Articles

Last week I asked the Business Minister what he would tell small businesses whom I have been meeting throughout my constituency to help them through the recession. His reply was symptomatic of much Government action over the last few months: lots of frenetic announcements but precious little help actually reaching the small businesses that so desperately need it.  read more »

The last week has been historic. The US election is significant, not only for the election of the first black President but also for the mile long queues of Americans, with many voting for the first time. These voters were exercising the hard fought democratic values of freedom and respect for the rule of law. Last weekend we were remembering those men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the sake of our freedoms. I was pleased that we were able to reinstate the act of Remembrance on Tuesday at the ‘Cairn’ in Broomfield Park on the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day.  read more »

Parliament's attention has naturally been focused upon the financial crisis. However whilst we need to restore confidence in the banking system we should not forget the impact upon small businesses and individuals.  read more »

Whilst Gordon Brown and David Cameron are now getting out their bucket and spade this summer, I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago for a 24 hr break from Parliament. It was not a holiday but rather a time to simulate the life of a slum dweller, of which there are nearly a billion worldwide.  read more »

"What do you want the Metropolitan Police to do about it?" That was the disappointing response to our call about a bike which had been stolen and dumped opposite our house in Southgate.  read more »

The New Year has been greeted with some horrendous fatalities with violent crime and road crashes both locally and across the country.  read more »

Last month the Government announced plans to close Hadley Wood post office along with 5 other branches in Enfield and another 168 post offices in London as part of a cull of 2500 post offices.  read more »

Parliament has started a new session with a raft of new legislation. However it has not felt particularly new for me since I am involved in what is called a “carry over” Bill. The committee stage of the latest Criminal Justice Bill is carrying on where it left off at the end of the last session of parliament. You may think that means more time to scrutinise legislation but the reality is that the Government timetable has squeezed 110 clauses, 20 schedules 200 amendments and 50 new clauses into 4 days of deliberation.  read more »

I consider it important as an MP to be part of the community which I represent and with my family we rely on the local schools and public services.  read more »

I was on jury service this week. This is one place where the people do decide. It is a far cry from the Government's citizen juries and talk about helping people to 'engage' in local decisions.  read more »