Update from Linda Gilroy MP, week ending Friday 6 November
Posted by Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth, Sutton, at 09:25, Mon 9 November 2009:
Thought for the Week
There has been much discussion over the last week about the catastrophic muddle Conservative Party has got itself into over Europe. I guess old habits die hard! My view is clear. We live in a globalised, interconnected world. Issues like trade, business, crime, terrorism, climate change, population movements, tourism, defence are no longer defined by national borders. By opting to pool our resources and some national powers with other European countries we actually emerge with a greater combined power to shape and influence these issues. Just as the Tories called every shot wrong on dealing with the international crisis that emerged this time last year - from nationalising Northern Rock to the package of measures to get the economy moving - so too by pandering to the instincts of the Euro sceptics (two of whom have resigned from their front bench anyway) they have made themselves a laughing stock across Europe - including amongst conservative friends who should be natural allies. In government this means they would have made the economic crisis worse and put us on the margins of the European Union which is vital to help us through these challenging times. It is after all possible to be a good Plymouthian and Devonian and English, British, European - and a global citizen all at the same time!
My Week at a Glance
Social Care Workshop
On Saturday before last, Baroness Royall, the Leader of the House of Lords, joined me in Plymouth to hold a workshop with constituents to discuss the future of social care. The Government has published a Green Paper on the subject which seeks to ask how, with an aging population, we go about paying for care and support, not just for older people but for all adults over 18. It was great to see so many people giving up their Saturday morning to come to discuss this vital issue – I know things got rather heated at times! I am now compiling all the responses I have received to submit my contribution to the social green paper. Anyone who wishes to make a submission to the consultation can do so at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_102339
Kelly Report
Proposals on the future of MPs pay, expenses, accommodation, staffing and office arrangements have been published. You can read my response here: http://www.lindagilroy.org.uk/statement-on-kelly-report
There is also a background Questions & Answers on my own pay and expenses at www.lindagilroy.org.uk/expenses
Taking to the seas
Last week the Marine Bill passed its final parliamentary stages. To celebrate I joined the team from Plymouth Marine Laboratories on their boat Plymouth Quest. The team were out to take samples from the sea bed to survey the sea creatures that live in our local waters. It is really exciting to see the world class research that is going on around the city and who I know will benefit from the provisions of the Marine Bill. You can read more about my voyage at: http://www.lindagilroy.org.uk/celebrating-the-marine-bill-with-pml
New BBC Website
The BBC have launched a new website where you can watch debates live from all the UK's democratic institutions, including the Houses of Parliament. Its well worth a look - www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive
Climate Change
On Friday I welcomined the Minister for Energy and Climate Change Ed Miliband to the city for a Q & A on climate change. With the Copenhagen summit drawing ever closer this was a real opportunity to get the views of Plymouth across before this key event. I have already signed up to the 10:10 campaign – you too can sign up at http://www.1010uk.org/
Looking ahead
This Wednesday I have secured an adjournment debate on the subject of 'The Department for Work and Pensions in Plymouth'. I intend to highlight the role of the DWP as a significant employer in the City and also to discuss the support the Government is giving in helping people find work in the recession. I will also be pressing for more to be done for both job seekers and pensioners in Plymouth. The debate will start at 7pm and you can watch it live on the BBC Parliament TV channel, through the Parliament website (http://www.parliamentlive.tv) or through the aforementioned BBC Democracy Live website (www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive)
This week will also see the end of this session of parliament - so lots of voting at all times of the day probably through to Thursday when Parliament "prorogues" in a ceremony that concludes in the House of Lords with each of the Acts we have passed being read out followed by the medieval French phrase "La Reine le reveult" - the "Queen so wisheth". - What was that about Europe again??!!
Comments
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Posted by Liam Brennan, 10:38, Tue 10 November 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Same old trite crap, Global warming has no actual evidence to support all this rubbish, just what politicians tell you and they told you therir expenses were ligitimate, there are in fact more scientists that refute the global warming theory than there are who endorse it. Its just more taxes not going to save anything. This politician (MY MP ) just like all the rest obsessed with the sound of her own voice. thinks the public are idiots and will just go paying ever increasing ammounts of tax for nothing. Wait until the next election, you, harriet harman and the rest can join us on the dole and see how much fun it is.