Sunday, April 01, 2012

Local Elections


I'm fighting Eccles ward this May - looking to gain the last Tory seat in the ward and Sue is fighting Claremont looking to win the last LibDem seat in the ward and beat the Leader of the LibDems.

So - as you can imagine - it's leaflet, leaflet canvass and canvass.

The response is very good -  I've recruited 5 new or rejoining members this week alone but we always need more help.

Anyone who hasn't got their own elections and would like to help whether in the ward or by telephoning will be very welcome, just give me a ring on 07880 790182 or email wheelerpeter@hotmail.co.uk

Here's to Labour victories!

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Labour Action in Eccles


Sometimes you have to roll-up your sleeves and do it yourself. It kept being drawn to my attention that the signpost on Wellington Road in Eccles was the filthiest in town.
Something needed to be done - so Eccles Labour Party leapt into action with a ladder, a bucket and some detergent. It's a lot better now - but I realised it's in the wrong place and pointing in the wrong direction - that's a job for another day.

Campaign to win


Salford Mayoral selection is now over - thanks to everyone for their support. Glad I stood - it was important to make the case for a real change in how the Council engages with people.
Commiserations to John, congratulations to Ian - now let's win the elections in May.

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Don't forget the rally in Manchester

Andrew Lansleys' Bill is at a critical stage

Ahead of crucial votes in the House of Lords th NWTUC, NWUNISON and the Labour Party have organised a rally to 'SAVE OUR NHS'

Saturday 3rd March 2012, 11am

Albert Square
Manchester

Show your support for the NHS and demand that the Government Drop the Bill

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Speech at Mayoral hustings

The second of the main hustings is now over - members have had a chance to hear from the candidates and it's now up to you.


Those of you who have not yet returned your ballots have until Friday 12 noon to get them back to regional office in Warrington, or you can bring them to the final hustings and count at the Salford Suite in the Civic Centre at 1pm next Sunday, the 4th of March.


I have included below a copy of my speech below so you can see what was said at the meeting. I hope it is of interest. As ever, if you have any queries please don't hesitate to get in touch with me - my number is 07880 780182 - and please do return your ballot.


I am also holding another two meetings over the coming days to give members a chance to ask any questions they might have.


The meetings will be:
  • Monday 27th February; 7:30pm; The Blue Bell, Monton Green, Monton, Eccles
  • Tuesday 28th February; 7:30pm; The Lion, 201 Liverpool Rd, Cadishead, M44 5XH

I hope to meet you there.

This election is the biggest challenge facing us for many years and your involvement is vital if we are to win.

Speech to members 25th and 26th February......

A Labour Mayor for a Labour City

1. Good morning. It’s a great honour to be here.

2. It’s impossible for me to cover everything in 5 minutes so feel free to contact me afterwards.

3. My name is Peter Wheeler. I want Labour to win the Mayoral election and I believe that I am the candidate to do it.

4. The referendum result was a clear shot across our bows – if we take the voters for granted – if we don’t have a clear message – if we don’t campaign hard – we WILL lose and that would be a tragedy for the people we represent.

5. I knock on doors – I listen to our voters – and I hear time and time again that they are looking for change. They feel the Council doesn’t communicate and doesn’t listen. Either we make the changes or the voters will do it for us.

6. So what sort of change, what sort of Mayor do we need?

7. We need a Mayor who will give the Council clear political direction – based on Labour Values. That’s not a luxury – it’s the only way the Council and the Party will get through the current situation. That means working as a Labour team – Councillors, MP’s MEPs members and Trade Unions all pulling together to deliver for local people.

8. Councillors are often unsung heroes, working on the frontline for Labour. I want to make it easier for working people to be involved – more evening meetings and time limits so we are not in the ridiculous situation of 7 and a half hour Council meetings!

9. I want a strong voice on the Council for women. No apologies for saying that I want half of my first cabinet to be women – women pay half the Council Tax in Salford – suffer more from the cuts – and it’s well passed time that their voices are heard.

10. I will also restore to the Labour Group the right to elect the Cabinet – too much patronage is a bad thing.

11. The biggest part of the Labour team are the members and Trade Unions. – I will organise quarterly report-back meetings for members and communicate with you via email and post – I will establish a Mayors Trade Union Forum, meeting regularly with local trade unionists ensuring Salford is a Trade Union friendly City –

12. I will work with CLP’s and MP’s to improve how the Party works and how we campaign in our communities. We need new members, fresh ideas and fresh legs to ensure we get our message across. I will lead a major membership drive across the city.

13. That’s the team – here’s the change. WE WILL get much better at communicating and responding to people’s concerns – at a strategic level, but just as important at an individual level. Too often people’s experience of the Council is being ignored or being passed from pillar to post. It’s not good enough and it’s going to change with proper systems and monitoring. I will be visible and approachable throughout the City

14. I will be at Community Committees and I will be establishing a series of Mayors forums for the different communities across the City – young people, small businesses, LGBT, disability groups, ethnic minorities and faith groups to name a few – Direct access to the Labour Mayor. Not just listening but engaging with people, treating them as adults, telling the truth and admitting when we’re wrong.

15. I’m already listening and acting on peoples priorities and learning from good practice in other Labour Councils. Transport is a problem. Chapel Street played a big part in losing the referendum. We will be having an urgent review of Transport Policy – bus lanes, car parking, the role of rail, exorbitant bus fares – we will be looking to support our town centres and employment in the City.

16. Unemployment is at its highest since 1995 when the Tories were in last in Government. I’ll put in place a jobs taskforce – including employers and trade unions – to protect existing jobs – attract new ones and develop the skills we need for future jobs. Salford can’t afford another lost generation.

17. We will build more social housing and ensure tory cuts do not blight large parts of our City again. We must move with the times. Oldham has a Mortgage guarantee scheme to help first time buyers – we can do the same.

18. We know what needs doing on Crime – more Police on the streets and closer work with communities

19. Children’s and Old people’s Services must continue to improve.

And there is so much more.

We face a massive challenge – we must win the argument in every part of the City in favour of high quality public services and social justice. That means we must change and show people we have changed – if we can do that we will win and build a city we can be proud of.

Campaigning in Langworthy Ward, Salford


Before speaking at the Hustings for Labour Mayor in Salford, I joined the North West LGBT team who were helping the Candidate for the May local elections in Langworthy - Paul Dennett (far right)

Cheetham Hill Fundraiser


Saturday evening 25th feb - Speaking at a fundraiser for Cheetham Hill Branch attended by many of the great and good, including Tony Lloyd MP, Cllr Afzal Khan, Naeem Hassan and candidate for the local elections here in May, Chowcat Ali - together with friends and family.
Good Luck in May, Chowcat.

I saw the Future....

.......on Saturday 25th February in Liverpool. And it was bright.


At Labour North Wests' Local Government Day with Young Labour.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Giving Platelets


One of the things I am very proud of - is my Gold award for giving blood. Actually I give Platelets.
They take the blood out, remove the platelets, and then put the blood back in!
The Platelets are used for Cancer sufferers and many other types of patients. It is the essence of the NHS - people who can, giving free for those who need.
If you want to be a donor - just call 0300 123 2323 or Google 'blood donation' - and the custard creams are very nice.

Wanted - Peter Wheeler for Salford Mayor 1


Wanted - Peter Wheeler for Salford Mayor 2


Sunday, February 19, 2012

FAIR REPRESENTATION

In last month’s referendum the people in Salford sent a clear message - They want the
Council to change. To deliver that change, Peter Wheeler told a meeting of Labour members the local Labour Party needs to change too.

“Councillors are often the unsung heroes of local government – working long hours behind the
scenes to ensure the delivery of local services. I will give as much support as I can to Councillors to enable them to do their work on behalf of the local community. And I want to see more people
from different backgrounds getting involved.


That’s why I will:


  • Move as many Council meetings to the evening as possible – making it easier for
    people in work to be Councillors

  • Put a time limit on Council meetings – the last full Council meeting took over 7 hours (in Manchester they take 2hours!)


  • Half of my Cabinet will be women - Women pay half the Council Tax in Salford, so for me it’s a case of ‘no taxation without representation’


Ever since I have been in the Labour Party I have heard talk of fair representation – it’s time to stop talking and just do it. Anyone who says I can’t find four women Councillors to be in the cabinet doesn’t know Salford women!


Salford people want change – I believe they want a Labour Council, but a Labour Council
that listens to them. I determined to give them what they want.”

Message to Members


Message to Members Page 2

I have a clear Vision for Salford


In May, Salford will have a directly elected Mayor. That’s what the people have voted for.
Our priority now is to make sure we have a LABOUR mayor- and to do that we need to understand why people think the Council does not listen.
Some of that criticism is unfair - in many areas the council has a great record - often it just doesn’t communicate it, but sometimes the criticism is fair - then we need to listen and act on it. The people want change and either we change things or someone else will.
I‘m seeking selection to be the Labour Mayoral candidate because I can deliver that change.I have the credentials:
· I grew up in Salford
· my children were educated here
· I joined the Labour party when I was 16
· I am an active trade unionist
· I am down to earth and plain speaking
· I can act as part of a team or speak out stubbornly for what I believe to be right
I have a clear vision of a bright future for SalfordI love this City - and more importantly, the people who make it what it is, whether they are from Irlam & Cadishead, Worsley, Eccles, Swinton or Salford - I will work hard for all of them.
If you vote for me you will be getting a Labour Mayor, committed to Labour values. I will to listen to and work with our residents to provide a better City.But it’s about more than just putting an X next to the name of a candidate (Labour Politics isn’t a spectator sport!) I want to hear your ideas about how we re-connect with local people and I would welcome your support.
We can only win with your ideas and enthusiasm. I will be organising informal meetings in every part of the city to allow members to meet me and to discuss the selection.I am proud of Labour achievements in our City and I really believe it is time for change and to renew our vision for a better City.
Please get in touch with me on 07880 790 182 or e-mail wheelerpeter@hotmail.co.ukor come to one of my members meetings - details to follow.Best wishes and I hope to hear from you.

Fresh Face in Race for Labour Mayoral candidate



Over the next few weeks Labour Party members in Salford will be choosing their candidate
for the new post of Directly Elected Mayor.

Today, Peter Wheeler, senior Labour Party member and active Trade Unionist announced his
intention to seek selection.

Peter lives in Salford, where he grew up. His father, a former sailor in the Royal Navy, was
well known in the Ordsall and Pendleton areas, where he managed the “Worsley Hotel” and the “Flat Iron” during the 1960’s and’70’s.
He worked as a Trade Union official with the engineering union, the AEEU, which later became UNITE. Peter was also a member of Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee for 6 years from 2004-2010.

Peter said,

” I am not just a proud Salfordian, but proud of Labour’s many achievements here in
Salford- school exam results have improved, crime is down, and millions of pounds have been invested in our Salford Royal Hospital.

All of this progress is now threatened by savage cuts to both our Council finances and our
National Health Service, by a Government ruled by well-to-do Tories and LibDems who know little about what is needed in Salford.

Our Council needs to work with local Communities to deliver a high quality education for
our young people, first class care for our older people and the essential services we expect at a price we can afford. And to do that there needs to be change – listening to local people and taking action on what is needed to make their lives better.

Residents here have voted to have an elected Mayor.

I believe they want a Mayor with Labour values, and they want a Labour
Mayor who will listen to them. As a Trade Union Officer I was always prepared
to listen to people and fight their corner, that’s how I would work as a Mayor -
standing up for local people.”


Labour members throughout Salford will vote by post for their choice of candidate with
the result being announced on March 4th.

For more information contact Peter on 07880 790182 or e-mail wheelerpeter@hotmail.co.uk