Response to Lobbying Campaigns
Every week there are numerous lobbying campaigns established to urge MPs to sign EDMs, back new clauses in Bills or sign up to a pledges crafted by the lobby organisation and campaigners.
On this page you will find the links to either my response to a large campaign or the site of EDMs in Parliament.
Other information is available elsewhere on this site - views on local issues are in the policies section for example under Local Issues in the Constituency or by geographical area.
I think it worth pointing out that with so many campaigns and the specific measures they may ask to commit to for the next 5 years I will generally not be signing up directly on their pledge sites but will indicate here if I generally suport the campiagn or not.
- EDM Database in Parliament
A link to the database of EDMs in Parliament. I generally sign them in bacthes every few weeks so keep checking if you have asked me to sign one.
Volunteering Pledge
As Chair of the Sports Volunteers Partnership - representing the UKs 4-5 million sports volunteers I very much support the thrust of this campaign. Indeed at some points I would go further!
To support this campaign also means locally opposing the cuts imposed on the voluntary sector by the Tory County Council and the Tory Borough Council who seem to have targeted the voluntary sector for cuts.
http://www.volunteering.org.uk:81/NR/rdonlyres/16D076A4-136A-4DB0-B046-CC648ADA0F65/0/VE_volunteering_manifesto_final.pdf
March 2010
I'm Backing the Pub Campaign
I have stated that I support the role of many local pubs in our communities whilst at the same time recognising the damaging effects of alcohol and excess drinking in our culture. I understand that much excess drinking is a result of cheap alcohol available from other outlets - not pubs.
I will support measures to ease the burden on pubs but also recognise that social changes in the way we entertain have also had a dramatic effect on pubs - not just government policies.
March 2010
I Stand for Children Campaign
http://istandforchildren.com
Obviously I am supporting the thrust of this campaign and its aims.
I have supported NSPCC campaigns before and been in the minority of MPs to support their campaign to ban smacking for example.
As a parent I obviously support the arguments for greater protection for children.
However, as with every campaign group that makes specific demands before an election organisers will know not everybody can commit their party to such specific calls for action in advance. For example I am not 100% convinced about the effectiveness of the Children's Commissioner and would need to be convinced giving more power is actually a good idea!
March 2010
Support for Use Class Orders to create Sustainable Communities
A highly misleading campaign has suddenly been launched by the Residential Landlords Association about a gentle piece of legislation that has been campaigned for - and consulted on widely - over the last 4-5 years. The plans to make people seek planning permission to change a normal house into a 3-4-5 bedroom student house in Loughborough is warmly welcomed by residents, the local authority, student bodies and all political parties. UCO Class Orders will not do any of the things the RLA over hype in their press statement. There is no evidence for their attacks as we have seen in Northern Irelend where this legislation already exists.
This debate has been taking place for the last 4-5 years and the scare tactics employed by the RLA about the supposed implications it seems are irrational. Current HMOs are not even included. If the RLA think the unbalancing of neighbourhoods is acceptable then I believe they are out of touch with my local community in Loughborough and I am sure SARG would welcome them to show them the affects on local communities.
I feel sorry for Landlords who RLA have tried to scare about the impact of UCOs.
March 2010
'Treatment of Christians' EDM 867
I support the need to raise awareness of Christian Persecution across the world. I have been a Board Member and now advisor to Christian Solidarity Worldwide and travelled with them to parts of the world where Christians are persecuted - Nigeria, India etc. I will certainly look into signing this EDM sponsored by Open Doors another Christian Charity doing similar work
March 2010
CTC Campaign
I generally support most measures to improve the lot of cyclists - as I am one myself and understand the need for so much more to be done to match the best facilities and conditions we see elsewhere in the world.
March 2010
Wright Committee House Reform Business
I support many of the recommendations on the Wright Committe on reform of the Commons, including measures for Back Benchers to elect Select Committees for example. I think the problems are much deeper in the way our democracy works but at least these are small stesp in the right direction.
March 2010
Robin Hood Tax
I support the campiagn to find a way to introduce some kind of Robin Hood Tax on banks. I have been a long term supporter of the idea of the Tobin Tax too for many years - long before the current banking crisis.
February 2010
Energy Bill Lobby
A full text of the debate on the Energy Bill and amendments is here - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100224/debtext/100224-0008.htm#10022460000002
I was away on Parliamentary Business in India with a cross party delegation at the time of the Bill so did not take part in any votes or its proceedings.
February 2010
Libel Law Reform Campaign
The Libel Law Campaign has got the government to respond by saying it will review the Libel Laws. This is a good news and this victory was won quite quickly.
I supported the campaign and will continue to do so as I understand there has been a slow shift in the culture of these cases which does seem to inhibit scientific publication.
January 2010
Conservation Query Campaign -
I too am shocked that many Tory MPs and and candidates don't believe in climate change. From my experience hs s certainly true. Thet haven't changed as a party at all.
Yes of course I accept that climate change is affected by human activity and that to respond we need to move to our tough targets on renewable energy sources. We need to deliver all the things set out in the Climate Change Act and work at international level to deliver through Europe and the UN post Copenhagen. However, we also need to make it easy for everybody to act individually too.
January 2010