the Communication Workers Union won support at a recent local Party meeting when Government plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail were discussed.
"Cambridge Labour Party opposes privatisation of the Royal Mail and we believe that Government plans for part privatisation are mistaken. I would not support them in the House of Commons if I were elected."
Mr Zeichner added, "The Royal Mail has served the British public well for over 300 years. It certainly needs to be modernised and improved but to change it fundamentally through part or whole privatisation is not the answer."
Mr Zeichner represents party members on Labour's National Policy Forum and said that a clear decision was made at a key meeting last summer to back a wholly publicly owned Royal Mail. Daniel is currently the only local politician supporting the postal workers as both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives are backing full privatisation of the service.
Council must crack down on hike in bus fares
6th April 2009
The latest cash-grab by Cambridge monopoly bus-operator Stagecoach has been slammed by Cambridge Labour Parliamentary spokesperson and bus campaigner Daniel Zeichner. Mr Zeichner, who has long argued for tighter regulation of bus operators, says that the County Council should now use the powers available to reign Stagecoach in.
He said, "The latest 10% hike in fares is totally unacceptable. Labour campaigners have fought hard to get the powers to control the bus companies and now it is down to the County Council to use them. Unfortunately, Cambridgeshire County Council have shown little interest in using these powers and this latest provocation from Stagecoach shows that the Council need to get a grip and stop the profiteering."
Mr Zeichner, a long time campaigner for cheaper fares, argued sucessfully at the Labour Party Conference for new laws to regulate fares. He was rewarded when the Government introduced new laws giving councils the powers they need. He is now calling on Cambridgeshire County Council to take action in order to stop further fare increases by Stagecoach.
Free theatre for young people!
17th February 2009
Free theatre tickets to the Junction in Cambridge are on offer to people under 26 years old thanks to a new Government initiative. The Junction has signed up to Labour's free theatre scheme which is offering 618,000 free theatre tickets across England for the next two years. The "A Night Less Ordinary" initiative means that tickets are available for all theatre and family theatre shows at the Junction with dance shows to follow.
Young people can get information from the Junction website here and also on the main A Night Less Ordinary site here. Daniel said:
"It's great that the Junction has taken up this scheme as it is so important that we make sure as many young people as possible have the chace to go to the threatre. I will be working with local schools and colleges to ensure that young people in Cambridge know about the scheme and apply to get their free tickets. Having people like Eddie Izzard and Kevin Spacey offer their support is particularly helpful!"
Eddie Izzard added:
"I think free theatre tickets for young people is a great idea, especially as things are getting tough financially right now. I am very pleased that the Labour Party has launched this scheme for under 26 year olds. We have a great British theatrical tradition and I hope people take advantage of this offer."