Welcome to this news bulletin which seeks to keep you in touch with the issues and events surrounding the activities of the Caerphilly Constituency Labour Party.

November meeting
We have an important guest speaker at our next meeting on Friday, 11 November starting at 6:30pm, at our usual venue in the Council Chamber of the Caerphilly County Borough Council offices at Ty Penallta in Ystrad Mynach.

Derek Vaughan MEP is our sole Welsh Labour member in the European Parliament, but he is a member of several key Committees. He will provide us with a fascinating insight into how the European Parliament works and the number of issues he covers. I have no doubt he will also have something to say about the Tories’ obsessions with the EU and how out of touch they are on some fundamental economic scenarios. No doubt, Derek will also handle queries on how Labour can engage better with our European comrades and enhance what we call the Social Chapter that the Tories hate so much!!

We have arranged for a Group Photo to be taken at the start of the meeting by a professional photographer from Bargoed (a party supporter who is giving his services for free!!). This photo will be taken at the start of the meeting at 6:30pm.

The other main topic on the agenda will be a discussion on our election campaign for the Local Government Elections in May 2012, including a report on how much work has already been undertaken in our weekly canvassing sessions.

A report will also be given on various issues discussed by the Constituency’s Principal Officers at their meeting held on Friday 28 October. As always our MP, Wayne, and our AM, Jeff, will be in attendance to provide their reports and take part in a Q&A session.   


A message from Jeff Cuthbert AM
This year as the Chair of the Cross Party group on Healthy Living, I launched the 7th Annual National Healthy Living Week (NHLW). NHLW was held on the week beginning 16th October with an event at the Senedd building, on 18th October. It aims to promote a better lifestyle by encouraging people to be active in whatever way they can and to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

The role that individuals, community organisations, businesses and employers play in this is crucial-it cannot be the job of government alone to create the conditions for better public and private health in Wales. The Welsh Government does its bit, but works in partnership with other key stakeholders to make sure that the environment is right.

Overall, however, the promotion of a healthier lifestyle is fundamental to the week and we hope that the events like the NHLW provide people with the inspiration needed to make changes to their lifestyle. The core message of the week remains as important as ever, that trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle is to everyone’s benefit in many different ways.

A message from Wayne David MP
I am writing these words just before the debate in the Commons about the UK Border Agency and the relaxing of immigration controls. There is a lot of speculation about whether Theresa May can survive as Home Secretary. The Head of the UK Border Agency has resigned and has said that Theresa May’s statements are wrong. The bottom line is they can’t both be right – one of them is telling lies.

This all comes after the resignation of Liam Fox, the former Defence Secretary. His behaviour was almost beyond belief. One of my jobs as Shadow Minister for Political and Constitutional Reform is to press hard for a really tight register of lobbyists. The Government are not too keen on this. You can guess why.

Women’s Forum
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 30 November at 7pm at the new Wetherspoon’s pub in Caerphilly. Food and drink will be available and the prices are very reasonable!

The Women’s Forum will have its AGM on Wednesday, 29 February 2012, details of the time and venue will be published in the next edition, but meanwhile please note this in your 2012 Diaries.     

Fundraising
Arrangements for the trip to the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, 6 December are currently been finalised. Further details will be sent out to all those attending shortly.

The 250 Club needs you!!
If you are not a member, please consider joining. For just £1 per month, you will be raising necessary funds for the Party and you have the chance to win cash prizes of £45, £25 and £15 every month.