75 Most Recent Stories From Lib Dem Women in Parliament

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

Second Chance For Brent Police Station Fight - Teather (Sarah Teather).

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather has pledged to keep fighting for Brent's police stations after the Metropolitan Police admitted they have suspended the closure programme for four months to allow for further consultation.

BURT SPEAKS IN PARLIAMENT ON SOLIHULL POST OFFICE CLOSURES (Lorely Burt).

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt spoke twice in Parliament yesterday in defence of Solihull Post Offices under threat of closure.

SATs TEST MARKING 'A SHAMBLES' - BURT (Lorely Burt).

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt today dubbed this year's SATS testing a shambles and said that some pupils in Solihull may have to wait until the Autumn term to get their results.

MP BACKS CLEGG CALL TO 'MAKE IT HAPPEN' (Lorely Burt).

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has welcomed the launch of the Liberal Democrats' vision for Britain by Party Leader Nick Clegg MP. Called 'Make it Happen', the paper will be debated at the party's conference in Bournemouth in September.

GIDLEY WELCOMES COMMITMENT FROM FORD (Sandra Gidley).

Following her meeting with Ford this afternoon, local MP Sandra Gidley has welcomed the vehicle company's commitment to do all it can to maintain a presence in Southampton.

Wed 23rd Jul 2008:

What will I be doing when Parliament is in recess? (Lynne Featherstone).

The Guardian has part of the answer:This year, Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, plans to visit all the residential care homes in her constituency. "That's what the recess is for," she says. "It's a chance to really focus on a single group."

Tue 22nd Jul 2008:

Iris Robinson, again (Lynne Featherstone).

Iris Robinson - about whom I have blogged before - is at it again. She is revealed in all her bigotry and internal hatreds in her words: There can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality and sodomy, than sexually abusing innocent children ... I cannot think of anything more sickening than a child being abused. It is comparable to the act of homosexuality. I think they are all comparable. I feel totally repulsed by both.Although she has now clearly been forced to say that this is not what she meant - I doubt there are many people who believe her. And, quite frankly, better we all know what sort of woman this is who represents the DUP. For all the clarifications she has tried to give - to me - she is revealed as not only homophobic - but someone who believes that this is a dog whistle to like-minded people who agree with her.The whole scenario is genuinely frightening. To see and hear such naked hatred of something that in these days of enlightenment the vast majority of people have moved on from. But this is a stark reminder that it exists - still running strongly beneath the surface in some sectors of ourcommunity.

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

MP SUPPORTS CALL FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL EXPANSION (Susan Kramer).

Susan Kramer MP has expressed her support for a new study published by the 2M group that shows high-speed rail could replace most domestic flights.

MP CUTS TAPE AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S GARDEN PARTY (Lorely Burt).

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt dropped in on St Augustine's Primary School Garden Party in Whitefields Road last Saturday, cutting the tape to open the event with Father Andrew, and helping to serve teas and slices of Father Andrew's ordination cake during the afternoon.

KEEP TRADE LOCAL - GIDLEY (Sandra Gidley).

Romsey's MP, Sandra Gidley, has signed up to the Federation of Small Business's Keep Trade Local manifesto, calling for government action to halt the decline of independent small businesses in our high streets and villages.

RICHMOND PARK MP KNITS TO SAVE CHILDREN'S LIVES (Susan Kramer).

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston joined forces with other MPs in the Houses of Parliament to knit baby hats for Save the Children's latest campaign to save ten million children's lives.

LOCAL MP AIMS TO SAVE LIVES BY TEXT (Susan Kramer).

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston is backing her Liberal Democrat colleague Adrian Sanders' Parliamentary campaign to introduce a 999 text service.

HUNDREDS TURN OUT TO PROTEST AGAINST POST OFFICE CLOSURES (Julia Goldsworthy).

- Julia applauds "amazing turnout" of local people -

Disgrace over £1.4bn lost tax credits (Jo Swinson).

Almost £1.4bn has been lost though error in the tax credit system in one year alone, a National Statistics document has revealed.

Annette Brooke MP celebrates UK-wide children's reading programme (Annette Brooke).

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, last week celebrated the Summer Reading Challenge, which aims to keep 650,000 young people across the UK active and reading throughout the summer holidays. She attended a House of Commons reception on Wednesday 16 July held by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Libraries, Literacy and Information Management.

Welfare reform paper ignores children in poverty (Jenny Willott).

Commenting on today's Welfare Reform Green Paper, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Jenny Willott said:

Welsh Economy Shedding Jobs Faster than anywhere in the UK (Jenny Willott).

Commenting on the latest Royal Bank of Scotland's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) report for Wales that was released over the weekend, Jenny Willott, Lib Dem shadow Work and Pensions Secretary and MP for Cardiff Central, said:

Sun 20th Jul 2008:

Meeting Bob the Builder (Lynne Featherstone).

101 Play Group are celebrating with Bob the Builder - having got £5,000 squid as one of twelve winners of the 'Project: Renovate' competition this playgroup is the Greater London finalist.Their prize was to win an Eco-Makeover for the building. They have used the money on splendid new doors onto the outside play area, insulation and other eco-improvements.The children originally had to do a whole series of activities about eco-friendly improvements - so they learned loads. Then photos of the children doing the projects and a 200 word submission were sent off. Travis Perkins were one of the companies sponsoring the competition.So congrats to everyone. It's not easy finding funding to get repairs or improvements done - and this prize money was much needed.As you can see in the picture - although my Liberal Democrat councillor colleagues Monica Whyte (on my right) and Errol Reid on the far left (the only man in the picture) and myself were all there to support the Celebration Day - it was Bob the Builder who was definitely the main attraction - no contest!

Open day at St Ann's Police Station (Lynne Featherstone).

Saturday highlights: open day at St Ann's Police Station. This annual event seems to be getting more and more popular as the local community come in - mainly with their children - to unite police and the community it polices. Allowed to pet police dogs, sit on police motorbikes, sound the siren on the cars, have their fingerprints done and so on - the friendly and informative interaction is really an exemplar example of how it should be done. My personal highlight this year - having met the dogs and sat on the bikes in previous years - wearing a police hat and holding a speed trap laser!Late afternoon popped to the Willingdon Road summer street party - the second year of this event. The street has tables in the middle and the international cuisine laid out as a feast symbolic of the happy and diverse community that live here. Full marks to Gosia Shannon who is the driving force behind this with a fifteen strong committee.I went around and talked to as many people as I could - and everyone I spoke to was just delighted by the event and by getting to know their neighbours. The highlight for me was meeting an older lady who had been born in the street - and Gosia told me that the year before (i.e. the first Willingdon Road street party) this lady had watched out of her window at the events for four hours. This year - she was out like a shot - right from the start. That's inclusion in action.

Sat 19th Jul 2008:

Chance to catch me in the media on Sunday (Lynne Featherstone).

I'm on The Westminster Hour: Radio 4, 10pm, Sunday.If you miss the show you'll be able to listen again on their website.If you want to get advanced notice of my media appearances like this one, you can use the media events service at Flock Together. You've got three choices:Using this feed: http://feeds.libdems.org.uk/LiberalDemocratsMediaAppearances, or By email: register at FlockTogether and pick “Media appearances” as one of the categories of events you want to be emailed about. (If you are an existing Flock Together user you can also change your preferences - login and then click “Edit your preferences” in the left-hand menu; you need to tick “Media Appearances” under “Email options”), orOn the web: take a look at the dedicated Flock Together page.

Good news on school places (Lynne Featherstone).

Hurrah - my Liberal Democrat council colleagues have at last managed to get Haringey Council to hold a consultation on whether to expand Rhodes Avenue Primary school.In May 2007 Councillor Gail Engert (Muswell Hill ward) revealed a shocking primary school place 'black hole' - out of the 110 children across all of Haringey who did not receive any of their four school preferences for a reception place, 25 came from Alexandra ward alone. (It's only one out of nineteen wards, but more than one of five of the children without one of the four choices came from there.)The consultation on whether to expand is long overdue - but it's good to see our long-term campaigning on this paying off.

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

SANDRA'S PROUD OF LOCAL PUBS (Sandra Gidley).

As publicans across the country celebrate the second 'Proud of Pubs Week', Test Valley MP, Sandra Gidley has dropped in at the family owned Hatchet Inn in Sherfield English to pull a pint and to encourage locals to join the fight to keep the great British pub alive.

Fri 18th Jul 2008:

A nine-word summary of what is wrong with so much of our tabloid journalism (Lynne Featherstone).

“Now Labour plans to bar white men from jobs” – just one of the recent screaming tabloid headlines about the Equality Bill. What a fantastic nine-word summary of what is wrong with so much of our tabloid journalism: whipping up fear and division based on a fairy tale. I’m not sure what is worse – believing that the person who wrote the headline was so ignorant of the story they thought it was true – or so cynical they were happy to write it knowing it wasn’t.Because the truth is there is no provision like that in the Equality Bill. Nowhere. All the Bill proposes is that if two different people are equally qualified for a job (and that is a very big if!), it should be ok to choose between them on gender or race grounds.And why may you want to do that? Well, to take one example - there’s a real shortage of male teachers in primary schools. We all bang on about the need for more male role models for children at this stage. So why shouldn’t the law allow give the school the option if it wants (because yes – that’s all the Bill would do – it wouldn’t force this upon any organisation) to decide that faced with two equally qualified people, it wants to introduce a bit more balance amongst its teachers and employ a man? And if the school wanted just to ban white men regardless (or indeed black men – though notice how that didn’t make it into the headline) – then that would be illegal. End of story.This sorry tale is though a good reminder as to how we can’t take the case for equality for granted – particular when there are Conservative MPs like Mark Pritchard jumping on the bandwagon happily exaggerating away and mirroring these fairytales too.It is also a distraction in some ways from the big issue missing at the heart of the Bill – effective action to tackle the continuing discrimination in pay. So, the private sector – in which around 80% of the population work – will escape any form of mandatory measures to ensure that there is no discrimination in their workplaces – thus probably ensuring that the gender pay gap and the employment barriers that exist in race, disability and so on continue barely troubled by the Single Equality Bill.Given that there are something like 120,000 cases waiting to be heard at equal pay tribunals this is not some trivial niche issue. That is approaching 200 cases per Parliamentary constituency. It should be a huge scandal, grabbing every MPs’ attention – but instead, it is overlooked and sidelined by our political system.So I will aim to help push those better intentioned MPs in all parties to add in more effective measures to the Bill as it wends its way through Parliament. Lord Lester (our Lord Lester) who basically wrote the book on the equalities agenda is quite clear that mandatory pay audits are absolutely vital to deliver any sort of significant change.What is to be welcomed in particular in the Bill, and which seems to have been agreed at the eleventh hour, is the inclusion of our older citizens into the public sector equality duty and following on from that - although no timetable was given - the end of discrimination against them in goods and services.Helped the Aged – and others – have done some great work to illuminate just what goes on at the moment. Take two examples. First, the Disability Living Allowance. People aged 65+ who become disabled are not eligible to receive this allowance - they qualify instead for Attendance Allowance, which takes longer to qualify for and pays less. Second – car insurance, where it is seen as acceptable to charge people more for being old, regardless of their health or driving record. Charging more because someone is genuinely a higher risk – that would be fine– but simply assuming “old = risky driver” in the absence of evidence to back that up – that is discrimination as plain and simple as if someone was to say, “they’re black – so let’s charge them more”.The Bill will also bring in a much-needed consolidation of the huge number of different laws, rules and regulations – good news again. And of course the passage through Parliament will provide plenty of opportunities to try to make the legislation better!This article first appeared in last week's Liberal Democrat News. For subscription details, click here.

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

ANNETTE BROOKE MP DEMANDS ACTION TO TACKLE PREMATURE BABY DEATH (Annette Brooke).

Mid Dorset and North Poole MP, Annette Brooke, met Paddington Bear and national [Sussex-based] charity Action Medical Research to sign The Tiny Lives Charter and demonstrate his/her support for a 10-year national research strategy to tackle premature birth.

Thu 17th Jul 2008:

Young people? There's more to it than knife crime! (Lynne Featherstone).

Women's Parliamentary Radio have put up their piece with me:You can listen to our audio report of Lynne defending young people here. It's not all knife crime... there's much more to being young.

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

Jo supports disabled young campaigners (Jo Swinson).

Jo Swinson has launched a new campaign for young people with muscular dystrophy.

Daniel's Den Donation Richly Deserved - Teather (Sarah Teather).

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather has presented almost £1000 to Brent parent toddler group Daniel's Den, following a charity fun run last month.

Labour failing on ethnic minority employment (Jenny Willott).

Commenting on today's Public Accounts Committee report on increasing employment rates for ethnic minorities, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Jenny Willott said:

Violent Crime Surge in South Wales (Jenny Willott).

Commenting on figures today showing that violent offences against the person have risen by 12% over the last year in South Wales, the highest increase anywhere in the UK, Jenny Willott, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, said:

Wed 16th Jul 2008:

The plans for food skyscrapers that are not pie in the sky (Lynne Featherstone).

I was on Sky News again today, talking about the stories creating a buzz on the internet:

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

MASSIVE RESPONSE TO MP'S CALL FOR TEMPORARY POST OFFICE FOR EAST SHEEN (Susan Kramer).

Susan Kramer MP has received a massive response to her call for a temporary Post Office facility to be provided for East Sheen.

Scrap VAT on suncream to help fight skin cancer (Jo Swinson).

Jo Swinson has called on the Prime Minister to scrap VAT on suncream because of surging skin cancer rates.

AIRLINES FLYING GHOST FLIGHTS IS 'MADNESS' - KRAMER (Susan Kramer).

Commenting on reports that BMI is to fly near-empty aircraft from the autumn in order to protect flight slots, Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston said:

TIME TO STOP PUTTING DEMOCRACY UP FOR SALE - GIDLEY (Sandra Gidley).

Local MP, Sandra Gidley has welcomed the report by the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, recommending that the practice of selling names and personal details from the electoral register be stopped as soon as possible.

CITY MP TO MEET WITH FORD BOSSES (Sandra Gidley).

Following the news that Ford's huge car plant in Southampton may lose the contract to build the next generation of 'Transit' vans, City MP, Sandra Gidley has announced that she will be meeting with the car maker's bosses to press for a successful, long term future for Ford in Southampton.

ROMSEY AND CHANDLER'S FORD BECOME PLATFORMS FOR NATIONAL EXCELLENCE (Sandra Gidley).

Local MP, Sandra Gidley has learned from the Department of Transport, that two stations, Romsey and Chandler's Ford, have been selected to participate in a national pilot scheme to look improving both access to stations and ways for them to become more environmentally friendly.

Jobs down and Jobseekers Up in Wales (Jenny Willott).

Commenting on today's statistics released today by Office of National Statistics showing that unemployment in Wales rose by 6,000 over the last three months, Jenny Willott, Lib Dem Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary and MP for Cardiff Central, said:

Government abandoning pensioners to shorter lives (Jenny Willott).

Commenting on today's [Wednesday] report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies which reveals that the poorest older people are more than twice as likely to die at any given age than the richest, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Jenny Willott said:

BURT PULLS THE PINTS AT GOLDEN ACRES IN PROUD OF PUBS WEEK 2008 (Lorely Burt).

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt will be dropping in at the Golden Acres pub in Rowood Drive, Solihull as publicans across the country celebrate the second Proud of Pubs Week.

Sandford Post Office Proposed for Closure - but Carey Road Post Office Retained (Annette Brooke).

Your Local MP, Annette Brooke, is very concerned about the impact of the closure on elderly people in Sandford and those who are unable to drive. The publication of the news was due to be on July 15th but was published in the Daily Echo on Saturday. Various Tory MP's were quoted in the article but Annette was not contacted on the matter. The Liberal Democrat team want to hear your views.

ONE IN FIVE CORNISH POST OFFICES FACE AXE (Julia Goldsworthy).

One in five Cornish Post Offices face the axe as part of the Government's "Network Change" programme.

Starting gun fired on PO closure consultation (Julia Goldsworthy).

Julia has called on local people to show their support for their Post Offices, after the Government announced plans to close 7 branches in the Falmouth and Camborne area.

SOLIHULL MP CONCERNED THAT PROSTATE CANCER CARE IS 'LEFT TO CHANCE' (Lorely Burt).

Access to late-stage prostate cancer care for residents in Solihull shouldn't be left to chance, according to Lorely Burt MP.

SOLIHULL MP AIMS TO SAVE LIVES (Lorely Burt).

Solihull's MP. Lorely Burt is backing Liberal Democrat colleague Adrian Sanders' Parliamentary campaign to introduce a 999 text service.

'TIME TO STOP PUTTING DEMOCRACY UP FOR SALE' - BURT (Lorely Burt).

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has welcomed the report by the Information Commissioner Richard Thomas recommending that the practice of selling names and personal details from the electoral register be stopped as soon as possible.

BURT TO TABLE MOTION TO PARLIAMENT IN BATTLE TO SAVE POST OFFICES (Lorely Burt).

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt will today table an Early Day Motion in Parliament, seeking MPs support in the battle to save local post offices.

LOCAL MP AIMS TO SAVE LIVES (Sandra Gidley).

City and county MP, Sandra Gidley has thrown her weight behind a campaign by her Liberal Democrat colleague, Adrian Sanders, to launch a Parliamentary campaign to introduce a 999 text service.

Sarah To Host Commons Housing Conference For Local People (Sarah Teather).

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather will next week host a housing conference for local people in the House of Commons.

Mon 14th Jul 2008:

Parking fines (Lynne Featherstone).

Had a meeting last week with three people who are fighting the fight for fairness for motorists. In the wake of the revelations over Labour-run Haringey Council fining motorists for being in two yellow junction boxes in the borough which were illegally drawn - I am meeting them at their request. Some may regard it as supping with the devil - but that's the point - motorists aren't devils and they have as much right to fairness under the law as everyone else.When I was Chair of Transport at the London Assembly I carried out an investigation publicly into parking enforcement in London. Judging from the visit I had from three borough leaders - yes one from each of the main parties - I was lucky not to end up with concrete boots in the Thames! The boroughs didn't want me to look at this - and that just made me want to look harder. Without going into the findings - suffice to say - that income from parking etc. forms a standard part of the budget of many councils and therefore not all concerns by the motoring lobby are unfounded.As someone who has often campaigned for parking restrictions and regulation - my concern is that they must be fair and reasonable - and they must be there for a good reason. The scrutiny at the London Assembly found many, many unfair practises and there were loads of recommendations. One - which I think Westminster took up - but not as strongly as I would have liked - is greater sensitivity to the severity of the offence. For example I don't think that being a couple of minutes late back to a meter when time has expired should carry the same fine as a more serious infringement.Back to my meeting last week. What Haringey's illegal junction boxes boil down to is 'unlawfully earned income' - which in my view Haringey should therefore be refunding. (A view shared by at least one Labour councillor - Alan Stanton - though he has got into hot water with his colleagues for saying that in public).Councils cannot and should not be above the law on such things. If we, the public, are to respect the laws and abide by them - they must be fair and be seen to be fair. And that includes the law applying to councils as well as to residents.What is so interesting - is that if you get a ticket and the signing has been misleading or the junction box illegal - you can challenge it - and chances are that you will get your ticket written off. But there is no comeback on the firm/council/authority as a result. What I would prefer to see is that if it's decided that you got a ticket wrongly - then there should also be scope for part of the ruling to be that the misleading sign or whatever must be changed.Anyway - Cllr Martin Newton, who is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for traffic etc on Haringey Council, attended the meeting with me and he is taking it forward at council level. I have written to the Chief Executive, however, to ask if Haringey is going to refund all the motorists who were illegally fined for the two yellow junction boxes. We will see!

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

£14bn lost in tax credits (Jenny Willott).

Almost £14bn has been lost though overpayments, fraud and error in tax credits since their introduction in 2003, analysis by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

Pensioner incomes fail to keep pace with cost of living (Jenny Willott).

Commenting on Office of National Statistics figures that reveal the increase in the cost of living outstripped pensioner income last year, Jenny Willott, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary and MP for Cardiff Central, said:

Sun 13th Jul 2008:

Chariot Festival (Lynne Featherstone).

Saturday afternoon saw a pair of local party events. First in my own patch - Strawberry Tea at beautiful home of Harold Margolis - and then off to to Tunbridge Wells local party as Guest of Honour at their Summer BBQ fundraiser. Sat Nav saved me!The house in Paddock Wood was just beautiful: an old Oat House and Hop Press - now fantastic home with fantastic where there were table and chairs and lots of delicious food. And after food - came me! It was a lovely evening - and they seemed to be such an optimistic group - so I have good hopes for their future prospects.Sunday morning saw me go to the amazing Chariot Festival outside the Murugan Temple in Highgate. I lived next to the Temple (Wembury Road) when it first rose out of the ashes of the old Highgate Synagogue on corner with Archway Road. I will be meeting the Chair and Trustees again to discuss all of the issues - but for today - just look at the photo. Such colour and such delightfully warm and friendly reception. Loved it!

Sat 12th Jul 2008:

Proud of Pubs week (Lynne Featherstone).

This coming week is 'Proud of Pubs' week, so Ive done a photo with the landlord and barman at the Three Compasses Pub in Hornsey High Street - which is situated just underneath my office!I am very, very proud of this pub. They are phenomenal example of community public spirit - and beyond that - pubs are soon going to be just about the only community location left as the Labour government runs a coach and horses through our local post offices etc. So - three cheers for the Three C's!

Nightingale Primary School: bright as buttons (Lynne Featherstone).

After Woodside House, dashed to Nightingale Primary School where the children had written to me about the terrible situation for water in Tanzania. I had already written back to them all individually (hopefully giving them a good idea of how our democratic processes should work!). This bunch are bright as buttons. Hand after hand shot up with question upon question. And full marks to their teachers - as it was clear that they had been prepped for my visit and their interest had been really stimulated. That's the way to do it.In writing their letters to me (which had all been individual) they had learned, not only about the water issues in Tanzania, not only about helping and caring about people across the world and about poverty, but also about democracy, how to write a letter and lots of other stuff that life is made of. I was well impressed by this group.What was funny in their letters was that the last paragraph in one form or another asked me, as the MP, to give lots of money to Africa and hold charity events to raise money to Africa. They were a bit shocked when I explained that my salary went on my house, food and children - just like everyone else and that I had no money as such as an MP to give.So I explained that the Government has money for international aid and that I would write to Douglas Alexander (Secretary of State for International Development) and ask him to help with the situation in Tanzania. And in terms of me holding a charity event myself - I explained that if I did that for one cause then how would I refuse another equally deserving cause. But that if they wanted to do a charity event - then I would be very happy to come and support it. I just wish I did have a magic wand - but it's not yet part of the MP kit!Anyway - as I say - these children were absolutely great and I have suggested they come up to Parliament for a tour and then they can have another hour to interrogate me - as there were clearly lots more questions but time ran out.

Popular classes under threat (Lynne Featherstone).

Off to Woodside House yesterday where I meet a huge class of Asian ladies doing exercise. As you can see from the photo - very colourful and very determined that Haringey's Labour Council are not simply going to remove their vital facility without a fight!Woodside House is the proposed target for Haringey to redevelop into a new Civic Centre for the Council (with the idea of selling off the current one). That is why Cllr Robert Gorrie, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Council group, and myself have come to see what's what.Thus far - the Council (Labour) have not been able to answer any questions as to why this site, what criteria, what consequences, were alternatives looked at - nothing. Nada! Hopeless as usual. And with the vital Woodside Luncheon Club under threat as well as the exercise classes - not to mention the building that has been done up to provide English lessons, computer skills etc - Haringey Labour are really asking for trouble! And I will almost certainly be happy to give it to them. No consultation. No discussion. No investigation. No nothing. Bastards!

Highgate Tube fence rides again... (Lynne Featherstone).

First up on Friday is meeting at Highgate Tube to discuss the dreaded fence issue. Without going back over the arguments - residents are divided about the fence on Archway Road by Highgate Tube station as on the one hand people living on the roads behind the station want good protection against all the noise from the road, whilst those on the road or going along the road don't want an eyesore.Anyway, a fence got put in with Transport for London also promising a lot of planting that would end up screening the fence - and allow it to be replaced with a chain link fence instead. Problem - the planting never grew - well not fully.Anyway, TfL had obviously done their work to find a solution - which is to put in maturish trees and new planting so that before too long - the cutting will look beautiful and dense and the solid fence will be able to be replaced with chain link. But still a long way to go...

Fri 11th Jul 2008:

Save our Parks Police (Lynne Featherstone).

Well - Haringey Council's plans for our parks and open spaces - which include a proposal to disband the Haringey Parks Constabulary - are in full swing. This is despite the massive concerns about young people and knife crime and Met Police statistics that indicate there were over 700 offences in parks and open spaces in Haringey over a one-year period. Ten dedicated Constables are to be made redundant.My local Liberal Democrat councillor colleagues have proposed a fully costed, practical alternative to these cuts, which instead builds on the work of the Parks Constabulary, meets the needs of residents for safe, secure and green open spaces and will ensure that Green Flag status is not threatened by Labour cuts.We propose keeping the Parks Constabulary, appoint dedicated Park Wardens and continue the role of the Parks Police securing council buildings and Alexandra Park. This would avoid the unnecessary and expensive tendering out of these last two functions - and the risks associated with private security companies.That would provide some savings to help fund our plans, with the rest coming from cutting out one of the Council's spin-doctor posts, the inspector post in parks police and Labour's "nanny state" parenting advisor. What we'd get instead would be far, far better.Our plans would also integrate the Parks Police into Safer Neighbourhoods Team, allowing our parks to benefit from close coordination between both these groups of people who are essentially doing the same thing - fighting crime.If you want to join the campaign to save the Parks Police you can sign our petition at ourcampaign.org.uk/parkspolice

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

Jo praises Canniesburn nursing staff (Jo Swinson).

Jo Swinson has praised the dedication of staff at Canniesburn Nursing Home.

London Second Home Amendment Shames Politics - Teather (Sarah Teather).

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather voted against a Brent Labour MP's amendment that has allowed London MPs to continue claiming money for a second home and lavish furnishings.

MP CALLS FOR TEMPORARY POST OFFICE FOR EAST SHEEN (Susan Kramer).

Susan Kramer MP has called for the Post Office to open a temporary Post Office facility in the car park of Sheen Lane Centre to serve residents and businesses currently left without a Post Office in East Sheen.

"A STITCH IN TIME SAVES LIVES" - GIDLEY (Sandra Gidley).

Local MP, Sandra Gidley, is preparing to send the Test Valley and Southampton knitting crazy as she backs a campaign by 'Save the Children' to save newborn babies' lives in developing countries.

Wed 9th Jul 2008:

Women's Parliamentary Radio (Lynne Featherstone).

Boni Sones is a real trooper. She has campaigned, cajoled, recorded and encouraged womens’ political voyage. Today, Women's Parliamentary Radio – which is really her baby – held a lunch with GCap – a huge commercial radio company (who themselves are being bought out by Global – that’s the way the radio cookie crumbles). GCap are partnering Women's Parliamentary Radio and hopefully this will be good for both parties – giving them a niche market and a pathway on a load of issues. You go girl!

Voluntary services (Lynne Featherstone).

Spoke yesterday to the National Council of Voluntary Youth Services. Strikes me that the Government’s shift to making the voluntary sector deliver services is full of all sorts of dangers. Too much to go into here – but from those in the room it is clear that there are huge concerns about funding; the nature of the hoops that volunteers have to go through – even if they are still relatively small organisations where people only give a couple of hours; the media’s incessant attacks on young people; the bias against funding for faith based organisations by local authorities – and the list went on. Much for me to think about particularly in relationship to the new Liberal Democrat policies on youth which I am responsible for and am just embarking upon.

Flexi-working: Mirror story today (Lynne Featherstone).

Quick link to the Daily Mirror who have got a story about a Conservative MP criticising plans for flexi-working to help parents:A Tory MP provoked fury yesterday by claiming that parents will use flexi-time working as an excuse to shirk.Brian Binley was responding to hints from Gordon Brown that Labour could offer more flexible working rights to parents of children up to the age of 16.[Lynne Featherstone said] "Without flexible working it's impossible to be a mother."Most parents are responsible, and flexible working allows them to bring their skills and energy to work.You can read the full story here.

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

TEACH THEM WHO'S THE BEST - GIDLEY (Sandra Gidley).

As ITV Meridian launches its 'Teacher of the Year Award' this week, city and county MP Sandra Gidley is encouraging people to nominate any of the area's teachers who have made such a contribution to the lives of their pupils.

Government abandoning young people to unemployment (Jenny Willott).

Commenting on today's Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report which revealed the employment rate of 16 to 24 year olds fell to 55% last year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Jenny Willott said:

New benefits figures startling (Jenny Willott).

Figures showing startling levels of benefit claims across the country have been highlighted by the Liberal Democrats.

Tue 8th Jul 2008:

Ex-MI5 head's verdict on 42 days detention without charge (Lynne Featherstone).

"In deciding what I believe in these matters I have weighed up the balance between the right to life - the most important civil liberty - the fact that there's no such thing as compete security and the importance of our hard won civil liberties. Therefore on a matter of principle I cannot support the 42-day pre-charge detention in this bill ... I do not see on practical basis as well as principled one, that these proposals are in any way workable."Precisely.

Women bishops (Lynne Featherstone).

Dragged kicking and screaming - the Church has sort of voted for women bishops. Hurrah!If the Church had wanted to preserve its tradition of male dominance - then fine (well not fine) - but it should have given up the 26 places for Bishops of the Church of England in the Lords: we shouldn't hand over a wedge of seats in our Parliament and say "men only".So - from the brink - the Church creaks into the 21st century. I'm glad that they rejected the second class (for women) bishops and all the other equivocations that would have been all things to all men (literally).I don't think we're quite there yet - but I did heave a sigh of relief that the vote went through. There are enough issues that the Church could get involved in in a helpful and constructive way. Their eternal obsession to keep women in their place and homosexuals at bay has no place in the modern world. No-one said change was easy - but it is necessary.

Sat 26th Jul 2008:

MP PLEDGES TO FIGHT SOUTH WEST TRAINS TICKET OFFICE CUTS (Susan Kramer).

Local MP Susan Kramer has reacted with anger at the news that South West trains is proposing to reduce opening hours and ticket office staffing at rail stations across Richmond Park constituency.

GOVERNMENT 'STUNNED' BY STRENGTH OF FEELING ON HEATHROW - KRAMER (Susan Kramer).

Commenting on today's announcement that a decision on the future of Heathrow expansion would not be made until later in the year, Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park said:

Annette Supports Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride on its 20th Anniversary (Annette Brooke).

Annette visited the 20th Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride on Sunday 6 July 2008 in Broadstone, Dorset to support the cyclists raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. 100% of the money collected by the cyclists goes directly to benefit people with cancer.

Antonine Wall made World Heritage Site (Jo Swinson).

Jo Swinson has reacted with delight at the news that the Antonine Wall is to be awarded status as a World Heritage Site.

MP LEADS CAMPAIGN TO GET MORE WOMEN TO WESTMINSTER (Sandra Gidley).

On the 80th anniversary of women receiving equality with men at the ballot box*, City and County MP Sandra Gidley led activists outside parliament to call for more women in parliament.

Mon 7th Jul 2008:

Good news on the FAITH centre so far... (Lynne Featherstone).

Straight back to Haringey after the school trip as Richard Wilson (Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health on Haringey Council) and I have asked for a meeting with key officers to discuss the future of the FAITH centre.Since Richard and I went there to start the campaign with local people and residents - and called for Haringey Council to at least provide interim funding until new longer term arrangements could be found – the Council on Friday responded positively and came out with £125,000 which will fund the centre until March.George Meehan (Council Leader) seemed to be willing to look at where funding partners might be found – and the Council staff seemed keen. There isn’t much time – but this is a vital battle to win. Those 50 vulnerable adults who find some life and training at the FAITH centre in a world which doesn’t really accommodate them by right are relying on us to make sure that the scheme can remain open. That’s the challenge. And so – saved from the brink of disaster – but nowhere near home yet!

Earlier Stories

Complete archive on the official site.

Lib Dem Women in Parliament.