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The Prosser Perspective.... a weekly column from Dover and Deal MP Gwyn Prosser

11 December 2008

People in Dover & Deal and across the country are facing tough times over the next 12 months and although the Government is providing real help to ease the difficulties, we all have a role to play in helping our community come through the global economic downturn stronger than before. That means everyone must pull together, look out for their neighbours, and play fair. No-one should be allowed to buck the system or break the rules and there should be no excuses and no exceptions.

I don't need experts or focus groups to tell me what people think about how things in my constituency should work because you tell me all the time on my street stalls and in my advice surgeries or on the doorstep. You say that people who work hard and play by the rules should be rewarded and those that don't must face the music. The decent, law-abiding majority in Dover & Deal deserve respect and the chance to get on with their lives.

People want to know that there are clear rules in place. Rules which can be seen to be fair, which are enforced and which make a difference. Fair rules are about making sure that if you can’t or won’t contribute to this society, you don't get rewarded and fair rules mean that if you can work, you should work.

This week Gordon Brown has set out what Labour is going to do about fair rules for all and among the new measures coming in will be a new ‘one strike’ rule for benefit cheats. There will a tougher community payback scheme to ensure that offenders do a bit of hard graft or work hard on meaningful community projects.

I think young people who play by the rules deserve better places to go to after school. My constituents tell me that they are fed up with anti-social behaviour and that there isn't enough for young people to do. So we're going to put more money into community facilities and activities – making sure that kids have things to do, especially at the weekends.

Binge drinking is a real problem so we're going to look at how alcohol is sold and hopefully put a stop to the ‘all you can drink for a fiver’ promotions. If a particular shop or nightspot is causing problems, we'll stop them breaking the rules with tough action and make it easier for local people to register their concerns.

We are also changing our immigration rules – there will be a new requirement for migrants to contribute directly towards a new fund that will help public services like schools and hospitals deal with the short-term pressures of migration and there will be a new selective "points based" system introduced which will mean Britain attracts only the economic migrants who have the skills our economy needs – and no more.

So there's a lot happening but what's important to me is that these measures make a difference here – if not, I’m sure you’ll let me know.