Champion reporter David Simister in conversation with the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, in Aughton. 15 October 2009 |
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West Lancashire residents got an unexpected visit last week when Britain's top politician called into the region to lend his support. Prime Minister Gordon Brown met with members of organisations and businesses from across the borough as part of a coffee afternoon in Aughton last Thursday (October 15, 2009), where he offered his support to residents struggling with the recession. "In this area unemployment has been an issue, particularly in the Skelmersdale area, and also with the car and vehicle industry in the region," he said. I'm able to assure people that we're doing everything in our power to not only protect exisiting jobs, but also to create new ones. I'm determined to keep unemployment as low as possible." His comments came as part of a whistle-stop tour around the wider county of Lancashire, where he also met with workers at the Leyland truck factory, one of the county's biggest employers. Mr Brown, who has been Prime Minister since 2007, also denied claims that Crosby Labour MP Claire Curtis Thomas' decision to stand down earlier and the Conservatives winning power at Lancashire County Council undermined support for his Government in the region. "We are determined that even though it's been a very difficult year, with the recession and events like the MPs' expenses issue, that we are taking action to clean up politics and to deal with the recession," he said. "Every country is having its problems with the recession, but we have taken the action needed to get through it." His visit has been welcomed by community members from across the region, who met with the Prime Minister to discuss a wide variety of issues affecting residents. "It was very beneficial to be able to meet him in person, and it's good to see that he does genuinely care and engaged with the issues we raised with him," said Michelle Tilley, of Skelmersdale Action of Youth. "He's not the way he sometimes appears in the media - he answered our questions with real thought. It definitely wasn't lip service." And Tim Burgess, of West Lancashire Pensioners Forum, said: "Today, he came across a man you can definitely engage with, and as a genuine man full of warmth. "He didn't get the chance to answer my questions directly but he is going to be writing to the forum soon, which I'm definitely looking forward to." Mr Brown visited the region at the invitation of Rosie Cooper, MP for West Lancashire, who said it was great to see Mr Brown listening to issues important to local residents. Residents got to ask a range of questions from national issues such as health and social care, the NHS, the negative media image of young people as well as local issues like the Ormskirk Bypass, free rail travel for pensioners, Burscough Curves," she said. "Talking to people after the meeting they told me how much they liked the Gordon as person that he was very warm and friendly who was actually willing to listen to them. People were also struck how he clearly believes that his values should be focused on making a difference in people's lives." By David Simister |
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