Word From Westminster

Word from Westminster, February 2009 

Firstly, let me say what a delight it was to watch the inauguration of the new US president. While it is hugely significant for America to have its first black president, what must also be remembered are his first acts of his presidency; namely the closing of Guantanamo Bay and his economic stimulus measures. The world is looking to the US to provide an economic stimulus and hopefully Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling’s own measures will help in to that end. Incidentally, it is interesting to note that the British Government’s measures have been widely copied by governments around the world providing more proof for the Prime Minister’s renowned ability in the field of economics.

Turning to international matters, I was delighted to hear the Defence Secretary announce the planned withdrawal date for British troops from Iraq. They have done, as always, an outstanding job and I am sure we all hope that the recent elections along with the withdrawal of troops will lead to political stability. I was disappointed to see, however, the lack of international cooperation and action with regards to the conflict in Gaza. While the Hamas attacks could not be condoned, they did not warrant the overwhelming use of force that Israel used in its response. The ceasefire should have happened weeks ago, and hopefully something can now be salvaged as it is vital for the international community to work together to finally ensure that there is an everlasting peace in the region.

Domestically, I watched with interest the news that came in with regards to the recent allegations in the House of Lords. In light of these events it is clear that both Members of Parliament and Members of the Upper House should not be in any other paid employment while serving as an MP or Lord. I know from my own experience that being an MP is a full time job and I feel that if members of the Lords want to be seen as impartial then they should not have any other outside paid occupation. Perhaps these events could be the catalyst for the final phase of the democratic reform of the House of Lords.

A lot of my work in Parliament recently has revolved around my role on the influential Business and Enterprise Committee, and one inquiry we held was regarding the post office network during their “restructuring”. We have now started a new inquiry into the future of the network, and as a part of that we have launched an online forum for individuals and businesses to voice their own views. If you want to put your opinion for my committee to consider  then log onto http://forums.parliament.uk/post-office-future/

We on the BERR Committee are working hard to ensure the future for the post office network and from our meetings with the Minister and the Chief Executive of the post office we are aware of new business opportunities for the post offices to help create a profitable business andone that is serving the community. One decision that helped was the awarding of the management of the Post Office Card Account contract to Post Office Ltd until at least 2015

In the constituency, we have been campaigning to make  Great Yarmouth Norfolk’s first Fairtrade Borough. We have already had  meetings to discuss this ambition and are planning events for the Fairtrade fortnight, 23^rd February to the 8^th March. I will be keeping you up to date as we work towards making Great Yarmouth the county’s first fair-trade borough.

In addition, as some of you no doubt saw in the Mercury that two students from East Norfolk Sixth Form College represented me in the laying of a wreath at the Kitchener Road Jewish Cemetery to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. In Parliament, I signed the Members’ book of remembrance to those who suffered in the Holocaust.