May 2007 Archives

The Inksniffer mentions Martin Linton in an article about Rupert Murdoch and the effect that his papers have on UK politics.

Some context is needed. Firstly there isn't any kind of agreement that the Sun's endorsement of Blair actually changed the way people were going to vote. Some, like my old colleague Martin Linton with whom I shared a dark island in the middle of the Guardian newsroom in 1995, believe there was an effect in 1992. Others, like John Curtice at the ESRC, have looked at research from 1997 and don't see one. The issue is clouded by whether readers come to papers that share their politics or papers shape the politics of their readers.

Writing in his blog, Paul Flynn (Labour MP for Newport West) mentions Martin Linton's attempts to reduce the effects of David Maclean's bill on Freedom of Information.

Tory Chief Whip David Maclean is seeking to shield MPs from the Freedom of Information. His bill is almost certainly doomed. A compromise is being cooked up by Martin Linton MP. It will protect correspondence but not give a carte blanche cover that few others like the Royal family have.

Another round-up of news items from Martin Linton's official site.

Public agree with MP: Keep hospital services in Battersea
HUNDREDS have responded to Martin Linton’s survey by saying that they want to keep hospital services in Battersea.

Nearly two thirds (66%) said they would prefer to keep them at the Bolingbroke Hospital on Wandsworth Common if that was still an option.

Plaque unveiled to crane crash victims
Battersea MP Martin Linton unveiled a plaque to crane collapse victims Michael Alexa and Jonathan Cloke on Saturday April 28th to mark Workers’ Memorial Day.

Martin Linton opposes FoI Amendment Bill
Battersea MP Martin Linton opposed the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill and made representations to his colleagues asking them to do the same. He voted against the Bill on April 20 when it first came up and again on Friday May 18th when it came up for a second time.

The Not A Sheep blog covers the voting on the plans to exempt MPs from the Freedom of Information laws. Martin Linton is listed as being one of the MPs who voted against the bill and who "should be lauded for doing so".

Tooting MP, Sadiq Khan, has been spending more time with Martin Linton. On May 4th he said this:

On Saturday I attended the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate the Battersea Crane Disaster. I was accompanied by Battersea MP Martin Linton, the Minister for Health and Safety, Lord McKenzie, the Health & Safety Commission’ head of operations in London Richard Boland who is responsible for the inquiry into the tragic deaths of Michael Alexa and Jonathan Cloke when a crane collapsed in September 2006.

And, a week later, he said this:

In the evening I held a Reception to celebrate two years as a MP and ten years of a Labour Government. In addition to the more than 100 local residents, Church, Mosque and Temple leaders were also present as were former teachers and local activists. In between campaigning in the local elections a number of colleagues popped in to say a few words; Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP (Chief Secretary to the Treasury), Rt Hon Hazel Blears (Chairwoman of the Labour Party), Rt Hon Harriet Harman MP (Minister for Justice), Minister for London Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Minister for Culture David Lammy MP, Barry Gardiner MP (Minister in the Department for the Environment), MP for Battersea Martin Linton and my good mates Dawn Butler MP for Brent South and Emily Thornberry MP for Islington South. It was a great evening and provided a good opportunity to say thank you to local community activists; 3 of whom were given special awards; Former Councillor Burt Luthers, Barbara Berryman and Winston Gordon. Click HERE to see a photo of one of the presentations.

The Guardian reports that Peter Hain and Harriet Harman are the first two contenders to announce that they have enough nominations to stand in the election for Labour Party deputy leader. Martin Linton is mentioned in the list of Hain supporters.

Update: The piece has been edited and the list of supporters has been removed.