Barking & Dagenham praised for street name initiative
Members of Labour's shadow cabinet have praised Barking and Dagenham Council for a scheme which involves naming new roads after service men and women killed in action.
“Barking and Dagenham Council have found a visible and enduring way for their local community to honour the memory of residents that have fallen in the brave service of our nation. Naming streets is one of the many ways that local authorities can support our service community and pay tribute to those that have made the greatest sacrifice.”
– Hilary Benn MP, Labour’s Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary
“This is a way for local people to show their solidarityand sympathy. A lasting personal memorial would demonstrate the value we placeon individuals who have served but been lost in the defence of our country.
"Those who have been lost will always be rememberedand loved by their families. Street naming will be a chance for their names tolive publicly and forever."
– Jim Murphy MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary
Labour: street names provide 'lasting and respectful way' of remembering service personnel
The Labour Party says that naming streets after service personnel killed in the line of duty would provide "a meaningful, lasting and respectful way to show the value we place on those who have served and been lost."
MPs Jim Murphy and Hilary Benn are writing to all of the local authorities in the country, to encourage them to adopt the Barking and Dagenham scheme.
They are suggesting the following process:
• The families of fallen personnel who lived in the Local Authority Area are be asked whether they would like a road or street named in memory of their loved one.
• In consultation with the family, the location and precise name of a road or street is decided on. Local residents in the street are also be consulted.
• The Council offers to organise an official opening ceremony of the street or road, to which other members of the local community, family and friends as well as service charities could be invited.
ITV London Political Correspondent Simon Harris says that the Labour Party has criticised Boris Johnson's 10 year transport plan for lacking a "big idea".
Labour claims public transport-using Londoners will bankroll road improvements through fare rises. @londontonight
Although Boris Johnson looks set to win another term as Mayor of London, Labour has taken strides forward elsewhere in the south-east.
The party has won control of Reading Council and - given Labour lost the Reading West parliamentary seat to the Conservatives in 2010 - that will particularly please the party leadership.
Labour overtake Conservatives in London Assembly tally
Labour has pulled ahead of the Conservatives, as the counting of votes in the London Assembly elections continues.
The following graph shows the results of the ballot papers counted so far for the London-wide seats on the assembly.
It does not represent the final allocation of London-wide seats - that will be calculated using these results and the results of the constituency contests.
The tally so far. Credit: London Elects.The tally so far. Credit: London Elects.The tally so far. Credit: London Elects.
