Lynne's Parliament and Haringey diary

Having been talking to numerous people as I get myself up to speed and briefed on my new portfolio, it is clear that climate change is on everyone's agenda.

One of issues at the moment is how many firms will follow the example of those like Marks & Spencer who have been path breakers in terms of taking their environmental impact and carbon footprint seriously.

Talking about these issues has given me an idea: why doesn't the FT publish the carbon footprint of the companies in the FTSE 100? That would really set an example. Yes - I know most of them won't have a clue what their footprint is - but that's just the point. So I’ve punted this idea the FT’s way. I look forward to hearing back from him very soon. In fact - the FT could start a whole campaign on this. Leading the field.

Corruption is major news today. No - not (just) the second arrest of Lord Levy, but the opposition debate on the stinking deal involving BAe (the alleged 'briber'); the Government (who issued an export license for a military air traffic radar control system for Tanzania) and Barclays Bank who loaned Tanzania the money.

Basic story - BAe sell Tanzania this radar system which is far too expensive and sophisticated for Tanzania’s real needs, and yet only covers one third of the country. Price tag: a hefty £28 million.

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world and a country to whom we are pouring in aid. So is this a sensible deal?

Barclays Bank appears to give them a loan on concessionary rates - as a commercial one would have too high interest and break the criteria imposed by the Government on granting export licenses for arms and military radar etc.

This all broke wide-open when two middle-men owed up to having been bribed $12 million in a Swiss Bank to see this deal through. Clearly this all stinks and that was my first debate leading on International Development for the Liberal Democrats. My colleague Norman Lamb had done a lot of work on this in 2002, so good steps to follow in! You can read my speech in Hansard.

This was a Tory Opposition Day motion, very narrowly defined so as not to stray into even more murky territory of the Al Yamamah arms deal with Saudi Arabia on which the Labour Government intervened to stop the Serious Fraud Office investigating corruption. The Tories did not want this mentioned as they were hopelessly compromised as the deal was struck when they were in power – and there is also the matter of the financial relationship between one of the middlemen on the deal and the Conservative party.

Of course Labour said it was right to have granted the license to export the traffic control system - but it is quite clear that this was not a kosher deal. So - we wait for the Serious Fraud Office to pursue its investigation all the way.

Labels: al yamamah, tanzania

Off to the Haringey Primary Care Trust to meet its chair, Richard Sumray and Helen Brown. We (Richard Wilson, Lib Dem Health Spokesperson on Haringey Council and I) want a progress report on Hornsey Hospital, and what's happening to clinics in Wood Green, on top-slicing, on the Government's attitude towards District General Hospitals - and on and on.

On Hornsey Hospital it would seem that the bid is stuck on a technicality. We were assured that this was just technical and that the Health Department was looking to work it through. Our bigger interest is in what is going to be provided on site - and our 5 point prescription had a mixed reception. No - there was no need for more GPs - but yes there could be opening hours providing better service out of normal hours for local people. Good! Because thus far the GP contracts had delivered lots of dosh for doctors but not extra hours for local people.

As to the impact on pharmacists - we couldn't manage to get them to promise that all would survive but we did manage to get a promise to supply all the local pharmacists with enough information early enough for them to bid or form a cooperative to bid for the new pharmacy.

We all agreed that it was vital to provide more public transport. Phew!

And in terms of consulting with GPs and local people we did manage to extract a 'we can look at that' when we put forward the need to ask far more widely what was wanted than just Haringey’s Area Assemblies. We suggested they do this through the GP practises and I think they agreed that it could be done when the consultation on the future of local Primary Care goes out. I suggested that could be a separate and special survey / piece of paper asking specifically about Hornsey Hospital.

So - some progress I guess. I then had to leave Richard there to finish the meeting as I had to go and read a story to some of the children at St Mary's for National Story Telling Week.

That was complete fun! I read a really ghastly tale of a boy who, to cut a long story short, watched so much television and ate so many crisps he ended up a crisp. And there was no happy ending. It was huge fun for me - certainly. I just hope the kids enjoyed it as much as I did.

Labels: hornsey central hospital, richard sumray

Consultation is not Haringey Council's strong suit and I was disappointed to say the least when I attended a (poorly publicised) public meeting to discuss the bids to run Haringey's new secondary school and there were only six members of the public present.

Thankfully Councillor Engert, our local Lib Dem Education Spokesperson, with support from myself scored a mini victory and the Council have bowed to our pressure to organise a second meeting. This is to be held at 18:00 on Tuesday, February 6, at Alexandra Primary School in Western Road, N22 6UH. (For a map click here).

This bid process is a vital decision for our community. The new school will the biggest education investment in Haringey for a generation - so the local community must be right at the heart of the decision making process when it comes to the choice of who runs it. Obviously, I hope the Council will do a better job in letting local people know about this meeting, but I'm also publicising it too - such as with this blog entry! So please do pass the news on to other people - particularly anyone with primary school age kids.

If you won't be able to make it there are more details online about the process, the bidders and how you can have your say on Haringey Council's website.

Please feel free to copy me in on your comments - or make comments here on this blog - as I am interested to hear people's opinions on the proposal.

Labels: haringey council, haringey schools

Holocaust Memorial Day and Sheila Peacock, one of the local Labour councillors in Haringey has organised the ceremonies this year at Bruce Castle. I may not see eye to eye with Sheila on virtually everything else, but on this she does an excellent job - and full credit to her.

It is such an important occasion - and the symbolism of the Holocaust as a focal point for all the evils that man perpetrates on man pulls us all together as one. You cannot but fail to be moved by listening to a survivor of the Holocaust tell of what is what like actually living through it. It doesn't matter how many books I have read, films I have seen, newsreels witnessed: listening to someone who lived through the hell of the camps brings it home in a way that no other medium can deliver. And I have never been to a Holocaust ceremony where, in addition to remembering the Holocaust, there was not also a remembrance for all the genocides across the world. Today was no different and we also heard from survivors from Rwanda. Shame on the Muslim Council for refusing to attend these ceremonies.

Evening was off to the Westminster Hour. It's been a radio fest this weekend. We romp through the troubled Home Office and gay adoption issues - as both of these will come back next week. I raised the issue of the debate on the sale of a radar system to Tanzania - an opposition day debate by the Tories. Nevertheless - hopefully this time the Serious Fraud Office will uncover the truth and be left to do so without Government intervention. The Tories have been oddly silent on the Saudi Arabian arms deal corruption investigation (though the original deal was done by them) – so perhaps their interest in Tanzania is designed to help distracted from the otherwise silent acquiescence at Labour blocking international corruption investigations.

Labels: holocaust memorial day, tanzania, the westminster hour

I'll be appearing again on The Westminster Hour on Radio 4, at 10pm this Sunday evening.

Labels: the westminster hour

So – we now have a public suspect in the Litvinenko murder story and it looks like the Russians aren’t keen for him to be extradited. John Reid promised publicly from the Despatch Box of the House of Commons when I questioned him that he would pursue this without fear or favour. So - I expect diplomatic relations to become extremely strained as he pushed the Russians and keeps his word!

Labels: alexander litvinenko

Last stop of the day is Radio 4's Any Questions in Woodcote. (If you missed the show you can listen again for a week on the BBC website). They get you down there about 6pm to have dinner with the other guests, Jonathan Dimbleby and the producer. It is always very pleasant - but being before the show also slightly tense. My co-panellists are Tim Yeo (Tory), Chair of the Environment Select Committee, John Cruddas (Labour) and would be deputy leader candidate and George Pasco Watson of the Sun.

We all troop off to the Langtree School (who are great hosts) and into the hall. It was a lively audience and actually great fun. Obviously if you are on you scan the news all week to make sure you have some idea of what might come up. I predicted correctly on releasing paedophiles through lack of prison spaces; gay adoptions and the Catholic Church; British Summertime. But I didn't plan on the BA threatened strike or size double zero models and London Fashion Week. But it was fine - and being relatively near I was home by 11pm.

UPDATE: Iain Dale's take on my appearance is here.

Labels: any questions

It's Salt Awareness Week this week. I put toooooooo much salt in and on my food. My blood pressure is borderline high (that's my job I reckon). But blood pressure is a silent killer - and so I am off to my local hospital, The Whittington, to visit the cardiac department. They say about two thirds of us walk around not knowing that we have high blood pressure - and the ward I am visiting, the Montuschi ward, is where we will end up if we continue to take no notice of health warnings we are told.

The Whittington has kindly arranged for me to meet the whole team taking care of patients who suffer from heart failure, attack or other heart issues. Introducing me to everyone was Dr David Patterson, who is the consultant cardiologist. I met the Head of Catering, Cecil Douglas, who has virtually banished salt from hospital food - or at least got the daily intake for patients below the 6gm max figure. He has a job and a half: to get ill people to eat something and yet give them good nutritious food that won't cause more health problems. And yes - there are a small number of remarks about blandness, but a hospital must be an example and they give you some education in nutrition whilst you are there. The problems really are when you go home and just cook with and/or and add salt for the rest of your life.

I learned something today in particular - that the Afro-Caribbean population is even more vulnerable to these diseases and that pickles and piccalilli carries huge doses of salt.

I also met one of my constituents who happened to be there and after talking to him what concerned me is that there is seemingly no real support package for when he returns home. He is elderly with a serious heart condition - can barely move his hands through arthritis - so how is he going to cook for himself, let alone worry about things like salt content?

Anyway - a very big congratulation to the Whittington with their Charter Mark for their cardiology department's high levels of patient care and service provision. Very impressive!

Then I meet with David Sloman, the hospital’s Chief Executive, for my two monthly 'chat'. I have been concerned over the Government's outrageous cash grab in terms of top-slicing from budgets of health trusts etc - thus punishing those who have maintained their budgets properly. The promise is that after three years this 'loan' will be returned. Pigs might fly! But I have also been worried about the Government's aversion to District General Hospitals - which the Whittington is. Of course we must provide the very best specialist hospitals giving the best care in the world for diseases - but that is not the staple diet of need. What the Government ignores is the fact that people want their services locally - including a general hospital that can deliver the medical treatments near their homes.

Straight onto surgery at Jacksons Lane - except I get a call from Ed (my head of office) to say that having arrived at Jacksons Lane they have discovered it is closed because of building works - and no one has told us. But quick thinking Ed gets Highgate Library to let me do surgery there. Thank you Highgate Library!

Labels: david sloman, whittington hospital

Given all the campaigning I've been doing for police stations in Haringey, this statistic particularly caught my eye.

So typical of Labour - talk tough for the cheap news headlines, but fail to provide the quality service on the ground.

Tomorrow (Friday) I'm off to Reading for Radio 4's Any Questions. It'll be broadcast at 8pm, but if you miss it you can listen again on the BBC's website.

Labels: any questions

A footnote to my posting about yesterday's debate in Parliament: there's much more detail on the Liberal Democrat proposals for withdrawing British troops on the Liberal Democrat website.

Labels: iraq

Rush to Downing Street to meet three very, very old ladies who have come to present a petition to Patricia Hewitt via No 10! The Prayer (wording) on the petition reads:

We the undersigned condemn: the neglect of Hornsey Hospital and its site; the neglect of older peoples' services in Haringey; the failure to inform and consult with local people. We the undersigned demand that services promised for older people at Hornsey Central are provided at the site with no sell-off of NHS property.

It is signed by over 500 signatories - but there could have been many, many more. I myself have met with both local and London-wide NHS officials to try to ensure that the proceeds from the sale of part of the site go back into the redevelopment of the site - as despite our protests I fear they are steamrollering through the sale of the land.

The three ladies were fantastic. I just hope I am like that in my advanced years. Hetty Bower is 101 years old, Violet Reiners was born in 1915 and Alison Flora Selford was born in 1920. I met them, and Janet Shaprio (who organised all of this) outside the railings at Downing Street. So we went through security. The police and guards were all soooo nice to us and we took lots of photos before knocking on the door of No 10. Sadly, T Blair didn't open it and invite us in for tea! I thought how lovely it would have been if he had! Although I think he might have got the wrong end of our tongues if he had. The trio of ladies may have been old in years - but vigorous of conviction they definitely were. It was a joy to meet them.

Now I must pursue a request in the covering letter from Janet Shapiro to ask for a debate in the House of Commons on recent changes in NHS funding, and in particular the involvement of private partners. So that will go to Patricia Hewitt - and I will try in Business Questions next week to catch Mr Speaker's eye to also ask for that same debate!

Labels: hornsey central hospital, nhs

The afternoon's debate was 'Iraq and the wider Middle East'. Blair didn't lead on this and wasn’t even in Parliament for the debate. He should have been there and should have spoken. The first debate in government time for four years - and a Prime Minister who was only too keen to come to the Chamber when he wanted to persuade us into war (it worked on the Tories, but not on the Liberal Democrats) suddenly doesn’t have time to debate after all.

Ming was genuinely awewome. I haven't seen him give such a bravura speech since I came to Parliament. It is his strong suit - so it was so impressive. This was acknowledged by all sides.

The Liberal Democrats put forward a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. Yes - withdrawal with outline dates. Our premise is that without a deadline (based on what might be realised and pragmatic) there will never be a 'right' moment and now we have undoubtedly become part of the problem not the solution. We are making things worse now - not better.

Well - this proposal certainly upset the Tories (who voted for the war but are now saying they were duped by Tony; I guess they won’t be running their next election campaign based on a “you can trust our judgement” platform!). How can you name a date they asked. Supposing things aren't quiet when you get to the date? We think sometimes you have to make things happen. Lib Dems voted against the war - but once there - we felt we had to support the troops etc. But once the democratic(ish) elections were held, then there had to be a plan to withdraw. Now is the right time to set a progam of withdrawal in place - and that's what we set out today, and what Ming explained in his latest online broadcast:

Labels: iraq, ming campbell, tony blair

Today was the first International Development Questions since I’ve taken over as the Liberal Democrats’ Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. The ways the questions work is that there is a list of questions that will be orally asked of the International Development Secretary of State or his Ministers and they are published on what is called the Order Paper. We precede Prime Ministers' Questions and have half an hour for questions and answers.

Each question on the Order Paper is answered by the Minister or Secretary - and then the author of the oral question can ask one supplementary, and also other people can join in. As Shadow Secretary of State - I get called by Mr Speaker to chip in on any question on the Order Paper that I choose - but with such a time limit it would be risky not to go on one of the first three questions as it can be quite a long time on one question if there are a lot of people standing to catch Mr Speaker's eye.

I decided to come in on Question 3 on the Doha Trade talks:

Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey & Wood Green, Liberal Democrat)
There have recently been warm words from Europe and America about reinvigorating the Doha talks, but I am not convinced that there is any real political will behind that. It was certainly not at the top of the agenda of the President's "State of the Union" speech last night. What new and different steps has the Secretary of State taken recently to break the inertia and take advantage of the different political landscape that now exists in the American Congress?

Mr. Thomas
I congratulate the hon. Lady on her appointment as shadow Secretary of State for International Development. Let me repeat what I have said in response to earlier questions. The EC representative, Peter Mandelson, has taken part in constructive discussions, as did my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on his visit to the United States just before Christmas. My right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry held useful and productive discussions with their Indian counterparts last week, and we continue to talk to our allies in Europe with the aim of advancing the EC's position further.

There are signs of progress, but we still have some way to go. Obviously we need to do more to lock down the deal which, as I think is recognised by Members in all parts of the House, is fundamental if developing countries are to make the progress that we all want in order to achieve the millennium development goals.

We are also after the Government over the BAe scandal (dropping of corruption inquiry by Labour). Hilary Benn is the ministerial champion for combatting international corruption. So we asked him whether he had been consulted by the Government over their decision to drop the prosecution. No - said Hilary - they hadn't consulted him and that was OK because they did not need to. Now if I were Hilary I would be livid to not be consulted. We (my colleague Martin Horwood more accurately) were then hoping to get called in PMQs that followed so that he could then ask Tony Blair why he hadn't consulted his champion for combatting corruption - but sadly - Mr Speaker again failed to call a single LibDem on a supplementary. He hasn't called one this year!

Labels: hilary benn, pmqs, tony blair

Quite extraordinary today - I am having lunch with the American Ambassador (and five other senior Lib Dems - obviously not just me) and then later going to the premier of Blood Diamonds. I know - this is just not the staple diet I am used to - and like buses two things have come together on the same day.

The US Embassy is such an ugly building. And now - starkly guarded with concrete, fencing and guards - it feels hostile. Everyone was very nice at the lunch. And Mr Ambassador very genial. Given the slight tension between Lib Dems and the Government's pro-American foreign policy I guess it could have been more difficult than it actually was. All sides recognised that we may have differences (!) but we still have a lot in common and that we may not like American foreign policy in Iraq but we don't not like America.

It was a cordial affair - and yes - even with major world events on the agenda - Big Brother still raised its ugly head!

We (Lib Dems) launched our 'prescription' for the future Hornsey Central Hospital.



I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues are supporting a bid from the local health trust to the Government for £7million of public money to deliver the long-promised replacement for the closure of the old Hornsey Hospital.

Well - this 'replacement' has gone through so many incarnations over the last six or so years that the original promises of what would be provided have changed and changed and changed. It is now envisaged as a sort of super-clinic and we want to ensure that this new facility (should we win the bid) will deliver additional and wanted services - and won't simply be a reorganisation of existing services.

We must have additional health facilities - not just reorganised ones.

Moreover, we want the Trust to work closely with local people and local health professionals to identify what services are most wanted and needed - and to make sure that the new facility doesn't detract or impact negatively on local GP practices and local pharmacists. And we want to jump up and down about public transport links to the site. The old W2 was taken away on the basis that there was no hospital there - well now we need it back and more access. No new facility should require people coming for treatment to either live next door or have a car.

We haven't heard the result of the bid as yet - but it must be imminent as the Government has announced the first few successful bids for the 'Community Hospital' pot. So - fingers still crossed.

Labels: hornsey central hospital

Sustainable Communities Bill in Parliament today. Not a sexy name - but it may go some way to meet that dreadful sense of powerlessness we all get sometimes when the Government runs roughshod over local wishes. It’s about giving local communities much more power over their issues in their own patch. It is a Private Members' Bill with all party support - and though it is usually quite difficult to get MPs to Parliament on a Friday (those with constituencies outside London are normally travelling back to a long weekend packed full of local meetings and events) - today there were enough to see it through to the next stage. Julia Goldsworthy has been doing much of the running for the Liberal Democrats on the issue – and you can watch her talk about it on her website.

Debate was followed by a very harrowing surgery – and then followed by a weekend off(ish)!

Labels: julia goldsworthy, sustainable communities bill

Had to go and get lots of jabs! Looking after international development means I’ll be spending some time sharing territory with mosquitoes and worse – so immunisation is the order of the day. I go off to the Royal Free, which has a really helpful travel clinic. I gladly wait beyond my appointment time to let in a gentleman in a wheelchair who is late for his appointment (the one before mine) because he has not been able to park. Pay attention Royal Free - people in wheelchairs either need more spaces allocated or they need to be offered appointments at less busy times of the day.

The unlucky man had had to literally just leave the car somewhere on the street and wheel himself up (and the Royal Free is on a bit of a hill) to get to the main entrance. The clinic was good with him and for his next appointment have arranged an early one – but that shouldn’t be done only after an experience like that.

So - today I am replete with yellow fever and meningitis jabs and next week its tetanus, diphtheria, polio and something else I've forgotten. I have my malaria tablets, insect repellent (one that apparently dissolves plastic) and a tummy upset kit (polite phrasing.! So - I will be prepared!

But the event of today was visiting Spurs. I am there to launch a new sort of 'get kids off the streets' programme where Spurs as part of their new inclusion unit works with the local community to combat crime.

As I said to the kids from Noel Park (who are the first up for this new venture) I get lots of complaints about kids playing football on the streets - and here at last is a good idea with somewhere they can play legitimately AND with Spurs. No better partner. All of the credit really goes to the police - and more particularly Noel Park Safer Neighbourhood Team who have put this all together. Congrats to Andy and the team!

The Noel Park crew arrived and after extremely brief speeches from Spurs, me, a councillor and the police - it was on to the main menu.

Star footballer Hossam Ghaly was there to hand out the new kit to the team and then - when they got into their kit - knock a ball around with them. One of my colleagues from the constituency, Matt Davies (Lib Dem councillor for Fortis Green) had kindly come to take the photos - and I could see in his eyes the envy of these kids getting to play with a Spurs footballer. Matt is an avid Spurs fan (which is probably why he volunteered to come and take the shots)!

I went to the Save Community Hospitals' lobby in Westminster Hall yesterday. In Haringey we are not so much trying to save a hospital and get a new one on the site of the old one - which wasn't saved!

I also had Question 4 on the order paper in Foreign Affairs Questions.

Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey & Wood Green, Liberal Democrat)
What recent assessment she has made of developments in the situation in Darfur; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett (Secretary of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office)
President Bashir has now accepted UN support for AMIS—the African Union Mission in Sudan—and has allowed the first UN military personnel into Darfur. That is important, but it is only the first step. We urge the Government of Sudan, the UN and the African Union to work for full implementation of the joint support package and an urgent resumption of the political process. All sides need to observe the ceasefire, too, particularly the Government of Sudan, who have been bombing the rebels, as that is vital for progress on the humanitarian front.

Lynne Featherstone (Hornsey & Wood Green, Liberal Democrat)
I thank the Secretary of State for her reply, but has a timeline been developed for the United Nations and the African Union to be on the ground? At what point will that protection start to be provided for people in Darfur?

Margaret Beckett (Secretary of State, Foreign & Commonwealth Office)
There are three stages to the deployment: first, light support, in which 180 personnel, 34 of whom have already arrived, are expected to be involved; secondly, heavy support; and, finally, the establishment of a full hybrid African Union and United Nations force. There is no specific timescale, but everyone who wishes the position in Darfur to improve is anxious that as many of those people as possible should be deployed as soon as possible, and that is something for which we are all working.

Ironically, had had to move my meeting with Secretary of State for International Development from 3pm because of the question. It's like a ballot - so until a couple of days before you have no idea that the question you have tabled has been selected. Anyway - Hilary Benn's office were very accommodating and moved the meeting which had been initiated by Hilary as a meet and greet me in my new role.

I went to DFID unarmed. Having heard tell that Hilary Benn doesn't have an enemy in the world, I judged it safe. Which meant I found myself not just with Hilary as I had expected - but with four of his key aides. Five to one! The first thing you notice is that it is nothing like the Home Office - they are nice and civilised. I think in the year and a half I was on the front bench for Home Affairs - Tony McNulty (Labour's equivalent) only said hello about twice!

Anyway - we had a chat about the Department and the work they carry out. I look forward to working with him - as we say.

Then it was straight on to Haringey Civic Centre for the presentation by the four bidders for the new school to be built in my constituency. This is one of those insane Government forced bids to bring in an Academy. Boroughs of all political persuasions have seen these privately sponsored new schools take over. I suppose the original idea was enabling the Government to intervene where schools were failing and the LEA was appalling (understandable).

However, this is about businesses really getting hold of Government funding. Listening to the four bids - from a variety of sponsors - it was clear that there was very little to guide one as to which one would deliver exactly what. The crying shame - and actually complete travesty - was the lack of real people at the meeting. There were the bidders, the councillors, some heads, the press - but only six (other) members of the community.

So one has to wonder about Haringey's efforts to publicise the event (not much). Gail Engert (Lib Dem Education Spokesperson) asked that they consider a better-advertised second meeting. The consultation period needs to be longer and there is a problem with the timing of the decision - which is going to be in the Easter holidays. That is not good - as people can come and present to the decision making meeting – but at that time lots of people are away.

And of course - home to watch Big Brother. This has turned political as a Labour member has tabled an EDM. I am not sure that is the way forward in this case. If there is anything that has broken our laws - then it is really a police matter. However, I am not sure whether it is that clear that it would result in a successful prosecution. It is more the bullying by a gang of girls on one who is different. I can only assume they were jealous of her and because she is posh and classy (as well as non-white) they focused their nastiness on her difference.

I wonder if their punishment won't be ending up pariahs when they come out. If only the world was that fair!!!

Labels: darfur, gail engert, hilary benn, margaret beckett

I pondered when writing my previous blog posting about describing the behaviour on Celebrity Big Brother as racist, rather than simply deeply unpleasant. Not violent racism, not overt name-calling racism - but constant dribbling racism. So - what do you think? Was it racist behaviour?

Today Ming asked me to attend his meeting with Save the Children. Jasmine Whitbread laid out her stall very clearly and is, I thought, a very able advocate for the work they do. All the organisations are keen to influence me at this early stage of my thinking - and that is their job and their advocacy. I am looking and learning at the moment. Absorbing it all and asking many questions. In a field like this I am keen to add value and champion what not only needs championing but the things that strike a chord with me, with Liberal Democracy and with need - and where I think I and we as a party can add value.

Labels: ming campbell

I am working my way through the countries, the diseases and the disasters. Today I met with Malaria Venture - a group researching and developing a new raft of drugs to treat malaria. There is no vaccine in sight - so it’s a matter of treatment by drugs and prevention by nets, better systems for no stagnant water in which to breed etc. Their major backers are Mr and Mrs Microsoft, who foot the bill for the largest slice of their work - but they still need funding to move a procession of new drugs work forward and for those coming out the other end with imminent registration. And they need the politicians to push out the barriers in terms of how such drugs can be delivered.

I was interested to learn that one of the barriers to delivery is that the people themselves often won't take the drugs - preferring first to go to local stalls or shops where often they are sold tablets by unscrupulous merchants which cost a fortune and don't treat the disease. Often these tablets are made of chalk. So - clearly governance is an issue. How, in these types of territory can you stop such criminal activity?

Watched in horror in the later evening (my children insist - that's my defence) as Celebrity Big Brother let one of the inmates, a Bollywood Film Star (and very beautiful) be mercilessly bullied by three stupid, young idiots. It was just what bullying is - nasty ganging up on someone who is different from the pack. But these three ghastly girls are way out of school age. Shilpa was clearly hurt - but handling it very gracefully I thought. However, this is unacceptable television - but more importantly demonstrates quite clearly how unpleasant the views of some people are. This won't end here - nor should it.

Following up on the piece I wrote for Liberal Review querying whether only councillors should have a say in the election of council group leaders (after all, party leaders aren't elected just by MPs) - London Region have put a discussion on the agenda for the regional conference coming up in a few weeks. Should make for an interesting debate - especially as lots of councillors normally attend!

It is so weird to go out at 9.30pm on a Sunday night to do a live panel discussion. That's the time of the week when I am normally just relaxing before the onslaught of the week ahead, making sure everything is done and ready.

But last night (Sunday) was the first of the new era of The Westminster Hour with its new presenter Carolyn Quinn. One of the innovations is a live slot with a panel of MPs - myself, Kitty Usher (Labour) and Ed Vaizey (Tory). Some weeks will be the three of us together but more often it will be two of the three in any combination for a chat about what's coming up in the week ahead, any particular issues of interest to us individually - and as Ed and I are consummate bloggers - what the blogs are saying.

So off I went to Millbank for a 10.15 start. Kitty had been all over the papers as one of those on the Government payroll who was campaigning against closure of health facilities locally while being one of those voting for the cuts on the government whip in the House of Commons. I thought she had a pretty good stab at defending herself.

To my mind, the big problem isn’t whether Labour MPs are being consistent or not, but that MPs from all parties are raising concerns - and Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt isn't listening. In Hornsey & Wood Green (as I said on air) the local council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee wrote, as did I, to Patricia - and the reply they got was from the equivalent of the Customer Service department in BT or the Royal Mail. Thank you for your letter – but… Being fobbed off with such a junior reply is hardly the Health Secretary listening.

What makes the fob off more galling is that Patricia Hewitt told Parliament that the correct procedure is indeed for council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committees to write to her and she will use her discretion to intervene and takes this most seriously. Not what happened in Haringey’s case!

Then we had a bash at the Home Office - well it's an open door on a day when the Government is on the run from yet more scandalous incompetence. If the Government stopped trying to make a new law every day (3,000 new offences since 1997), then their staff might have a chance to get on top of their jobs. But the Government just loves headlines that say: we are going to be active - we are doing things. Just as when John Reid said he would work f***ing 18 hours a day to get it sorted – it makes for good headlines, but the results are rather different!

Labels: carolyn quinn, ed vaizey, the westminster hour

I'm making the first of a series of appearances on The Westminster Hour on Radio 4, at 10pm this evening.

Labels: the westminster hour

Since being promoted to the Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet, I've had quite a lot of suggestions for issues around international development I should be campaigning or working one.

One was about championing a particular outfit working to aid encourage by investment in small businesses in the development field. I've been looking into its work, but thought – why not also ask more widely for what people think of its work? So – have a look at www.kiva.org and let me know what you think,

Visited Stroud Green Primary and Infant School today to see the product of their work with Creative Partnerships (CP). CP are part of a government program to go into schools in areas of deprivation and work with the school, an artist and the children on projects that will develop the children through arts and drama. This type of learning is indeed vital and is one of the areas that seems somehow to have been squeezed out of the normal curriculum - although in the end that's where it really needs to be.

But with budgets squeezed and targets set - even for the youngest now - there is little resource in-house to even begin this sort of intensive specialist work. Which is where Creative Partnerships come in.

So basically - with the littlest children - Creative Partnerships find the school, the right teacher and the right Head (as you need the school to take this on with open arms if it is to work - and here they have) and an artist. We had Harriet - who seemed absolutely delightful and committed to the project and to the children. As CP pointed out to me, the last thing you need is a 'resting' actor who is only filling in; you need someone who really believes that through vision and drama children can learn through different pathways.

And therein lies the point - this form of learning isn't academic but rather it helps develop the other talents children have. Sometimes a child who finds in normal class that they are last or worst or slow or whatever finds that here they can shine in a completely different way. And I personally am a strong supporter of bringing out the best in each child. And that certainly isn't a one size fits all: life's more complicated than that.

This is not about 'putting on a play' with the talented actor child always getting the main part. This is about thinking - writing and creating a story – and then having the teacher perform it at the childrens' behest.

In Stroud Green's case it was 'Tom the Diver's Last Dive', about all the things he encountered in his last dive. It was quite clear that the children were completely engaged in thinking and speaking about all that was going on. There were no children who hung at the back not participating and there was genuine learning and enjoyment - so congrats to all.

However, when the funding runs out - the real challenge is to be able to maintain this type of teaching and learning within the normal school curriculum.

Do you remember it? I don't.

Prime Minister Questions were not very inspiring today - tired old Prime Minister. Where's his sparkle gone? Mind you Cameron lost the plot. He went on the mess in the Home Office - but failed to hit home trying too hard to turn it around to the Conservative policy (one of the rarest commodities in politics) which is to have a Minster of Homeland Security. So he tried to turn a complete balls up by John Reid and the Home Office into a reason for a terrorism minister. Didn't fly at all.

Ming went on Iraq and pushed Blair to see whether - given that Bush is going to announce 22,000 more troops tonight - Blair is going to send any more British troops. He didn't answer as usual. So good question - but no answer!

Labels: ming campbell, pmqs

Yesterday was my first Shadow Cabinet meeting, but the main event of the day was going to Oxford for a three hour briefing at Oxfam Headquarters. They are really huge these days and I guess that is reflected in the extension of what they do from where they started when first founded to a now much wider brief.

So - I was briefed on situations in Sudan, Middle East, Asia and the rest; on arms treaties and trade; on climate change and development and so on and so on. It was tremendously interesting and useful - as the NGOs are numerous in this field and are on the front line.

That having been said, I have some clear ideas of where I want to go with the portfolio and am setting up a strategy group to map out the next year.

I've just been filmed - it's a short piece about becoming the Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for International Development:

Hurrah! Transport for London is finally proposing to extend the 102 bus route by giving it a half-hourly service at night.

My Lib Dem colleague Cllr Gail Engert (Muswell Hill, my old ward!) has been campaigning for this - so congrats to Gail.

You can read more in the story on my website - including crucially how you can have your say on these plans.

Labels: gail engert, tfl

Happy New(ish) Year to all! Today is back to Parliament day - and I apologise for not blogging much last week but given my days were taken with paperwork and emails I spared blog readers the blow by blow account of all that!

But now - it's off with a whooshhhhhhhhh to 2007 and a whole new portfolio as the Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for International Development. I have been devoting my attention to getting to grips with the issues, names and places that will now feature much more heavily in my work. Although there will undoubtedly be a bit of travel, I am not a great believer in gadding about for the sake of it - so have asked for assessments on where I do need to go and where not.

My previous Home Affairs job was very full on - both in terms of Parliamentary time (lots of legislation, statements etc) and media and speech demands outside Parliament. So I gain back some time in those areas - but will probably find that I do have to do some travel.

I don't want to change the balance of my constituency / Parliamentary time as it seems to work pretty well at the moment. So - hopefully the change in portfolio will balance out to roughly the same time commitment as before. We will see.

Today I have my first meeting with my new team. The Parliamentary Lib Dem team I now join is home to Defence and Foreign Affairs as well as International Development. That's this afternoon!

Anyway - just thought I'd let you know that blogging is back on. And say a big hello and welcome to a new MP blogger - my LibDem colleague Steve Webb! It was Steve's move from Shadow Secretary of State for Health to being responsible for our new manifesto that shuffled a few people around leaving the gap at International Development in the Shadow Cabinet!

His blog is at webbsteve.blogspot.com

Webb on the Web - I like it! It was really Steve who inspired me to become an internet campaigner and I well remember attending a training event by him at an autumn conference - so he has a lot to answer for! In terms of trying to give the everyday life of a working MP to those who elected us – I am sure he will find it worthwhile. Good luck Steve!