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As a Lib Dem if we lose the election, I demand another one!

The British electorate are thick , as superior Tim Farron knows much more than them !

Dennis Brogan ● 3382d0 Comments ● 3382d

Michael O'Brien - An urgent question

Have any forum members had work done by MICHAEL O'BRIENHe had an advert on the Ealing Acton & Local Areas on Facebook and does gardening work and so on.Does anyone have a contact number for him or an address?Thank you.

Jean F Fernandez ● 3382d0 Comments ● 3382d

The air we breathe

As a west London resident and a parent the most important issue for me, going into the General Election isn’t Brexit, the economy, NHS, security, housing or even education; it is the quality of air that my children breathe. As has been highlighted on here on many occasions air quality where we live is very poor. So I thought I would have a look at the manifestos of three main political parties to see what they have to say on the subject. I’m guessing that the Green Party manifesto has much to say but I didn’t read it as they aren’t standing in my constituency. Below is my understanding from what I have read, and I am not a member of any political party or organisation:• Conservative manifesto has a single sentence on air pollution pledging unspecified “action against poor air quality in urban areas”. No specific commitments are made.• Labour manifesto: pledges to introduce “a new clean air act to deal with the Conservative legacy of illegal air quality.” The manifesto also promises to move freight from lorries to rail on a nationalised rail network to “leave our roads freer of traffic and our air cleaner.” It will “retrofit thousands of diesel buses in areas with the most severe air quality problems” and oversee the creation of a national network of low emission zones.• Liberal Democrat manifesto promises a ban on diesel car and small van sales by 2025, a diesel scrappage scheme and “ultra-low emission zones” in ten towns and cities in addition to the one already planned in London. Electric cars will be encouraged via vehicle tax reform and “universal charging points”.Before you cast your vote on Thursday please consider the air that you and your loved ones breathe in.

Patrick Green ● 3383d1 Comments ● 3383d

NHS: Why we can't trust two-faced Joy (Damschroder-)Morrissey Iboden (nee Boden)

Two-faced Joy (Damschroder-)Morrissey nee Iboden (a.k.a. Boden) Conservative candidate for Ealing Central and Acton waxed lyrical about she had come over to the UK to study the European model for social medicine (highlighting Sweden), however, her disdain of us Brits and oue view of the NHS is shocking in the following article in the Mirror (P.s. has anyone read her LSE Masters dissertation?):"Tory candidate mocked 'hysterical' Labour's NHS fears - in seat that's having its local hospital downgraded"Joy Morrissey accused the party of "fetishising" the service and said people should stop calling it "our NHS" or "treating it like a religion"  http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/tory-candidate-mocked-hysterical-labours-10562985A Tory election candidate mocked Labour as "deluded" and "hysterical" for warning about the NHS's future - in a seat whose local hospital is being downgraded.Joy Morrissey accused the party of "fetishising" the service and said people should stop calling it "our NHS" or "treating it like a religion" in a scathing blog last year.She wrote in January 2016: "The institution remains remarkably unchanged - the promised armageddon again failing to materialise."The credibility of these increasingly hysterical forecasts of doom can surely be no more than that of the deluded old soul wandering Oxford Street with his "The End Is Nigh' placard."The only one left for them now a NASA-style 10 second countdown."Her local Ealing Hospital is being downgraded from a district to a local hospital as part of national cost-cutting 'Sustainability and Transformation Plans' (STPs).She accused Labour of "fetishing" the service and told people to stop calling it "our NHS" (Photo: PA)The plan is set to cut the number of beds from 288 to 50 and leaves questions over the future shape of Ealing's A&E as part of a reduction from nine to five acute hospitals in north west London.The STP report says Ealing's current setup is "not financially sustainable" after it ran up a deficit of £30million.And it does not rule out an A&E downgrade, saying only: "No substantive changes to A&Es in Ealing will be made until there is sufficient alternative capacity out of hospital or in acute hospitals."The plan was formally published after Ms Morrissey's blog post last year, but campaigners said fears over Ealing Hospital had been known for some time. It has already had its paediatric and maternity wards closed with services moved elsewhere in north west London.Ms Morrissey's Labour rival Rupa Huq said: "This confirms what we already know - The Tories won’t protect Ealing [Hospital] because their candidate looks at our NHS with derision."She should apologise for these offensive remarks."Ms Morrissey is in a bitter battle to overturn the 274 majority of Labour's Rupa Huq (Photo: Getty)The hospital provides for thousands of people in the warring candidates' Ealing Central and Acton constituency, one of the most marginal seats in the country. It sits just outside the seat's boundary.Ms Huq is defending a majority of just 274 and the Greens and UKIP have pulled out to give each side a boost.Ms Morrissey wrote her blog post on the Conservative Way Forward website in January 2016 with a photo of her outside Ealing Hospital.In it she complained the Tories could "guarantee every patient the gift of eternal life and send them home with a complimentary pot of caviar and it still wouldn't be enough".She added: "Stop treating a valuable public service like a religion that can only be spoken of in a hushed tone of reverence rarely heard outside of the Vatican."We can begin by desisting from the glutinous and now obligatory practice of referring to 'Our' NHS.The blog post was written in January last year"For every member of the public that has bought into Labour's fetishisation of this institution there is an equally large and silent number that haven't."They do not gaze at the NHS with uncritical awe - and neither should we."Ms Morrissey became embroiled in a row over the NHS plans last week with Ms Huq.She pulled out of a hustings and threatened legal action against her Labour rival, accusing the campaign of "blatant lies" over a leaflet that said the hospital was closing.A spokeswoman for London North West Healthcare NHS Trust said: "There will be some changes at Ealing Hospital over the next three to five years, to provide local people with the services they use the most, so patients receive the best possible care. This will include a local A&E at Ealing Hospital.”Ms Morrissey has been contacted for comment by the Mirror, but had not replied at the time of publication.

John Alan Peters ● 3383d1 Comments ● 3383d

Black and white stray cat

Cats Protection have received reports that a black and white unneutered male cat has been seen in the St Dunstan's Avenue area near the railway line. If he is seen in your garden or is getting into your home looking for food please feed him and contact me.

Nina Battleday ● 3384d0 Comments ● 3384d

Acton General Election hustings 30 May

Election Hustings for Central Ealing and Acton on Tuesday 30 May at 7.30pm at St Mary's Church, Acton, W3 9NW, in partnership with Oaktree Anglican Fellowship and Churchfield Community Association. All 3 candidates invited and are coming. All welcome. Get there early to be sure of a good seat. Doors open at 7pm.

Chris Hurley ● 3402d46 Comments ● 3384d

London Bridge -We are at war in our own country.

MI5 cannot watch 3,000 at risk Muslims for 24 hours every day ! We need immediate strong action to stop any more  8yr old kids and adults being killed by these radical Muslims . Normal Muslims need to do more !

Dennis Brogan ● 3386d1 Comments ● 3385d

School cuts website

This websitehttps://www.schoolcuts.org.uk/#!/schools?chosenSchool=3074602shows that if the Tories win, Twyford school will lose £550000, Acton High School £1.1 million, Ellen Wilkinson £224000. (All will have increases if Labour win). Amongst Primary schools, Derwentwater will lose £186000, St Vincent's £133000, West Acton by £97000. Again, under Labour all would get increases. How can the Tories justify cutting spending when schools are already cut to the bone? When were these plans ever debated or announced? This will mean teacher redundancies, bigger class sizes, fewer teaching assistants and support for special needs. People should know what they are doing when they vote Conservative

Patrick Gray ● 3388d4 Comments ● 3385d

WEST LONDON hosts needed for Syrian refugees

We have, coincidentally, two Syrian refugees who need hosting for a couple of months from mid June.MD is a pharmacist who is studying to get his English up to the required level to be able to practice here.F is a professional orchestral musician who is having to work in a restaurant until his wife arrives and he can start his life again.Both speak good English and both have ace references from their existing hosts. And they both need to be in West London.Can you help?It sounds daunting but my experience is that it is a very positive thing to do - my Syrian guest has been a joy to host but I don't think he will have left in time for me to take on either of these chaps - which I otherwise would do unhesitatingly.Could you post here or email info@refugeesathome.org or apply online at www.refugeesathome.org if you think you can help - or want to know more thanks

Sara Nathan ● 3386d0 Comments ● 3386d

Brexit clarification sought from Joy Morrisey

I re-sent this message to Joy Morrisey today, having originally posted it on her FB page and sending it to her by email on 28 May. I've not had a response, yet.... Dear Joy Morrisey.I'm posting this, a copy of what I've emailed you, so that others may have access. Thank you for the leaflet asking me to vote for you in the general election.I was looking out for it because this election is unusual and its outcome crucial because the referendum result gave the UK government a clear mandate to leave the EU. I consider it the most important one of my lifetime I realise that Ealing Central & Acton voted Remain and that Rupa Huq is campaigning to overthrow the people’s vote.I intend to vote on the principle that the referendum decision must be enacted so am particularly interested in your views and opinions on it. I’m disappointed however to discover that the leaflet does not contain a single sentence written by you. Everything is an endorsement by others. I am therefore no wiser as to what you stand for or believe in.I’ve looked on the Acton web pages in an attempt to identify your views and to see what is planned locally in the run up to the election.I discovered that you did not attend an election hustings and do not intend participating in future ones because you’ve taken offence at ‘falsehoods’ Rupa Huq published about you in her manifesto. And that you may sue her unless she retracts them.http://www.actonw3.com/default.asp?section=info...I’m surprised and disappointed that you have chosen to go down this road and feel that by not challenging her publicly, you are denying constituents and potential supporters an opportunity to hear you defend your record and tell us what you actually believe in and stand for.The website also reports that Rupa Huq accused you of being a ‘hard Brexit activist’ but you say you’re not. I, and I’m sure others, would like to know what exactly you stand for in regard to Brexit.So to help me decide whether to vote for you or not, I would appreciate a response to the following questions before I return my postal vote on June 1st.Do you accept that Brexit must be implemented and we leave all EU bodies which overrule our sovereignty?Our negotiations with the EU start in July and they will be tough. Will you be supporting the UK negotiating team when there are conflicts with the EU?Do you accept that in any negotiation, we only have a strong hand if we are prepared to walk away and have the confidence to do so? Will you support the UK government in this approach?If the EU continues to demand a massive ‘exit bill’ payment in exchange for a free trade deal, will you reject the EU’s demands or support the UK government negotiating team?Will you work with people in your constituency to find and seize opportunities presented by Brexit? Will you work to make it a success for your constituents?I look forward to your response and will publish this on your Facebook page also so that others will see our correspondence.Yours sincerely,Bríd Hehir

Bríd Hehir ● 3390d3 Comments ● 3386d

Red Brick Meeting about sheltered housing issues. June1st

The Red Brick RA are holding a meeting at the Michael Flanders Centre at 7 pm on June 1st. This is to discuss/debate the issues that are currently causing anxiety and concern for residents in sheltered housing on the estate.  All are welcome

Jan Farlow ● 3390d5 Comments ● 3387d

“Selling the family silver”- is this what we really want?

In 2013 the UK plasma (blood) bank, PRUK, was sold for £230m to a US company. The Department of Health overlooked several healthcare or pharmaceutical firms and at least one blood plasma specialist before choosing to sell an 80 per cent stake in Plasma Resources UK to Bain Capital, a global alternative investment firm, who only paid £90m up front with the remaining £110m due in a five year deferred payment deal.  Four years later sold it was sold to Creat a Chinese company for £820m.PRUK was brought into public ownership in 1975, by Dr. David Owen, because of the risks associated with contaminated blood (HIV, Creutzfeldt-Jakob) under for-profit conditions. So not only could the plasma products now be a risk but a whopping profit has been made by the US company who bought it.  Thank you Hunt and the Conservative/LibDem coalition for doing such a potentially dangerous deal for UK citizens and giving away some £600m which could have been used for the NHS. I don’t remember hearing anything about this on the BBC, does anyone else? But it does make you think what other public assets were sold and not reported between 2010 and 2017.

Libby Kemp ● 3387d0 Comments ● 3387d

Domestic Cleaner 5 hours a week

We are looking for a competent cleaner any suggestions gratefully received Thank you

Caroline Nicholson ● 3393d3 Comments ● 3387d

A.P.P.L.E

Some of our young people have been using their initiative and goodwill to raise money for A.P.P.L.E. by cleaning cars and asking for donatations. While we applaud their enterprising spirit A.P.P.L.E does not endorse young people raising money in this way.Thank you to anyone who made a donation,anyone who would like to can do so through our website www.apple-play.com.The young people are now working on ways to raise money for the summer trips through events held at the ART BLOCK in Acton Park.

Vicki Barker ● 3387d0 Comments ● 3387d

Cinema in Acton

This evening on the BBC news at 6 there was an item about old cinemas being reopened in different areas of London. There was also a representative from Curzon  cinemas telling us that there would be several of their cinemas opening and Acton was specifically mentioned. Let's hope they get on and do it soon!

Nina Battleday ● 3706d14 Comments ● 3388d

The future of Charing Cross Hospital

The future of Charing Cross Hospital 28th Nov 2016 The long-term, future plans for Charing Cross Hospital are back in the spotlight. Hammersmith and Fulham Council has produced leaflets and posters to “fight the latest closure plan”, referring to the north west London sustainability and transformation plan (STP) published last week. We want to reassure our staff, patients, local residents and partners that Charing Cross is NOT closing and that there will be NO reduction in the Hospital’s A&E and wider services during the lifetime of the STP, which runs until April 2021.  The STP, which brings together and co-ordinates the priorities and plans of health and social care organisations across north west London, provides some further clarity on the future of Charing Cross: • There are long standing plans, consulted upon in 2012, to develop Charing Cross as a local hospital within the wider network of hospitals and community services run by our Trust and others in north west London. Under these plans, Charing Cross would provide a wide range of specialist, same-day, planned care, as well as integrated care and rehabilitation services for older people and those with long-term conditions. It would retain a 24/7 A&E appropriate to a local hospital.• However, a huge amount of analysis, design and evaluation is required in order to progress the plans, especially to ensure that new services that are intended to reduce the need for inpatient hospital care, particularly for long-stays, are in place and working before any changes are made to our acute hospital services. There is a clear commitment in the STP that “there will be no substantive changes to A&E in Hammersmith and Fulham until such time as any reduced acute capacity has been adequately replaced by out-of-hospital provision.” The STP, which covers the period up until April 2021, does not include the implementation of plans for Charing Cross to become a local hospital or any reduction in its capacity.• The STP also makes clear that: o “NHS partners will review with local authority STP partners the assumptions underpinning the changes to acute services” o “[NHS partners] will  progress with the delivery of local services before making further changes” o “[NHS partners] will work jointly with communities and councils to agree a model of acute provision that addresses clinical safety concerns and expected demand pressures”.  For further information on the STP and the Trust’s plans, please see our website.

Don Kelly ● 3394d3 Comments ● 3388d

The Great British Menu

I've not posted before on this site, but I've been watching the Great British Menu on BBC2.  This week the chefs are representing Scotland, and I'm just curious to know if Angela Malik is the same Angela Malik that is/was in Churchfield Road.

G Barnes ● 3390d3 Comments ● 3389d

BBC Election Debate - Tonight 7.30pm

Should be more interesting now Corbyn has decided to stand up and be counted. Hopefully he won't get mauled by wee Nicola Sturgeon!I don't really understand May. Her whole campaign is predicated on the fact she is a stronger leader than Corbyn - it certainly can't be based on the Tory manifesto, which is possibly the biggest disaster in British political history. So why won't she face Corbyn in the TV debate? Maybe she will have second thoughts about bottling it? A bit like our own Conservative candidate at the hustings?

James Moore ● 3389d2 Comments ● 3389d

TV wanted

Anyone got an old TV that works that they no longer need? I'm in need of one

Kathryn Hodgson ● 3389d4 Comments ● 3389d

Fat ginger tom cat!

Hello.  We've had to resort to putting a "please do no feed" collar on our ginger tom cat as someone is feeding him, we think, as well as ourselves.  He's now absolutely huge!  If the kind person who's feeding a ginger cat in the Friars Way/St Dunstan's Avenue area is reading this, can you please stop!  He's very over-weight now, obese, in fact and his health is suffering.  To keep feeding him like this is cruel.  I'm very concerned about him.  If anyone knows someone who's feeding a ginger cat and they may not be reading this, can you please let them know?I know the feeding is done out of kindness but, actually, this is causing our lovely cat health issues.  Thank you.

Angela White ● 3396d14 Comments ● 3391d