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"It has been my privilege to represent the people of Stockton South in Parliament since May 1997. I was successfully re-elected in 2001 and on 5 May 2005. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the constituency who placed their trust in me by voting for me again. As your Member of Parliament, I will always be accessible and help or advise any of you when and where I am able to do so."
A flavour of what I have been doing recently:
My Spring 2007 Parliamentary Report has been delivered to every home in my constituency. You can read a copy here.
14th April
I filled my car at a ONE Green
Route forecourt in Stockton-on-Tees today as part of National Biofuels
Day.The introduction of biofuels to all pumps in the UK is a move
that I believe offers benefits not just for the country’s motorists,
but also for industry across the North East. The growing biofuels
industry represents an excellent opportunity for the existing chemical
and agricultural industries in the North East to
deliver renewable fuels inside and out of the region. The region
already has a number of plants in operation, with several more in
prospect. The North East could potentially become a leader in the
production of biofuel in the UK, setting an example for other regions
to follow. This is great news because, not only will it boost the
regional economy and generate more jobs, but it will also mean that
we, along with rest of the UK, will be making a really strong, positive
contribution in the struggle to combat climate
change.
12th April
Local classical musicians who are
bursary winners performed at the Tall Tree’s Bursary Winners Concert
organised by Platform – Classical Music Project Teesside. Highly
talented young Teessiders have won a Tall Tree’s Bursaries, given
by Javed Majid, financial help which will be really welcome in supporting
the payment of their tuition fees. The performers from Hartlepool – Thornaby – Yarm – Billingham – and
Darlington are variously studying at the Birmingham Conservatoire,
The Guildhall London, Basle in Switzerland while one is presently
singing at Glynborne. They will play or sing compositions composed
by Ravel, Mozart Fauré, Handel and many others. This was a delightful
concert with inspirational young local musicians and all in the
community are warmly welcome to attend and hear for themselves the staggering
classical talent that is present on the Tees.
11th April
I attended a campaign meeting in Middlesbrough in support of local
oppsition to the relocation of the ambulancce service control room
from Teeside to Newcastle. After listening to speakers and speaking
myself, I agreed with Councillor Barry Coppinger (Middlesbrough)
that this issue needs to be raised in Parliament. I hope that this
re-location can be prevented and will do my utmost to raise the
issue on the floor of the House of Commons when the the Secretary
of State for Health takes questions
10th April
I visited Hilton to make it clear
that while keen to support measures to make use of alternative power
sources I cannot support Wind Farms when they are placed
in a rural setting spoiling the countryside. Wind Farms have their
place out in the North Sea or on redundant parts of MOD land, but
NOT stringing out across beautiful countryside. Today from Hartlepool,
the North East supplies energy far and wide. We have pylons and
overhead power lines, strung out throughout Stockton South, hideously
disfiguring all urban settlements- from Fairfield through Eaglescliffe
into Yarm. Now an energy company ‘Broadview’ wants
to place a large wind farm across the beautiful countryside between
Hilton and Seamer. The local community can be assured of my support
in their strong opposition to this scheme. Stockton Borough Council
has refused the first planning application from Broadview, but
as predicted the company have registered an appeal against that
decision. The fight goes on!!
4th April
Westland School held their Elections
today and I was invited to declare the winners and hold a discussion
with the young people. The young people were forthright in their
questions and I am looking forward to them coming down to London
to visit me in Parliament with their teachers.
1st April
At a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group
on Adoption and Fostering we discussed the problems
still faced by couples trying to adopt and foster children. It is vital
to improve the rate at which adoption and fostering of disadvantaged
children can be safely undertaken by those couples willing and anxious
to take on the responsibilty of such an important social role
20th March
I participated in a discussion on Post Office Closures
on ITV where I again expressed my deep concern that Government
policy on this issue will affect the most disadvantaged in our
communities. It is simply not an option for many elderly people
to see their local post office close and expect them to travel
miles to get to a post office.
19th March
Today was the vote on Post Office
Closures and for the first time I did NOT vote with the Government.
14th March
At a meeting with
youngsters taking part in the Barnardos Doing Politix-Corner House Projject
I was faced by a variety of asked a variety of thoughtful
and challenging questions which reflected their awareness and interest
in political issues. I hope that they enjoyed the event as much
as I did.
13th March
Below is a picture of my meeting with Oxbridge Lane Residents
in Parliament where they handed over their petition to keep Oxbridge
Lane Post Office Open. I intend to support their petition as strongly
as possible.
12th March
I had a meeting with Child Link Adoption
Agency and cannot stress enough the importance of Adoption Agencies.
Every child deserves a home.
7th March
On the eve of International
Women's Day, I visited several areas in our Constituency and gave out International
Women’s Day
cards in honour of the occasion to local women as well as conducting
a full list of surgery appointments.
5th March
I met with Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State
for Health to discuss budgets for NHS Primary Care Trusts. In the
North East Region we have specific health issues, such as the higher
levels of cancer than the national average, that means we need funding
which appropriately reflects our particular health needs.
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