Email from Jo Swinson MP
Posted by Jo Swinson, MP for East Dunbartonshire, at 17:18, Tue 7 March 2006:
Hello again
Thought it was about time I created another update for the growing number of people like yourself who have signed up to www.hearfromyourmp.com. If you think this service is useful and informative, why not share it with your friends, family and neighbours? They can also sign up for updates on the website, whoever their MP is. Another way I am experimenting with communicating with constituents is through podcasting http://www.joswinson.org.uk/news/268.html. I would welcome any feedback on my first podcast – so please do go and have a listen and email me your thoughts: www.politicsondemand.co.uk
In Parliament I spoke in a debate about the possible withdrawal of the Post Office card account http://www.joswinson.org.uk/news/258.html. This could have a severe impact on the viability of many Post Offices. The most controversial issue recently in the Commons was the Racial & Religious Hatred Bill. The Bill was changed by the Lords so that threatening behaviour would be a crime, but not insulting and offensive language. While it's not good to insult people, I don’t believe it should be a criminal offence. I believe without this change the Bill could have resulted in censorship of important debate, critical journalism and satire. It is very possible that perfectly acceptable religious texts and discussions themselves would have fallen foul of this law.
On 13th Feb, I had the job with my colleague Mike Moore MP, of introducing the new Lib Dem Dunfermline by-election winner, Willie Rennie MP, to the Commons. This involves a rigid procedure of walking into the Commons chamber, bowing, taking 5 paces, bowing and 5 more paces before Willie then swore the oath. We were made to practice first in one of the corridors. The problem we had was that Mike is over 6ft tall and so his paces and mine were of different lengths. We compromised by me taking big steps and him shortening his stride!
Following my debate on trade with developing countries in November, I led a delegation of constituents to a meeting with International Development Minister Gareth Thomas to discuss the issue of Fairtrade http://www.joswinson.org.uk/news/265.html. I'm delighted to see good progress being made in East Dunbartonshire towards becoming a Fairtrade Zone, and today helped launch Fairtrade Fortnight (6 - 19 Mar) in the Oxfam shop in Bishopbriggs http://www.joswinson.org.uk/news/270.html.
In February there was a week of Parliamentary recess, and I used it to get out and about in the constituency, visiting local schools in Lenzie & Bishopbriggs http://www.joswinson.org.uk/news/263.html, presenting a volunteering award to a Kirkintilloch nursery http://www.joswinson.org.uk/news/264.html, speaking at the Milngavie Civic Trust AGM, organising an information event for local groups to get more from the Heritage Lottery Fund http://www.joswinson.org.uk/news/260.html, visiting a Bearsden care home and a local Lenzie charity http://www.joswinson.org.uk/news/262.html.
And at the weekend I attended the Lib Dem Conference in Harrogate, where Ming Campbell was welcomed as the new Lib Dem leader, having won 58% of the votes in the final round http://www.joswinson.org.uk/news/267.html. I know he’ll be excellent – his speech yesterday was very strong on the issues of tackling poverty, protecting our environment, standing up for civil liberties and improving the connection between politics and people.
Kind regards
Jo Swinson MP
4 Springfield House, Emerson Road, Bishopbriggs G64 1QE 0141 762 2209 swinsonj@parliament.uk www.joswinson.org.uk
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