Autumn adjustments
16th September 2003
This week, Westminster, most of whose occupants are still trying to get used to being back, is busy preparing for the three week Conference break. If I had my way, Party Conferences would occupy three long weekends rather than three full weeks in the autumn. This would greatly reduce the amount of money, time and police power that these hangovers from the days of pre-electronic communication consume.
Unfortunately, reducing the time spent on Party Conferences would probably not have a similar effect on the miles of newsprint and the balloonfuls of hot air they generate. But it would allow MP s to get on with the job of holding the government of the day to account. Something that is particularly necessary when the governing party has a large majority.
Autumn shock?
There is a chance that, after Thursday's by-election in Brent East this government's majority could be slightly less large. I have been campaigning in this packed corner of north London which once had Ken Livingstone as its MP. When Ken resigned to become Mayor his place was taken by the very well liked Paul Daisley. Unfortunately, he contracted cancer almost immediately after being elected and, despite putting up a very brave fight, died this summer. He was only 46.
I remember Paul being wheeled into the House of Commons to take the oath of office a few months after the 2001 General Election. It was just before Prime Minister's Question Time and Paul looked painfully thin and ill. But, when his name was called he got up and walked to the table of the House to swear allegiance and sign the register. His wife, watching from the gallery, beamed with pride.
I went over to speak to Paul and his wife afterwards and was struck by their calm courage and no nonsense approach to his illness. He had a majority of 13,047. I hope that the people of Brent East, who have fond memories of both Ken and Paul, will give the Labour candidate Robert Evans their vote. But mid-term by elections are notoriously unpredictable and this one is taking place in unusually difficult circumstances.
Autumn closures
On the subject of Prime Minister's Questions I am in the unusual position of having Question 2 this week. I have decided to raise the threatened closure of the Chells Post Office with him. Though, since the Post Office is no longer government controlled, the Prime Minister cannot actually stop the closure he can question the way in which the decision to close was reached.
I understand the need to close some Post Offices. Not all of them are economically viable or socially necessary. However, that is simply not the case with the Chells branch. It is situated in the middle of a thriving business community and, as the Council's statistics show, its community based transactions are far higher than other branches in the vicinity. I do not feel that the Post Office took these factors into account when they made their decision to close the branch. Above all, I do not feel that they paid sufficient attention to local opinion. Though a public consultation was held I could not help feeling that this was an empty exercise and that the closure was a foregone conclusion. These are the points I will be trying to get over to the Prime Minister in the 40 seconds or so I have to ask my question. Wish me luck.
Autumn mellowness
Next week, though Parliament is officially recessed, I will be back. To talk about, among other things, another closure. This time of the doctor's surgery in the Hyde which has been caused by the nationwide shortage of GP s. I am working with the local Primary Care Trust to try to reduce the impact this will have on the local community. Meanwhile, I hope that you will have a chance to enjoy the wonderful, Indian summer, weather we are having. Though my garden is rock hard from the lack of rain I love these clear, bright autumn days.
Barbara Follett MP
