Hello - my first posting
Posted by Iain Wright, MP for Hartlepool, at 15:32, Wed 13 June 2007:
I've received an e-mail from HearFromYourMP saying that 50 constituents in Hartlepool would like to receive regular updates by e-mail from me.
I'm very keen to do this and will post something on a regular basis.
Just to let people know about a few things. I hold regular surgeries on a Friday afternoon at my constituency office in South Road. Anyone living in Hartlepool with a problem, issue or matter can come and speak with me, without an appointment. I also do street surgeries in different parts of the town. I'll post on here when these are. I also have started coffee mornings for people to drop in - next one is in the Owton Ward at the end of the month. You can also contact my constituency office on 01429 224403 or me by e-mail at wrighti@parliament.uk.
Next Monday I have a debate in the House of Commons on housing policy in Hartlepool. More people are coming to see me about housing than any other issue. What do you think about it?
I look forward to hearing comments.
Iain
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Posted by Keith Jones, 17:06, Wed 13 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
But is there any point? I have asked Mr Wright's opinion on about 40 points which I (and others of my group of contemporaries) consider to be important and - depending on his opinion on these same matters - would have a profound bearing on whether or not we would wish to have him continuing in the HofC as our representative - whatever political colouring he chooses to wear! Sadly, the only response I EVER get is "Please come to one of my surgeries which I hold in S......... etc etc". What we need, if this interchange is to be of any use, is an undertaking from Mr Wright towards honesty in replying to our questions and, basically, a response to our questions which states HIS position in the matter, and NOT the Nu-Labour Bliarite/Brownite positions which, we all know AND which have been acknowledged at the highest level, has been TEN YEARS of self serving.
Posted by Mark Sedgwick, 18:19, Wed 13 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
I'm afraid I must agree with Keith Jones above. I contacted Mr Wright about the Gov't stopping BCG vaccinations in school. My elder two sons got it, but my youngest has not. I asked at Caroline Street, even offered to pay, but was told it's against policy now, and they recommended I write to my MP which I did.
I researched the subject on the internet and sent him lots of info about the drop in TB since vaccination was introduced in the 50s/60s, and about the increase in TB in recent years. I included all this info for him in case he wasn't up to speed on the subject.
I got a reply alright, but all it did was basically quote back to me all the info I'd given him. It was as if no-one had even bothered to read my letter. I was told that they now only treat what they see as high risk groups (people from ethnic minorities). Now I'm not against multi culturalism, or immigration, but surely if we have more people mixing, and possibly coming from abroad, then it makes sense for more people to be vaccinated rather than less. For the benefit of everyone.
Lo and behold, a few months later, front page of The Mail, TB outbreak at Golden Flatts school...case proven.
It's ok having all the photo shoots, but we need more substance from our MP, someone who isn't afraid to go against the party line when necessary. If Mr Wrights the man, then let's see some action.
Regarding housing, one thing I like when we visit other towns is the olde worlde areas, old shopping streets etc, such as Darlington and Whitby have. In Hartlepool all we have is the guts of the town ripped out, to be replaced with boring modern buildings. You wouldn't think Hartlepool dates back around 1000yrs, more like Hartlepool circa 1960...were's all our history gone?
Look at what's happening in the town centre now, streets and streets of older housing being knocked down to make way for more modern buildings. Why couldn't those houses have been renovated, surely they weren't all so bad that demolition was the only option? More of Hartlepools' history gone. There was plenty of houses there already, they just needed for foresight to bring them up to date, and still keep the community atmosphere.
Posted by Iain Wright, 21:30, Wed 13 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Mr Sedgwick
I do remember your letter, and I undertook research on your behalf.
It wasn't the Government who recommended a change in the vaccination policy - it was the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, who recommended that any vaccination should be targeted. This seems sensible to me - target those groups who are most at risk - and the principle is used with other things. Not everybody gets the flu jab, for example; only those deemed at higher risk, such as the elderly, those suffering from heart disease and asthma.
Coincidentally, the Joint Committee updated its guidance about the BCG / TB issue only last week - you might be interested in seeing the link - http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/jcvi/bcg-jcvi-statement_7june2007.pdf
Hope this is useful.
Iain
Posted by Mark Sedgwick, 23:46, Wed 13 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
Mr Wright,
Thank you for the link, it contains mostly the information I previously supplied you with. As you may note on page 3, an increase in TB of 11% from 2004 to 2005...not insignificant.
My line of thinking, and again, I point out I'm not against immigration, is that when you have movement of people between countries, some of which have a high incidence of TB, then you increase the risks of locals catching it. Especially in schools where lots of children from all walks of life will come into contact with each other. Not all migrant children will get vaccinated, their parents might not even know it's available, or have reasons that they don't wish it to be done.
We'll have to agree to disagree, but to the layman, it just looks like a cost cutting measure, another way for the Gov't to save money at the risk of our childrens health.
Posted by Keith Jones, 12:07, Fri 15 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
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Posted by Keith Jones, 20:18, Fri 22 June 2007: (Is this post abusive?) #
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