Archive for November, 2006
Many visitors to this website will have no doubt have read or heard about an excellent London wide campaign being run my two of my ward constituents, Tom Wright and Valeria Martinelli (pictured above), to get Transport for London, which runs London’s bus and tube network, to ban music being played out loud on the buses.
Tom has asked me to publicise the campaign on this site and ask you for your support!
Tom and Valeria’s ‘music on buses’ campaign started when they asked some passengers who were travelling on the same bus to turn down the volume on loud music they were playing. Instead of an apology all they received was a load of abuse.
Rather than sit and back and complain to themselves about the situation, Tom and Valeria did what many people these days wouldn’t, they started a campaign to get ‘the powers that be’ to ban loud music – where people are not using headphones – on public transport.
And what a campaign it is!
Since Tom and Valeria launched their online petition more than 3000 people have signed up!
London Assembly Members and MPs of all parties have been falling over themselves to help the campaign and now, as you will see from this recent BBC report, even the Mayor of London has agreed that he may have to look at imposing some tough sanctions for people who persist in deliberately disturbing fellow passengers.
Very well done to both Tom and Valeria for their superb campaign!
To find out more and to sign Tom and Valeria’s online petition please go to: www.hovis21.com
November 25th, 2006
On Monday (27th November), I will be speaking at a Westminster debate organised by London Young Labour, entitled ‘The Queen’s speech – delivery for young London?’ I plan to talk about whether I think the Queen’s speech has benefited my young residents in Leyton ward.
The other panellists speaking at the event will be Nigel Griffiths MP, Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs, and Gemma Tumelty, President of the National Union of Students.
Click here to download a flyer with all the details.
Hope to see you there!
November 25th, 2006
Your Local Hospital Needs You!
Waltham Forest’s Labour party members were out in force all over the borough at the weekend, campaigning to keep the services of our local hospital, Whipps Cross, local.
I was born in Whipps Cross hospital. I feel extremely strongly that the financial problems it is currently facing should not mean that local people lose much needed services.
Waltham Forest is not a rich borough and many people do not own a car. If we are forced to travel miles to receive essential treatment, local health inequalities – already some of the worst in the country – are just going to get worse.
The Waltham Forest Labour Party is appealing to Patricia Hewitt to do what is right and deliver the health provision that our local people need.
Whipps Cross should remain a full general hospital!
The ‘I Love Whipps Cross’ campaign is the local Labour party taking positive and concrete action. The weekend’s launch of the borough wide campaign has the support of the entire group of Labour Councillors, our two local Labour MPs Harry Cohen and Neil Gerrard and our London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold, who is also the Chair of the London Health Commission.
The weekend launch went very well and hundreds of postcards were signed.
In Walthamstow, MP Neil Gerrard and local party members were joined by Waltham Forest’s London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold (pictured above second from left) as they collected signatures.
In Chingford, Councillor Midge Broadley (pictured above) led Labour’s team.
Here in Leyton, myself and local party members from all over Leyton and Wanstead were joined by Councillors Tarsem Bhogal, Afzal Akram (pictured above left) and Councillor Chris Robbins (pictured above right).
Many local people did not hesitate to show their support. Below are some of the people who signed our postcard petition. We are very grateful to them.
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The Mukaka Family show their support.
The Robertson family say they want Patricia Hewitt to keep our local health services local.
Connaught School Pupils say “Save our General Hospital!”
The Browns support the ‘I Love Whipps Cross’ campaign.
The Maliks congratulate Cllr Tarsem Bhogal (pictured above centre) on his hard work, fighting for Whipps Cross.
The Benjamins say “We Love Whipps Cross!”
Another local resident adds his name to the petition.
I will be keeping you fully up to date with how the ‘I Love Whipps Cross’ campaign progresses, but please also visit: www.ilovewhippscross.co.uk.
November 20th, 2006
George Mitchell School, where I am a governor, has been nationally recognised for its anti-bullying work today.
I felt really proud to see this posted on the BBC website.
Well done all. Great stuff!!!
November 20th, 2006
George Mitchell School, where I have the privilege of being a governor, held a Community Banquet last week, to thank the local community for supporting the school as it continues its formidable march onwards and upwards.
Over 47 organisations were represented at the banquet from parents to governors to local businesses to the police to the local paper. All of us have a strong connection with the school and a strong desire to see it thrive and prosper.
As well as enjoying the delicious food and wonderful company, guests at the banquet were entertained by opera singers, magicians and the fantastic Darren and Lorna (pictured above) from the BBC’s ‘Strictly Dance Fever‘ programme.
I must make a special mention of three ladies, governor Lynn Bennett (pictured above left), George Mitchell’s wonderful administrator Andoulla Christodolou (pictured above centre) and governor Shaukault Khan (pictured above right).
Lynne and Shakault have given years of service to the school and Lynne has also assisted other schools in the borough implement their Special Education Needs (SEN) policies. Androulla is the superb administrator who keeps the Geroge Mitchell governing body ticking like clock work. I really enjoy working with such nice people.
Well done again to George Mitchell’s fantastic Head Helen Jeffery (pictured above giving her speech) and Deputy Head Claire Kirwin. Claire made the entire event happen. I am in total admiration of her never-ending energy and creativity.
Thank you again for an excellent Community Banquet.
George Mitchell’s pupils and the Leyton community are lucky to have you.
November 19th, 2006
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