News From Westminster
Posted by Dawn Primarolo, MP for Bristol South, at 16:42, Mon 21 December 2009:
WELCOME!
Here’s the latest edition of my regular newsletter. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. News from Westminster will return in 2010.
COPENHAGEN SUMMIT
As you no doubt have seen in the news over the past fortnight, a UN Conference on Climate Change has been taking place in Copenhagen where the world has come together to try and reach an agreement around reducing emissions. The Prime Minister and the Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband worked into the early hours of the morning in an attempt to seek a deal. Clearly, negotiations between 192 countries were always going to be difficult, but the agreement which has been reached is a useful first step. The accord that has been agreed recognises a consensus to limit global temperature rises to 2 degrees Celsius. Additional funding – initially $30 billion a year rising to a goal of $100 billion by 2020 – will be provided by developed countries to developing countries to tackle climate change. Many developing countries, of course, are at the most immediate risk of the devastating effects of climate change.
Unfortunately, the deal does not create a legally binding treaty on emissions cuts, which is very disappointing. The Prime Minister has pledged to lead this campaign for binding action. Combating climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face. I am proud that the British Government has led the way but we must continue to work hard to agree a truly international solution to this global problem.
BRISTOL'S WORLD CUP
I was delighted by last Wednesday’s announcement that Bristol will go forward as a potential host city for the Fifa World Cups in 2018 and 2022. The whole of the city has really got behind Bristol’s bid, and we are certainly a deserved winner. Bristol hosting the World Cup would not only be a fantastic football festival for our city. It would also provide a significant sporting legacy, and huge investment into Bristol and the region. We must now concentrate on backing England’s bid ahead of Fifa’s announcement of the 2018 and 2022 host country next December.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY
The Government has announced £2.2 million of funding towards the development of smart-card ticketing technology in Bristol. The funding is conditional on Bristol City Council developing a system which, in time, could help people to use other local services, like libraries and swimming pools. I am very glad that the Government has stepped in to make this important funding available. Searching around for loose coins, or waiting for drivers to give change, can really hold up bus journeys. This important Government funding brings us a step closer to a properly integrated, modern transport system. Of course, there is much more work to do, and I would continue to encourage the Councils in our area to make use of the additional powers to improve transport that the Government has made available.
IMPROVING BRISTOL'S BUS SERVICES
On a related note, you may remember in a recent update I mentioned that I had met with Transport Minister, Sadiq Khan, and Bristol East MP, Kerry McCarthy, to discuss bus services in Bristol. I’m pleased to report that following our meeting, Sadiq has written to both Bristol City Council and First Group to raise our concerns which included the need for more affordable fares and the need for consultation before services are withdrawn. The Minister’s letters also emphasise how important it is for the bus company and the City Council to work closely together. I was interested to read the Chief Executive of First Group’s reply which says he is keen to see Bristol’s service quality in improve, and that First’s main aim is to increase passenger numbers while keeping fare increases at a minimum. I will be keeping a close eye on this matter.
EVENING POST GOLD STAR AWARDS
I try to get to the Evening Post’s Gold Star Awards every year, and last Friday’s ceremony was as moving as ever. We heard some remarkable stories of bravery and heroism, including life-savers, people who have tackled crime, and those who have battled through illness or injury. Many congratulations to everyone who has received a very well deserved award.
MEETING WITH KWADS
On Friday I met with Carolyn Purcell, Chief Executive of Knowle West Alcohol & Drug Service (KWADS) to discuss the project’s recent work and future plans. KWADS provides an extremely valuable support service to individuals who misuse drugs and alcohol, and to their families and carers. I have offered my support with the organisation’s ongoing work.
ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any queries about these issues, or have a question you would like to ask about anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Just email me at primarolod@parliament.uk, phone 0117 909 0063 or write to me at PO Box 1002, Bristol, BS99 1WH.
Comments
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Posted by Pete Ferguson, 19:52, Mon 21 December 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
COPENHAGEN SUMMIT
Here we go again... Dawn taking us for idiots!
We all know this gathering was a complete and utter farce, if there had been the slightest success, all this past weekend Brown would have been crawling all over the newspapers and tv telling us he had saved the world... again!
Instead he did his usual act, he goes into hiding.
I did hear that after the great and good had left Copenhagen all condom machines in the city were found to be empty.
A good time was had by all.
Merry Christmas!
Posted by Steve Knowlson, 13:55, Wed 23 December 2009: (Is this post abusive?) #
Interesting to see how the Copenhagen Summit debacle and the Bristol Public Transport Debacle are closely linked.
What an utter shambles Copenhagen turned out to be - literally not worth the considerable carbon expended to put it on and get everyone there.
However, Britain and Bristol in particular will never reduce its carbon emmissions whilst we have such lamentable investment in our public transport.
Dawn - your Government has been in power for almost 13 years now. Let's have a look at what your Government has done to improve public transport in Bristol over the past 13 years shall we (shouldn't take long)?
So, do we have a reasonably priced and reliable bus service? NO
Do we have a high quality local rail network that copes with demand and is integrated with other transport modes? NO
Do we have a tram or light rail system, like almost every comparable sized city in the UK and Europe? NO
Are Bristolians held to ransom by a monopoly that increases fares and cuts services on a whim? YES
Do we still have some of the highest rates of car ownership, slowest traffic speeds and highest bus fares in Western Europe? YES
Dawn - time and time again Bristolians complain about the dire public transport system in Bristol - it's one of the issues at the very top of the list. So why has your Government, after 13 years in power, so completely failed to address or improve this situation? You've had the time and you've had the money but you've failed big time.
For goodness sake, stop going on about exorbitant bus fares when your Government has foisted the First Group monopoly on our city in the first place.
You claim to be keeping a 'close eye' on Bristol's bus service and the fares we pay. Really? Then why has nothing improved in 13 years? Can't be that much of a 'close eye, can it?
Bristol will always have a high carbon transport footprint whilst the public transport alternative is so unnattractive and expensive.
You've had 13 years to fix this and to your eternal shame you have completely and utterly failed.