Yesterday I marked Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons. The date - 27th January - signifies the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in 1945 and the purpose of the day is to honour the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. It is also a powerful way to motivate people to ensure that the horrendous crimes, racism and victimisation committed during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides are neither forgotten nor repeated again. Having had the opportunity to accompany local Edmonton children on a school trip to Auschwitz, I know the benefit that learning about the past can have on influencing people's behaviour in the future and I fully support the work that the Holocaust Educational Trust carries out. You can find out more about their work at http://www.het.org.uk
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
'Stand up to Hatred'
Yesterday I marked Holocaust Memorial Day by signing a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons. The date - 27th January - signifies the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp in 1945 and the purpose of the day is to honour the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust. It is also a powerful way to motivate people to ensure that the horrendous crimes, racism and victimisation committed during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides are neither forgotten nor repeated again. Having had the opportunity to accompany local Edmonton children on a school trip to Auschwitz, I know the benefit that learning about the past can have on influencing people's behaviour in the future and I fully support the work that the Holocaust Educational Trust carries out. You can find out more about their work at http://www.het.org.uk
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
How to get help ... and now
With the international financial crisis really taking hold, I wanted to make sure that people are aware that help is available and that they don't have to cope on their own. Amongst other support networks available, a new guide has been launched which offers help with homes, jobs and finances. It's called REAL HELP NOW and is available today at www.direct.gov.uk and www.businesslink.gov.uk.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The pressing issue of Gaza
A number of my constituents have written to me about what's happening in Gaza. A commenter on this blog also mentioned that I should post on big issues like Gaza and not smaller community issues. While I still feel that this blog is largely for keeping people in touch with what's going on in Edmonton and what I'm doing about it, I take all comments on board and will post a bit more about the Westminster aspect to my role as an MP.
You may have noticed that I have already included a few posts on debates I have been involved in in the House of Commons. On Gaza specifically, at the very beginning of 2009 I signed a letter published in The Guardian newspaper calling on the international community to "stop the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza" and for both sides to cease fire.
Since then, I have continued to press the issue. On Monday, this is what I said to Foreign Secretary David Miliband in the House of Commons:
"May I seek some reassurance from my right. hon. Friend regarding the opening of border crossings to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza? He has already said that the situation is being monitored in terms of the number of vehicles going in, but can he assure the House that he is taking every active step possible to ensure that Israel recognises its international obligations and tries to make up for some of the considerable damage that it has done to its own reputation?"
The Foreign Secretary responded by assuring me that, alongside his colleagues, he was doing everything in his power to ensure that no more people lose their lives as a result of the humanitarian situation. I too will carry on doing what I can to push for a solution to this crisis.
You may have noticed that I have already included a few posts on debates I have been involved in in the House of Commons. On Gaza specifically, at the very beginning of 2009 I signed a letter published in The Guardian newspaper calling on the international community to "stop the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza" and for both sides to cease fire.
Since then, I have continued to press the issue. On Monday, this is what I said to Foreign Secretary David Miliband in the House of Commons:
"May I seek some reassurance from my right. hon. Friend regarding the opening of border crossings to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza? He has already said that the situation is being monitored in terms of the number of vehicles going in, but can he assure the House that he is taking every active step possible to ensure that Israel recognises its international obligations and tries to make up for some of the considerable damage that it has done to its own reputation?"
The Foreign Secretary responded by assuring me that, alongside his colleagues, he was doing everything in his power to ensure that no more people lose their lives as a result of the humanitarian situation. I too will carry on doing what I can to push for a solution to this crisis.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Still not sick of me...?
And if you haven't heard enough of me yet...
... I also got to raise the matter of Equitable Life and when those who lost money in it will be compensated, following a government statement on the issue made by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper. I know this is something a number of my constituents have raised with me, so here's what I said:
"I have two points. First, on the time scale, she has come up with what she describes as a simpler scheme. Does that mean that it will be quicker than that suggested by the ombudsman? Secondly, she said that hardship would be a significant criterion for compensation. Will she describe that a little more? Can she reassure those who have lost significant sums of money in Equitable Life that they will still be compensated?"
The debate was long but the Chief Secretary to the Treasury did reassure me and the House that the aim would be to design a compensation scheme that can pay out as swiftly as possible, which I'm sure will be a relief to many.
"I have two points. First, on the time scale, she has come up with what she describes as a simpler scheme. Does that mean that it will be quicker than that suggested by the ombudsman? Secondly, she said that hardship would be a significant criterion for compensation. Will she describe that a little more? Can she reassure those who have lost significant sums of money in Equitable Life that they will still be compensated?"
The debate was long but the Chief Secretary to the Treasury did reassure me and the House that the aim would be to design a compensation scheme that can pay out as swiftly as possible, which I'm sure will be a relief to many.
More from me on Cyprus
In my last blog post I mentioned that I'd had the opportunity on Tuesday to raise the issue of Cyprus in the House of Commons for the attention of the Foreign Secretary David Miliband. Well, on Thursday, I also got to push the issue in the chamber with the Minister for Europe Caroline Flint, who is due to visit the island in February.
Me: When she goes to the island, she will see once again the commitment of both communities to finding a solution that will end the division of the island. However, the negotiations and discussions have stalled, because not everyone who should be participating is doing so. Would she find the time when she is in Nicosia to visit Ankara and Athens, so that we can bring together all the guarantor powers to ensure that everyone is on the same side in finding a solution for the island?
Me: When she goes to the island, she will see once again the commitment of both communities to finding a solution that will end the division of the island. However, the negotiations and discussions have stalled, because not everyone who should be participating is doing so. Would she find the time when she is in Nicosia to visit Ankara and Athens, so that we can bring together all the guarantor powers to ensure that everyone is on the same side in finding a solution for the island?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Pushing the Cyprus issue
Yesterday in the House of Commons during the session on questions for Foreign Secretary David Miliband, I pushed for the issue of Cyprus to be high on the agenda when he meets with the new US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, for the first time after the inauguration of the US President-Elect Barack Obama on 20 January.
It's a bit wordy, but this is what I said on behalf of all my constituents who are keen to see some progress with Cyprus:
"May I urge my hon. Friend when he meets the Secretary of State to raise the issue of Cyprus?...Both communities are committed to a peace settlement, yet the negotiations have stalled, and they have done so because the other parties to such an agreement are not actively involved. Both the US and the UK have great purchase with those countries. I think particularly of Turkey and Greece. This would be an opportunity for the US to have an early win in the new Administration. May I urge my hon. Friend to raise that?"
It's a bit wordy, but this is what I said on behalf of all my constituents who are keen to see some progress with Cyprus:
"May I urge my hon. Friend when he meets the Secretary of State to raise the issue of Cyprus?...Both communities are committed to a peace settlement, yet the negotiations have stalled, and they have done so because the other parties to such an agreement are not actively involved. Both the US and the UK have great purchase with those countries. I think particularly of Turkey and Greece. This would be an opportunity for the US to have an early win in the new Administration. May I urge my hon. Friend to raise that?"
He hasn't played for Tottenham but ...
Ok, so I'm a Tottenham fan and Ian Wright's an Arsenal man, but he's been doing some good work in challenging Britain's spiralling obesity problem, especially amongst kids, so I put my football prejudices aside and went to meet him at Asda Edmonton last Friday. Ian, alongside Fit for Sport founder Dean Horridge, has written a "Fitter Families" book which aims to set families simple goals to achieve a healthier lifestyle. He'd chosen Edmonton for the book launch because much of his TV programme "Unfit Kids" was filmed in our area and he thought it was a good place to start the campaign. I had a chat with the man himself before he was mobbed by fans in the store and he said he feels that the Government is on the right track to promoting healthy lifestyles but that individuals must take more responsibility for their weight and fitness. With the Christmas chocolate eaten and so many new year resolutions flying around, now's as good a time as any to take Ian's advice and make a few sustainable changes to your diet and lifestyle. I suppose I better start swapping the lift for the stairs...Thursday, January 8, 2009
Goodbye 2008 ...
Happy New Year readers! I've just been down to the Lee Valley Tesco Extra store to say a final goodbye to 2008 as I recycled my Christmas cards in aid of the Woodland Trust's conservation scheme to plant new trees through the sale of recycled paper products. If you're passing the supermarket you can drop your cards in their too and do your bit for the environment.I've been doing a lot of work in the constituency this week, including campaigning for the Bush Hill Park by-election. On Monday the Parliamentary holiday is over and I'll be back to work in Westminster and Christmas will be a distant memory! I hope you're all coping well with the return to work if you managed to have a break. Stay warm and I'll post again soon.
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