Dan Jarvis MP - Statement on the General Election
Last night the House of Commons voted to hold a General Election on Thursday 12 December. I am proud to be Labour’s candidate for Barnsley Central. I’m standing because my commitment to Barnsley is a long-term one.
Although Brexit has dominated our political debate in recent years, this election is about so much more than our future relationship with Europe.
A decade of Tory austerity has devasted our town and our country. Too many people are in low-paid and insecure work, too many children face barriers to opportunity. Our public services and infrastructure are rapidly deteriorating due to chronic under-investment and we are in the midst of a climate emergency.
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October 30, 2019
Dan Jarvis MP - Pacer train belong in a museum, not on our railways
Barnsley doesn’t have the fondest memories of the 1980s – the Miner’s Strike, a decade of Thatcherism, mass unemployment and the impact this had on our local communities. It looked as though another relic of the 1980s – Northern Rail’s pacer trains – would also be consigned to the dustbin of history to the relief of Barnsley commuters, myself included. These trains, which are essentially old-fashioned buses on rails travelling at average speeds of 35mph, should have been put in a transport museum years ago. Instead, for those of us who regularly travel by train between Barnsley, Sheffield and Leeds, they are a regular feature on our railways. The recent admission by Northern Rail that pacers would continue to be used well into 2020 is simply not good enough. Barnsley’s commuters are sick and tired of being treated like second-class citizens.
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October 24, 2019
Dan Jarvis MP - Statement on Withdrawal Agreement Bill
I want to take the opportunity to explain to my constituents the reasoning behind my votes in the House of Commons last night on the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill.
In 2017, I was elected on a manifesto commitment to respect the outcome of the referendum, prioritise jobs and living standards, and rule out a no-deal exit.
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October 23, 2019
Dan Jarvis MP - GP Appointments in Lundwood
I am aware that there are issues with GP appointment availability at the Barnsley Healthcare Federation (BHF) Practice at Priory Campus, Lundwood.
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September 19, 2019
Dan Jarvis MP - 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem
Today we remember the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem and pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who fought there. Arnhem would prove a bridge too far but would also come to define our Airborne Forces, forging an enduring legacy. It is a story of immeasurable bravery and unspeakable tragedy.
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September 16, 2019
My statement on recent votes in Parliament
In the two-and-a-half years since Article 50 was triggered, Parliament has been paralysed; unable to agree a deal that will take us out of the EU and yet unwilling to support leaving with No Deal.
The debates around Britain’s withdrawal from the EU have become dominated by those who shout the loudest, on both sides of the debate. There are some who would happily see the UK leave with no Withdrawal Agreement in place; and another group who want to see Brexit cancelled entirely and the 2016 referendum result ignored.
I have always maintained that we need to reach a deal that respects the result of the referendum whilst protecting jobs, living standards and our economy.
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September 04, 2019
Dan Jarvis MP - New season kicks off at Oakwell
Barnsley FC kicked off the new season, and their return to the Championship, with a strong 1-0 win against Fulham at Oakwell. Despite Fulham being hotly tipped to be in contention for promotion this season, the Reds were able to begin the campaign in style, setting up tomorrow’s local derby at against Sheffield Wednesday. I’m sure there will be a good following of Barnsley fans making the short trip to Hillsborough to cheer on the Reds!
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August 13, 2019
Dan Jarvis MP - Summer Holiday Activities
This week has been the first week of the summer holidays. This is a really valuable time for parents to spend quality time with their children, but also a time of juggling work and childcare, and it feels like there’s a constant need to keep the kids entertained. Fortunately, there are a whole host of events taking place across the Borough for everyone – young and old alike – to enjoy!
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July 26, 2019
Dan Jarvis MP - Fighting Food Waste
I recently visited the Community Shop in Athersley to meet John Marren and his team. Following the success of the original Community Shop in Goldthorpe, the Athersley shop opened its doors just over two years ago and has had an incredible impact in that relatively short time.
Essentially, the aim of the initiative is to help prevent food poverty, whilst reducing food waste.
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July 12, 2019
Dan Jarvis MP - We Need to Protect Children's Services
Recently, I joined fellow MPs and local councillors in signing a joint letter to the Prime Minister calling for the cuts to Children’s Services to be reversed, and for our councils to receive the investment they need and deserve. As we all know, Theresa May’s time in Downing Street is coming to an end. She still has a golden opportunity to transform the lives of some of the poorest children and young people in our communities, by reversing the cuts that her government, and previous Conservative and Coalition governments, have inflicted upon areas like ours. Indeed, Barnsley has borne the brunt of almost a decade of austerity. We are the hardest hit Borough in the country, and, at the same time, we have some of the most vulnerable children to look after. Sadly, I have no confidence whatsoever that this opportunity will be taken. If we are serious about making sure that every child gets the best possible start in life, then we have got to take the necessary practical steps to make this happen.
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July 08, 2019