The Sir Cyril Smith Page

5.41.57pm GMT Mon 8th Jan 2007

Sir Cyril Smith - His popular column is back!

Sir Cyril Smith MBE is still heavily involved in politics - many people across the country and indeed further afield remember his outspoken, forthright views. This Website has been inundated with requests to bring back Sir Cyril's hugely popular Online Monthly Column and we're delighted to bow to pressure and present the first column of 2007. If you want to email Cyril then please email sircyril@rochdalelibdems.org.uk

The Sir Cyril Smith Page:

"2007, A New Year, a year of change, but first Happy New Year to you whoever, whatever or wherever you are! Christmas 2006 is now behind us - for me it has been as busy as ever and I send approximately 400 Christmas Cards, and receive well over 500. The year 2006 was no exception - and yes I am recycling them all!

Greetings came from many parts of the world where I have friends - New Zealand, Australia, USA, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Germany, Spain, France, the Channel Islands, Holland, Rochdale and even Sri Lanka! I had close to 30 cards from friends of Asian Decent and everyone of them wished me a 'Happy Christmas' - NOT 'Season's Greetings' There are those who seek to suggest that Asian friends object to the celebration talk - rubbish! You see it in the press, in schools and even in some Local Authorities. I tell you that this absolutely daft, nonsense! My Asian friends are also extremely generous with Christmas Gifts, Christmas calls and messages or wishing to shake hands to wish you a Happy Christmas. When I was in hospital some months ago - Asian Friends visiting me equalled British born ones! I am proud to have them as friends and I respect them - as I do their own Eid!

I sometimes wonder whether to stop all these cards - but I always conclude how good it is to hear from good friends at least once a year to read their news. As long as I am able to do so this will continue!!! One last point on this, I receive cards from serving MP's from all 3 parties - Labour, Conservative and of course the Liberal Democrats. I also receive them from ex MP's in all 3 parties, and many from members of the House of Lords - again from all 3 parties. I mention this because it shows that whilst politicians argue, quarrel and so on - most of us are civilised and can agree to differ, remain friends - real democracy! That's not all of us of course, but many of us… so much for that matter!

Well, what does this year hold then? Who knows, what we do know is that we will have a new Prime Minister. The sooner the better, the present one is a lame duck with no backbone!

We in Rochdale know that we have been sold down the river by the Health Authorities, when not one of these unelected people who are paid fees as part of Health Quango supported their own Town. They were content to see our Rochdale Infirmary downgraded with vital services stripped from it or some disgraceful fantasy of a £40 Million cost required to save our local maternity service… utter deceit and no mention of the millions robbed from us locally by the sale of OUR land where Birch Hill Hospital stood. The wishes of the people ignored and they call this a democracy! I see at least 2 MP's (both Labour) totally ignoring the key point that the area that the hospital serves is the key point, and its accessibility rather than its geographical location in Parliamentary Constituency terms.

I think I'll leave it there for now. I am proud of Rochdale and its past - we now have a superb MP in Paul Rowen. Sadly I have serious doubts about the future - but more about that next time in the year I reach my 79th birthday, God Willing, I can but hope!"

Sir Cyril Smith MBE,

14, Emma Street,

Rochdale

01706 648 840

And Finally… I see that Christine Baron has been appointed as the Chair of the South-West Postwatch… Well Done! Guess where she started her public political activity? Yes, here in Rochdale as a Member of the Rochdale Young Liberals when I was its MP - Good to read and here!

To email Sir Cyril about this Page - contact sircyril@rochdalelibdems.org.uk