Archive for March, 2010

There is widespread local support for the campaign to reduce the speed limit to 20mph in some residential areas of Westminster. It looks on the surface like a minor change, but may have a number of far-reaching benefits.

First, the number of deaths and injuries on our roads is likely to be cut dramatically. In 2008, over 270 people were either killed or seriously injured on Westminster’s roads, but research from the British Medical Association shows that 20mph zones have been linked to around a 40% reduction in accidents.

Second, there may be financial benefits. The Department of Transport calculates that every death on the roads costs £1.8 million and every injury £59,700 in hospital and emergency services costs, lost taxation, working days and production. Up to £50 million might therefore be saved every year.

This is a great campaign, more power to their elbow(s)!

-Link to the petition in support of the campaign: http://www.petitiononline.com/wchron1/

This week I had the pleasure of meeting Tom Harris MP at the House of Commons to record a podcast interview. We touched on a range of topics such as my background, electoral reform and the campaign here in the Cities of London and Westminster. It was a really enjoyable interview and below is the link to the podcast on Tom’s blog if you’d like to have a listen.

http://www.tomharris.org.uk/2010/03/20/interviewing-dave-out-of-blur/

Last night I was a panel member at a really interesting questions and answers session in the City of London. I was joined by Emily Thornberry (MP for Islington South and Finsbury), Diana Page (Education consultant and City of London Common Council Candidate) and Kevin Maguire (Political Editor of the Daily Mirror) as chair.

We had a wide ranging discussion that touched on a number of subjects and I was glad to be able to take part and hear the views of local people.

Some of the highlights of the talk included:

-Housing: We discussed Labour’s record on social housing and agreed that, in the next manifesto, the Party must press on with the building of more housing. I emphasised my belief that housing can be a contributing factor to many problems in society such as health, unemployment and anti-social behaviour, and that it is something that we must get right. While I welcomed the funding pledges that the Prime Minister has made, I think that much more has to be done.

-The economy: The topic of financial regulation provoked some interesting thoughts from the panel members. We have to be realistic about what governments can achieve when regulating something as complex as the financial markets, but I do think we should do all we can to create a fairer financial market, and limit the chances of such a wide spread problem returning.

-International Development: I spoke to audience members about my experiences visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo a few years ago as the guest of DFID, and the difference aid is making there in something so simple yet so effective as distributing mosquito nets. More broadly I made my personal view clear that despite times of tighter financial spending, we should not cut international aid. Labour has a great record on international development, and the commitment to spend 0.7% of GNI on aid marks another big leap forward.

-Drugs and alcohol treatment: This topic gave me the chance to outline some of the changes I would like to see in what has been a chronically mismanaged area. Work I have done with a law firm in the East End has confirmed my belief that a huge amount of crime and misery is caused by drug and alcohol addicts. While politically a thorny issue I explained that I felt, as a society, we should be looking to treat rather than imprison addicts. The example of pioneering work being done in Switzerland has shown that emphasising harm reduction across the board has to be the way forward.

It was an interesting night with a great panel and chair. I was glad to be able to set out again some of my key commitments to the audience to give a clear idea of what some of my priorities would be if elected: a commitment to good quality affordable rented housing for all who want it; reform of our political system; and a fresh approach to drugs and alcohol addiction treatment.

This weekend I have been out leafleting and meeting people in the Ebury Bridge Road and Tachbrook Street area. My team and I have now been out every weekend for many months and we will continue to try to meet as many residents as possible between now and the election.

The leaflet I have been dropping off contains information about myself and some background as to why I am standing as the Labour Party candidate at the general election. I hope residents find it useful in understanding not only a little more about me, but also what I offer this constituency if elected. In the coming weeks I will be distributing more literature and look forward to receiving feedback on my ideas and proposals.

Given everyone’s busy lives, residents are often not at home when we are in the area, so it is not always possible to meet in person. I would, however, love to hear from more residents so please do get in touch with me if you have any suggestions or comments. I will listen to any concerns and will look into any issues that people feel I may be able to help with.

Thanks to everyone who helped out this weekend and I hope to hear from many more residents in the coming weeks.