Local Maternity Care for Local Parents ............................. .......................... ...............................23rd July 2007

Dear Editor,

I am very glad that the Observer is backing Option 5 – preserving maternity services in Hastings and Eastbourne .

As a local father-to-be, I watched Channel 4's Dispatches on maternity care (Monday, 8pm) with a mixture of interest and horror.  I was shocked at how stretched maternity services are across the country, and I am sure that I heard the former Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt say that parents are right to expect a high standard of maternity care wherever they live .  Is this not a vote for Option 5 at the highest level of government?

You are right to point the finger at Labour and Conservative councillors locally.  Only the Liberal Democrats are full-square behind Option 5.

Cllr Daniel's aggressive objections to your reporting belie his knowledge that his compatriot, Nye Bevan, will be turning in his grave.

And I am afraid to say that our MP, Michael Foster, has demonstrated a concerning lack of judgement once again.  Through his back-peddling, and through his dogged attempts to shore up Labour splits on this issue, he has diluted his support for Option 5.

He has dealt the campaign a terrible blow.

Local parents should remember this when he comes a-knocking at election time.

Nick Perry
Manor Road
Hastings

Thank goodness the Lib Dems are Listening............................. .......................... ...............................12th July 2007

Dear Editor

May I send my congratulations to Cllr Richard Stevens, Leader of the Lib Dems and councillor for Old Hastings ward, for his strength of character in voting at Cabinet with all those local people in favour of
Option 5 - preserving maternity services in Hastings and Eastbourne.

I have just been to the Conquest this morning for the second scan for our first child, and was very glad to be able to do so. This should be a service that is available locally for all parents, irrespective of where they live. I am glad that the Liberal Democrats are listening to local people, unlike the other two parties.

Maybe it's time for a change at the Town Hall, after Labour and Conservative councils have delivered disappointment after disappointment to local people?

Nick Perry
Manor Road
Hastings

Thank you Lib Dems .................................................................................................................................10th July 2007

A few days after I moved into a flat in the Old Town, the Council came along and erected a new street light with a huge beam that shone straight into my bedroom. This on top of a security light gave me sleepless nights as I felt as though my room was floodlit.

I tried very hard to get the Council to remove or replace it, they sent along inspectors who said it had to stay for health and safety reasons though they admitted the angle of the beam was unfortunate for me.

In dispair I spoke to my Lib Dem Councillor, Sue Palmer. Within weeks Council workmen came along and took down the lamp and put a cap on it. This made all the difference. I feel that the Lib Dems do listen to the problems of their constituents and act on their behalf.

Audrey Lanceman
Torfield
Old Town

Visit to Hastings from New Prime Minister.... ...............................................................Observer Friday 5th July 2007

Dear Editor

I note your piece today about a potential visit to Hastings from the new Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. You state that this is a thank you to Michael Foster MP for his recent support in the Labour leadership 'election'. Maybe it is also a reward for his voting record? This is described by theyworkforyou.com as 'hardly ever rebels'. Mr Foster is shown to have regularly voted for ID cards, tuition fees, no investigation into the war in Iraq and other New Labour policies. Whilst the MP's commitment to Hastings is not in doubt, this voting record suggests a worrying lack of judgement on the behalf of his constituents. I hope Mr Foster feels that a nice photo opportunity, and an hour or two of the Prime Minister's time, has been worth it.

Nick Perry
Manor Road
Hasings