Articles

I was recently asked what my views were on ID cards for a sixth form school project.  read more »

I am committed to the retention of Chase Farm Hospital's A&E and Women and Children's services.  read more »

I am about to launch a local 'family friendly' newsagent policy, getting local newsagents to sign up and agree to display 'lads' and 'ladies' magazines out of sight of children and young people. There has been some debate in Parliament and in the media recently on this issue and it seemed like a good idea to see what local Enfield Southgate constituents thought, and to get their support for 'family friendly' newsagents in our area. Watch out for 'Family Friendly' posters in your local newsagents’ windows.  read more »

This last week has been dominated by the arrival of our sixth child, Toby, last Sunday morning at Chase Farm Hospital. We greatly appreciated the fantastic care provided by the midwives at Ridgeway Birth Centre.  read more »

Drug addiction in many ways is not a forgotten issue. It is often mentioned and never far from sight. We may be aware of the addicts, familiar with the political debates surrounding classification of drugs, have heard of the celebrity rehab centres, but are we fully aware of those non-addicts who are equally affected by addiction? Whilst drug addiction may be easily evident, the hidden harm to those closely related to addicts is much less obvious.  read more »

I have been involved over the last two week in the bicentenary commemoration of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.  read more »

I went to prison on Monday. No I have not become embroiled in the cash for peerages scandal or some other misdemeanour, but was a visitor to HMP Pentonville and HMP Holloway. These prisons are where most of the criminals are sent to when imprisoned for crimes committed in Enfield. I am conducting a national policy review looking at how prisons deal with 70% of prisoners who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. In the past prisoners have finished their sentences and all too often return to our community more addicted to drugs.  read more »

2056 may turn out to be a year of celebrations. It will certainly be the 300th anniversary of the birth of Mozart and might even see England end its long footballing drought with victory in Euro 56. But will it be the Year of the Volunteer?  read more »

Article on campaigning
The 1997 General Election’s defining TV moment was Michael Portillo’s defeat in Enfield Southgate by Stephen Twigg. Eight years later the tables were turned with the largest swing from Labour to Conservatives of 8.7%.  read more »

Following a meeting I had recently with the Mobile Operators Association. I was surprised to learn that some local authorities hold roll-out meetings to discuss the appropriateness of proposed sites before planning applications begin. However, this does not currently take place in Enfield.  read more »