21/04/2017 Look East (West)

Hello and welcome to Look East, in the programme tonight:

Made in Stevenage, the Ministry of Defence announces half a billion

It is a significant moment to reinforce and keep those people

A de-selection battle looms in Northampton as some local

conservative members seek to replace David McIntosh.

26 miles with Parkinson's disease, the Luton runner heading

And find out which one of our football managers has decided

to take the plunge and jump out from a plane at 13,000 feet.

First tonight, the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was in Stevenage

today announcing half a billion pounds of spending on new missile

systems, which are designed and built in the town.

The plan will secure 130 jobs at MBDA in Hertfordshire

and Henlow, in Bedfordshire, as well as safeguarding hundreds

The announcement comes just three days after the general election

was called and Stevenage is high on the list of Labour target seats.

It's been a week of big political announcements and speeches.

Today, the turn of the Defence Secretary here in Stevenage.

A ?539 million investment in new missile systems.

You are playing your part in helping the Royal Navy

The first, the state-of-the-art Meteor missile, seen here,

which will be used by both the Royal Air Force and the Navy.

The common anti-air module missile, or CAMM -

And ?175 million Sea Viper weapons systems.

It's aimed to protect Royal Navy destroyers.

Three days after a general election was called,

I've been told today's briefing brought forward several weeks.

Well this is half a billion pounds' worth, ?537 million worth

of investment in new missile systems to help keep the Royal Navy safe.

This is investment in the Royal Navy, to keep the Navy

safe as they keep us here at home safe.

This is the Meteor, an air-to-air beyond visual range missile

which will be fitted to F-35 stealth fighters like this one.

MBDA say this deal will save more than 130 jobs, many of them

Today, here in Stevenage, we have around 2,000 people out

of 3,600 working at MBDA in the UK, so it is a significant moment

to reinforce and keep those people employed for the future.

The first of the new missiles will be in service as soon as next year.

The Meteor eventually being used on F-35s based

Britain's defence budget is the fifth-largest in the world.

Contracts like these helping to secure this

Our political correspondent Andrew Sinclair joins me now. So how far

was today's announcement in Stevenage connected with the general

election? Well, MBDA won this contract on merit and it had to be

announced some time but I think the fact that the firm is in Stevenage,

one of those M1 marginal seats I was talking about last night, it

suddenly seemed a very good idea to make the announcement now and send

along the Defence Secretary to make it for good measure. It has not been

the only government announcement today. Back in the budget, the

Government announced extra money to help our hospitals get through next

winter and the various pressures it would phase in A Even the winter

is some way off, at least the season, the Government decided to

allocate that money today, more than ?3 million is coming to this part of

the region and most of that money is going to Northampton General, Milton

Keynes and Bedford hospitals, all of which happen to be in that

electorally important M1 corridor. The seven candidates aiming

to become Cambridgeshire's first ever, directly-elected mayor took

part in a special TV Whoever's elected will control

a multi-million pound budget with powers over housing,

apprenticeships, and transport. The county is one of six areas to be

given freedom over local decision-making under

the Government's devolution deal. Our political reporter

Mousumi Bakshi was watching. Seven candidates and just one hour

to convince the studio audience and the audience at home to put them

in as mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and the question

on everyone's lips... Why should I be bothered

to vote for a mayor? In the Green party, we are against

the establishment of this mayor. What a chronic waste

of public money. What is the obsession with having

an election every time there is something the Tories

can't cope with? It was a point echoed

by the Ukip candidate, so was he trying to sabotage

the system by standing? No, I'm not, I'm here

to change the system and the priority I will have,

if I'm elected mayor, will be to get rid of at least one, if not two,

tiers of local government. By far and away the biggest talking

point of the night was the scarcity James Palmer's solution,

to create land trusts run by the local community to develop

and build local homes. And we use the uplift

in the value of the land to provide new housing,

affordable housing, to people 70% of the market rate in Cambridge,

that is not affordable, is it? 70% of the market rate

in this particular scheme, where land is worth more,

the market rate will come down, The Liberal Democrats answer,

build more low-cost homes. I'm keen to support a 50% ratio

on affordable housing I'm keen to support a 50% ratio

of affordable housing on key sites and also,

I'm keen to explore something called local living rent

and that is something where, instead of charging the market

rent minus a discount, you actually charge a third

of someone's income. And spreading fairness

across the county was also One of the things I would want to be

look at doing is a fairness commission, to ensure that everybody

gets a really, really Whoever's elected will have

?20 million a year to spend on transport, but will it be

on the road or rail? You probably know several issues

yourself, whether they are car pinch I don't want lots more trains

whizzing through Whittlesea to Cambridge, I want more trains

stopping other where people to Cambridge, I want more trains

stopping where people want to get on because we can

relieve congestion that way. What Wisbech needs is business

and business means good transport and there is no plans of opening

that line for goods, so I think if we are going to spend

money on Wisbech, it should be Two weeks from now, we will know

who the new mayor is and find out just how ready they are for life

in the spotlight. 300 children marched

to the council offices in Milton Keynes today to demand

improvements to the town's redways. They say the network

of footpaths are neglected, This year, the town celebrated

its 50th birthday and the children are calling for 50 improvements

to be made. The redways are as much a feature

of MK as its roundabouts, but there are concerns that this

network of paths is in need of some TLC, so today,

these children set off along the redways to the council,

to deliver a very clear message. We can actually change the redways

so it will be safer, we will be able to go in there,

and so people who are our age, like, seven and stuff,

they will be safe to go I don't like the redways

at the minute, there is too much litter, dog fouling,

and there's lots of graffiti I don't find them safe

because there is also As part of this project,

all of the schools carried out a survey which found that 80%

of their students actually used these redways, but it also found

that 40% of them didn't feel En route, the children also took

the opportunity to give ..before then meeting up

with other schools to press The pupils at St Paul's value

the freedom and possibilities the redways provide

in getting to school. Here is a bag of rubbish

we collected walking And after these presentations,

the verdict from the council - There are not asking for anything

major, they are asking for a realistic set of 50

improvements we can make and that is things like filling

in small potholes and changing light bulbs and cutting back shrubs

and I think we can make So you're guaranteeing that that

work will take place? I've already spoken to our officers,

I have ensured the budget is put aside and I can guarantee that work

will take place. The children say they will hold

the council to that promise and say they will also continue

to do their bit to keep The controversial Conservative MP

for Northampton South is facing a de-selection battle

within his own party Even before the general election,

local members have been seeking to remove him,

over his part in a Borough Council loan to the town's football club,

which saw millions of pounds of public money

apparently disappear. Mr Mackintosh has always

denied any wrongdoing. The local party in that building

will decide if David Mackintosh is reselected, normally straightforward

but not this time. There are 20 members on the executive, we have

spoken to 16 and 11 told us they wouldn't vote for him, four wouldn't

say and one is undecided. The future of him being MP here is far from

certain. I have helped over 20,000 cases

and seen many hundreds Outside Parliament,

posted on the internet, David Mackintosh proudly sets out

what he's achieved. And in the Commons on Wednesday,

wanting new roads in the region, wanting the Prime Minister's support

beyond the election. And will the next Conservative

government continue to support me The Northampton MP fighting

for his political future. Members of his local party

telling us, campaigning in the council elections,

voters are critical of him. His name mentioned on the doorstep

following his role in the ?10.25 million loan

to Northampton Town Football Club when he was leader of the Borough

Council. Funds to develop the stadium,

but work went unfinished and much What happened here

being investigated by Their inquiry looking

at Mr Mackintosh's involvement. The MP in the past telling the BBC

that he welcomed the investigation In Northampton today,

David Mackintosh not seen with senior Conservatives

on the campaign trail. The Government fully aware

of the political row bubbling here. It is always for the local party

to decide who their candidate should be, so that's not something I should

get involved in, it would be Mr Mackintosh, did you know

about the source of the donations? David Mackintosh has repeatedly

refused to answer our questions about the Sixfields loan,

but in this shortest of statements, he told us simply, "I intend

to stand for re-election." The process will begin on the 2nd of

May. First, the executive will vote and then the 160 members. If they

choose David Mackintosh, he is the candidate. If not, the Conservative

Central office will offer of three candidates. If David Mackintosh

chooses to be one of them, he can, but then the local party will

decide. There is much speculation here that people here want someone

local. One prominent Northampton name has been mentioned, but we

won't know for certain for a few days.

A production by Northampton's Royal and Derngate is to open

in Cambridge next month, despite the recent death

Tim Pigott-Smith was due to star in Arthur Miller's play

Death of a Salesman, but died earlier this month.

The play will come to the Cambridge Arts Theatre

on 4th May at the start of its national tour.

It will return to the Royal and Derngate, in Northampton in June.

Later, Julie has the weather for the weekend and some chilly

You are watching prog-mac. Stay with us for Julie's weekend weather

forecast. We live at Carrow Road. And the food hall manager on top of

the world as he takes a leap for charity -- the football manager.

All this week, we've been meeting some of the special

people who are taking part in Sunday's London Marathon.

Tonight, it's the turn of Ryan Cameron, a PE

Ryan has been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease.

He says he will carry on teaching for as long as he can,

and is determined to complete the Marathon

This special needs school in Luton is full of children with remarkable

Appropriately, their PE teacher, Ryan Cameron, has one of his own.

Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three years ago at just 31,

his decision to run the London Marathon this weekend

I like to think I am an active person, a positive

So even with something with this I just want to get on with life.

People have been asking me if I'm nervous and I...

I have been thinking about this, obviously, for a while and I have

pitched myself to get over the finish line, whether that is

crawling or walking, but because I have done the mental

side of things and psychologically I know I am going to do it.

Last year Ryan was too ill to make the start line.

His grit and positivity has earned him the admiration

Last year he had to pull out because of his health,

and this year there has been ups and downs and his health has not

been great some days, but he has come back every week,

every day, with determination and I believe he can do it.

And for these young people it is incredibly inspiring.

I think people will see disability as a limitation

and we do not believe that here, we think our children

can achieve anything, what the right support and the right

motivation and I think Ryan is a very good example of that.

And he is already looking to his future sporting ambitions.

I am hanging up my running shoes after the marathon and I am

going to move on to cycling, purely because it is easier

for someone with Parkinson's to cycle that it is more

advantageous than running because it does not affect your joints as much.

But for now he is giving up for this weekend.

For 26 miles, inspiring and raising awareness every step of the way.

If you are taking part on Sunday - good luck.

And if you want to share your pictures of the big day you can

Tonight's big match in the Championship sees

Norwich City hosting league leaders Brighton.

A win for Brighton will confirm them as Champions.

So it could be a very happy return to Carrow Road

for the Brighton manager Chris Hughton.

In fact, it's the first time he's been there

He probably would not admit it but would be a sweet moment for Chris

Hughton if Brighton can win tonight. Sacked three years ago from here

somewhat controversially, certainly the timing was at Brighton this

season have beaten all, as an one more win this season would send them

up as champion. A popular man, passionate, too,

Chris Hughton managed Norwich for nearly two years,

11th in the Premier League in his first season,

sacked in April 2014 Since then he has moved to Brighton,

rebuilding his reputation Victory tonight would seal

the title in his first game Looking forward to it because,

irrespective of anything you... work with a lot of people there,

you have a lot of friends and you always look forward

to going back to seeing them, and of course it is certainly nice

to go back there perhaps And here is the irony -

when Hughton left three years ago Five games to play, many

thought his dismissal was harsh. Others felt they

delayed for too long. I do not think we have got much

choice because four points from six games is relegation form

and so we needed to do To do it with five games to go,

I can't quite understand it but hopefully it will give Neil

a good chance to save the club. Youth coach Neil Adams took charge,

he didn't save them, But Chris Hughton,

a respected figure, will be I am a little bit biased

because I like Chris anyway and have known him for a long time

and I think he is I think he has done

a great job and he does it The motivation for them

will the their season has not turned They are all playing

for that bit of pride with a new manager coming in,

making a point, playing up against a very good team

in ourselves and wanting to win. From Brighton, the

Championship is at stake. Norwich fans would not

want to deny him but delay him, Widely regarded of one of the true

gentleman and football, as this month, the follow-on, -- from

Norwich defender. No one would begrudge him his success? Definitely

not. He has proved over the past few years he is a good manager and has

gone down to Brighton and done a magnificent job, fully deserved and

I'm sure they will get promoted as champions but hopefully not tonight.

Not very Norwich fans were enthralled with his conservative

approach when he was here but at Brighton he has been a very

entertaining. I used to store has virtues and felt the supporters and

the board got it wrong. -- extol his virtues. People said he was

pragmatic in his approach but he played with two wingers all the time

which I consider pragmatic -- attacking. But he has done the same

down at Brighton and has scored goals, which she was doing here. I

think the board should go -- showed a lack of foresight and got rid of

them to quickly and gave into the supporters, as it were. I think if

they held on longer he would have brought the same success to Norwich.

It was 5-0 in the reverse fixture, the public about that. They are full

of confidence at the moment what is knowledge are very inconsistent at

the moment which has been their season, very in and out and nothing

sustainable. Thank you. You can follow tonight's match on your local

radio station. If you watch professional football

you will have seen different managers chewing aggressively,

screaming instructions, It's all bout pressure,

and it means they can But how about jumping out

of a plane at 13,000 feet? Luton Town's Nathan Jones has done

just that, taking part in a skydive It took place at the Hinton airfield

in Northamptonshire. Our Sports Editor

Jonathan Park was there. On the sidelines, Nathan

Jones usually control. But it is a different story

when there is a parachute involved. I think the apprehension

is getting up there, But as long as you get down

safely I don't mind. There is a first

time for everything. And for Luton's manager at least

he had another rookie by his side - It came from a drunken bid

at the Luton Town Christmas dinner. I put my hands air the and bid

for a skydive with Nathan Jones. With an Luton flying high,

this was a nice diversion, at 13,000 feet, from the pressures

of the promotion run in. My life is in this

geezer's hands here. Conditions at the airfield

in Northamptonshire were perfect. Time now for Nathan

and Mark to head skywards. That is absolutely mental,

jumping out of a plane. Nothing prepares you for

when you just exit the plane. Now I understand why people say,

that people have done it. I'm very proud of him and I am

pleased he is back down safely. So one ticked off the bucket list

and thousands raised for the club's charity Level Trust,

which helps young people living To have someone as high-profile

as Nathan Jones jumping out of an aeroplane for us this

afternoon really is the icing on the cake of that partnership

and all the club has done for us. Well, job done, now going up,

not down, is all that matters to all of them although I have to

say the landing was not as good as euros! -- not as good as yours. It

was lovely weather but I have a feeling, will stay that way? I have

a lot to talk about. Let's start with this morning, a beautiful

sunrise. For most of us we had guys like this from most of the day and

you can see why the satellite picture -- skies like this. That

will change overnight with a cold front moving down bringing outbreaks

of mainly light and patchy rain. Not for everyone and not amounting to

match. Because that is a lot of cloud the frost for the night with

light of a Babel winds. This is called from bringing the overnight

rain quickly clears to the south. That leaves us with cloudy skies, a

a showers from the north-west at a block of dry weather -- a few

showers. Although on the North Norfolk coast. We finish with a few

showers but a block of dry weather. That is Saturday, Sunday with

high-pressure buildings are many of us it is another dry day, perhaps an

isolated shower but a lot of fine and dry weather and hopefully some

sunshine. Highs of 14 Celsius. A chilly start on Sunday, possibly

frost for some of us. That goes from London also for the London Marathon.

But conditions are looking rather good for that light winds and a

fairly dry conditions. If the cloud breaks we might see more in the way

of sunshine. All in all not too bad at all is good luck to everyone

taking part. That is the weekend. Some showers on Saturday but largely

dry and most of us Sunday will be another dry day. Monday is a cloudy

start with some spots of rain, that should clear and sunny spells

develop and as the sun comes out that could trigger one or two

showers. Monday night will be bitterly cold. Temperatures could

get down below freezing and Tuesday is a very different day. Feeling

better be cold, winter showers of rain, sleet and possibly even snow

which is not that unusual for April, actually, but quite a shock me think

about balmy conditions we had the last few weeks. Goodbye.

Why didn't we go to the library today?

Because we don't have a library any more. Why?

The school's had to make big cuts. Cuts like with a knife, miss?

No, it means that the school can't afford to pay for things like

the library any more or shows or books or school visits.

CHILDREN: Awww! No more school visits?