Open letter to Alex Cunningham MP
2nd February 2013
Alex, it was good to see you on local television last night calling for local authority pension funds to end investment in the tobacco industry. (BBC Look North, 1st February)
It is an issue on which we are in complete agreement and I did in fact submit a Motion to this effect to the last full meeting of Stockton Council on 23rd January (copy enclosed).
I was appalled to have the Motion dismissed following some quite harsh criticism from two Labour councillors for the Liberal Democrat Group having the temerity to submit this motion.
The matter has now been referred to the scrutiny committee which is currently looking at the issue of tobacco control. This committee is due to report to Cabinet in the next few months and may or may not agree this as a recommendation. In the meantime the investment continues.
As you stated "we need to ditch tobacco once and for all".
I would like to add that you have the full support of the Stockton Liberal Democrat Group in your campaign to ban smoking in cars where young children are present. We also endorse the "plain packaging campaign". These actions need taking now, not months or years down the line, despite which, some politicians feel the need to make a political issue when in fact they do not seem to grasp the public health issues.
I welcome your comments on this issue either by e-mail or in writing to the above address.
Regards
Julia Cherrett