Thursday, October 11, 2007
I spent a really enjoyable, uplifting but gruelling week in Bournemouth at the Labour Party Conference. One of the best things about conference is the opportunity to hear fresh ideas from colleagues and experts from different policy areas. Unfortunately, as I was speaking in so many Fringe meetings myself the opportunity to listen in other meetings was limited. Clearly, the highlight of the week was Gordon Brown’s brilliant speech on the Monday. Gordon was in top form and showed during his hour long speech why he stands head and shoulders above the leaders of the other two main parties both in terms of vision and strength of character. Other highlights were the Compass fringe where both Douglas Alexander and Ed Milliband gave tour de force speeches of where a 4th term Labour Government should go. The low of the week was definitely losing to the lobby journalists in football 3-1. My excuse for my own poor performance was that I was fasting (!)but I think the fact that the Lobby team brought on a “ringer” at half time who was younger, fitter and more skilful than any other player on the pitch was the biggest factor!
You can find out more details of the Labour Party Conference by visiting the Labour Party website by clicking HERE
On the Friday of my return from conference, I took part in the Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning at St Georges Hospital. Each year, the event is bigger than the year before. More than £1000 was raised last year and I am confident this was surpassed this year. Martin Linton MP for Battersea was also present and you can see a photo of us by clicking HERE. This has been the third Macmillan Coffee Morning that I have attended at St George’s as Tooting’s MP, and every year has been bigger and better than the previous one. I hope to attend many more, as they are a really fun way to raise both the profile of a wonderful organisation and funds for them to use. You can find out more about Macmillan’s excellent work by clicking HERE
I also met with the Operations Manager of London Underground to discuss progress of improvements on the Northern Line and on the 3 tube stations in the constituency, Balham, Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec. I arranged for this meeting to take place at Tooting Broadway Station to enable local Councillor Nick Bowes and a journalist from the local Guardian to also attend and raise issues of concern to them. Mike Brown explained TfL’s programme of improvements for the Northern Line, which includes laying new tracks, installing a new signalling system and the purchase of new trains. All of these improvements are designed to increase the speed, capacity and reliability of the line as well as enhancing passenger comfort. I will continue to push for more improvements, and for them to come as soon as is possible, on your behalf.
You can see a photo of the meeting by clicking HERE.
On Saturday I attended the Open day event organised by Local Housing Associations at St James Community Centre in Old Hospital Close. In addition to a bouncy castle and face painting, there was also facilities available for help with CV’s and job searching and other services available. It was really good to see local police and community support offices mingling on first name terms with local residents.
You can find out more details of the Labour Party Conference by visiting the Labour Party website by clicking HERE
On the Friday of my return from conference, I took part in the Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning at St Georges Hospital. Each year, the event is bigger than the year before. More than £1000 was raised last year and I am confident this was surpassed this year. Martin Linton MP for Battersea was also present and you can see a photo of us by clicking HERE. This has been the third Macmillan Coffee Morning that I have attended at St George’s as Tooting’s MP, and every year has been bigger and better than the previous one. I hope to attend many more, as they are a really fun way to raise both the profile of a wonderful organisation and funds for them to use. You can find out more about Macmillan’s excellent work by clicking HERE
I also met with the Operations Manager of London Underground to discuss progress of improvements on the Northern Line and on the 3 tube stations in the constituency, Balham, Tooting Broadway and Tooting Bec. I arranged for this meeting to take place at Tooting Broadway Station to enable local Councillor Nick Bowes and a journalist from the local Guardian to also attend and raise issues of concern to them. Mike Brown explained TfL’s programme of improvements for the Northern Line, which includes laying new tracks, installing a new signalling system and the purchase of new trains. All of these improvements are designed to increase the speed, capacity and reliability of the line as well as enhancing passenger comfort. I will continue to push for more improvements, and for them to come as soon as is possible, on your behalf.
You can see a photo of the meeting by clicking HERE.
On Saturday I attended the Open day event organised by Local Housing Associations at St James Community Centre in Old Hospital Close. In addition to a bouncy castle and face painting, there was also facilities available for help with CV’s and job searching and other services available. It was really good to see local police and community support offices mingling on first name terms with local residents.
