Andy Love MP

Are you the new George Osborne?

2012-02-01T17:10:00.004Z

Assuming you haven't been living on the moon since May 2010, you'll know that I'm not too keen on George Osborne as Chancellor. I have a whole raft of reasons why and, were I to be in his shoes, I would be making very different economic decisions. But this isn't about me.

This is about you!

If you are aged 14-18 and are a budding Norman Lamont or Gordon Brown and already have opinions on taxation and spending policies then how about you have a go at being Chancellor and give old George a run for his money?

Interested?

You've got until 20th February to enter the Citizenship Foundation's 'Chance to be Chancellor 2012' national competition. Not only do you get the chance to share your opinions on the Youth Budget, you could also win prizes (like an iPad - oooo!) and visit the Treasury. That's not a bad place to start.

If you need a little help to get your cogs whirring then why not take a look at the video below which shows some of last year's event? (If you've got a sharp eye you may even catch me in it, but blink and you'll miss it!)

More flip-flops than on a sunny day in Cornwall

2012-02-01T16:25:00.004Z

You may remember back in November I wrote here about the Government's proposals to halve the frequency of MOTs ("unnecessary red tape," as they called it), and the understandable outcry there was as a result from those worried about road safety - car users and pedestrians alike - and those worried about the jobs in garages that might subsequently be lost.

Thankfully, the Government have seen sense on this one and have decided to axe their reckless plan to cut the frequency of MOTs. It was frankly insulting for ministers to have expected motorists and others to welcome a move that would have left 800,000 dangerous cars on our roads, increasing insurance premiums for the responsible majority.

Call it a U-turn; call it yet another Government flip-flop; or just call it a victory for common sense.

A bit of a list...

2012-01-31T16:12:00.006Z

A considerable number of people, at the start of the new year, make a list of resolutions; their goals and hopes for the following 12 months. Many of the items on those lists fall by the wayside early on, and, right about now, at the end of January, some of those lists are abandoned completely. (If you're still eating only greens, have abstained from a single glass of wine and are going to the gym four times a week then I salute you - you have more will power than me!)

Anyway, this is not a list of my new year's resolutions. Instead, this is a list of the debates I've spoken in and answers I've sought since Parliament returned from Christmas recess on 10th January. My apologies for grouping them all together in this manner but I'm behind and would be here all night if I was to give each topic the time it probably deserves on this blog. But please ask if you want me to elaborate.

First up, not one, not two, not three, not four, but five questions on the train service running from Enfield into Liverpool Street. You may be aware that some changes have taken place and the Greater Anglia franchise has been awarded to Abellio. My concern is that there will be a resulting reduction in fleet size, which will have a knock-on effect on timetabling and overcrowding. The minister claims that these will not be issues, however. My other queries concerned ticketing barriers on our route and whether there has been an increase in revenue from installing additional barriers, but the Government had no specific information on this.

Next up, a question on what the Government is doing to strengthen the Electoral Commission's role to ensure that the large number of unregistered voters does not increase in the future.

Then, moving on to young people, a query exploring the numbers of juvenile offenders in Enfield who have been held in secure children's homes, secure training centres and young offender institutions. And a further question on a recent HM Inspectorate of Probation inspection of youth offending work in Enfield.

Next, a range of financial questions: one on social impact bonds; one on dormant bank accounts; and one on community investment tax relief.

Then a very timely question on unemployment and what the Government is doing to reduce the rapidly rising numbers of people without a job (more on unemployment to follow in a later blog post).

And finally, a question on why the Government is dismantling the powers available to local authorities to deal with empty homes above shops when the need for homes is so strong.

And now, I think, we're up to date. Phew! Please do shout if you'd like more of an explanation about anything.

Remembrance

2012-01-30T16:59:00.003Z

Last Friday was Holocaust Memorial Day and, on Thursday evening, in advance of the day itself, I joined in with Enfield Council's remembrance event at the Dugdale Centre.

As ever, the day and the events surrounding it are very poignant, not only in terms of commemorating the lives lost in the Holocaust, but also acting as a reminder that we should learn the lessons of history.

The theme for this year's Holocaust Memorial Day was 'Speak Up, Speak Out' - a message that celebrates those who spoke out against perpetrators of violence and hatred during the Holocaust (and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia and Rwanda) and used their voices to protect those at risk of persecution.

But speaking up is also so relevant now. Unless we challenge the language of hatred and tackle racism head on then we have failed at learning the messages of the past.

It's all about the money, money, money

2012-01-30T16:40:00.005Z

I've got a whole load of Parliamentary debates that I've contributed to in the last few weeks to link to, but before I do that I wanted to just quickly highlight a couple of media appearances that I've made recently in case you're interested in catching them online.

On Thursday lunchtime I took part in the Islam Channel's 'Week in Westminster' programme. It's a programme that I've appeared on before and, as the name suggests, it looks back at the week's Westminster goings-on with debate from MPs representing each of the three main parties. Last week's show was of particular relevance and interest to me as the focus was on the latest economic forecasts and figures.

On Friday evening, mid way through my regular weekly advice surgery I got a last minute call to contribute to the discussion on BBC Radio 4's 'PM' programme. The topic up for conversation? RBS Chief Stephen Hester's bonus, of course! (There are four days left to listen via iPlayer.)

And then today, I did a brief telephone interview with a journalist from Money Marketing on last Friday's publication of the Financial Services Bill.

Like I wrote in the title of this post, it's all about the money, money, money!

A flying visit to Lebanon

2012-01-24T15:39:00.003Z

During the Christmas break, I was invited on a flying visit to Lebanon with a couple of other MPs. The delegation was organised by CAABU - the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding - and was primarily a fact-finding mission to look at how the recent events in Syria are having an impact on Lebanon and the region.

Although our visit was brief, our schedule was tight and we managed to meet with many people including the British Ambassador, Tom Fletcher, representatives from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, journalists, members of parliament, and, importantly, Syrian and Lebanese families.

We also managed to squeeze in a couple of visits to refugee camps in Beirut, where this picture was taken and where thousands of Palestinian refugees reside.

In the coming week there is a delegation of Lebanese MPs coming to Britain and I will be continuing the work we did during our visit back in Parliament.

Speaking out

2012-01-23T15:46:00.004Z

On Thursday evening I headed straight from Parliament to Edmonton County School to take part in the judging of the Jack Petchey Speak Out Enfield final.

Let me take a minute to scrape my jaw off the floor! These kids, or should I say young people, were good, and I mean GOOD.

Speak Out, as the title suggests is a public speaking competition. The final I helped judge included those who had been whittled down from a group of 800 pupils from 17 state schools in Enfield.

I - and a number of other judges, including the Mayor, Christiana During - was tasked with ranking the finalists into the final finalists after hearing them speak on interesting and challenging topics.

I was impressed.

If, at that age, you'd have asked me to speak for two minutes to a huge number of my peers and others in an interesting and engaging manner on any topic, I would have hid under my seat. I've made up for it since, but it takes a great deal of balls to do what they did and I applaud them, even though it made our job as judges harder.

There is a grand final later in the year, but whether or not an individual from Enfield wins is immaterial. All of these young people, not just the three finalists we helped select, but each and every single one of the people who took part should feel proud of themselves. They have a confidence that many could only dream of and I am certain they will go far.

New year; new advice

2012-01-16T14:37:00.004Z

I know I'm a bit slow off the mark, but Happy New Year. How's your 2012 been so far? A bit gloomy? We've already been hit by an increase in transport fares by London Mayor Boris Johnson, which doesn't exactly help you spring out of bed on these cold and dark January mornings, does it?

What next?

Warmer weather isn't quite on the horizon yet and I know that energy bills are still a massive concern to many so it seems appropriate that my first post of the new year coincides with the start of Big Energy Week. The Citizens Advice Bureau have some good advice on their website if you're struggling with paying your fuel bills. It's definitely worth a look. There is help available so please don't start 2012 worrying in silence.

Signing off, festively

2011-12-22T17:26:00.004Z

Everybody needs a break, so, as it's Christmas, I'll be signing off on here for a little while... and giving you a break from my postings! In fact, today it's my wife's birthday so I'll shortly be switching off to go and celebrate with her. And in the coming days I'll be catching up with family and friends to enjoy the festivities.

Before I log out I wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas and, in particular, a happy new year.

This year has been tough on many levels for many people. I would like to say that 2012 will be better, but I know, economically at least, it could well be worse. But there are positives on the horizon and things to look forward to and I will be back in the new year, refreshed, and ready to take on whatever is thrown at us, starting with a campaign against Boris Johnson's fare rises bright and early at Edmonton Green station on the 3rd of January.

Until then, look after yourselves, and go steady with the sherry.

A disaster for British democracy

2011-12-22T16:36:00.003Z

So, you were probably thinking that you would make it safely into 2012 without me mentioning boundary changes again. Sorry that's not going to be the case. Last week the Electoral Commission revealed something far too alarming not to comment on.

Original estimates showed that around 3.5 million people were missing from the electoral register. This is now thought to be more than 6 million! Yes, the figure has almost doubled.

Given that the new constituency boundaries have been redrawn based on the number of registered voters, the validity of the plans is somewhat at stake, don't you think?

Edmonton doesn't fare well when it comes to the number of people on the electoral register. Even cautious estimates suggest that there is around 16%, or about 12,100 eligible voters, missing from the register. It is one of the worst ratios out of all the 650 constituencies. And yet, we are supposed to accept plans that will dramatically alter our constituency beyond recognition even though they have been based on wildly inaccurate figures.

Back when it was thought that only, only?, 3.5 million people were missing from the register, the Government refused to recognise that an electoral register with millions missing from it was not the most appropriate basis for redrawing constituency boundaries. Now, with an estimated 6 million missing, surely they will have to think again?

It's like rubbing salt into a wound. We aren't supposed to complain when our constituency is torn up, posing irresolvable geographical challenges, and we're supposed to shut our eyes and ears to the knowledge that the badly thought-through plans were drawn up using figures that aren't worth the paper they're written on in the first place.

I don't think so.

Peace on earth, good will to (wo)men

2011-12-22T16:10:00.004Z

Last week I had the absolute honour of welcoming Tawakkul Karman, co-winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, to London (her first ever visit) in an event I chaired on behalf of the Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding to celebrate her outstanding achievement.

Any winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is pretty special, but Tawakkul is quite exceptional - not only is she the first Arab woman to win the prize; she is also the youngest ever prize-winner at just 32.

Tawakkul, a Yemeni democracy activist, was awarded the prize earlier in December, alongside Liberians Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee, for her "non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work."

If you take a brief glance at the situation in Yemen, you can begin to appreciate what a task she has on her hands.

Since the Arab uprisings began in January, the already-fragile country of Yemen has been hit by widespread state repression, arrests, shootings and bombings of civilian protesters. In the midst of the turmoil, Tawakkul quickly emerged as a leading opposition figure, working for an end to the violence.

Listening to her is inspiring. Her message is that, far from being victims, women in the Arab world, and all over the world, can be leaders and she is, of course, doing just that by leading the way to peace and democracy for Yemen.

Under Tawakkul's guidance, 2012 looks instantly brighter, not only for Yemen but for much of the Middle East.

Edmonton, I love you

2011-12-21T16:40:00.005Z

Times are tough. I'm sure you don't need me to remind you that. Pretty much everyone is feeling the pinch and the victims of the economic downturn are plentiful. With even big businesses going bust, it's understandable that local shops on our very own high streets are also struggling to keep their heads above water.

Enfield Council and the Enfield Business and Retailers Association know this only too well. So, to boost trade locally in the face of flagging sales and a negative image of the area in the wake of the summer riots, they have taken action and come up with the 'Love Your High Street' campaign.

Last Friday I went along to Enfield Town with the borough's two other MPs, David Burrowes and Nick de Bois, to add a little bit of our own love to our local high streets and to emphasise what a diverse and personal service a lot of our shops have to offer (definitely more intimate and rewarding than a few clicks on Amazon).

We can all, most definitely, do our bit to help keep our shopping areas healthy simply by using the services that are on offer to us on our doorstep. But the Government has a role to play too and hiking VAT and failing to give local communities a real say in developing a plan for their shops, nor following through with Labour's empty shop initiative, has only exacerbated the problems local businesses are facing.

Some figures I received over the summer revealed that there is a 23.3% shop vacancy rate in Lower Edmonton. That means nearly one in every four shops is lying empty, up 2.5% on the previous year and comparing very unfavourably with the national average of around 15%. We simply cannot afford for the number of vacancies to go up any further, so we need to let the remaining shops know that we'd like them to stick around, not just for Christmas so we can buy a few last minute presents, but for the foreseeable future.

So while I work on getting David Cameron and his pals to be a little more loving and giving, why don't you have a go at telling your local high street, through your actions, those three very special words.

Towards a pension agreement

2011-12-21T16:19:00.004Z

Yesterday, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, made a statement to the House on public sector pensions. It was the last sitting day before the Christmas recess so it was positive to end on an upturn, with some progress on reaching a deal between the Government and the unions on pensions seemingly being made.

There are many, many questions still unanswered and many more creases that need ironing out before a final deal is reached. One area of concern, which I pressed the Chief Secretary for an answer on, is the level of opt-out likely to arise from settling these schemes.

If a high number of public sector workers are unhappy with the new terms and opt out of paying into their pension plans then it presents a number of concerning problems. Some schemes, like the local government scheme, are funded. If lots of people opt out of it, it puts the whole future income and viability of the scheme at risk. And then there's the issue of future pensioner poverty and the consequential demands on state benefits caused if people are no longer in pension schemes.

These are all issues that need careful consideration by the Government, as well as trade unions and employees, before a sustainable agreement is reached. Here's hoping 2012 has the answers.

Spread the warmth

2011-12-20T18:31:00.004Z

At risk of repeating myself, following on from my earlier post today on standing up for older people and those last week on heating help during the winter months, I wanted to highlight Age UK's 'Spread the Warmth' campaign.

Last year in London alone 3,070 people aged over 65 died unnecessarily during the winter. This is unacceptably high; higher than most of Europe; higher even than those countries where the weather is far colder. It's a figure that must come down.

I have talked about fuel poverty numerous times before. Poor insulation in homes is a contributor, as are rising energy bills, but, in the case of older people, the Government's decision to reduce the Winter Fuel Allowance by as much as £100 for some older people has caused immeasurable hardship for so many households.

In the past I have worked closely with Age UK. I have again signed their winter pledge to play my part in hopefully reducing winter deaths amongst older people.

As well as raising the dangers cold weather and cold homes can have on a person's health, I will be continuing to prompt the Government to effectively challenge energy providers to produce simple tariffs and make it easier for people to lower their bills.

Age UK offers help and advice for older people struggling with the cold on their 0800 169 65 65 helpline. And if you are able to give a little this winter you can call the charity on 0800 169 87 87 to make a donation.

Together let's spread some warmth.

Divestment

2011-12-20T18:10:00.004Z

Yesterday in the Chamber, the penultimate day before the Christmas recess, the Chancellor, George Osborne, made a statement and took questions on the Banking Commission Report. Without going into too much complex detail, one of the main topics up for discussion was Lloyds in the light of the Vickers report recommendations.

The Chancellor had characteristically evaded Shadow Chancellor Ed Ball's question on whether he supported the particular recommendation contained within the report that Lloyds needs to divest itself of a greater number of branches.

I pushed the point and asked whether he supports it and when he plans on implementing it.

The Chancellor was still not too keen on giving a straight answer, instead suggesting that the proposed sale by Lloyds of 600 branches to the Cooperative Bank will create a sufficiently strong challenger bank.

He maintained that this meets the conditions of the Vickers report but I'm not so sure. Is selling off 600 branches really enough?

Representation

2011-12-20T17:38:00.008Z

Here in Parliament we have a minister for women, a minister for the disabled and one for children and young people.

What we don't have is a minister for older people.

This seems particularly strange when you discover that 40% of voters - the people who elect the government - are made up of older people.

Back in the summer I made a visit to one of our local care homes in Edmonton to meet with Scheme Manager Edward Asante, who you can see on the right in this photo, and to talk to the residents there, including Ronald Rodway (on the left) about why the appointment of a minister for older people is so important to them. It was an interesting visit.

That particular care home - St Clements Court on Ripon Road - is run by Anchor, the organisation that instigated the Grey Pride campaign, which officially called on the Government to create a ministerial post dedicated to the issues faced by older people.

After speaking to local residents, I was more than happy to add my name to the Grey Pride petition and sign the corresponding Early Day Motion. And it seems a few other people were too, as when the petition was taken to Downing Street earlier this month, it had over 137,000 names on it. How's that for weight of opinion?

So Mr Cameron, the ball's in your court. Ed Miliband has already appointed Liz Kendall as the Shadow Minister for Care and Older People. Why can't the Prime Minister follow suit?

When the bite is worse than the bark

2011-12-19T16:15:00.003Z

It's hard to accurately quantify whether dangerous dog attacks are increasing. I do know, however, that the number of concerned constituents contacting me about dangerous dog attacks is increasing.

New figures reveal that in the 10 months from June 2010 to March of this year, a total of 456 patients were admitted to hospital for injuries caused by dog attacks in London. Whether that's more or less than the 10 months previous to that is, in some respects, immaterial. The number of incidences is far too many.

It has been clear for a while now that there are real problems with the existing dangerous dogs act. When in Government the Labour Party instigated a consultation on toughening existing powers to tackle dangerous dogs. That consultation closed over 18 months ago now, but, since then, the current Coalition Government have failed to take action. It is unacceptable for the Government to delay this any further.

What we need is legislation that enables effective enforcement and promotes responsible ownership. This could include extending the dangerous dogs laws to cover attacks on private property; giving the police and local councils more powers to tackle the problem of dangerous dogs; reviewing and updating existing legislation; exploring the extension of micro-chipping; and introducing a programme of education and engagement involving animal welfare organisations.

When even top vets are stating that there are more pit bulls in London now than when the animals were banned 20 years ago under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, it must be time for the Government to act.

A long weekend in Palestine

2011-12-19T15:44:00.007Z

Palestine probably isn't top of the list of short break destinations for Britons, but I was recently invited on a whirlwind weekend visit there as part of a Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding (CAABU for short) delegation with a few other MPs.

In the two full days that I was in Palestine, we managed to fit in a huge number of visits to places, as well as the all important meetings with people.

The photo on the left here is of discussions held with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in Ramallah. We also had talks with Mark Regev, the spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and with the British Ambassador to Israel, Matthew Gould.

The photo on the right shows me with a guide in East Jerusalem, having just made a visit to the Shu'fat refugee camp with representatives of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

It was a very worthwhile, if incredibly hectic, visit and I'll be sure to link to the report which comes about as a result of our delegation just as soon as I have it.

The pioneers

2011-12-16T17:41:00.003Z

I grew up in an era where televisions were not commonplace and even when they became more so, the picture was in black and white and you had to turn the set on in advance to let it warm up before you could watch anything. There were not hundreds of channels, nor giant satellite dishes fixed to people's homes. None of this HD, 3D glasses-wearing, flat-screen magic.

It's hard enough to keep up with changing technology as it is. And then I got a letter from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport letting me know that Edmonton is included in the group of pioneer towns and cities to receive their own local television service.

Now, forgive me for being behind the times a bit here but I thought that local TV was the regional news and weather bit that follows on from the national broadcasts of the same nature. It appears though, that it's way more than that.

The letter talks of a service similar to local radio stations or local newspapers and mentions opportunities for local organisations, educational institutions and business to get involved in producing the "targeted and relevant" content. And the bit that caught my eye in particular is where it says it will support local democracy. If that's the case, sign me up!

People of Edmonton: we are to be the pioneers of local television! But first can we be the pioneers of figuring out what it all means? Answers in the comments below please, or on a postcard if you're more attuned with the black and white TV days.

The pressure's on

2011-12-16T17:04:00.003Z

Are you familiar with the hiss, hiss, hiss of the blood pressure machine; the constricting of the band round your arm; the pulsing of your blood; then the long sigh when it's released?

If you are, you could be one step closer to preventing yourself from having a stroke.

High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor and 40% of strokes could be cut if more people had their blood pressure checked regularly. Easy!

The other aspect of preventing strokes - the living a healthy lifestyle bit - isn't so easy but it's definitely do-able.

As we launch ourselves into mince pie and brandy butter season, it probably isn't the best time for me to be preaching about eating a balanced diet, drinking alcohol in moderation and taking regular exercise, but in the new year, when you're nursing a hangover and the goose has been both literally and metaphorically cooked, then consider these wise words! Less junk. Less booze. More exercise. Just call me the Minister of Fun!

When you see the stoke statistics though, you know the efforts to lead a healthy life are all worth it. Strokes are the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in the UK. In Edmonton alone, the Stroke Association estimates that around 1,800 people are living with the after effects of strokes.

It's also worth remembering the clear "FAST" message that I'm sure you've all seen in the hard-hitting adverts.

Facial weakness

Arm weakness

Speech problems

Time to call 999 if any symptoms are present

So instead of dangling mistletoe over a colleague's head at the office Christmas party, go and get friendly with the blood pressure machine. It could save your life.

Let the flood gates close

2011-12-16T16:32:00.004Z

If you remember the floods of October 2000, when Salmons Brook caused damage to 192 local properties and the Montagu Road industrial estate then you will know why I'm so concerned about a recent report from the National Audit Office which highlights Government cuts to capital investment in flood defence schemes.

When you hear the word "brook" you think of a little bubbling stream. What harm could that do anyone?, you ask. But don't be fooled. Brooks can swell and rage and flood houses in the blink of an eye. Brooks, believe it or not, need flood prevention measures too.

Back in February, Salmons Brook was placed on the flood risk management project shortlist - a development I welcomed and, at the time, urged the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon, to prioritise, not least as it would safeguard by far the largest number of households out of all the schemes shortlisted.

Revelations that the Government is making cuts to flood prevention investment got me worried that Salmons Brook would be side-lined so I chased it up with the Minister.

Good news came back! Well, it is the season of good will after all.

I'll quote directly from the letter I received from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs so there's no confusion: "...the Environment Agency intends to publicly consult on the proposals prior to seeking planning permission from the London Borough of Enfield in March 2012. Works are scheduled to commence in September 2012 and expected to last until October 2014. ... The Salmons Brook [Flood Alleviation Scheme] has a projected total cost of £15.2 million which is included in the Environment Agency's indicative future years capital programme."

For those living in the immediate vicinity of Salmons Brook: consider this an early Christmas present from the Environment Agency (apologies for the lack of gift wrapping).

On the right tracks

2011-12-14T17:18:00.005Z

Today's Enfield Advertiser covered the welcome news that Enfield Council has been given a £850,000 government grant to install new lifts at Edmonton Green station. This is great news for disabled people and those with difficulty walking, as well as parents with buggies, who will shortly (as shortly as it takes for a lift to be installed) be able to get to and from the platforms easily.

I wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport, Theresa Villiers, back in May in support of the bid and later raised the question of when the funding would be allocated in a written Parliamentary question, to which I got an answer just last week. Fortunately, we were one of the lucky ones.

Edmonton Green is used by an estimated three million passengers every year, which, believe it or not, places it on a par with stations such as Ipswich, Swindon and Chester. It's imperative and long overdue, therefore, that the platforms are accessible by a means other than stairs. Twenty-first century here we come!

And while I'm discussing rail improvements, it seems a good time to add that I got a letter from National Express at the end of November informing me that, following a period of public consultation, in which I participated, there will be increased capacity on trains during peak periods at Edmonton Green, Bush Hill Park, Silver Street, Ponders End and Angel Road stations, and, I believe, even an additional quicker service now stopping at Edmonton Green. Trains with more carriages is not as good a solution to easing the peak commuter crush as more scheduled trains, but it is still an improvement so we'll take it.

Happy train travelling - Christmas appears to have come early!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2011-12-14T16:51:00.007Z

I don't know what it is this year - maybe because I sadly had to miss the big lights switch-on at Edmonton Green - but I've not really got into the Christmas spirit. That was until this morning: my annual Christmas card competition winner prize giving extravaganza! Combined with the fact Christmas songs are now being played in the work canteen, I am finally feeling suitably festive.

I obviously have a bit of a thing for snowmen, because, if you look back over the 15 years I've been running my Christmas card competition, I've plumped for more snowmen than anything else. That doesn't mean that if you draw me a snowman you're guaranteed to win, but it did work for this year's winner, nine year-old Alexandros of Oakthorpe Primary School, who came up with a cracking double-sided design featuring a particularly smiley snowman.

I love going on school visits so I was pretty thrilled to have the opportunity to present Alexandros with his prize of an art set and framed copy of his design in front of his entire school, his headteacher Mrs Del Greco, and even his parents, during assembly. It was a great moment and one Alex should be proud of - after all he did beat 1,957 other entries from 15 schools across Edmonton.

Now it's time to dust off the glitter and get down to the task of signing and sending out 2,500 cards. Let's see how long the Christmas cheer lasts while I'm completing that little task!

700 signatures to go

2011-12-14T16:42:00.002Z

Remember Enfield Council's petition calling for a ban on spitting that I blogged about a while ago? Well according to today's local papers, over 2,000 signatures have now been gathered and only around 700 more are required to enable the Council to bring their proposed ban to Parliament and potentially pass a new by-law against spitting.

So, if you're sick of the spitters, you know what to do - sign the petition, it's only a click away.

Sobering Shelter statistics

2011-12-13T16:38:00.003Z

Today Shelter - the housing and homelessness charity - produced a set of new figures that paint a pretty terrifying picture for our local area in terms of families at risk of eviction.

Enfield has been revealed as the sixth highest area in the whole country where people are most in danger of losing their home, and that applies to homeowners, private renters and social housing tenants too. A pretty grim prospect.

Between September 2010 and October 2011, 2,390 possession claims were issued in Enfield - that's over two per every 100 homes. And while a possession claim does not automatically lead to an eviction, it is a good indication of the extent to which families are struggling to keep up with their housing costs and their potential exposure to losing their home.

In Enfield, as in other parts of the country - mainly other parts of London - where the eviction risk is high, a combination of soaring unemployment, spiralling housing costs and squeezed incomes have together created the dire situation many families find themselves in today; living with the fear of losing their home hanging over their heads.

And don't believe that Christmas will ensure that households won't find themselves on the streets. Evictions are ruthless and in these unforgiving conditions it can only take one thing - illness, for example, or a job loss, or relationship breakdown - before things spiral out of control and into homelessness.

So I'll say again, we need action; real action to boost employment and stem this repossession crisis. And we need that action now.

Don't shiver in silence

2011-12-13T14:32:00.008Z

Last night, with the wind blowing a gale outside and heavy rain being flung against the windows, I was particularly grateful to be in a warm home. Warmth should be something that is accessible to everyone - a right not to be cold - but instead, to many, it continues to be unattainable; an unaffordable luxury item.

It is staggering to think that in our country, people are still dying from cold. That's not a statement made up to sound alarmist. It's true. In Edmonton, during the winter of 2008/09, 20 more people died than in non-winter months. Many more suffer ill health and well-being, not to mention psychological stress and social isolation as a result of living in cold, damp homes.

Fuel poverty - where households have to spend more than 10% of their income on fuel costs - should be a thing of the past, but with energy prices rocketing and times getting tougher for everyone economically, it is increasing. And it's not just old people who sit shivering in the dark. Young families with young children do too.

I recently pledged my support to National Energy Action's Warm Homes Campaign and backed their calls for the Government to produce a comprehensive set of policies and programmes to address the factors contributing to fuel poverty, namely poor heating and insulation standards, low household income and unaffordable energy prices.

We need a renewed commitment to the objective that fuel poverty in England should be eradicated by 2016, but we can't just sit back and wait for that magic year and milestone to come along - for those living in fuel poverty, another day in the cold could be too long.

I've copied here a four-step plan to help you if you are living in fuel poverty. I try to support as many constituents in this situation as I possibly can so please contact me if you need my help, and there are always the advisers at the Home Heat Helpline, contactable on 0800 33 66 99, ready and waiting to give help to those struggling to heat their homes.

Please, don't shiver in silence this winter. There is help available.

Brief update: Figures given to me by the Home Heat Helpline indicate that there are 5,900 homes in Edmonton eligible for help with their fuel bills. The average help given is around £250 so it's definitely worth looking into if you're struggling.

White water rafting

2011-12-09T16:58:00.003Z

Yesterday the Government published a White Paper - Water for Life - on future plans for our water and sewerage infrastructure. Despite Deephams Sewage Treatment Works in Edmonton having a huge role to play in ensuring that London doesn't become knee-deep in waste, it wasn't mentioned once in the document.

I wanted answers so I took my question to the Chamber of the House of Commons and asked Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Under Secretary of State, Richard Benyon, whether he would confirm that major investment will be made in the Thames Water area at Deephams. And while I was at it, I checked that the Government would be doing everything possible to protect consumers from the increased bills that will come as a result of the investment.

The response I got was somewhat vague. Deephams, he said, is "vital to the infrastructure that we need." Not exactly the confirmation of major investment that I'd hoped for, but I'll hold onto the word "vital." Vital means essential; absolutely necessary. Vital, I'd imagine, also therefore means that investment will follow. As for bills, there will apparently be collaboration with Thames Water to ensure that the infrastructure projects are produced at as reasonable a cost as possible and with as little impact on charge payers as can be achieved.

Let's hope so, otherwise it won't just be Deephams that's in the S, H, one, T.

Bogus bags

2011-12-08T18:25:00.005Z

Christmas is the time of giving, but, for some, it appears that it's the time of taking.

There's a growing number of people who are going round posing as genuine charity bag collectors, giving out bogus bags, then using the donated items to make personal gains. It's an easy scam to fall for.

This week, I joined with the Fundraising Standards Board to support their 'Bogus Bags' public awareness campaign. No-one wants to scare people off giving - not least the charities who so desperately need the donations - so the campaign offers a simple checklist to enable donors to give confidently without getting caught up in the scams.

Points to remember include looking for an organisation name and charity number, as well as the Fundraising Standards Board tick logo, on the bags before you go filling them up with your unwanted items. If you're unsure you can find much more information on the FRSB website.

The number of reported scams like this has increased by 100% in the last 12 months, costing UK charities up to £50 million in lost fundraising every year.

Don't let yourself be a victim of this bogus bag practice; but don't let charities become victims either - if you get an unwanted Christmas jumper, soap-on-a-rope, or one too many mugs this year, please still consider donating it to charity, just make sure you put it in the right bag.

Kit to Cameroon

2011-12-08T17:59:00.005Z

Last Friday morning I could well have been in Father Christmas' present distribution centre in the North Pole surrounded by elves. I wasn't - I was at Brettenham School surrounded by school pupils, but from the mounds of sports equipment, games, books, bikes, computers and more around me I could well have been up there in that magical, snowy outpost.

I never underestimate the generosity of families in Edmonton. Many have very little themselves but they never fail to give to others. On this occasion they'd truly did themselves proud and I was more than happy to help package all the goods up ready for their long journey.

Which brings me on to the items' destination...

You may remember back in the summer of 2009, I took part in a Voluntary Services Overseas visit to Cameroon in Africa to spend two weeks volunteering in the rural village of Babessi. When I returned I helped facilitate a link-up between schools in Babessi and schools in Enfield, including Brettenham and Forty Hill.

Thanks to the strong connection that has grown between the schools in the two countries, the pupils, teachers and parents in Enfield have been moved to get together a shipment of items to go out to Cameroon, with the freighting kindly paid for by the fundraising efforts of the Edmonton Rotary Club.

The crates are due to arrive early in the New Year and I can't even begin to explain what an impact the resources will make in the schools over in Babessi - which are severely lacking in even the sparsest of facilities - and on the lives of the pupils who go there.

I couldn't think of a better Christmas present, and neither, I bet, could Santa.

It pays to work. Or does it?

2011-12-07T17:25:00.004Z

I didn't get a chance to speak in the debate with the Chancellor on the economy yesterday evening, despite being up and down like a fiddler's elbow waiting to be called. But I did question Pensions Minister Steve Webb on benefits earlier in the day.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, has admitted - if press reports are to be believed - that low earners have less reason to work since the Coalition's move to cut working tax credits yet raise dole money.

He seemingly hadn't consulted with the Chancellor about his Autumn Statement.

The Government is in disarray over this issue.

What is it to be? Are people better off in work or aren't they?

Tweet me

2011-12-06T17:54:00.006Z

I'm not on twitter - I've yet to be convinced on that one; too many things that can be misinterpreted in a 140 character soundbite. But I was the subject of a tweet today.

The Telegraph's Economic Editor Philip Aldrick was tweeting real time from this morning's Treasury Select Committee and reported a comment I'd made about forecasting being 'useless.'

That's a statement that certainly does sound good when you're trying to make a 140 character impact but my observation wasn't quite a brash as that.

As you may have seen, the Office for Budget Responsibility has wildly downgraded its growth forecasts for the UK up until 2014, including an extremely steep drop in growth predictions from 2.5% to 0.7% in 2012.

If I was being skeptical I would say the OBR - a body created by George Osborne in 2010, by the way - has downgraded its forecast so that if growth exceeds the prediction, the Government can cheer and boast. That's me being skeptical though!

The wider point here, and what the tweet alluded to, is that when forecasts have to be so dramatically revised within a matter of months, how can we trust that the prediction for three or four years, or even one or two years, down the line will bear any weight?

You wouldn't catch Michael Fish forecasting the weather for December 2015, or, if you did, you wouldn't determine whether you needed to invest in a warmer coat based on it. So what of this financial guesswork?

Greener than the Government?

2011-12-06T17:23:00.006Z

As George Osborne is attacked left, right and centre by environmental groups over the integrity of the Tories' green policies following his Autumn Statement last week, and activists suggest that David Cameron's so-called 'hug-a-husky' phase appears to be over, I received news from Asda that its name is not the only green thing about the company.

We have two Asda's in Edmonton now. THE Asda. You know, the big one at Edmonton Green. And the fairly new Asda at Ponders End that I had a look round a little while ago. They are a fairly large employer in the constituency so it's good to know that the company as a whole has recently been ranked as the 37th most carbon efficient retailer in the UK, out of an audit of 2,103 organisations.

Despite opening 50 new stores and serving an additional two and a half million customers each week, Asda has managed to reduce its carbon footprint by 11.9% from 2005 to 2011. And if you're wondering what that's got to do with you then look at your bill. Asda's efficiency drive has not only reduced carbon emissions, it's also created savings which can be passed on to the customer. Not bad, not bad at all.

Perhaps the Government could learn a few lessons from Asda before that green Tory logo has to make a return to its blue days?

If the answer is YES then please read on

2011-12-06T15:34:00.004Z

An email pinged into my inbox yesterday. Well, it didn't so much ping as squeeeze its way in, at the same time asking all the others to shuffle up a bit to make a little bit of space for it. Anyway, I digress, everyone is bombarded with emails, I'm sure.

The first paragraph of the email, as you can hopefully see there on the left, said, "Are you looking for an intellectually stimulating voluntary role which will make a difference to people's lives? If the answer is YES then please read on."

Why, yes! If I didn't already have a somewhat intellectually stimulating job which makes a difference to people's lives - and had two days a week to spare - then I would be on it like a car bonnet, or whatever it is that young people say these days. In short, I would be applying.

I'm posting the details here in case it grabs your interest as much as it did mine. The volunteer role is with Enfield's Citizens Advice Bureau on the Nags Head Road in Ponders End, where I held some of my advice surgeries for a time. It's a fantastically in demand service, providing hugely valuable, free, accessible advice on finance, housing, employment and so on and so on to anyone who needs it. And it is a service that, due to funding limitations, is, to a certain extent, dependent on volunteers.

If you're reading this and you're having your interest sparked, and you have those two precious days a week to donate, then why not get in touch with Enfield CAB and go along to their volunteer open day in the new year on Thursday 12th January?

How about that for a new year's resolution?

Achievers

2011-12-05T17:35:00.004Z

On Friday I was running around pretty much like the proverbial headless chicken. To say it was a hectic constituency day would be down-playing it. It was manic.

In amongst it all though, I did get to give out some certificates to some inspirational Edmonton residents - an event that was definitely worth a pause for thought.

5e is a not-for-profit skills provider that focuses largely on giving people from more disadvantaged backgrounds the training and skills they need to get into employment. It has several bases in North and East London, including two centres in Edmonton, and, from what I can gather, is pretty good at what it does.

As testament to 5e's abilities, on Friday I met with and distributed certificates to a number of people who had gained or improved their skills and qualifications, and were now in work (just like the woman in this photo) - a great achievement, particularly given the current climate of unemployment.

I was, of course, thrilled to have been invited to talk and give out awards, but at an event like this, the focus should all be on the hand shakee, not the hand shaker.

Last chance saloon

2011-12-05T17:05:00.004Z

Today has swung round all too quickly. It is the last opportunity to submit your views to the Boundary Commission on their proposals to tear Edmonton in two.

Earlier, I popped along to the Commission's Great Smith Street offices again and deposited a whole load more of opposition letters from constituents, as well as further names on our 'Save Edmonton' petition against the changes.

At this point I'd like to say a huge thank you if you have joined our campaign and made your views heard in any way. Whatever happens I will be able to hold my head up high and say I did everything I could to fight for the future of Edmonton.

Hundreds of local residents can too.

By my calculations, nearly 1,000 of you (574 letter writers; 385 petition signers) have expressed discontent with the Boundary Commission's plans for the future of our constituency. And that's just the letters and signatures I've handed in personally. So many more of you have written directly to the Commission. So thank you.

If you haven't yet added your views, you have another six or so hours to submit your thoughts to the Commission directly, via their website. Perhaps they will have more regard for your views than they do mine - today I received a second refusal from the Commission to visit Edmonton, yet they have no qualms it ripping it apart!

Until the spring of 2012 we can now only wait ...

Propping up those who prop others up

2011-12-02T18:14:00.003Z

Quite a lot of the time carers are taken for granted and it's simply assumed that they will go about the vital role they do in caring for family, friends, neighbours ... day in, day out. Of course their ill or disabled loved ones will tell you that they appreciate them no end, if they're able to, but the Government doesn't necessarily do such a good job of letting carers now how valuable their work is in our communities.

In Enfield there are around 26,767 carers who save the country an estimated £477 million every year as a result of the work they do. Three quarters of carers are financially worse-off as a result of caring, with many falling into financial hardship and debt. Yet around £840 million per year in carers' benefits go unclaimed.

Today is Carers Rights Day, run every year by Carers UK. It's designed to draw attention to the amazing work that carers do, but also to highlight the help - both financial and practical - available to carers.

As an MP I am perhaps in a better position to help identify people who are looking after ill, frail or disabled loved ones and make sure they're accessing the necessary support, but we all have a role to play. And help can always be found at the end of the 0808 808 7777 CarersLine.

Caring for the carers, supporting the supporters, and propping up those who prop others up. That's what a community's about, isn't it?

More than 30 days growth

2011-12-02T17:47:00.003Z

Throughout November I had a little company in the moustache-growing department. You may well have noticed a few more men with facial hair popping up all over the place. They weren't just emulating my style; they were likely getting tash-ed up for a very good cause - prostate cancer.

Movember, as November is known in certain whiskery circles, is a quirky initiative that helps raise funds and awareness and that, quite literally, is helping to change the face of men's health. I'm no stranger to the moustache, so I was more than happy to support the campaign and sign the two corresponding Early Day Motions.

Behind all the fun of seeing how hairy your top lip can get in 30 days, there is of course a serious element. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. In Enfield, between 2006 and 2008, 465 men were diagnosed with it and 116 men tragically died from it between 2007 and 2009. One man dies every hour from prostate cancer in the UK. In Enfield the mortality rate is, alarmingly, 12.5% above the England average.

But there is help available. The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential helpline, staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm, can be reached on 0800 074 8383. And, if we keep up the fundraising and awareness drive, prostate cancer could become a killer of the past.

So next November, sorry, Movember, let's see those tashes... three, two, one: grow!

"Left-wing" is not an insult

2011-12-02T15:21:00.003Z

Having touched on the topic of trade unions in Colombia in my previous post, I feel that I cannot end this week, of all weeks, without a mention of trade unions in our own country. Being a trade unionist in Britain may not lead to assassination, like in so many tragic circumstances in Colombia, but it can lead to a deal of discrimination, derision and uninformed mockery.

On Wednesday, when the country was in the grips of the largest strikes since 1979, with well over two million people picketing and marching, David Cameron flung the term "left-wing" at Labour Leader Ed Miliband in Prime Minister's Questions as if it was an insult. It is not. Far from it. Cameron can call me left-wing anytime he likes.

Equally, being part of a trade union is nothing to be frowned upon. Workers deserve rights as much as the privileged classes and there is absolutely nothing wrong with standing up to defend your rights, including pensions that, for many, have been hard-earned.

Strikes, however, are a sign of failure. They are the clearest indication that talks have broken down. And the only way an issue such as the future of public sector pensions can be resolved is through negotiations - that's what Labour's suggested all along.

Public servants are not the drain on our economy that some would have you believe. As the strikes highlighted, they are our nurses and doctors, our children's teachers, and the people who help the unemployed find work. There are a large number of public sector workers in Edmonton working in public services that we rely on, but that are under threat like never before from the Government's spending cuts.

The Government seems to be suggesting that because private sector pensions have been stripped away, public sector pensions should have the same fate, but an equality of misery helps none of us. Of course we need fair pensions that are, importantly, sustainable, but these cuts are a political choice and there is an alternative.

It may be an alternative favoured by left-wingers and trade unionists, but don't let anybody tell you that that's a bad thing.

You can watch and listen to more of my views on the strikes by tuning in to the BBC Parliament channel tonight at 11pm for the Record Review.

Where being a trade unionist could get you killed

2011-12-02T14:25:00.005Z

Last week, to coincide with the visit of the Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos to the UK, myself and a number of other Labour MPs managed to secure a debate in Westminster Hall on human rights in Colombia. As I stated in the debate itself, we hoped that President Santos, as well as the Colombian media (and of course, our own Government), would hear the concerns that we wanted to express.

It was certainly a worthwhile discussion, although I feel that we still have quite some way to go to address all the trade union and human rights violations that we are aware of in the country. The Foreign Office's talks with President Santos were, unfortunately, very brief. Human rights is not a topic that we can just brush over.

During the past 25 years, 3,000 trade unionists have been murdered in Colombia, often in front of their families. Even after an action plan was signed by the Colombian Government as a means to reaching a trade agreement with the United States, 16 trade unionists have been assassinated. This is appalling on a human rights level and is certainly something that must be addressed in the context of a trade agreement that is likely to come forward at a European Union level.

This is of course an ongoing process, but, as the Minister said at the end of our debate last week, we must work closely with the Colombian Government to ensure that dramatic further progress is made soon.

Breaking the deadlock

2011-12-02T13:06:00.005Z

If you're a follower of the political situation in Cyprus, you'll know that the negotiations between the two parties have reached a deadlock. Last week the British Government had discussions with the Turkish President, Abdullah Gul, where no doubt the issue of Cyrpus was high on the agenda. It follows that a meeting with the President of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias, could complete the loop and get the ball rolling again with the talks.

I am really keen to see the deadlock broken, so on Tuesday I took it upon myself to ask the Minister of State for Europe, David Lidington, whether the Government would be inviting President Christofias to London. He gave quite a half-hearted response, stating that there was "no objection in principle" to the visit, but that it had "not yet been possible to arrive at a date."

I hope the Government realises how crucial its role is in encouraging the leaders of both communities to work with the UN to reach a comprehensive settlement and that they make every effort to engage both parties and guarantor powers. I will be watching.

All I want for Christmas is... our NHS

2011-12-02T12:38:00.004Z

Have you written your Christmas list yet? What's on it? A Kindle? That's what everyone seems to be talking about at the moment, isn't it?

I'm slightly harder to please. I'm not asking for world peace (although that would be nice, if you're listening Father Christmas). No, what I'd like is our NHS. A simple request really.

David Cameron's Health Bill - the Bill that will rip apart our Health Service - is currently making its way through the House of Lords. After that, it will come back to the Commons to be debated, so our fight to stop it from becoming law is far from over.

But (there's always a "but," isn't there?), if we want to defeat it, we need to keep up the pressure on the man who's responsible - the Prime Minister.

So why not send a Christmas card to 'Health-Scrooge' Cameron reminding him that, this Christmas, you'd like a gift that matters to everybody - a National Health Service that puts patient care before private profit.

Forget socks and over-sized tins of Quality Streets; all I want for Christmas is our NHS.

And you?

Welfare to work isn't working

2011-12-01T17:12:00.005Z

While the Government may be able to ignore statistics like a 115% increase in Edmonton's long-term JSA claimants aged 18-24 over the past 10 months, I can't. I can't say it anymore clearly: we need to get people back to work and off benefits now, or the scar of unemployment will do long lasting damage to our area.

The Coalition scrapped Labour's welfare to work schemes, like the Future Jobs Fund. Youth unemployment rose uncontrollably as a result. Their own jobs programmes are simply failing to cope with the scale of the jobs crisis.

As if we needed further proof of this, new research produced by the House of Commons Library shows a sharp 4% decline in the number of people leaving welfare and going into work in Enfield.

What David Cameron and George Osborne don't seem to realise is that more people on the dole - claiming benefits rather than paying taxes - will just make it harder to get the deficit down.

The Government's borrowing figure was £46 billion - it's now up to £158 billion. That's some deterioration, as I tried to get the Chancellor to understand on Tuesday after his Autumn Statement.

Admit it George, it's time for plan B; starting with tackling the unemployment crisis.

Ripe for Starbuck-ing

2011-11-30T17:18:00.005Z

Globalisation has well and truly come to Edmonton - on Monday I cut the ribbon at the opening of our very own Travelodge at Edmonton Green Shopping Centre. Before you know it we'll have a Starbucks!

Large developments aren't always welcomed in places where space is already tight, but when they revamp areas and bring custom and, importantly jobs, they are, understandably, welcomed with open arms.

Over my many years as MP for Edmonton, I have seen a lot of changes in the Edmonton Green area. The regeneration of the shopping centre has been a great asset and the addition of a hotel seems like a natural progression, with the redevelopment of the north mall now likely to follow.

Companies willing to invest £5.1 million in building a hotel in the heart of our community cannot be sniffed at, and speaking to a few of the 25 local residents who have gained a job as a result makes it clear to see what a boost this is for Edmonton at a time when things are tough for many people.

Of course the hotel comes at the perfect moment to benefit from bookings for next summer's Olympics, but I'm sure that it will also draw visitors and business people to stay in our little patch of North London on a day-to-day basis, and I wish it well.

The ribbon's been cut now so why not try it out for size?

Six days to 'Save Edmonton'

2011-11-29T17:24:00.005Z

I know I've been a bit quiet on here over the past few days, but, fear not, I've been very vocal elsewhere to make up for it. We now have only a few days left - until Monday to be precise - to 'Save Edmonton' from the boundary change proposals, so I've been making sure that I shout that message from the rooftops.

On Thursday I took 299 letters of objection from local residents, as well as a petition, directly to the Boundary Commission's office; handing them over in person to ensure that they didn't get "mislaid." Saturday's campaigning has generated many more letters and petition signatures so I'll be making sure those are delivered safely too.

On Sunday, I don't know whether you caught it, but I appeared on the Politics Show to gain some regional recognition for our campaign and our views. You can watch the video below - the quality's not great I'm afraid but you can get the gist.

Please remember that it's not too late for you to join the campaign. If you watch the programme and the thought of a one hour 16 minute journey to see your MP worries you then please let the Boundary Commission know. After Monday we will lose our voice.

Taking the campaign to the top

2011-11-23T19:06:00.004Z

Last night, as promised, I took my Save Edmonton campaign to the heart of government and presented a petition, signed by over 160 local residents, to the Speaker of the House of Commons. I talked of the outrage so many of us feel at the Boundary Commission for ganging up on Edmonton and proposing changes that try to cross the natural barrier of the River Lee and on and on... you know the score by now; everybody but the Boundary Commission seems to!

Maybe the rest of Parliament doesn't care what happens to Edmonton but I made them listen regardless because it's my duty to represent the voices of my constituents and because I can't roll over and let these boundary proposals go ahead without exhausting all avenues to stop them. If I have to call on Parliament to make time for a debate on boundary changes in Edmonton then that's what I'll do. That's what I've done.

Tomorrow the big guns really come out - I'm taking a mountain of letters of opposition and another petition to the Boundary Commission's front door. They've refused to come to Edmonton so Edmonton's voices will go to them and then we'll see if they find it as easy to ignore our reasons for wanting our sense of community to stay intact.

I'll of course report back on my visit, but, in the meantime, it's still not too late to get your voice heard, just pop over to the Commission's website and submit your views on their absurd boundary change plans.

I'll be campaigning again at Edmonton Green this Saturday morning and I might even have a brass band joining me to rouse the troops, then on Sunday I'll be on the Politics Show highlighting just how long it takes to travel from Edmonton to Chingford (an hour and a quarter by train, if you're interested - I made the journey today!). Tune in to BBC1 at midday if you can - a great precursor to your Sunday dinner!

Thank you for your support. I feel proud I can call Edmonton my home.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them

2011-11-23T13:08:00.003Z

Often I get the impression from reading our local papers that Edmonton is the poor relative of Enfield. If there are borough-wide events, Enfield Town always gets the coverage, rarely Edmonton.

The reporting of the Remembrance Sunday events last week was no exception - the fitting service at the Edmonton Green war memorial was completely overlooked.

But the people of Edmonton were there and we did, indeed, remember them; all of "them" who have fought and died and become brave casualties of war for their countries.

Northern Rocked

2011-11-22T17:34:00.004Z

Northern Rock is a name that a lot of people, especially the ones who queued round the blocks of local branches to retrieve their money when the bank collapsed back in 2007, associate with disaster. And disaster is exactly how I described the deal that the Chancellor has done to sell Northern Rock to Virgin Money, losing £400 million in the process, when I joined the debate in Parliament yesterday.

UK Financial Investments Ltd made it absolutely clear when the process of selling off Northern Rock began that it was looking for short-term maximisation of the cash value of the bank. Sadly that prevented any mutual from entering the process. Surely the better, and more sensible, option would have been to have gone for a much longer-term deal with a mutual?

It would be nice if the Chancellor for once thought of the wider picture - financial benefits for taxpayers as well as benefits to the consumer.

One-for-one, not one by one

2011-11-22T16:54:00.005Z

Yesterday the Housing Minister Grant Shapps introduced, or should I say reintroduced, the idea of 'right-to-buy' for council house and housing association tenants.

After this policy was brought in back in Margaret Thatcher's time, our affordable housing stocks became seriously depleted - people bought their council homes but little new social accommodation filled the place of those houses that went out of circulation. Our affordable housing stocks are already seriously wanting and we simply cannot afford for that to happen again.

In the housing reform debate, I pressed the minister to guarantee the one-for-one policy. In other words, for every home that goes out of the system when it is bought by a tenant, a new one needs to be built to replace it. If this happens, it could kick start the stalled house-building industry and go some way to tackling the affordable housing shortage crisis.

As always though, actions speak louder than words...

Gangland

2011-11-18T17:42:00.004Z

Once again, the Government have proved themselves to be all mouth and no trousers.

They say they are committed to tackling gangs. But then they say a lot of things...

Figures reveal that Enfield's Community Safety Funding will be cut by 50% from £314,018 in 2011/12 to £157,009 in 2012/13. It had already suffered a £78,504 decrease this year from the 2010/11 budget. But Community Safety Funding is used precisely for the purpose of working with young people and preventing gang crime.

Something doesn't add up here.

The Government is saying that they're committed to tackling gangs and then they're reducing the budgets that make that happen. Odd that.

There is no simple solution to reducing the number of gangs on our streets. Believe me, I know. Gang activity is an issue that I've been working on probably every single year that I have been an MP.

In the last Parliament we were beginning to make inroads. Offences committed by young people dropped by 34% and the number of first time young offenders fell by 44%. But achieving figures like those takes intensive work by police officers and communities.

And that takes money.

Instead of putting the funding in place to stop gang action, the Government is cutting Youth Offending Teams, abolishing the Youth Justice Board, cutting the numbers of police officers and youth services, and even contemplating getting rid of Antisocial Behaviour Orders. All this puts community safety at risk and does nothing to reduce the number of gangs on our streets.

So I'll say to the Government: here's your cake - you can either have it or you can eat it. It is impossible to do both. Cut funding or tackle gangs - which is it to be?

Shouting into the wind

2011-11-18T16:31:00.004Z

My dealings with the Boundary Commission feel a bit like shouting into the wind. The message doesn't get through. The Commissioners drew up their plans to tear Edmonton in two and join it with Chingford - despite the impenetrable barrier of the Lee Valley and its miles of reservoirs - without even having stepped foot in Edmonton or Chingford. They have since declined my open invitation for a visit.

The loud ticking of the clock continues to countdown to deadline day in just 18 days when the Boundary Commission's public consultation period ends. Time is running out fast, and who's to say, in the aftermath, whether our views will even be heard and understood?

Every week I speak to dozens of constituents who have never visited Chingford and don't understand why the Commission wants to divide Edmonton and leave them underrepresented with one MP covering two completely disparate areas. I owe it to those people to get their views heard. I will not let these absurd boundary change plans happen without a fight.

On Tuesday I will be taking one of my Save Edmonton petitions to the House of Commons to urge the Government to make time for a debate on the proposed changes that will undermine our constituency's sense of community. I need as many signatures as possible by then so please sign the petition if you can.

If we join together and shout loud enough then maybe we'll get heard above the wind. As ever, I thank you for your support.

All I need is the air that I breathe

2011-11-18T09:52:00.005Z

Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee published a damning report on Monday, slamming the Government and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, for failing to protect hundreds of thousands of the Capital's residents from prohibited levels of nitrogen dioxide.

I did a little digging, with the help of the Campaign for Clean Air in London, and found that, according to figures held by the London Assembly, 671 people in Enfield were exposed to NO2 concentrations above the EU annual limit value in 2010 - levels of pollution that are against the law, needless to say, also extremely harmful, leading to illnesses like asthma as well as early death.

Long-term exposure to air pollution is now being described as the biggest public health crisis since the Great Smog of 1952, with only smoking causing more premature deaths amongst the population. Still more worryingly, poor air quality is increasingly linked to areas of low income, low employment and lower educational attainment and is an issue that I've raised tirelessly, particularly in connection to Edmonton's large incinerator.

The Government must act and the Mayor must step up and make the required policy trade-offs to achieve the acceptable levels of air quality in London that we should already have by now. This is no longer 1952. It's 2011, and, as the Committee's report recommends, it's time for a new cross-government air quality strategy - something that only the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have the authority to agree to. Please join me in urging them to put a tick in the right box to make this happen. Breathing is not optional.

A round of applause for Enfield Council

2011-11-17T18:12:00.003Z

Recently a half side of A4 ended up on my desk. It was generated by the charity Scope and it details Enfield Council's ability to protect disabled people's services in spite of the heavy funding cuts imposed on it by central Government.

Scope's assessment is that Enfield Council is doing "good" and is in fact ranked the 12th best out of 152 councils in England in terms of coping with the cuts whilst protecting services. More power to the Council.

Local budgets have experienced a serious battering as a result of the Government's swingeing cuts. The Council certainly do not have an enviable task on their hands, but they have so far managed to prevent any closures to local disability or care services; only increasing slightly the cost of day care centre activities and meals as well as short breaks and respite services.

Many, many disabled people in Edmonton - and their families - have written to me with their concerns. They feel as if they are under attack from the Government with proposed cuts to the Disability Living Allowance coming on top of the squeeze to the Council's budgets.

Care and support services for disabled people are so incredibly valuable to the people who rely on them day in, day out. And the Government needs a wake-up call if it thinks it can write off a whole group of society. I will do everything in my power to prevent disabled people from becoming prisoners in their own homes.

Edmonton's future's bright with this pair

2011-11-17T17:49:00.004Z

The two smiley individuals in the picture on the right were an inspiration to meet. They were in Parliament on Tuesday to be presented with 'Outstanding Achievement Awards' by the University of the First Age, an organisation which helps enrich and extend learning for young people. And they both live in Edmonton. News flash: not all Edmonton young people are "bad."

Inez and Jonnelle were two of just 15 young people in the whole country to receive the award, which goes to show what influential role models they have become in their school and their community - our community - through organising and running positive groups for other young people.

What's interesting is that it could have been so different for these girls. Inez, to give you an example, used to be seen as a potential trouble-maker at school and was at risk of exclusion. She credits the UFA with turning things around for her. That's some endorsement.

Too often young people are portrayed in a negative light. It's really important that we don't slip into generalisations and that we celebrate achievements like these, not only to encourage volunteering in other young people but also to promote personal development and community engagement.

Edmonton's future looks bright if it's in the hands of these two. Inez and Jonnelle, I truly wish you well.

The times they are a-changin'

2011-11-16T17:12:00.005Z

I'm not a doctor. Obviously. And I don't know a huge amount about medicine, but I did study physics at university and I do know that there are huge scientific advancements that have happened in the medical world in recent years. Despite this, the way we test the safety of new drugs and the regulations surrounding it are still stuck in the 1960s (that's before even I went to university!).

Current methods rely on animal tests, but they often create a false sense of security and can then go on to hospitalise and even kill many, many people every single year. This could all change. New safety tests, using state of the art techniques on ethically-consented human tissues and in ultra-low dose studies in volunteers, promise to give results that are much more predictive for humans. But the law doesn't require these tests to take place.

My thinking on this is, if there are safer ways of testing medicines out there, these tests should become the norm and our clearly outdated regulatory system needs to be modernised. It's time for the new tests to be compared with the animal tests currently required and see which are more relevant. That's a simple first step that the Safer Medicines Campaign is pushing the Government, with the help of a few MPs like me, to implement to start the ball rolling.

Too many patients are harmed by medicines meant to help them. The safety record clearly needs improving and a comparison study is a good place to start. After all, things have come a long way since the sixties in terms of safety. It's now compulsory to wear seat belts in cars; we no longer put asbestos in buildings; and we know that being in a room full of smokers ain't too good for us. Change is not the enemy.

Wednesday, but no PMQs

2011-11-16T15:34:00.003Z

Politics is a funny old game. At the eleventh hour, we were told that Parliament would be on autumn recess from today until Friday - a slightly odd development, until you work out that today is the day that the monthly unemployment figures are published and if ever you wanted to skip Prime Minister's Questions it would undoubtedly be today. They're that bad.

I wrote last week how desperate the situation has got in Edmonton. The figures for October reveal that 10.8% of our local economically active 16 - 64 year-olds are unemployed, claiming Jobseeker's Allowance. And in the nine months from January to September, long-term unemployment in young people in Edmonton had risen by 115%.

But the thing is, this isn't a problem that's just isolated to Edmonton. It's a national problem. Unemployment is rising at a seemingly unstoppable rate and the Prime Minister can't simply push the problem under the carpet by conveniently being on recess when he should be in Parliament getting called to account over this. Neither he, nor the Chancellor, has uttered a word today and are conspicuous by their silence.

When the number of young people without jobs reaches a million and the total unemployment figure shoots up by 129,000 in just a month it is surely enough to shock anyone into an economic rethink, even Dave and George. Surely? Or as Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne said, "Today the Government have been given a million reasons to change course on the economy."

These aren't just statistics. They're people.

"Unnecessary red tape"

2011-11-15T17:37:00.006Z

Most people who own cars are not, how can I put this?, overjoyed when the time rolls round every year to get their MOT done. It's an additional cost that we sometimes feel we can do without, but we understand why it's there, right? MOTs ensure that unsafe cars aren't on the road and so road safety improves.

Back in October the Coalition announced proposals to halve the frequency of MOTs so they'd only be required once every two years. Understandably there was outcry from road safety groups, motoring organisations and small businesses, not to mention local Edmonton road users (pedestrians, cyclists and car owners alike) who wrote to me to express their fears.

Have the Government gone mad?

Yes, as times get tougher, we're all looking for ways to save money, but cutting corners is not the way to do it. And can a price really be put on a life anyway? It is predicted that there would be an additional 250 road deaths and 2,200 serious injuries every year as a result of these proposals. It's scary to even think about it.

Britain's roads have never been safer. I don't want the progress that we've made in this area to be put in jeopardy, so I've signed the Early Day Motion calling on the Coalition to rethink their clearly badly thought through proposals. I doubt Transport Secretary Justine Greening would be prepared to say to the family of a road safety victim that MOT tests are "unnecessary red tape" as she did in the House of Commons last week.

And who's to say that it will save the motorist money anyway? Predictions are that insurance premiums would rise as a result, putting extra financial strains on motorists. (Meanwhile, over in the House of Commons the Government fights it out on fuel prices.) It doesn't seem as if anybody in the Government has thought what a detrimental impact this could have on jobs and apprenticeships in garages either, just when increased unemployment is what we need least.

If you could see me as I type this you'd witness that I'm shaking my head. No, no, no and no.

A warm retirement without a frozen pension

2011-11-15T15:10:00.005Z

Have you ever thought about retiring abroad? Yes, yes, yes, you're probably shouting as the nights draw in and you sit shivering in the gloom! Ok, I'm being a little dramatic. Britain's not a bad place to live, but, for many, the prospect of retiring abroad spells a more relaxed lifestyle; sun; being closer to family... a whole range of reasons that a lot of people are ready to jump into feet first when they finish their working life.

Often, in this situation, the last thing on people's minds would be whether their pension will be alright. But I'm here as the voice of doom to warn you that it might not be. While you're busy enjoying warmer temperatures, your pension could be frozen. In fact, if you move to one of 150 countries worldwide, including the ever-popular Australia, your pension will not rise in line with inflation. Yet where's the warning that this could happen?

Recent research shows that whilst 62% of 45 to 65 year-olds in London are thinking about retiring abroad, 60% of them don't know about what would happen to their pension if they moved to some of the most popular retirement destinations, in fact most countries outside the EU and US. Of those London respondents who are thinking of retiring abroad, 34% said they were likely to change their mind once they knew about the rule and 39% said they were annoyed about it; 38% were angry. As you would be. Even angrier if you'd already made the move before you discovered what would happen to your pension.

I signed an Early Day Motion back in June calling for a review of the regulations. But nothing has been done by the Government to even begin to look into this so that's why I'm asking you to sign a petition that calls on the Government to end the unfair frozen overseas pension policy. At the very least we need clearer advice for those who are thinking about retiring. It should be written in bold capital letters on every pension forecast that the Department for Work and Pensions sends out. But ideally we need a change in policy so that the Government doesn't discriminate depending on where people retire to, and doesn't not reward them for contributing to Britain through their work and National Insurance contributions.

And if you're wondering how much this change in policy might cost the Government then you needn't be because further research shows that unfreezing pensions would save money by the medium term as the cost of paying out more is offset by the reduction in demand on the NHS and other public services from more people choosing to retire abroad.

Let's hope the Exchequer takes note.

A river runs through it

2011-11-14T16:46:00.003Z

The glorious blue sky and sunshine yesterday was perfect for boating, or canoeing even, if those are your type of activities. I know this because, after the Remembrance Day service at Edmonton Green, I made a visit to the vast reservoirs that cut Edmonton off from Chingford and there were people doing just that.

My feet stayed firmly planted on dry land. I wasn't there to go boating; I was there to make a point and standing on the bank gazing out across over a mile of clear blue water is a sure fire way of pointing out that it's kind of tricky to make a constituency out of Edmonton and Chingford when only those with sea legs and a boat can get easy access from one side of the constituency to the other.

This is research that the Boundary Commission should have carried out. If they couldn't have worked it out from a map, they should have made sure that they visited the area and took a closer look. Instead, they saw the North Circular and the deal was done, signed, sealed and delivered. Never mind the history and the sense of community that ties Edmonton together; never mind the fact that the people of Edmonton and Chingford will be short-changed, left with half an MP representing two separate areas; never mind that the areas have nothing in common and there aren't any transport links; never mind any of that. We didn't even get a sorry!

It's time to tell the Boundary Commission that it's not acceptable for them to divide communities, at least not without paying them a visit, doing the research and giving a genuine justification for ripping places apart. Edmonton won't stand for this. Hundreds of residents and community groups have already signed my petition and written to the Boundary Commission. I'm now taking a new petition to the Houses of Parliament. Please join the Save Edmonton campaign in any way you know how or in the future you might find yourself swimming to see your MP.

Human rights and humanitarian disasters

2011-11-11T17:02:00.004Z

Following on from my post earlier this week about the devastation that the earthquakes have caused in Turkey, I was emailed this picture from the meeting I had last week with a number of Turkish politicians.

Local Enfield councillor Yusuf Cicek brought Turkish MPs Ertur Kurtcu, from the BDP, the Peace and Democracy Party, and Huseyin Aygun, from the CHP, the Republican People's Party, to Parliament for discussions which largely centred on human rights.

I am watching the latest news from the quakes come out of Turkey, hoping against hopes that the country is spared a humanitarian disaster.

The lost boys (and girls)

2011-11-11T15:39:00.006Z

Imagine that your food bill had gone up by 115% over the past nine months, or that your bus fare now cost 115% more than it did nine months ago. You'd soon sit up and listen, wouldn't you? I certainly hope you would.

On Wednesday new figures were released revealing that the number of unemployed 18-24 year-olds in Edmonton claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for over six months has risen by a staggering 115% in the nine months from January to September of this year. This figure should be as alarming to the Prime Minister as that 115% increase in your food bill or bus fare would be to you. More so. But it doesn't appear to be.

Two nights ago I voted in an Opposition Day Debate in the House of Commons chamber to demand that more is done by the Government about the dramatic rise - to record levels - of youth unemployment, including a repeat of the tax on bank bonuses that would guarantee a job for 100,000 young people nationwide. The Government voted against us.

So what exactly will they do to stem the tide of rising unemployment?

It's clear to see that the Coalition's policies of cutting spending, including on initiatives like the Future Jobs Fund that helped young people into employment, and raising taxes too far and too fast have had a detrimental effect on thousands of people across the country, not least young people struggling to find work.

In Edmonton, the Government's actions have contributed to a rise in long-term JSA claimants from 170 in January to 365 in September. 115%. More than double.

What concerns me most is that if you look at the research into the 1980s recession, it shows that a whole generation of young people never fully recovered in terms of skill levels and job opportunities as a result of the extended unemployment they suffered. We are at risk of that happening again.

Figures like those released this week should be ringing alarm bells with the Government. Somewhere in Whitehall a siren should be going off screaming, crisis, crisis. Make no mistake, this is a crisis. And a crisis needs swift action. The Coalition cannot and must not abandon Edmonton's young people to a life on the scrapheap.

Every little helps

2011-11-11T14:36:00.004Z

Tesco's "every little helps" motto has never seemed more relevant to me than it did last Friday when I went along to the Edmonton Green Tesco Metro to join the Store Manager Harvey White in presenting equipment to local pupils and teachers.

If you've ever spent over £10 in Tesco then you're likely to have been offered a 'Tesco for Schools and Clubs' voucher. If you've refused them then I'd keep that to yourself because these vouchers are like gold dust to our local schools and organisations. They use them to 'buy' things.

Here's how it works: the annual scheme starts up around February time and schools have until July to collect as many vouchers as they can (parents and teachers obviously play a huge role here - one voucher being allocated per £10 of shopping); then use their vouchers to make orders from the expansive catalogue. The equipment - anything from computers to sports kits, water butts to arts and crafts materials - are then delivered for the autumn term. And if you're really lucky, your friendly local MP might do a bit of the delivering!

This year, thanks to the collecting powers of local residents, a total of 30 schools and clubs in Edmonton received a massive £7,937 worth of equipment between them. I met with pupils and teachers from St Edmund's RC Primary, Fleecefield Primary, Starks Field Primary and Eldon Junior School and it was clear to me just what a difference the equipment will make. Good work Tesco.

So, if you're not a parent/grandparent of school-aged children and you're not a teacher or someone with a connection to a local club, do think twice before you say no to the offer of the vouchers at the Tesco till. You could always be a little altruistic and collect and donate vouchers to a school or club near you. I know for sure that they'd thank you for them.

Broad House joins the campaign

2011-11-10T18:39:00.004Z

If you go down to Broad House today, you're sure of a big surprise...!

Our giant Save Edmonton campaign banner has been pinned to the side of the building, just so you don't forget, if you're passing by, that time really is running out to campaign against the ridiculous boundary changes that the Boundary Commission has proposed for Edmonton.

Believe me, I am well aware of the 5th December deadline for the end of the public consultation, but, if we need a reminder, the Boundary Commission's website helpfully counts downs the remaining days left.

Tick tock, tick tock. Only 26 days to go.

Please join the campaign by writing a submission if you can - 500 words is the limit so it really doesn't have to be long or take up much of your time.

As always I'll be at Edmonton Green Shopping Centre on Saturday from 11am-ish with my petition. If you'd like to sign it or find out more about what the boundary changes will mean to you then please come on down. My banner and I would be glad to see you!

An appointment with an agony aunt

2011-11-10T18:25:00.004Z

This morning I hosted a seminar in Parliament with an organisation called Make Space for Health. Their name may ring a bell because I recently blogged about a visit I'd made to Craig Park Youth Centre to take part in a Make Space for Health session with some of our local Edmonton youth people. As I wrote at the time, the workshops are great at giving young people access to health advice and helping them learn - and teach their peers - how to lead healthy lifestyles.

Today was a way for getting local councils, health professionals and more to realise the benefits of the Make Space for Health courses and agree that there is a need for a greater priority to be placed on young people's health and for more health support to be available to young people. They are, after all, our future.

Sadly, due to other commitments, I couldn't stay for the whole seminar, but I did stay long enough to hear Dr Miriam Stoppard - none other than the Daily Mirror's agony aunt - speak on young people's health needs. She should know, I suppose. She must get a bag-full of questions from young (and older) people every day!

ar ee ess pee ee see tee

2011-11-09T17:04:00.006Z

Aretha sang about needing a little bit of it and now the shopworkers' union Usdaw are calling for a whole week of it. What am I talking about? Respect, of course.

We are now slap bang in the middle of Usdaw's 'Respect for Shopworkers Week' - an annual week where shopworkers stand up and say, actually, the fear of violence, threats and verbal abuse should never be accepted as "just part of the job." Fair enough.

What isn't fair, however, is that the Government's 20% cuts to police budgets is likely to have an impact on shopworkers' safety.

Under Labour, the violent incidents against shopworkers halved thanks to the investment in 12,000 additional uniformed police officers. With the cuts to police budgets starting to bite, frontline policing won't be able to escape from being hit hard and there will inevitably be a rise in crime, or certainly the threat of crime, which shopworkers have to endure day in, day out.

The first duty of any government should be to protect us all, and high profile policing is crucial to keeping workers, shoppers and everyone in our community safe. That can only be achieved through proper support and investment and that's why I particularly welcome Usdaw's campaign against police cuts, which is especially poignant coming as it does during Respect for Shopworkers' Week. I've signed the relevant Early Day Motion on this and added my name to Usdaw's petition.

If you believe in respect, like Aretha, Usdaw and me then maybe you'd like to sign it too? We have to fight the Government's cuts as it doesn't look like they're going to respectfully back down on them unless we kick up a fuss.

Pound land

2011-11-08T17:38:00.004Z

Yesterday the Prime Minister made a statement in the House of Commons on last week's G20 summit in which he spoke of "rebalancing the economy" without much commitment to the actions that will make this happen, ie. that elusive plan B that I keep mentioning.

I raised the issue of our currency and competitiveness with him.

We have seen a 20% to 25% reduction in the value of the pound, which should have made us competitive, yet the private sector is not taking up the slack because there is no confidence out there. Is it now time for that plan B? Is it? Is it?

How about now?

Apparently not! The Prime Minister believes that the "worst thing" we could do for confidence would be to abandon the plans to deal with debt and the deficit. I'm not sure if I agree with that. For many struggling families hit hard by the Government cuts, David Cameron is already doing the worst thing he could do.

Shaken to the core

2011-11-08T17:17:00.003Z

I'm sure you will have seen the dramatic images unfold on your television screens after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Turkey over a fortnight ago. Truly devastating.

I asked a couple of questions of the Department for International Development to ascertain what our Government was doing to help. The reply: following a specific request from the Turkish Government we have provided 1,144 protective winter tents to house 5,500 people who are without shelter. There have so far been no requests for food, medicines, blankets, heaters or additional relief commodities but we will continue to monitor the situation.

Here's hoping for a speedy reconstruction of the affected area. My thoughts are most certainly with the families and friends of those who lost their lives and the survivors who are attempting to rebuild theirs.

The crack of dawn (yawn)

2011-11-08T17:02:00.004Z

If you were passing through Edmonton Green station this morning at about 7am or so you may have been handed a leaflet by some bleary eyed individuals about Ken Livingstone's 'fair fare' campaign.

You may well have been annoyed that someone and something was slowing down your route to work, or your first cup of coffee, but it's a campaign that's definitely worth paying a bit of attention to.

In short, Boris Johnson plans on raising your fare by 2% above inflation every single year. Ken wouldn't. I know who I'd rather have as London Mayor next year. Do you?

Making Jamie Oliver proud

2011-11-07T16:50:00.003Z

Were you aware that this week is National School Meals Week? If you don't have school-aged children and you aren't a dinner lady or a teacher then why should you know about it? You're probably still desperately trying to erase images of lumpy custard and over-boiled diced frozen veg from your memory!

Thankfully, with people like Jamie Oliver joining the crusade, the healthiness of school dinners is on the up and National School Meals Week is just another opportunity to hammer home the importance of feeding our future generations with nutritious food that not only aids their learning abilities, but also plays a role in preventing obesity.

I know that a couple of the schools in Edmonton - Hazelbury Juniors and West Lea - have signed up to join in with the initiative, so tomorrow, while most of us will be lucky to grab a sandwich on the run, schools just like them all across the country will be tucking into dishes from India, China, Mexico and Italy.

Oh to be at school again! Maybe I'll pop in for a bite!

Have you got an hour to give?

2011-11-07T15:56:00.003Z

I was recently contacted by mobile broadband provider Three. (Disclaimer: other networks are available!) They wanted to draw my attention to an Early Day Motion on the "Give an Hour" campaign, which aims to get those who are online to give a little of their time - an hour to be precise, as the name of the campaign suggests - to help those who aren't online to get online. Make sense?

Thirty million people in the UK use the internet every day but there are still nearly nine million people who aren't online. Of course some of those aren't online out of personal choice. Some of the older generation, for example, couldn't give a stuff about the three doubleyous. But the majority of those who aren't online are not there through choice and the digital divide is excluding huge swathes of society from dot com-ing.

The internet isn't all about surfing for funny videos on YouTube or sharing what you're eating for dinner with your hundreds of Facebook friends. If you're not online, you will likely be missing out on the deals on goods and services that can only be obtained if you're paying your bills via the internet. In fact, research suggests that you could save £560 a year through this alone. And then there's jobs. Lots of jobs are advertised online and the application processes are online or via email. Plus the majority of jobs require basic internet skills. If you're not online then you are, in many ways, missing out.

So this is a call to the digitally literate of you out there to join the Give an Hour campaign, which runs until Saturday, and sit down with a family member, a neighbour or a friend, for example, and show them how to get online and just what opportunities the internet opens up to them. And it's important to remember that it's not all about expensive monthly contracts these days. It is possible to have Pay As You Go mobile broadband and there are a number of places, like libraries, that let you surf for free.

Please help to Give an Hour if you can... or are you scared that your Granny could get more friends than you on Facebook?!

Not just Greece

2011-11-04T16:59:00.004Z

While the spotlight is firmly fixed on Greece's financial worries, it's easy to forget that we're not doing so fantastically in economic terms back at home either.

This week alone we have seen figures showing that food prices are up by 6.4% (the second highest hike in the European Union); manufacturing is shrinking faster than expected; and growth over the past year has reached just half a percent (compared to 1.6% in the US and the 2.6% we saw in the previous twelve months before George Osborne brought in his Spending Review).

Things are far from rosy and the statistics prove that, contrary to what David Cameron would have you believe, our recovery was choked off well before the eurozone crisis of recent months, by spending cuts and tax rises which go too far and too fast.

I was intrigued to know if the Government thinks we're any different from Greece so I equated the 'lack of growth and no sign of growth in the future' over there to over here and asked if the Coalition would finally respond to the need for jobs and growth.

I was told that they had included a plan for growth in the Budget. Funny that because our economy is flatlining, unemployment is rising and the Chancellor will be having to downgrade his growth forecasts for a fourth time later this month. A plan for growth? No, I don't think so.

Talking of the Chancellor and his maths, I also wanted to know why, if the Government's overriding priority is to eliminate the deficit by the end of this Parliament, George Osborne is having to borrow an additional £46 billion during that period.

His answer? It's all Labour's fault. Of course! Silly me, I should have known. Except it's now a year and a half since Labour were in power, so that seems to be another sum of his that doesn't quite add up.

You would have thought that there would be at least one calculator knocking around the Treasury to help him out.

An autumn of discontent

2011-11-04T16:19:00.004Z

Last week I received a delegation of teachers from Edmonton who were on a mass lobby regarding changes to their pensions. You know that something's a big deal if people actually make the effort to come and shout about their issue, rather than just firing off a standard email. Public sector pensions are, of course, a massive deal.

On Wednesday I took their case up with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander. I asked him to be honest and come clean about all the costs involved, for both taxpayers and employees, in any proposed pension change.

The teachers I met with believe that their current pension scheme is fair and sustainable. The Government must, therefore, leave no stone unturned in seeking an agreement that is fair to public sector workers, fair to taxpayers, sustainable, and avoids a strike this autumn.

Industrial action is always the last option. With the economy flatlining, the last thing anybody wants or needs is a strike that will hurt some of the most vulnerable in society who rely on public services. I sincerely hope that a common ground is reached before it gets to that point.

The housing crisis looms ever closer

2011-11-04T15:12:00.008Z

When I hear the word "housing" in the context of the current Government, I can't help but couple it with the word "crisis" in my head. The Tories are railroading us into a housing crisis of the first order, yet they don't seem to care. As you no doubt will have realised from the amount I mention housing on this blog, I do care. And my constituents, who are struggling to find appropriate affordable accommodation also care.

On Monday I had the opportunity to ask a question in a Parliamentary debate on housing. I wanted to know what action the Government intends to take to deal with the very high rents and very low standards in much of the private rented sector, given that it seems we will become more dependent on this type of accommodation in the future. I was told that tenant satisfaction surveys were at 70% so, basically, not to worry. But I will continue to worry until the necessary action is taken to regulate the private rented sector.

This week the Department for Communities and Local Government published figures showing a 6% fall in the building of new homes across the country and a absolutely huge and inexcusable 26% fall in London. They should be ashamed to publish statistics like that. Once again we have confirmation that we need urgent action to tackle the housing crisis and once again we have a Government that is failing on its promise to build more houses. This is nothing new.

Back in the summer, I again raised the question of a severe lack of housebuilding, having found out from the National Housebuilding Council that just one new house had been started in Edmonton in the previous six months. And on another occasion, in September, I spoke of the 200,000 properties that needed to be built to address housing need, asking the Government what they are going to do to confront the coming housing crisis. But all to no avail. I get no valid response and the figures, if anything, get worse.

I have called for debates in the House of Commons; I have spoken to the Housing Minister, Grant Shapps; and I've kept in close contact with Enfield Council as to what Edmonton's needs are, although, to be honest, I know what the needs are already from the amount of housing casework I deal with.

I bash away calling for more affordable housing week in week out but nothing gives. So what next? Do I pick up a trowel and start building houses myself or do I set up crash mats ready for the imminent landing of the housing crisis?

Missing In Action

2011-11-03T15:52:00.003Z

My apologies for a lack of posts on here this week - I have been swallowed by my Save Edmonton campaign; missing in action as I tramp the streets getting people to join the fight! Not really, but it seems like it. What's that phrase? "Not waving but drowning." Drowning in leaflets, posters and paperwork - that's me!

The good news is that the signatories on my petition against the boundary changes are flooding in and more and more of you are letting the Boundary Commission know exactly how you feel. We have just over a month to get our message across and I will once again be at Edmonton Green this Saturday from 11am. Do join me if you can.

And fear not, I haven't been neglecting my Parliamentary commitments. You'll be pleased to know that my grilling of Government ministers continues. More of that later ...

We've only just begun

2011-10-28T16:39:00.004Z

And finally ... I couldn't end the week without rounding it all off by saying a big thank you to everyone who came along to Edmonton Green today to see what all the shouting about boundary changes is really about.

If you've been signing my petition, sending in your letters and emails, and submitting your views online to the Boundary Commission then I applaud you. I've got a feeling that this one is going to take some serious people power, but I'm not throwing in the towel - the campaign has only just begun.

We'll be out in force over the next few weeks getting our 'Save Edmonton' message across so look out for us. No one should be allowed to divide our community by unthinkingly drawing a line on a map that can't argue back.

The outsider

2011-10-28T15:59:00.004Z

I doubt you'll have managed to get through this week without hearing the word 'Europe' mentioned. On Monday evening the Prime Minister had a serious rebellion on his hands when 81 of his Tory MPs voted against the whip in favour of an EU referendum. The media, unsurprisingly, has been full of it.

David Cameron wants to have it both ways. He wants to be seen as distancing himself from Europe to keep his backbenchers happy, yet he still wants to interfere in Europe where it suits him. Even the French President Nicolas Sarkozy told him to shut up on the topic of the euro!

The problem is, if the Tories persist with their negativity over Europe, and are seen to be going in exactly the opposite direction to everyone else, then I think the UK will be told to shut up more and more.

Yesterday I asked the Chancellor, George Osborne, what he and the Prime Minister can do to ensure that we aren't locked out of the fundamental decisions that will be made in Europe. He ignored me. As Sarkozy might say, quelle surprise!

What Lansley said Vs what Lansley did

2011-10-28T14:25:00.004Z

Do you remember this photo? Maybe you were actually there when Andrew Lansley, the newly appointed Secretary of State for Health, stood on the steps to Chase Farm Hospital, shortly after the general election, holding a personally signed pledge card that gave local residents the distinct impression that he would do anything but downgrade their hospital.

Then what did he do? Oh yes, he downgraded Chase Farm's A&E and maternity services. So much for that promise against cutbacks. He may as well have trampled all over that pledge card he signed and posed with for the press last year.

On Wednesday, during an Opposition Day Debate on the NHS in the House of Commons, the Health Secretary went a step further and rubbed salt into the wounds of those who are still reeling from the downgrade decision by stating that his actions had actually led to "a better way forward" in Enfield. Downgrades: a better way forward? That's a far cry from opposing any cutbacks. And I don't think that's the way local people feel about it.

The reality here is that Andrew Lansley seriously misled the people of Enfield, and instead of holding his hands up and apologising to local residents for breaking his promise and for letting them down so badly, he's rewriting history and stating that the downgrades are a "better way forward."

I took the opportunity to ask what steps he will be taking to try to recover the situation and move forward, but, like the entire Coalition, he appears to have no qualms with not picking up the pieces after willfully attempting to destroy our NHS.

Edmonton needs YOU!

2011-10-27T15:17:00.006Z

Tomorrow I will be officially launching my campaign to 'Save Edmonton' from the disastrous Boundary Commission's proposals to merge parts of Edmonton with parts of Chingford. I'd love it if you could join me.

I'll be at the entrance of the Edmonton Green Asda car park on Fore Street from around 11.30am until 1pm or so. Please drop by if you can to tell me your views on the boundary changes and find out more about why I'm so opposed to a constituency split in two by the Lee Valley.

There will be a petition to sign, as well as stickers and a poster you can take away to display in your business or home. If you can't be there but still have something to say then please log on to the Boundary Commission website and make your views known there.

Edmonton really does need YOU!

A map that says a thousand words

2011-10-26T15:47:00.003Z

I'm preparing my submission to the Boundary Commission against their, quite frankly, ridiculous proposals to merge parts of Edmonton with parts of Chingford joined, no sorry, divided impenetrably by the Lee Valley. Believe me, it's a tome with subheadings, tens and tens of numbered points and even footnotes. If I was a student, I could write a dissertation, a thesis even, on why the Boundary Commission would be barking mad to join Edmonton with Chingford.

Luckily for you though, I won't subject you to my 4,192 words on boundaries.

As they say, a picture says a thousand words and the picture that's doing the talking in this instance is the map on the left. That's it! The Boundary Commission's idea of a constituency, split down the middle by miles of reservoirs and industrial estates, not to mention the high speed railway line. The green squiggle is the North Circular - the only road tenuously linking Edmonton and Chingford, right on the border of the constituency.

It's like seeing something you love having the heart ripped out of it.

Tomorrow evening I will be speaking at one of the Boundary Commission's public hearings on the proposed changes for North East London. It will be running all day tomorrow (11am - 8pm) and Friday (9am - 5pm) at East Ham Town Hall, Barking Road, E6 2RP. If you have an opinion on this then I urge you to go along, or, failing that, to submit your views directly to the Boundary Commission.

We only have 41 days left to make our voices heard.

It's about people

2011-10-25T16:12:00.006Z

A few Fridays ago I visited the Mencap Opportunity Centre on Ponders End High Street. The word that should stand out in that sentence is 'opportunity' because Enfield Mencap is all about providing opportunities for people with learning disabilities. Their tag line - "it's about people" - is one that we could all benefit from keeping in mind.

The picture here shows me with just a few of the users of the Opportunity Centre. Each one of those individuals has a key worker who helps them to together develop a plan which enables them to build their skills and self-confidence, and to become as independent as possible. There are sessions in everything from massage to photography to cooking to IT available - all helping the centre's users to achieve their goals and ambitions in their work, education, leisure and home life.

We are unbelievably lucky to have such a fantastic resource at the centre of our community - one which the users of Mencap Enfield would be lost without. When you make a visit like this you realise even more strongly why we must fight against any cuts to our local resources. So I'd say to the Government, it shouldn't be about money; it should be about people.

Go green with a Green Grant

2011-10-25T12:16:00.004Z

Are you a community group with a green project in mind? If so, it might just be your lucky day.

I was sent an email earlier by the Green Insurance Company detailing a 'Green Grant' that may help you out if your local organisation is thinking of creating an environmental project - like a garden or a conservation scheme - that will also benefit our community.

If you're reading this thinking, yes! that's us! then keep on reading because you may want to apply for funding of up to £2,000, either to get an idea off the ground or to expand an already successful project. There are £40,000 pounds worth of grants to give out so I'd say it's definitely worth giving it a go.

The way it works is this: you submit an online application form before the 30th of November; a panel of experts with green credentials review all the projects; and by January of next year you find out if you've been successful.

A bit like playing the lottery, although the odds on winning are considerably better!

Businesses on the brink

2011-10-24T15:54:00.004Z

The Government, in my eyes, have had their chance on the economy now - although sadly that hasn't stopped them peddling the "it's all Labour's fault" line. It's been over a year since the Coalition's Spending Review in which they made the decision to cut the country's deficit further and faster than any other major economy, seemingly without a second thought for those who suffer along the way.

Unsurprisingly, people have been hit hard by the harsh tax rises and spending cuts. Families are struggling and small businesses, too, are having a tough time. It is time for the Government to extend a helping hand before it's too late.

What I can't understand is that, especially as far as small businesses are concerned, it wouldn't actually be difficult for the Government to put in place a number of measures that would significantly improve the issues that threaten to tip local firms over the brink, like cracking down on late payments to ease cash flow problems and temporarily reversing the VAT rise.

Another simple solution that would benefit small businesses - around 2,295 of them in Edmonton alone - would be to offer a tax break for every small firm taking on extra workers. And the additional benefit? It would improve our alarming levels of unemployment too.

How many more jobs must be lost and businesses go bust before this out of touch Government realises it needs to change tack on the economy? A good start would be reaching out to local businesses. They're ready and waiting, Mr Osborne.

We need hot air in our homes; not coming out politicians' mouths

2011-10-21T16:06:00.007Z

I'm a bit behind with this one but I can't let the week end without a mention of the Opposition Day Debate on energy prices that our benches put forward in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

The main tenet of our argument was that the Government needs to do more to ensure that energy tariffs are made less confusing and unfair. And that the Government cuts, coupled with a cold winter, will mean that millions of families will struggle to heat their homes over the next few months.

Oddly enough, the Coalition didn't seem to disagree. Could it mean that they are slowly beginning to see sense?

Just a few weeks ago, the Government were so out of touch that they attacked Labour's proposals to tackle the energy giants and to address the shocking 20% price rises. They said that all people needed to do was "shop around" to get a better deal and then they'd be able to afford to heat their houses! If it was as easy as that, there wouldn't be such a thing as fuel poverty and the number of people falling into that group wouldn't be growing.

Now the Government is all over the place; trying to take on Labour's proposals and pass them off as their own. Perhaps they think that we're stupid, or that the public is stupid. Far from it. The public is waiting with baited breath for the Government to take some real action to bring down energy prices and stop standing up for the vested interests in the energy market.

We've already seen the Coalition cut back on the support it is offering to help people heat their homes, scrapping Warm Front, cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance payments (despite promising not to before the election) and replacing the social tariffs with the poorly designed warm home discount that will leave millions without support this winter.

It is an absolute tragedy that people, in this day and age, in this country, die from the cold, unable to afford to put the heating on. If the Government agrees with Labour on this one then it's time for them to show it.

An explosion in Barbie's dressing up box

2011-10-21T14:46:00.005Z

I've dressed up in a funny thing or two in my time but I'm reckoning that this is the most hilarious photo I've ever posted here. I defy you to look at that picture of me and Enfield Southgate MP, David Burrowes, and not laugh. Even we couldn't stop ourselves from laughing when we were having our picture taken!

Breast cancer is certainly not a joking matter, but if looking a bit silly for the day in a whole outfit comprised of pink is what it takes to raise money to fund innovative world-class breast cancer research, then I'm willing to give it a whirl.

If you're a regular reader then you'll know that I do this every year. Pink isn't usually a staple in my wardrobe but I make the exception for Breast Cancer Campaign's 'wear it pink' day, which is happening next Friday, 28th October. And you can too. All you need to do is swallow your pride, put on a bit of pink and donate £2 - or more if you're able - to the campaign.

I'm sure we all know someone in our family or a friend who has been affected by breast cancer - it is, after all, the UK's most common cancer. It's not all doom and gloom though because, in Enfield certainly, things are improving.

From March 2009 to March 2010, the number of women in our area who had been screened for breast cancer within the previous three years increased from 53.6% to 67.6% - a marked improvement. Around 165 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed every year in Enfield and sadly around 51 women locally are still dying from the disease annually. But initiatives like 'wear it pink' are working.

Thanks to fundraising exactly like people-looking-silly-in-pink-for-a-day, Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer completely through improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure. So don't let anybody tell you that real men don't wear pink. They do and they will if it means they may save lives.

Just when does a foreign visit turn into a special mission?

2011-10-21T12:22:00.003Z

Earlier this month, the Leader of the Opposition in Israel, Mrs Tzipi Livni, visited the UK. An application for a warrant to arrest her, as the former Israeli Foreign Secretary for alleged offences relating to grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention in relation to military action in Gaza in December 2008, was submitted. However, the Foreign Office had granted her visit 'special mission' status making her immune from arrest.

I have spoken and asked questions in Parliament before about my concerns that laws on universal jurisdiction have been weakened under the Coalition, making Britain safer for those accused of war crimes visiting from other countries. Once again, I tried to seek clarity on this issue from both the Attorney General and the Foreign Office, several times. I am still no clearer and I fear the waters are getting murkier.

Calling all canoeists!

2011-10-20T15:59:00.004Z

We've been doing a bit of number crunching in my office this past week and we've hit upon a rather daft conclusion. You might want to be sitting down for this one. Ok, are you ready? Wait for it...

It would be quicker to get a canoe and paddle across the Lee Valley reservoirs to get from Edmonton to Chingford and vice-versa than any other mode of transport!

I mean, think about it. What are your options? There's the bus. Actually, no there isn't. Not a single bus runs between Edmonton and Chingford in the Boundary Commission's proposed new constituency. How about the train? Well, it's an option, but it would mean travelling into central London and back out again. Oh, and it would take the best part of a hour (and that's if there aren't any "leaves on the line!"). But don't panic just yet; we've got the North Circular haven't we? The one solitary road linking Edmonton and Chingford. Although it's a dual carriageway so I don't know about you, but I wouldn't fancy my chances walking or biking along it. Hmm. Let's see. If you've got a car, you'll be ok! Or a canoe, of course...!

The trouble is, as ridiculous as this all sounds, I'm only half joking about the canoe thing. I don't know how else to get through to the Boundary Commission that they are proposing a completely unworkable constituency; one with the impenetrable divide of the Lee Valley slap bang in the middle of it; one where it would be impossible to create any true community links or any real ties from end to end as constituencies should have.

I invited the commissioners to come and see this for themselves because the clearly visible mile of blue water cutting off the two areas from each other on maps obviously wasn't enough for them to realise there are not adequate links to join Edmonton to Chingford; Chingford to Edmonton. They refused.

I haven't given up. I will be doing everything in my power to stop "Chingford and Edmonton" becoming a reality. The ultimate last resort? Buy a canoe.

Pension mention

2011-10-18T16:12:00.003Z

Just a quick post today to include a link to the debate about Parliamentary pensions which I chipped in on yesterday.

As I'm sure you're aware, pensions are a pretty hot topic at the moment. Just last week the Government was, quite rightly, forced to make a u-turn on penalising women born during specific years who would have had their pensions unfairly delayed, with no time to plan ahead, under Tory/LibDem plans. Meanwhile teachers and other civil servants are desperately negotiating the terms of their pensions so that they are fair and aren't compromised.

Some people think that MPs are a waste of space and that any money they take is a drain on the public purse. Others have a slightly more objective way of looking at things and realise the value in the role MPs play. At whatever end of the spectrum your view lies, it's true that MPs should set an example to the public and that means standing up for our rights, just like any other public sector worker, and saying that we deserve a fair pension, not one that can be changed without us having any control over it.

It's controversial to say it; some people won't agree; but then some people think us lot shouldn't be paid full stop. If there's one thing I've learnt as an MP it's that you can't please all of the people all of the time!

It had to be done

2011-10-14T16:39:00.002Z

I've come to a decision. The only way I can get the Boundary Commission to understand the absurdity of the new "Chingford-Edmonton" constituency they are proposing is to invite them for a visit. So that's what I've done. By letter. Yesterday. I'm waiting for a reply.

To be honest, I would have thought that the commissioners would have already visited before they drew up their plans. I can fully appreciate that it wouldn't be possible for them to visit every single constituency in the whole country, but you would have thought that they would have left their offices to have a real life look at the ones where their proposals completely tear apart existing constituencies and divide communities in incomprehensible ways.

I think it's fairly obvious to see, even from a map, that gaping divide of over a mile of blue water and industrial estates separating the two disparate areas of Chingford and Edmonton, but up close and personal on a visit to the two areas, it would be impossible to ignore. "Chingford-Edmonton" is an unworkable constituency. I'm happy to play host to prove that point.

Meanwhile, while I wait for an answer, I've launched a campaign. It's called 'Save Edmonton.' Save Edmonton from being stuck together disjointedly with somewhere nobody knows of and nobody can get to. Save Edmonton from having half an MP torn between two divided areas. Save Edmonton from losing its strong sense of community spirit.

Why don't you join me? I'll be around for a boundary change chat next Saturday - 22nd October - at the entrance to the Edmonton Green Asda car park between 11am and 1pm. Or if you've already made up your mind about the proposals then why not submit your views to the Boundary Commission directly? Your voice should count as much as theirs.

Welcome to Enfield - the 18th most unaffordable place to rent. Please make yourself at home!

2011-10-14T16:14:00.007Z

I doubt it will come as a surprise when I tell you that renting a home privately in Enfield is classed as "extremely unaffordable" according to recent research carried out by housing charity, Shelter. In fact, so unaffordable is our local private rented sector, Shelter actually had to invent a new scale to account for it.

If you spend more than a third of your take-home pay on your rent, your rent is commonly classed as "unaffordable." If you're spending over 40% of your pay on rent then it's "very unaffordable." Over 50% and it's "extremely unaffordable."

That's us.

The average rent on a two-bed home in Enfield is a whopping £1,049 a month - 54% of the average full-time take-home pay in the Borough. And if you're an ordinary working family needing a three or four bedroom home then on average you'd be spending 68% or a staggering 87% of your pay on rent alone. Crazy, hey?

We desperately need the Government to act. We need - as a priority - a house building programme that would not only meet the desperate need for more homes that there is in many parts of the country, including Enfield; it would also stimulate growth in the economy.

And we also need the private rented sector to be properly regulated so that every family that rents has security and choice and doesn't get ripped off by unscrupulous landlords who can charge the earth because there aren't enough houses out there to give renters any alternative.

Affordable housing is up there with the most important things that everyone should have access to. Enfield doesn't even come close to being able to provide this. As a Borough we are ranked the 18th most unaffordable place for private renters in the whole country.

And yet the Government wonders why there are so many people desperate to get on the list for social housing!

Money and the Middle East

2011-10-14T12:09:00.004Z

Yesterday in the House of Commons chamber the Foreign Secretary William Hague gave an update and took questions on the situation in the Middle East. I wanted use the opportunity to raise a point about the Egyptian economy, which has shrunk by more than 4%, and to emphasise the role economic disadvantage and the related lack of opportunities played in the Arab Spring.

I asked what efforts the Government are making to encourage a dialogue between the European Union and the relevant African countries in order to support their economies and help them through this difficult period. I was told that this was something that the Foreign Office was working towards. I will therefore await closer economic integration from the EU to those countries.

Would the member for Edmonton please sit down?!

2011-10-14T11:36:00.006Z

Sometimes being an MP involves trying your luck and being a bit cheeky. Yesterday I tried to go down this route, but failed miserably, or rather I was stopped dead in my tracks by the House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow.

I was attempting - shamelessly, I'll admit - to push in on a debate about flood protection in Warrington in order to raise the case of the need for more flood prevention measures around Salmons Brook in our very own Edmonton.

Yes, I know Edmonton's nothing to do with Warrington, but the requirements for adequate protection to prevent local houses being flooded by local rivers is very apparent in both areas. And the MP for Warrington and I both want some sort of timescale from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on when this sort of work might be carried out.

See? Not that different after all. But not in the Speaker's eyes - I was silenced mid-sentence and that was the end of that! Still, I was praised for my "industrious efforts"!

Chancellor-baiting

2011-10-13T11:26:00.004Z

Yesterday our benches held an Opposition Day Debate in Parliament on jobs and growth. Such is the importance of these two topics right now that the debate lasted pretty much all day and into the evening. Together we called on the Government to implement a steadier deficit plan and to kick-start Britain's choked-off recovery.

As you can imagine with such a topical debate, the chamber was packed and it was hard to get the chance to speak, but I did manage to make a couple of interventions.

Firstly I was curious to find out from Chancellor George Osborne how he could possibly describe as credible a so-called deficit reduction programme that ends up increasing debt by £46 billion. But he is the master of evading questions so I am still left answer-less and bewildered by the Government's actions that are doing nothing but stifling growth and making more people unemployed.

I also had to chime in on the talk of the plight of small businesses struggling in these tough economic times. Credit easing is a sensible idea in itself, but it will take a long time to bring in and Project Merlin - the Government's programme to promote lending from high street banks to small businesses - is failing. What we need is a credible policy to finance small businesses.

What we need is a credible policy. Full stop. Any credible policy. Somebody on the Government benches must have one.

KEEP spIT IN YOUR MOUTH

2011-10-12T16:47:00.006Z

A while back you may remember that I conducted a little survey into the anti-social behaviours that really upset you.

Somebody mentioned depositing chewed up chewing gum around the place for others to get stuck on their shoes and for the Council to - at cost - remove from our pavements. It was a good call - surely no one likes stepping in someone else's chewed up gum, or someone else's dog's uncleared-up mess? That's another anti-social behaviour that really upsets people.

The trait that a lot of people collectively honed in on though was spitting in public; a disgusting habit that really turns the stomach, not to mention the role it plays in spreading diseases, including tuberculosis.

If you fall into the camp of public spitter haters then you'll be pleased to hear that the banning of spitting in public could become a reality!

Enfield Council has launched a petition campaigning for a new bylaw that would introduce a fine of £80 for those who get caught spitting, similar to the fine given to those caught dropping litter.

The "KEEP spIT IN YOUR MOUTH" posters are being put up across the borough as I write and the task to collect signatories for the petition is underway. If a mere 2,750 supporters sign up then the Council can ask the Government to approve the new bylaw.

So if you don't like the spitters then let them know about it by voting with your mouse and clickety clicking on over to sign the petition.

Hurting; not working - the sequel

2011-10-12T16:19:00.004Z

Do you get bored of me (and other Labour politicians) droning on and on about how the Government's reckless plans for the economy are hurting not working? If your answer is yes then I'm going to be brutal and say that I don't care.

Edmonton, alongside many other parts of the country, is facing a real jobs and growth crisis as a result of the Coalition's actions - or rather inaction. I will happily highlight this again and again (and again) until the Government changes course, stops the gimmicks, and puts forward a serious plan for the future that will create jobs for local people.

Today the Office for National Statistics revealed that, yet again, the number of unemployed people in Edmonton has gone up. With 10.8% of the economically active population aged 16 to 64 in our area now unemployed we are back to the dire levels of unemployment we experienced locally under the previous Conservative government in January 1997. Do you understand what I mean when I say we're facing a real jobs crisis? We have 14 people chasing every single one of the 350 Jobcentre Plus vacancies. Crisis.

If the Government's not careful, the scar of unemployment will cause long term damage to Edmonton and to the other constituencies across the country that fall into the 50 areas with the highest levels of unemployment. The only way to get the area moving again is for the Tories and LibDems to swallow their pride and move on to a plan B.

A plan B that brings forward long-term investment projects in houses, schools, and transport, that get people back to work and that strengthen the economy for the future.

A plan B that reverses January's damaging VAT rise and a plan B that introduces a £2 billion tax on bank bonuses to fund 100,000 jobs for young people and build 25,000 more affordable homes.

Because without that plan B we're stagnating; reversing; stuck in a vicious cycle where the higher the levels of people out of work climb, so too do the levels of people on benefits.

And all that means is that it's harder to get the deficit down.

Thank you from the team

2011-10-12T13:27:00.005Z

Did you see my column in today's Enfield Advertiser thanking everyone once again for the kind donations I received which made my Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning such a success? I mean it, I can't thank you enough.

And Macmillan can't either.

Just yesterday I received an email from the World's Biggest Coffee Morning team telling me that this year's event has been the biggest ever with in excess of £8 million raised. Our £200 helped make that £8 million.

Last year, in Enfield, around 1,100 new cases of invasive cancers were diagnosed in local residents. We have seven precious Macmillan nurses in our borough. Each one helps make the lives of people with cancer - and their families - slightly easier. Without funding they would not be there.

I speak from my heart when I say that the generosity of those who donate is not taken lightly.

Reclaiming our streets

2011-10-11T16:30:00.005Z

I was handed this photo yesterday - it's of me, a number of Enfield councillors and a whole load of local residents on a peace rally from Pymmes Park to Edmonton Green back in June, yes June.

I know, I know, I'm a little bit out of date in posting the photo, but the anti-knife crime, peace message has the same (if not more) resonance now as it did then.

People are more than prepared to march through the streets to emphasise that violent crime, gang crime, and even carrying a knife is completely wrong and unnecessary.

We shouldn't have to take to the streets in this way, but then, equally, we shouldn't have knife crime on our streets.

What do Russell Brand, Vivienne Westwood and me have in common?

2011-10-11T15:50:00.004Z

Today, as the Government's legislation to reorganise the NHS returns to the House of Lords, dozens more people have joined forces to demand a halt to the reforms. Among them are Russell Brand, Vivienne Westwood and Julie Christie, but more important than the support of these celebrities (yes, Big Brother, there are more important careers than being a celebrity) are the voices of over 60 leading medical professionals who have today demanded that the Government's "unpopular and undemocratic" health reforms be either scrapped or heavily rewritten.

The signatories include consultants, surgeons, psychiatrists and paediatricians, as well as midwives and family doctors. And the letter reads, "It is perfectly clear - as the Prime Minister is acutely aware - that the British public does not support the privatisation of the NHS, and it is a matter of fact that no one ever voted for it, and so this current Bill has no democratic mandate whatsoever ... No one is against reform and change, but the NHS is too important and valuable to our society to be transformed forever in this unpopular, undemocratic way." That says it all.

Yesterday I was at the official commemoration of the North Middlesex University Hospital. It breaks my heart to think that, if this Bill goes through, the NHS will never be the same again and that thousands of medical staff - and patients - in hospitals all over the country, just like the North Mid, won't be happy about it. Neither will I. Nor will Russell Brand. Nor Vivienne Westwood...

Artifacts and Archbishops

2011-10-10T16:07:00.005Z

Just a quick second post of the day to allow for me to attach this photo from an event I attended with a number of other MPs back in the middle of September at the Archbishop of Cyprus' residence in London (I received the CD of photos this morning).

Amongst the items that were discussed was the campaign to return religious artifacts from monuments in North Cyprus to their appropriate home. Not an insignificant undertaking as I'm sure you can imagine.

A healthy approach to health

2011-10-10T15:21:00.005Z

I'm sure that all of us, at some point or another, could be accused of not putting our health first. I'll admit that I'm no angel. I drink too much coffee for a start and, while I do try to eat healthily ... MOST of the time, I probably couldn't become a Weight Watchers or Slimming World champion.

It is with this admission in mind that I was particularly encouraged to see some of our local young people taking an active role in a healthy lifestyle programme last Thursday when I went along to a learning session at Craig Park Youth Centre.

Back in 2007, a consultation of 16,000 young people revealed that, worryingly, 45% of teenagers didn't know where to go to access health advice. Less than a year later, the Make Space for Health programme was created with the aim of providing holistic, positive health support to young people in order to fill that gap.

Of course it's good that, with the addition of Make Space for Health in many youth centres across the country, a huge number of young people now know where to go for health advice in any shape or size. But it's even better that this is an initiative where young people are teaching young people, peer to peer, through a youth-led approach to supporting young people's health.

I'd call that a healthy way to change health behaviours and attitudes towards health among young people for the better. Now we just need to work on those who fall into my age bracket!

Borderline

2011-10-07T11:47:00.005Z

Madonna sang a song many moons ago with a chorus that went something along the lines of, "You just keep on pushing my love over the borderline." Do you know it? As I look over the Boundary Commission's proposals for the UK's new constituencies, I've got those words looping round in my head, except it's Love, not love, who's being pushed over this particular borderline! Now I can't get Madonna to stop singing!

Stay with me, I've got some serious points to make.

Have you looked at the Boundary Commission's proposal for our area - the hatchet job that is "Chingford and Edmonton"? Even a brief glance at that map reveals that the geography makes it totally unworkable for just one Member of Parliament with one constituency office to represent. Besides the gaping divide of over half a mile of water in the form of the River Lea and its massive reservoirs, there's only one road and one bus connecting the two areas and absolutely no direct rail services. It makes me wonder if the Boundary Commissioners have ever even visited their proposed "Chingford and Edmonton" constituency.

Let me ask a question of the Edmonton residents out there. If you wanted to come and see me at one of my weekly advice surgeries, but found out that I'd shut down my Fore Street office and opened a new one up in Chingford, would you make the journey? Honestly? It just wouldn't happen. And I can guarantee that Chingford residents wouldn't be flocking to Edmonton to do the journey in reverse either. To be perfectly frank with you, you're being short-changed. You'd have half an MP's time and half an MP's resources - half an MP. That's not fair.

I've already had constituents objecting to these plans to me. They want to know why on earth they haven't been asked what they think. They're concerned that many, many people have absolutely no idea that these changes may take place and that one day they'll wake up and be in a new constituency. Just like that.

But, fortunately, these plans are not set in stone. You do have a chance to have a say, although you don't have much of a chance - the public consultation process ends on 5th December, only 60 days away. Let me know what you think and let the Boundary Commission know too. After all, you're the people who these changes are happening to.

Flour power

2011-10-06T16:07:00.004Z

Do you remember a few weeks ago I wrote here on this very blog that I'd nominated local flour mill G R Wright and Sons as my entry for the Made By Britain project highlighting the best of our country's manufacturing?

Well, last week I got to go on a very special constituency visit. No prizes for guessing where - of course I went to Wright's!

Managing Director David Wright very kindly took time out of his day to show me around the factory. Factory's are pretty fascinating places. You learn the scale of the operation and that's always quite overwhelming. Wright's was no exception.

From the milling through to the packaging, I was shown pretty much every flour-related process there is. It's amazing just how much flour gets bag up and shipped off out of there. And all that's going on right on our doorstep!

I'll leave you with an interesting fact to ponder over while you're waiting for your toast to pop tomorrow breakfast. Did you know that 11 million loaves of bread are produced each day in the UK, largely by British bakers using British flour from British wheat? Now that's what I call "Made By Britain"!