Tuesday, June 20, 2006
On Monday 3rd June, the Public Accounts Committee examined the Quality of Postal Services. We examined the performance of Royal Mail, including how they are monitored.
On Tuesday morning I attended the Islamic Finance and Trade Conference organised by the MCB, where Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer was the keynote speaker. Gordon was on top form and talked about Britain being the "gateway to Islamic trade….the global centre for Islamic finance." I also chaired a seminar on ethical and socially responsible investment.
I was also interviewed about young people and democracy by a student who is doing a study on this. It should be a cause of real concern that only 37% of those aged between 18 and 24 voted in the last General Election. It is encouraging that there appears to be a growing awareness amongst younger voters that one of the consequences of low turnout may be elected politicians neglecting issues that matter to young people and disproportionately focussing on issues that matter to those who are more likely to vote.
I am still sitting on the Standing Committee of the Finance Bill.
On Wednesday, I attended the annual sports day at Fircroft Primary School. I was really present as a proud dad, rather then the local MP, I have to confess! The termly Governor’s meeting at Fircroft was also on Wednesday. In the evening, I hosted a fundraising dinner for Tooting Labour Party, where Dr John Reid MP, the Home Secretary, was the guest speaker.
On Thursday I chaired a meeting organised by Save the Children, who gave MPs and their staff a briefing on the recent Indonesian earthquake.The quake happened at the end of March and hit the island of Java. Current estimates show that 6,000 people have been killed with up to 53,000 injured and up to 600,000 people displaced. 67,000 houses have been destroyed, with a further 72,000 damaged. Save the Children have been providing shelter kits which include corrugated iron sheets, tools and cash. Their website is here.
On Friday, I took part in a roundtable discussion on Britishness. I was on the panel with Culture Minister, David Lammy MP, Opinion Leader Research representative Deborah Mattinson, and leading playwright David Edgar. The event was organised by the Fabian Society.
In the evening I attended the 100th Birthday celebration of Battersea Labour Party. The Battersea centenary was a great night. I am afraid I was not brave enough to wear fancy dress but I was surrounded by suffragetes, factory workers and railway workers. In addition to a history presentation and a special Any Questions set in 1906, Martin Linton MP led the Battersea Singers through chart toppers from the last 100 years.
On Saturday, I attended my usual advice surgery at Tooting Library.
I spent the rest of the day with my family at the Furzedown Funday. It was as enjoyable as ever. I "looked after" the bouncy castle for a short slot but also got the chance to see Jim the Juggler, the bands on the mini stage, the face painting, entertainers and the games. The aim of the Furzedown Festival, which lasts a week, is to promote community feeling, provide fun activities and put on a show for all the family. The organisers all live locally and give up their time, ideas and hard work for free. I am still in awe at how they organise such fantastic weather each year!
On Sunday, I joined Martin and Louisa from my office, Earlsfield Boxing Club and 27,000 other cyclists in the annual London to Brighton Bike Ride. It's 56 miles, and all money raised goes to the British Heart Foundation. Our team raised over £1000.
Sadiq
On Tuesday morning I attended the Islamic Finance and Trade Conference organised by the MCB, where Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer was the keynote speaker. Gordon was on top form and talked about Britain being the "gateway to Islamic trade….the global centre for Islamic finance." I also chaired a seminar on ethical and socially responsible investment.
I was also interviewed about young people and democracy by a student who is doing a study on this. It should be a cause of real concern that only 37% of those aged between 18 and 24 voted in the last General Election. It is encouraging that there appears to be a growing awareness amongst younger voters that one of the consequences of low turnout may be elected politicians neglecting issues that matter to young people and disproportionately focussing on issues that matter to those who are more likely to vote.
I am still sitting on the Standing Committee of the Finance Bill.
On Wednesday, I attended the annual sports day at Fircroft Primary School. I was really present as a proud dad, rather then the local MP, I have to confess! The termly Governor’s meeting at Fircroft was also on Wednesday. In the evening, I hosted a fundraising dinner for Tooting Labour Party, where Dr John Reid MP, the Home Secretary, was the guest speaker.
On Thursday I chaired a meeting organised by Save the Children, who gave MPs and their staff a briefing on the recent Indonesian earthquake.The quake happened at the end of March and hit the island of Java. Current estimates show that 6,000 people have been killed with up to 53,000 injured and up to 600,000 people displaced. 67,000 houses have been destroyed, with a further 72,000 damaged. Save the Children have been providing shelter kits which include corrugated iron sheets, tools and cash. Their website is here.
On Friday, I took part in a roundtable discussion on Britishness. I was on the panel with Culture Minister, David Lammy MP, Opinion Leader Research representative Deborah Mattinson, and leading playwright David Edgar. The event was organised by the Fabian Society.
In the evening I attended the 100th Birthday celebration of Battersea Labour Party. The Battersea centenary was a great night. I am afraid I was not brave enough to wear fancy dress but I was surrounded by suffragetes, factory workers and railway workers. In addition to a history presentation and a special Any Questions set in 1906, Martin Linton MP led the Battersea Singers through chart toppers from the last 100 years.
On Saturday, I attended my usual advice surgery at Tooting Library.
I spent the rest of the day with my family at the Furzedown Funday. It was as enjoyable as ever. I "looked after" the bouncy castle for a short slot but also got the chance to see Jim the Juggler, the bands on the mini stage, the face painting, entertainers and the games. The aim of the Furzedown Festival, which lasts a week, is to promote community feeling, provide fun activities and put on a show for all the family. The organisers all live locally and give up their time, ideas and hard work for free. I am still in awe at how they organise such fantastic weather each year!
On Sunday, I joined Martin and Louisa from my office, Earlsfield Boxing Club and 27,000 other cyclists in the annual London to Brighton Bike Ride. It's 56 miles, and all money raised goes to the British Heart Foundation. Our team raised over £1000.
Sadiq
