Westminster Week!
Posted by Kitty Ussher, MP for Burnley, at 13:46, Fri 28 September 2007:
Dear Friend,
Greetings from the Labour party conference in Bournemouth where the weather is fairly dismal but the political debate is strong. We have a good representation from Burnley down here in terms of delegates, guests and trade union representatives and we are all enjoying the positive mood that the Labour party nationally is experiencing at the moment.
The leader of the Labour party, Gordon Brown, gave his keynote speech on Monday, his first as prime minister. He said that he wanted a Britain where there is no longer any ceiling on where your talents and hard work can take you. Where what counts is not where you come from and who you know but what you aspire to and have it in yourself to become. He said that in order to compete in the global world we needed a fairer Britain that put people and their potential first, a sentiment that was well received by all those who were listening, both inside and outside the conference hall.
For my part, I’ve had a busy few days. I’ve given around six speeches at fringe meetings on various subjects as well as numerous meetings and important time spent simply listening to the debates. Although its often hard work, I enjoy conference just because of the opportunity it gives to listen to the views of ordinary party members from up and down the country and engage in debates and discussions about what our policies should be. The main subject at the moment seems to be the date of the general election. My message is clear: in Burnley we’re ready for the election whenever it comes, and in the meantime I’ll simply be getting on to the day to day business of trying to be a good constituency MP.
On Friday, before going down to Bournemouth, I attended a meeting at Turf Moor with the managers of the local health service for an update on how the proposed changes to the hospital services were going. It was an opportunity to keep pressing the case to make sure we get the best possible health services in Burnley. As I’ve said before, there’s a lot of misinformation flying around in this debate. Our hospital is open and is expanding. It will specialise in planned operations and maternity for the whole of East Lancashire. Nine out of ten A&E cases will still be seen here. But there are things we need to keep fighting for.
I’m glad to report that as a result of the pressure I have been putting on, we have obtained a guarantee that there will continue to be 24-hour a day paediatric consultant cover at Burnley general, meaning that parents don’t have to worry about which hospital they should take their children to if they are worried they may be ill. The initial proposal is that there would only be daytime cover, so I’m very pleased with this improvement.
It was also confirmed to me at Friday’s meeting that there will be an additional three ambulances for East Lancashire, and that the current (inadequate) timetable for a free shuttle bus between Burnley and Blackburn hospitals for patients and staff alike will be improved as the changes take place. I can reassure my constituents that I will continue to fight for the best possible healthcare for our communities at every opportunity.
Also on Friday I attended the charity fundraising event at Asda in aid of breast cancer and in the evening I opened the Flower Festival at St Margaret’s church in Hapton. I was really impressed with the beautiful work of the Burnley Flower Arranging Society and congratulate them, and all the organisers of the festival on their achievements. The next day, my daughter and I attended the family day for people working at Aircelle up at Heasandford. The company seems to be doing well, and expanding – proof if any were needed that Burnley is a good place for manufacturing companies to locate. And the bouncy castle met with the approval of my two-year old.
This weekend we’re doing surgeries on Stoops and in Asda this week – hope to see you there.
Kind Regards,
Kitty Ussher MP
6 ways to contact Kitty Ussher MP Write to: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or 2 Victoria Street, Burnley BB11 1DD Phone: 01282 450840 Fax: 01282 839623 By email: ussherk@parliament.uk Web: www.kittyussher.com In person: Next surgeries Friday 28th September 3.30pm - 5.00pm, The Enterprise Centre, Valley Street (off Rossendale Road). Saturday 29th September 10am – 12 noon, Asda, Princess Way. No appointment needed.
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