Another cowardly Secretary of State sneaks into Hemel by the back door
3rd October 2007
Earlier today, Mike Penning joined hospital campaigners in confronting Secretary of State Peter Hain about the closure of our hospital.
In what is becoming an annual event – each year timed to coincide with Conservative Party Conference – a senior Government minister sneaks into Hemel and avoids talking about the hospital.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Peter Hain, visited the new offices of the Cement Project and had to use the back door to avoid facing hospital campaigners.
Mike Penning, who joined about 20 campaigners, confronted the Secretary of State as he left the project. He accused Peter Hain of cowardice in refusing to address the real issues that affect the people of Hemel Hempstead, he said:
“The Secretary of State’s visit to the Cement Project is very commendable. The Cement Project has achieved spectacular success in training people in new skills to meet the needs of the construction industry. It has recently expanded its concept overseas and I am very pleased it is getting the national recognition that it truly deserves.
“However, its offices in Marlowes are only a stones-throw away from the hospital and I do believe that the Secretary of State could have spared half an hour to meet with staff, patients and their loved ones.”
Although billed as a Ministerial visit, the Secretary of State was escorted by unelected members of the Labour Party in what to most people will look like another pre-election stunt to visit a marginal seat.
Mike Penning commented:
“I keep telling Ministers that they are more than welcome to visit Hemel Hempstead, but they must answer the important questions the people of Hemel want to ask.
“It’s not just the hospital, as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Peter Hain could solve the problems facing the Dexion pensioners in an instant. These honest, hard-working people saved all their working lives for a pension that was suddenly taken away from them. Why is it that when Northern Rock is in trouble the money is there….but for Dexion pensioners it is not?”
This time last year, the then Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, had to climb over a fence to avoid hospital campaigners when she made a “private visit” to meet health service “carers and service users” in Apsley.
