Author Archives: Susan Gaszczak

Susan Gaszczak

Tuition Fees – East of England Conference response

By Susan Gaszczak | Tue 2nd November 2010 - 3:45 pm

This weekend I had the pleasure of chairing a debate for the East of England Conference. Before the day began I had trepidation about the emergency motions.

Normally emergency motions are unusual, if not rare. However this year we faced a choice of Community Hospitals versus Tuition Fees, both controversial, both worthy of debate.

In my heart of hearts I really wanted Tuition Fees to be debated and I knew I had to remain neutral as chair of the session. Although my stance on tuition fees has never been hidden, I have as a parliamentary candidate signed the pledge, I …

Continue reading »
Posted in News | Tagged , and | 16 Comments
Susan Gaszczak

Opinion: Here comes the giant ‘house-swap’

By Susan Gaszczak | Wed 28th October 2009 - 4:40 pm

This morning I wake to news that MPs will be banned from paying mortgages under the new rules that will be suggested by Sir Christopher Kelly. My first reaction was ‘great’ – but how do poor people who do not live within commuting distance become MPs?

As I read the further detail of the suggestions given to the press I realised that, yet again, we are facing a sticking plaster solution to cover up a rotten system. Sir Christopher Kelly is said to be recommending that no MP should be able to claim for a mortgage for their second home …

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 16 Comments
Susan Gaszczak

Opinion: A new way to look at MPs’ second homes

By Susan Gaszczak | Mon 14th April 2008 - 5:53 pm

Over the last few weeks there has been an enormous amount in the press with regard to the ‘John Lewis list’ and MPs’ second homes. I have at times been frustrated that every MP is tarred with the same brush, and at others overjoyed at the growing realisation that the whole system needs an overhaul.

We need to start thinking outside the box, especially in terms of MPs’ second homes. My out-of-the-box idea is that the Government purchases two-bedroom flats for MPs scattered around Westminster. They would remain the property of the people, not a way of making a fast buck …

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | 14 Comments
Susan Gaszczak

Development agencies

By Susan Gaszczak | Mon 7th April 2008 - 10:21 am

I have spent quite a lot of time over the last few months criticising development agencies – the worst unelected QUANGO of the bunch. I have, in particular, one pet project that, although I wholly support the dream, I know it has, and will be dashed – by bad management from the Development Agency in my opinion.

The project is NIRAH – the National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats. It has an amazing vision: to create a giant aquarium where the lifecycles of fish will be examined. I have been assured that there will be no animal testing at …

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | 4 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Peter Hirst
    I'm not sure liberalism is all about equalising wealth. But it's certainly a large chunk of it. Reward is also important though there are greater rewards than w...
  • Peter Hirst
    I love this quote from The New Deal. For a publc utility like water it is especially true. To give shareholders dividends the company must first show it respect...
  • Peter Hirst
    What struck me about this post was the reference to 2019. We're told to build on our successes. We can also build on our failures if we get the messaging right....
  • Peter Martin
    “But you’re a Lib Dem, I thought your party didn’t like unions.” You have to ask why people think this. LibDems are largely seen as well m...
  • Alex Macfie
    What's needed is to make the rail service operationally independent of government. There is absolutely no sense in GB-wide passenger rail services being microma...