HearFromYourMP

Previous message | Messages for this constituency | Next message

A desperately sad first week back

Posted by Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, at 13:13, Thu 9 January 2014:

It has been a desperately sad first week back in parliament after the Christmas break. Paul Goggins MP, my friend, colleague and parliamentary next door neighbour (our constituencies adjoin one another) died on Tuesday, following a stroke which he suffered just before New Year.

Paul will be terribly missed. MPs of all parties, and thousands of people in his constituency across Greater Manchester and indeed beyond, regarded him with huge affection and respect. He was principled, kind, courteous and dedicated. When I was elected as a new MP in 2010, he was tremendously supportive and helpful to me.

Paul and I worked together on a number of issues. As well as local matters that affected both our constituencies, we shared an interest in penal policy and served together as officers of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty. Most recently we worked together on the Mesothelioma Bill, which will make payments to sufferers of this terrible cancer, many of whom will have lived and worked in the North West.

The final stages of the Mesothelioma Bill passed through parliament on Tuesday. We were very pleased to be able to debate some of the proposed changes to improve the Bill which Paul had tabled before Christmas, though disappointed that we were unable to secure any changes to make the scheme more generous to sufferers. I've been leading on the Bill for Labour in the Commons, and we certainly won't be giving up the fight for justice for victims. In the next few weeks, we will be debating regulations to implement the detailed operation of the scheme. We will be examining the regulations very closely to ensure the best deal we can possibly get for those affected by this dreadful disease.

I came back to Manchester a day earlier than usual, for another sad occasion: the funeral of my friend and neighbour Alf Bates, who died just before Christmas. Alf, a former Councillor and MP himself, was also immensely helpful and kind to me. His passing leaves a huge gap.

To have lost both Paul and Alf in the space of a few days makes me tremendously sad. They were hardworking, committed, kind, and totally committed to public service. I am mourning both of them this week.

Meanwhile, on a happier note, in my office we have a few staff changes to start the New Year. Andy Parsonage has joined my Urmston office as a caseworker, and Rebecca Lathwood has returned to my Westminster office following her maternity leave. And I’m delighted that Roxanne Mashari, who provided maternity cover in London while Rebecca was away, is still working with me, managing communications for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty, which I chair, and for the Webb Memorial Trust, of which I’m a trustee.