Friday, December 09, 2005
Fridays are Private Members days at the Commons, when MPs who have been successful in a ballot can put forward a Bill that they feel strongly about. There are good examples of Private Members Bills such as the recent ones by Mark Lazarowicz in relation to climate change which went through a couple of weeks ago (the Bill will place a requirement upon the Prime Mininster to report annually to Parliament about climate change, which would then be subject to a debate in the Commons. It also encourages more widespread use of microgeneration techniques for energy production). Unfortunately, last Friday (2nd Dec) Anne Macintosh MP (a Tory MP) introduced a Bill that would have caused chaos with our criminal laws around self defence and the use of force - the Criminal Law (Amendment) Protection of Property Bill. The transcript of the debate is here
I was quite keen to ensure that this Bill was properly scrutinised. I was pleased that fellow ex solicitor, Andrew Dismore MP felt as strongly about this as I did. When he stood up to speak, I thought I would get my chance to make my speech shortly after his. However, he stood up at 11:13am and did not sit down until the House was adjourned at 230pm. I have since discovered that both he and I broke records: Andrew for the longest speech this century and me for the most interventions (53)!
On Saturday, I did my usual surgery at Tooting library. In the evening, I went with my 2 daughters to the Diwali celebrations at Wandsworth Town Hall, organised by the Hindu Society (in Garratt Lane). The Mayor and Martin Linton MP joined the hundreds of local residents celebrating the evening of singing, dancing, plays and poetry. My kids and I enjoyed the entertainment and the food afterwards.
On Sunday morning I was a speaker at the Global Peace and Unity event at the ExCel centre in the Docklands. Other speakers included the Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer, Ex cricketers Imran Khan and Saeed Anwar, Sir Iqbal Sacranie of the MCB and many many others. There were family friendly stalls, talks, poetry and recitations.
My afternoon was spent canvassing with Labour party members in the heart of Tooting. The response on the doorstep was very positive. However, some residents did make complaints about traffic issues and litter. These are the responsibility of the local Tory council and I am taking up all issues raised and continuing my campaign to clean Tooting up. Details and my survey are here.
On Monday, I had one of my usual drop in surgeries at Earlsfield Library. After this I attended the memorial service for the Right Honourable Robin Cook MP at Westminister Abbey. The service of thanksgiving for the life and work of Robin was really touching. In addition to readings from members of his family, there were reading and tributes from the former US Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.
In the afternoon, Gordon Brown, was at his majestic best in the Chamber as he made his Pre Budget Statement. This is available online. There were some important announcements in the Pre Budget Report: an additional £53 million to expand Youth Opportunity Funds; an additional £300 million over three years to enable pensioners on Pension Credit who do not have central heating to have it installed free of charge, and to provide a £300 discount on central heating for all other pensioners; a package of reforms to raise the level of new home building and a series of steps to increase certainty of awards for tax credits claimants. Despite my best attempts to speak I was unfortunately not called by the Speaker .
This week, the Public Accounts Committee was looking into the Environment Agency and their efficiency in water resource management. This is particularly apt as last week a large main burst in Tooting resulting in floods and major disruption. The Environmental Agency spends £114 million a year in England and Wales monitoring water levels and regulating the abstraction of water by water companies, industry and farmers. In general, the Agency provides a well managed and professional service but we did identify areas where savings could be made.
My evening was spent in a reception given by the Speaker of the House, Mr Michael Martin MP, in honour of Liverpool FC for the remarkable achievement of winning the European Cup for a record 5 times. As a lifelong Liverpool fan, May was a special month for me. I have since been teased by friends as to what was my happiest moment in May - becoming MP for Tooting, Labour winning a record third term or the Mighty Liverpool becoming champions of Europe for a 5th time?! Unfortunately the current team were training in advance of their game with Chelsea and couldn't make the reception, however there were Liverpool legends present including Ian Rush and Phil Neal. A Photo is here.
Sadiq
I was quite keen to ensure that this Bill was properly scrutinised. I was pleased that fellow ex solicitor, Andrew Dismore MP felt as strongly about this as I did. When he stood up to speak, I thought I would get my chance to make my speech shortly after his. However, he stood up at 11:13am and did not sit down until the House was adjourned at 230pm. I have since discovered that both he and I broke records: Andrew for the longest speech this century and me for the most interventions (53)!
On Saturday, I did my usual surgery at Tooting library. In the evening, I went with my 2 daughters to the Diwali celebrations at Wandsworth Town Hall, organised by the Hindu Society (in Garratt Lane). The Mayor and Martin Linton MP joined the hundreds of local residents celebrating the evening of singing, dancing, plays and poetry. My kids and I enjoyed the entertainment and the food afterwards.
On Sunday morning I was a speaker at the Global Peace and Unity event at the ExCel centre in the Docklands. Other speakers included the Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer, Ex cricketers Imran Khan and Saeed Anwar, Sir Iqbal Sacranie of the MCB and many many others. There were family friendly stalls, talks, poetry and recitations.
My afternoon was spent canvassing with Labour party members in the heart of Tooting. The response on the doorstep was very positive. However, some residents did make complaints about traffic issues and litter. These are the responsibility of the local Tory council and I am taking up all issues raised and continuing my campaign to clean Tooting up. Details and my survey are here.
On Monday, I had one of my usual drop in surgeries at Earlsfield Library. After this I attended the memorial service for the Right Honourable Robin Cook MP at Westminister Abbey. The service of thanksgiving for the life and work of Robin was really touching. In addition to readings from members of his family, there were reading and tributes from the former US Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.
In the afternoon, Gordon Brown, was at his majestic best in the Chamber as he made his Pre Budget Statement. This is available online. There were some important announcements in the Pre Budget Report: an additional £53 million to expand Youth Opportunity Funds; an additional £300 million over three years to enable pensioners on Pension Credit who do not have central heating to have it installed free of charge, and to provide a £300 discount on central heating for all other pensioners; a package of reforms to raise the level of new home building and a series of steps to increase certainty of awards for tax credits claimants. Despite my best attempts to speak I was unfortunately not called by the Speaker .
This week, the Public Accounts Committee was looking into the Environment Agency and their efficiency in water resource management. This is particularly apt as last week a large main burst in Tooting resulting in floods and major disruption. The Environmental Agency spends £114 million a year in England and Wales monitoring water levels and regulating the abstraction of water by water companies, industry and farmers. In general, the Agency provides a well managed and professional service but we did identify areas where savings could be made.
My evening was spent in a reception given by the Speaker of the House, Mr Michael Martin MP, in honour of Liverpool FC for the remarkable achievement of winning the European Cup for a record 5 times. As a lifelong Liverpool fan, May was a special month for me. I have since been teased by friends as to what was my happiest moment in May - becoming MP for Tooting, Labour winning a record third term or the Mighty Liverpool becoming champions of Europe for a 5th time?! Unfortunately the current team were training in advance of their game with Chelsea and couldn't make the reception, however there were Liverpool legends present including Ian Rush and Phil Neal. A Photo is here.
Sadiq
