I am sure there are many like me who have watched the unfolding events of the economic crisis on our TV screens night after night have been worried and more than a little anxious for the impact on their jobs, families, communities and country.

However what is increasingly worrying me alongside the latest updates and proposals etc is the concern that the media are in danger of fuelling the crisis. As the crisis has grown so has the blanket coverage from TV and radio News and our newspapers. And, desperate for further information in our 24 hour news society there is a real danger that some of the coverage could enter the realms of speculation and risk undermining economic fortunes further.

We have seen the response and bail out proposals from the Government which have been rightly welcomed and supported by all main parties who I beleive are responding positively and rationally to the crisis. Now its time the media did the same and toned down some of their coverage with a calmer less hysterical approach.  The “Don’t panic” Dads army approach to some of the coverage won’t help anybody.

The news that Peter Mandelson is to receive £234,000 over the next three years is a disgrace at a time of widespread economic problems and at a time of rising unemployment as the country enters a recession.

The pay out is apparently a transitional payment for leaving his EU commissioners post early to take up his new Government post (3rd time lucky). But this is designed for circumstances when you don’t have another job lined up. Mandelson is going to be paid handsomely as a member of the cabinet and receive this as well.

If he has any political sense left he will not accept this pay out. His acceptance would be a slap in the face of all those who are facing economic hardship and unemployment.

“I hope that at this early stage the NHS trust will review their decision and take this opportunity to try and widen access to NHS dentistry in the Whitefield Area, I strongly feel a failure to provide general dentistry services will amount to a missed opportunity to improve dental health for local people.”

“We need action now from the Council, working with the School Governors to boost the schools prospects for next year and we need this Council to sort out once and for all Labours legacy of meddling with the failed high school review.

As I write Gordon Brown is re-shuffling his cabinet. Ostensibly billed as an attempt to sharpen up his front bench, refresh the cabinet and relaunch his premiership the same problems nevertheless remain.

The key problem is the Labour Government is tired and running out of steam. Its lost the trust of the people on many of the key issues and even its own backbenchers now doubt Brown’s leadership.  So that is perhaps why he is turning to old hands, Mandelson and Beckett. 

Trouble is how ever much he shuffles his pack there are the same old suits and more than a couple of jokers.   

Gordon Brown’s proposals to deal with the economic slowdown are too little too late, say Bury Liberal Democrats. 

The party has published its own package of proposals designed to help people left struggling by the credit crunch. And the plans are being strongly backed by members in Bury.

The Liberal Democrat measures include tax cuts for low and middle income households, stopping unnecessary repossessions, action to cut energy bills and moves to stop reckless banks jeopardising economic security.

Bury South parliamentary spokesperson, Vic D’Albert, said:  “Gordon Brown’s response to the economic crisis has been too little, too late.

“Right across Bury from Prestwich to Tottington and across Britain people are struggling with rising bills, rising prices, and wages that aren’t keeping up.

“If the Prime Minister really wants to help people on low and middle incomes he should take the simple and obvious step of cutting their taxes, releasing billions of pounds to boost the economy. 

“The Liberal Democrats have consistently called for action to cut energy bills, stop irresponsible behaviour by banks and deliver more help for those threatened with repossession. If Gordon Brown had acted when we first raised these issues we would not be in as deep a mess as we are.” 

Key points of the Lib Dem Fairer Future Economic Recovery Plan

• Put more money in people’s pockets - tax cuts for people on low and middle incomes

• Stop unnecessary home repossessions and provide more affordable housing

• Make energy companies reinvest their windfall profits in cutting bills

• Extra help for people in debt or who lose their jobs

• Tough new rules to limit the excesses of the City

I write this following the historic rejection of George Bush’s financial system bail out proposals and the record drop in wall street shares that followed. I am left wondering what happens next, which bank is destined to go to the wall, how many more banks can our Government nationalise and what will happen when the London Stock Exchange opens in the morning?

Amidst all that there is an air of history being made, the end of a (financial) era the end of unbridled capitalism?

Will Governments ever 100% trust the financial institutions again? And what next? How will it affect the man in the street?

Well of course its affecting him and his family already. Its affecting his employer and his mortgage and the services he buys and he is hoping, like me for two things. Firstly for things to stabilise - for the major financial institutions, Governments and regulators to get a grip and secondly for Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling to remember his plight. The cost of his soaring energy costs, the cost of his falling house price and his fast approaching negative equity and the need for his employer to keep him in a job. Yes we need stable markets and decisive gopvernment intervention, but we also need to support our people during a fast approaching recession. And NOW is the time to act.

As part of the consultation on future options for residential care, a free phone number and email address have been set up to extend opportunities for people to have their voice heard on this important matter.

Tel:    0800 107 9906 (quoting Bury Council)

Email   bury@rmltd.net

These facilities, which are being run independently of the council to encourage participation, will be available until mid October 2008.

In addition details have been issued to the local press advertising these channels to the public.

Whilst many people will undoubtedly focus specifically on the options, the Council inform me that they would also like to receive feedback on people’s views on related topics such as:

• Should the council be helping more people to live at home
• The type of services (and accommodation) are needed by older people
• What can be done to address the growing number of vacant beds across the residential care sector because demand is falling

And of course any comments or suggestions as to how Bury Council can improve services would of course be equally welcome.

I am assured that all responses will be analysed independently with a summary being provided during November.  These results will then feed into the council’s views on developing older people’s accommodation services for the future.

Bury Liberal Democrats would also like to know your views on these subjects and other questions such as :

What kind of housing choice should be available for the elderly and very elderly in Bury?  

If you would rather not take up these options for making your views known, but would prefer to channel them through your local councillors, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via this website, post, email addresses or even the phone!

I con myself that party conferences are sort of political holidays away from day to day local council affairs and the day job but the reality is much different.

I have returned to work today pretty much exhausted following 5 days of meetings, events, debates and networking. And yes the ”networking” was often in bars and restaurants. But you know what they say - “Work hard, play hard”. 

It is always difficult to convey life inside the conference “bubble” to those that have never experienced it. But I think it is akin to immersing yourself in an intensive study course supplemented by opportunities to debate the issues of the day and meet people from many national and international organisations and charities and of course meet colleagues from up and down the country, old and new and swap notes etc.

After 5 days of badged up delegates carrying backs of papers swarming all over the Bournemouth Internation Centre and local hotels and bars we do leave (at least) mentally recharged and re-invigorated for the battle and challenges ahead.

And this year we see our messages refined and our policies updated and the clearest message yet to the people of Bury and Britain that the Liberal Democrats are ready in every way to take up the mantle of government from the Tories and Labour. Previous administrations that have repeatedly failed the vulnerable, the sick, the poor and the weak.

Personally I beleive this was the Lib Dems best conference for a number of years culminating in a great speech from Nick Clegg.

Urged on by Nick, Bury Lib Dems will be taking to the streets over the coming months as part of Nick Cleggs 1 million door challenge.  So the holiday is well and truly over, if indeed it ever started.  Hope to meet many of you then.

Bury Lib Dems have condemned the walk out by Labour Councillors from a full meeting of Bury Council as “gesture politics”.

Cllr Vic D’Albert told the meeting “We have just seen an example of gesture politics of the very worst kind.”

The walk out followed heckling from staff in the public gallery angry at the Councils pay review and regrading which will see many member of staff lose thousands in salary reductions while others gain significantly.

Cllr Vic D’Albert added, “Quite frankly I don’t blame those in the public gallery for being angry, I would in be in similar circumstances especially when in the current economic climate the tragic reality is that many could end up losing their homes. But labours orchestrated antics will not help anyone. This is no time for gesture politics and it is frankly insulting. What we need now is for the 3 political groups to get together to find a way through this situation to find a way to support hard hit staff. To improve morale to retain staff and to ensure front line services remain unaffected.
Following the reconvening of the meeting the Lib Dem Group gave a cautious welcome to a concession from the leader of the council to hold a briefing session for all councillors. in order that they are all aware of issues concerning the staff review and regrading.
Cllr Andrew Garner, Lib Dem deputy group leader commented, “This initial move is welcomed but it is only the first step so far as we are concerned. This Conservative administration needs to do a lot more before confidence is restored and staff relations can improve.
“What we need now is concerted action on behalf of staff and they need to see all parties working together to deal with the traumatic affect this may have on many council staff. This Tory administration is now being watched very closely to see what they do next.

Following the meeting of Council last week the Lib Dem Group issued a statement detailing the demands they are now making of the Conservative administration, their views on labours walk out and their general views on the Pay review and regrading.