Chuka Umunna MP

The Conservatives are set to adopt anti-trade union legislation which would go much further than Margeret Thatcher ever dared to tread with plans which would shackle workers by effectively removing unions’ ability to take industrial action.

They want to create new and prohibitively high turnout thresholds for strike ballots, according to a recent Guardian report.

A majority of people eligible to vote would have to vote yes – not just those people actually taking part in the ballot.

However, not a single Conservative MP was elected by a majority of electors in their constituency.

It is thought that David Cameron also intends to revive the idea of banning strikes in services such as the Fire Brigade and public transport.

These changes would derail the positive steps the Labour government has taken to ensure that unions can democratically represent their members.

The right to strike is a fundamental part of democracy and the proposals would effectively take this away.

Find out more about the campaign to protect union rights and sign the Unions Together petition.

Hundreds of vintage vehicles passed through Streatham recently on their way to the south coast as part of the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

Check out this fantastic video of the day made by Councillor Mark Bennett

London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced a major consultation on the future of London transport, including the potential scheme to bring the London Underground to Streatham.

Following the publication of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy, Londoners are being asked to register their views online. Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham Chuka Umunna is urging people to use the opportunity to let the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) know what a difference a tube extension to Streatham, currently under consideration, would make.

The Strategy Document notes the lack of transport connections in South London and describes the “paucity of the Underground network” in the area, as well as the need for “better public transport connectivity between inner north and inner south London”.

It also confirms that TfL is looking into a number of options to extend the Bakerloo line southwards with the route currently being under development. The report pledges that the Bakerloo extension will serve “areas with poor transport accessibility”, a category into which local people argue Streatham falls.

The decision on where to build the tube extension will take into account the views of residents and people can take part in the consultation at http://mts.tfl.gov.uk/Have-your-say.aspx before it closes on January 12th 2010. Registering views online only takes around 5 minutes and could help determine whether the Tube comes to Streatham or elsewhere.

Supporters of the campaign should also sign the petition to bring the tube to Streatham at: http://www.gopetition.co.uk/petitions/bring-the-tube-to-streatham.html

Chuka Umunna said:

“It is important that we take up this opportunity to send a strong message to TfL and the Mayor and let them know what a massive difference having the tube in Streatham would make.

“Our campaign is having an impact at the highest levels, and we must keep up the momentum if we want a Streatham tube extension to become a reality.

“I urge local residents to take part in the Mayor’s consultation as well as signing the petition.”

The campaign to Bring the Tube to Streatham was launched in July by Chuka Umunna and local people after TfL confirmed that it was considering extending the Bakerloo line to Bromley in Kent.

The government is introducing new regulations to stop unscrupulous clamping companies.

New restrictions include capping the maximum amount clamping firms are able to charge with a new £35 ceiling, a ban on ‘double charging’ where companies make motorists pay for both the clamp removal and for towing a vehicle away as well as a requirement that signs are displayed clearly.

Clampers will also have to wait for a minimum of three hours before removing a vehicle.

The government is also planning to make it compulsory for companies to sign up to a recognised trade body and a code of practice.

Action is being taken on firms issuing parking tickets after taking digital photographs of vehicles parked on private land, with the government limiting access to the DVLA’s vehicle database to members of the British Parking Association only.

The changes will mean that disreputable companies are no longer able to rely on unfair practices and over-zealous enforcement, and it is predicted that firms which continue to act in this way will go out of business as a result.

Last week, Prime Minister Gordon Brown invited Patricia Sauer, Chair of the Streatham Festival to a Community Heroes reception at Downing Street, attending with Chuka.

To find out more about the Streatham Festival, click here.

Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham has called on credit card companies to clean up their act, as government proposals which ensure that consumers get a fair deal are launched.

The new rules would mean that credit card companies have to pay off customers’ most expensive debts first.

This is to prevent the practice of negative payment hierarchies whereby consumers can get stuck in debt by only paying off the portion borrowed at the cheapest rate. This change could save thousands of pounds for people paying off credit card debts.

Companies will also be banned from increasing credit limits without consent, sending unsolicited cheques and increasing interest rates on existing debts. They will be required to give consumers a full and proper explanation of how their card works before making an agreement.

Recently, the government also announced that it will intervene to ensure that excessive bank fees and charges are paid back to consumers.

Currently, the are more than one million reclaim requests for excessive charges which have been on hold since 2007, with a test case brought by the Office of Fair Trading currently going through the courts.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called on banks to resolve the outstanding claims without further delay.

Commenting, Chuka Umunna said:

“Particularly during the current economic climate, it is important that people are protected from the burden of spiralling debts and excessive charges.

“I am concerned that I often hear complaints from local people about unfair practices, exploitation and rip offs and am campaigning for action to put a stop to this

“Consumers must be treated fairly by the companies operating credit and store cards, and have a right to clear information on their finances.”

The Streatham Festival is our area’s very own world-class community event held every summer.

Having been founded in 2002 when it was attended by 600 people, it now attracts more than 10,000. Being run entirely by volunteers, it is chaired by Patricia Sauer.

The festival consists of numerous art and culture events held across Streatham including exhibitions of local artists’ work, film screenings, family events and showcases for performing arts like the search for ‘Streatham Idol’.

This year, the week-long festival was launched by a open-air fun day on Streatham Common, followed by open-air theatre and world music. In October 2009, the work of the Streatham Festival was honoured by the Prime Minister when its Chair Patricia Sauer was invited to a Community Heroes event at 10 Downing Street.

Chuka has pledged to do his bit for our servicemen and women by signing up to the manifesto of The Royal British Legion, the nation’s leading Armed Forces charity.

He also recently met with members of the organisation, which runs the national Poppy Appeal to raise money for its work supporting the serving and ex-service community.

The manifesto outlines priorities for the next government to improve conditions for members of the British Armed Forces past and present.

It includes measures to help personnel and their families, veterans and dependants, such as improving standards of accomodation, tackling poverty among veterans and providing legal advice and counselling to bereaved Armed Forces families.

Chuka will be attending a cross-denominational memorial service and laying a wreath with veterans and community groups at the Streatham War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday.

Commenting on The Royal British Legion’s manifesto he said:

“Our armed forces deserve the best support possible. The Royal British Legion plays an important role in highlighting the needs of our armed forces and their families.”

“I am wholeheartedly behind their manifesto for helping the servicemen and women of both today and yesterday.”

Follow these links to find out more about the manifesto and the work of The Royal British Legion.

Chuka explains the importance of keeping the Streatham Ice Rink open during his visit to support our ice hockey team, Streatham Redskins, in action this evening against Milton Keynes Thunder.

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Chuka has joined forces with the National Union of Students (NUS) to call for the abolition of up-front student fees and oppose the possibility of new higher ‘top-up’ fees in the future.

Both Chuka and the NUS are calling for an end to student fees charged up-front and are instead backing alternative plans for a progressive graduate tax linked to earnings, with graduates contributing according to the benefit they have gained from their time in higher education.

Crucially, this would mean students would not have to pay until they start working: the graduate tax would only be levied once an individual earns over a threshold of £15,000, and payments would be spread out and therefore be more affordable.

The graduate tax proposals would generate more funding than the current fees system and would allow for the creation of more university places as well as increased financial support for poorer students.

In Streatham, we should be proud that the number of people going to university has increased by more than 81% since 1997. Increased funding for more student places and support would allow this figure to rise even further.

The Lib Dems recently abandoned their commitment to scrapping student fees at their party conference while the Conservative Party under David Cameron has also dropped its pledge to end fees.

President of the NUS Wes Streeting commented: “NUS is delighted to receive Chuka’s backing on the number one issue facing students ahead of the next general election.”

“With a review of the current tuition fees system due to be announced within a matter of weeks, this intervention could not have come at a better time.”

Chuka said:

“Given the advantages that a university education gives graduates, it is right that students should contribute towards the cost of going to university. A graduate tax linked closely to earnings is the simplest and fairest way of achieving this.”

Follow these links to find out more about the NUS’ Funding our Future plans and get involved in the campaign against fees.