Your feedback
Posted by Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, at 14:37, Tue 29 May 2007:
Hi all,
So far only one person from the list has contacted me. Well done Gary for emailing about the issues you would like me to take up. I'm not sure if we are going to agree on everything judging by your list, but 10 out 10 for civic engagement.
For other subscribers, Gary asked me to take up:
Road Safety; "Backdoor privatisation" of the NHS; "Decline" of public services since privatisation; The "illegal invasion and occupation" of Iraq; Regulation of UK companies using suppliers who exploit overseas workers
Some of those areas were more like statements of position but as a first step, I'll contact government ministers to find out what we are doing in some of these areas.
I was particularly taken by Gary's interest in UK companies who knowingly use exploited Labour. It's not an area I know a lot about so I'm going to table parliamentary questions to find out what the government is doing in this field. Incidentally, if there is a parliamentary question (PQ) that you think I should ask, let me know. If it's reasonable, I'll table it.
Some time ago, I lent support to Gary in his effort to cycle from Land's end to John O'Groats. Take a look at the final entry on his Sheila's Wheels blog: http://www.hotshot-it.co.uk/sw/ It looked like good fun as well as successfully raising money for a good cause.
Best wishes
Tom
Comments
Commenting on this message is now disabled.
Posted by Cliff Parker, 14:46, Tue 29 May 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Hi
You mention only one person has replied - this is probably because in the past I've never received a reply...
Regards
Cliff
Posted by Steven Heywood, 21:28, Sat 2 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Hello Tom,
Sorry for the delay in replying - exam time, and all that. I would particularly like to see you taking up:
As Gary said, the exploitation of overseas workers by UK companies, and also the Corporate Manslaughter Bill, which seems to always either be getting delayed or watered down.
A much stronger Climate Bill than the draft, calling for bigger cuts in carbon emissions; and on the same subject, the ridiculous policy of airport expansion - how are we supposed to reduce emissions while expanding the most emissions-intensive sector?
The Sustainable Communities Bill, which is through to its third reading in the House, and gives local communities more control over the funding they recieve (http://www.localworks.org/).
The draconian attempts to stop legitimate protests taking place in Parliament Square or nearby, which frankly makes a laughing stock of our country's claim to be a beacon of free speech.
And yes, the war on Iraq, which is still a disgrace.
Thanks,
Steven
Posted by Tom Watson, 09:33, Sun 3 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Cliff - I don't think that I received an email from you, though I do get hundreds a day and they sometimes end up in the spam filter.
Steven - the Corporate Manslaughter Bill gets a final airing on the floor of the House this week. I'll take a look at it.
The Sustainable Communities Bill is a great piece of legislation.
As to the parliament square thing, I agree with you to a point, though I have known MPs being punched in the face by angry protestors on their way to a vote.
The key thing is that the demos are organised, otherwise you end up in chaos and sometimes violence. In general, I think that the way parliament square is policed is pretty low key compared to most other countries.
I've not seen the Climate Change Bill yet, though when it is published I will be delighted to pass on your ideas to David Miliband.
Iraq - what would you like to happen?
Posted by Steven Heywood, 22:04, Sun 3 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
On Parliament Square - punching MPs in the face is already illegal though, so making it more difficult to protest legitimately has no effect on face-punching incidents. If I want to punch an MP in the face - well, it was illegal before, so why should the fact that it's now illegal twice over stop me? Demos usually are well-organised, because there is an obvious advantage in being organised - you're more likely to get listened to, and less likely to get called rioters or anarchists by the papers.
On the Climate Change bill - its currently in the consultation stage, so it'd be a good time to pass the ideas on, nudge nudge wink wink.
And Iraq - well, a good question I suppose - what can be done? I've always been in two minds about the 'troops out' cry of the SWP, but it would at least be nice to see someone held accountable for the whole sorry mess, as it currently seems to rather conveniently be no-one's fault.
Posted by Cliff Parker, 13:37, Mon 25 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Another thing. How is it fair/justifiable to charge people a small fortune to renew their passport? My wife has just had to pay the best part of £70-80 for hers to be renewed! Or is this just another stealth tax?