Hello
Posted by Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, at 16:01, Wed 16 May 2007:
I've just received an email from HearFromYourMP.com. 25 people have signed up to receive regular consultative emails from me about the issues facing parliament.
I'm looking forward to hearing from you but to kick the process off, can I sound you out about the sort of issues you are interested in and how often you would like me to contact you?
Also, I don't know if you know that I have a blog - http://www.tom-watson.co.uk You might like to take part in discussions that take place there.
Best wishes
Tom
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Posted by Gary Hurdman, 10:08, Thu 17 May 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Tom,
I'm afraid I was the 25th person who signed up on HearFromYourMP.com. So you have me to blame for all this!
I am aware of your blog and only after signing up did I think that this service (not sure who provides it) is perhaps a duplication of that blog, and therefore a tad unnecessary. Moreover, it's a rather lazy way for us to be part of the democratic process, perhaps we should get out to one of your surgeries or participate more actively about the issues that worry us. Rather than duplicate this effort, perhaps you could set up a mailing list (if you haven't already) from your blog and refer the people who subscribe to HearFromYourMP.com to that. But I digress.
However, as you asked . . .
The issues that concern me (and there are many, so I'll just mention a few that I believe to be of the greatest concern) are: -
Home Affairs
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* Road Safety. We have met on this subject at one of your surgeries (about 12 months ago now) and you should have received an email in which I ask you to support the EDM asking for the changes in the current review of the Highway Code to be halted and reviewed. I am in favour of more speed cameras and increased punishments for acts of dangerous driving.
* The NHS (and it’s continued backdoor privatisation).
* Public Transport (and it's decline since privatisation)
* In fact, the privatisation of all public sector industries that the country and it's industries (public and private) relies on.
Foreign Affairs
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* The (what I believe to be) illegal invasion of occupation of Iraq.
* Trade justice for producers in developing countries. I'm looking for tighter regulation on large corporations abusing their monopolistic positions to force the producers to sell their produce at unfair and unsustainable prices (true of UK producers too).
* The lack of regulation to prevent UK companies using overseas suppliers who employ exploitative labour.
So these are the things that concern me and I'd be happy to supply any further information on any of them as for most, I'm an active campaigner and have contacts with relevant organisations or pressure groups.
Regards, Gary Hurdman
P.S. I never did update you on the fund raising Sheila's Wheelers undertook. We raised £4050 for the 3 charities (and more still coming in). So thanks for your support. A full account of our challenge is available at (http://www.hotshot-it.co.uk/sw/).
Posted by Cliff Parker, 15:02, Tue 29 May 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
The thing that concerns me the most is Road Safety. I am fervently against the proliferation of speed cameras. Speed cameras cannot and never will catch drunk, drugged, uninsured, untaxed or dangerous drivers.
I would like to see a return of Traffic Police in my area, who can deal with these offences.
Also, the way the LA is steadily trying to strangle West Bromwich roads - e.g. bus stop build-outs, chicanes etc...
Posted by Gary Hurdman, 21:14, Tue 29 May 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Tom (and Cliff),
Just to clarify, I believe that speed cameras are no substitute for coppers patroling our streets. Speed cameras should be used in addition to more coppers.
Cliff quite rightly points out the limitations of speed cameras which only help enforce one aspect of road law.
Gary.