Update from Linda Gilroy MP: Monday 12 April 2010
Posted by Linda Gilroy, MP for Plymouth, Sutton, at 08:36, Mon 12 April 2010:
Today Parliament is dissolved and I cease to be an MP. I am, of course, seeking re-election in the seat of Plymouth Sutton and Devonport. I won't be sending any weekly updates during the election, but you can keep in touch with me in the following ways:
Email: votegilroy@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.lindagilroy.org.uk Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lindagilroy Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/lindagilroyplymouth Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lindagilroy
....and who knows, you may even get a telephone call or a knock on the door from me! Some of you already have!
My Week at A Glance
Last week was business as usually from a Parliamentary point of view. In fact it was particularly busy
Afghanistan
On Monday I spoke in Foreign and Commonwealth Questions about Afghanistan. I wanted to underline the importance of coalition operations and the need to ensure all countries stepped up to the mark. I was particularly pleased to have one last opportunity to raise this subject as one of the defining events for Plymouth in the past five years has been the hard work, commitment and, sadly at times, sacrifice, of Plymouth based personnel serving in Afghanistan. Quite simply they represent the best of British and you can count on me to continue to support them. See www.lindagilroy.org.uk/afghanistan for more details.
Crime in Plymouth
On Tuesday I secured an adjournment debate on crime in Plymouth. Crime in Plymouth has fallen, despite predictions it would rise because of the recession. The latest figures show total crime in the city having dropped by a massive 11.7% over the last year alone - a better performance than the country as a whole. This makes our city one of the safest in the UK. So often scrutiny and accountability focuses solely on what's gone wrong - in my speech I wanted to explore what's gone right - and how we can replicate it elsewhere. You can read the debate here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2010-04-06a.280.0&s=linda+gilroy+segment%3A20735079#g280.1
Prime Ministers Questions
On Wednesday I was drawn to speak in the last Prime Minister's Questions of the current Parliament. I do hope in the next Parliament that this weekly event is a little more constructive and a good deal less 'yah-boo'. I decided to raise the importance of continued investment in healthcare. Of course in Plymouth we have had the first new dental school in the country for 50 years and the first new medical school for 25 years. We cannot let this investment suffer - it must go on!
A Look ahead
I hope very much to be in a position to update you again after May 6th! Do keep in touch with me during the campaign by the methods outlined above. I want to know what you think. Are we discussing the right issues? What do you think of the leadership debates? What do you want politicians to hear from you? And what do you want to hear from us?
Thank you for taking an interest in what I am doing in Westminster.
With best wishes
Linda Gilroy
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