<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0" ><channel>
<title><![CDATA[]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://lucypowell.net/news?FeedId=UnsFUwVDUw1ORktUEllBXAJNHXpXVQUNUVgBRhwBRxdCDwRI]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
<language>en-gb</language>
<lastBuildDate>Mon, 6 Sep 2010 15:29:51 Europe/London</lastBuildDate>
<copyright><![CDATA[]]></copyright>
<docs></docs>

<item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Final Week of the Campaign]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[As the campaign draws to a close and we get closer and closer to polling day, the Manchester Withington Labour team have been working hard to get our message to as many voters as possible. Last week we had a visit from David Miliband who gave a rallying speech to activists before joining me meeting voters at a local community centre. Later on Ed Miliband joined us to talk to voters concerned about green issues, and Lord Adonis dropped in after checking out the new trams in the city centre. It's been a really positive week, with...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[final-week-of-the-campaign]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[final-week-of-the-campaign]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 12:05:29</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Eddie Hits the Campaign Trail]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[On Monday we were lucky enough to have Eddie Izzard join us on the campaign trail. I've known Eddie for several years and he's always been a staunch supporter of Labour - this year he's even lent himself to our fantastic political broadcast. Eddie joined myself and Phill Woolas and Tony Lloyd outside Sainsbury's in Fallowfield to help launch Labour's North West Manifesto and he did a brilliant job - there was a thriving crowd and the atmosphere was buzzing. Later on we lead a team door knocking and Eddie got really involved, chatting to local residents about their...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[eddie-hits-the-campaign-trail]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[eddie-hits-the-campaign-trail]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Thu, 22 Apr 2010 04:59:46</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Gordon Brown Visits the Constituency]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson joined me yesterday to visit Siemens' offices in Didsbury. Siemens' Didsbury offices work in the rapidly growing fields of energy efficient systems and off shore wind technology and are one of the constituency's biggest employers. It was great to receive such a warm welcome from all of the staff. The Times covered the visit and got an excellent photo from the event.    Later on I was joined by David Blunkett, former Home Secretary, and Paul Goggins, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East. We dropped by to the Barlow Moor Community Centre to...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[gordon-brown-visits-the-constituency]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[gordon-brown-visits-the-constituency]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:55:26</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Yvette Cooper Drops by to Call Local Pensioners]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Yesterday Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, visited our Campaign Centre to lend a hand. Yvette contacted a number of local pensioners to talk about what Labour are doing to help them during these difficult times, such as the Winter Fuel Allowance and free bus passes.     Labour has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the elderly, increasing the state pension and providing Cold Weather Payments, helping to lift 900,000 pensioners out of poverty since we came to power.    Labour will transform must...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[yvette-cooper-drops-by-to-call-local-pensioners]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[yvette-cooper-drops-by-to-call-local-pensioners]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:44:36</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Labour Launches New Manifesto]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Monday saw Gordon Brown and the cabinet launch Labour's 2010 Manifesto, which aims to create a more modern and progressive Britain with values entrenched in fairness, respect, decency and openness. I welcomed the announcement of the Manifesto which I believe will address the challenges we face today and in the future.   Only a Labour government will empower people through their policies, handing back power to the people who use and fund public services. The Tories might pay lip service to the notion of empowerment but in reality they will abandon our 2 week guarantee to see a Cancer...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[labour-launches-new-manifesto]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[labour-launches-new-manifesto]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:29:23</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[A band of Merry (Wo)men sign up in support of the Robin Hood Tax]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Last Friday I joined Baroness Glenys Kinnock and Arlene McCarthy MEP in pledging our support for the Robin Hood Tax campaign. Robin Hood Tax is a small tax on bankers &ndash; about 0.05% of speculative banking transfers &ndash; that could raise billions to help fight poverty and climate change. It would even raise enough to protect our front line services from cuts.
 
Baroness Glenys Kinnock, Minister of State said: "A 0.05% tax on financial transactions could generate &pound;250 billion to help developing countries who have been hit hardest by the financial crisis. NGOs, including Oxfam and ActionAid...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[a-band-of-merry-women-sign-up-in-support-of-the-robin-hood-tax]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[a-band-of-merry-women-sign-up-in-support-of-the-robin-hood-tax]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:02:26</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Lucy Signs NUS Tuition Fees Pledge]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[I&rsquo;ve signed up to the National Union of Students (NUS) 'Votes for Students' campaign to oppose any major increase in tuition fees, currently capped at &pound;3,225. The Lib Dems claim to be on the side of students, but their policies on higher education are in disarray with U-turn after U-turn. Not even the NUS is calling for an abolition of tuition fees as it would be totally unrealistic and unaffordable at this time.  If you want to support Votes for Students then you can sign up here....]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[lucy-signs-nus-tuition-fees-pledge]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[lucy-signs-nus-tuition-fees-pledge]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:08:08</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[John Prescott’s Battle Bus comes to Burnage ]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Some of you may have noticed us gathered on Saturday afternoon outside Tesco&rsquo;s in Burnage, awaiting the arrival of John Prescott and his election Battle Bus. It was great to see so many people to turn out for the rally - especially on such a cold afternoon. John was brilliant, giving one of his trademark passionate speeches and it was a fantastic boost for our campaign &ndash; he even joined us for a door-knocking session afterwards!  If you&rsquo;re interested in attending future events like this and want to do your bit to help Labour win back...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[john-prescotts-battle-bus-comes-to-burnage-]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[john-prescotts-battle-bus-comes-to-burnage-]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:06:32</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Metrolink on Track ]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[The new Metrolink line to Chorlton is on track to open next year, with the Didsbury extension set to follow soon after. Trams will run to Chorlton in 2011, with the line through to Didsbury due to open in 2013. On Friday I was invited along to have a look at the work that&rsquo;s underway and discuss environmental work, particularly tree replacement, with contractors. Labour&rsquo;s investment in the extension of Metrolink is fantastic news for our area &ndash; giving Chorlton, Didsbury and the surrounding area a fast route to the city centre and beyond, and allowing hundreds of commuters...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[metrolink-on-track-]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[metrolink-on-track-]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:05:37</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Manchester Smart Meter Launch with Ed Miliband]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[I joined Ed Miliband on Friday morning to launch the government&rsquo;s smart metering plan in Manchester. Smart metering allows energy providers to record customers&rsquo; usage as well as allowing homeowners to monitor it at the same time. This will mean an end to companies sending out meter readers &ndash; saving them hundreds of thousands of pounds a year, savings which can be passed on to us &ndash; and an end to estimated bills.  By being more aware of the energy we&rsquo;re using we can not only reduce our household bills, but our carbon emissions as well. The energy...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[manchester-smart-meter-launch-with-ed-miliband]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[manchester-smart-meter-launch-with-ed-miliband]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:03:57</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Parrs Wood 6th Form Debate]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Last Thursday I went to visit my old high school at Parrs Wood to discuss politics with the 6th form students. I was so pleased to see so many young people taking an interest in politics, and I was delighted to be asked to come and share my views.  Parrs Wood High School is just one of thousands of examples across the country of schools that have benefited from Labour&rsquo;s investment in education. The school has been transformed and the buildings are almost unrecognisable from the 80s Thatcher legacy I used to attend. Under Labour children from all...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[parrs-wood-6th-form-debate]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[parrs-wood-6th-form-debate]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:02:28</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Change We Can See]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[A few months ago the Labour Party asked its members to send in photos of new schools, hospitals and Sure Start centres build by the government since 1997 as part of its Change We See campaign. You can see some of these photos on the website &ndash; www.changewesee.com &ndash; and I urge you to take a couple of minutes out of your day to do so. There is no greater testament to the achievements of our government than it&rsquo;s investment in people. But all of this is under threat from the Tories who have made it clear that they will...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[change-we-can-see]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[change-we-can-see]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:17:02</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[VICTORY FOR CAMPAIGN FOR NEW POWERS TO CLAMP DOWN ON BUY-TO-LETS ]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Housing and Planning Minister John Healey today announced new local powers to control the spread of high concentrations of shared rented homes and to tackle pockets of unsafe and substandard accommodation run by bad landlords. The announcement follows his visit to Withington and Fallowfield, one of the UK's HMO hotspots, in December with Labour's candidate for Withington Lucy Powell, who has led a campaign for action against rogue landlords. Mr Healey confirmed new powers for local councils to manage the unplanned spread of Houses in Multiple Occupation (or an HMO) in towns and cities. The cluster of too many...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[victory-for-campaign-for-new-powers-to-clamp-down-on-buy-to-lets]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[victory-for-campaign-for-new-powers-to-clamp-down-on-buy-to-lets]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:37:50</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Chorlton Labour Team Opposes Tesco Development]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Together the Chorlton Labour Team is opposing the development of a new Tesco super store near the Town Hall in Old Trafford. The decision whether to allow planning permission will be taken by the Tory Trafford Council on 10th March however we are working closely with Trafford Labour to ensure that the development is rejected.   We are concerned that the possible 166,000 sq ft mega store will have an adverse effect on Chorlton&rsquo;s vibrant independent businesses and local sustainability, not to mention increased traffic in the parts of Chorlton closest to the development.    The plans...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[chorlton-labour-team-opposes-tesco-development]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[chorlton-labour-team-opposes-tesco-development]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:28:48</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Labour Keeps the Heating On]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[With the coldest winter in over 40 years Labour has demonstrated it&rsquo;s commitment to providing real help to pensioners to assist them through this tough time. Local residents have been telling me how grateful they are to the Labour Government for providing pensioners with the most support they&rsquo;ve ever had.   Labour created the Winter Fuel Allowance, providing &pound;250 for over-60 households and &pound;400 for over-80 households with the most vulnerable receiving an extra &pound;25 a week in Cold Weather Payments. The Government has also increased funding for the Warm Front programme to insulate pensioners&rsquo; homes and the VAT...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[labour-keeps-the-heating-on]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[labour-keeps-the-heating-on]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:17:25</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Chorlton Meadows Application Rejected]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[I am delighted that yesterday Manchester Labour Council's Planning Committee rejected the application to build an all weather football pitch on the much loved Chorlton Meadows. After Council Officer's had been sent away to find formal reasons for rejection, the applicant decided to withdraw the application. The Labour Team in Chorlton and Chorlton Park has been working hard with local residents and the Save the Meadows Campaigners to ensure that the application was rejected. I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of all those who campaigned against the application....]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[chorlton-meadows-application-rejected]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[chorlton-meadows-application-rejected]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:56:34</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Fundraising Drive]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[I am today lauching a new fundraising campaign to secure the finance that I need to win the Manchester Withington constituency for Labour.  Please consider donating: https://secure2.labour.org.uk/membersnet/donate/Withington   The facebook group is here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=248636004742#/group.php?gid=248636004742...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[fundraising-drive]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[fundraising-drive]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:58:55</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Housing Minister Visits Withington]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[A FALLOWFIELD couple have urged Housing Minister John Healey to review the rules that allow landlords to convert family homes in South Manchester without planning permission. The Cabinet Minister visited the home of Joan and Patrick Galvin, who live on Barnsfold Avenue, in Fallowfield, during a visit to the constituency on Thursday November 26th. Mr Healey was invited by Labour candidate Lucy Powell who is campaigning for a change in planning rules to give residents a greater say in the future of their community. Following a consultation on further regulation to the HMO sector which closed last month,...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[housing-minister-visits-withington]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[housing-minister-visits-withington]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:53:05</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Back the Ban on Hunting With Dogs]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s been 5 years since Labour introduced the 2004 Hunting Act, ending the cruel practice of hunting with dogs. I&rsquo;ve supported the ban from day one and I&rsquo;m proud that the Labour Party stood up and helped put a stop to this vicious sport.  The ban remains under threat though; the Tories have made it clear that if they are elected into power, they will get rid of it. David Cameron used his maiden speech to pledge this. However, this just demonstrates how out of touch the Conservatives are on such matters; a recent poll shows that three quarters...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[back-the-ban-on-hunting-with-dogs]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[back-the-ban-on-hunting-with-dogs]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:55:03</pubDate>
                           
</item><item>
                           <title><![CDATA[Liam Byrne and Getting the Best Deal for Students]]></title>
                           <description><![CDATA[Earlier today I hosted a coffee morning with Liam Byrne MP, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and over a dozen graduates and final year students at the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University.    It was a very pleasant discussion in Fallowfield about the action the Government is taking to ensure that graduates have the best possible job opportunities when they leave University. Liam listened with great interest to some of the personal stories and promised that the Government will be taking all measures necessary to ensure graduates can secure full-time employment as quickly...]]></description>
                           <link><![CDATA[liam-byrne-and-getting-the-best-deal-for-students]]></link>
                           <guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[liam-byrne-and-getting-the-best-deal-for-students]]></guid>
                           <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:23:51</pubDate>
                           
</item></channel>
</rss>