Monthly Archives: May 2008

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill

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Monday and Tuesday much of my time was taken up with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. I have been lobbied by all sides on the issues covered by the Bill –hybrid embryos, saviour siblings, IVF rules and abortion time limit reduction in particular.

I know how very much these issues matter to those who have written to me and because everyone is to be respected for their view – here is why I supported the Bill and voted against the amendments. I cannot please all those who contacted me – as they were on opposing sides. I represented all views to the Government and have written back to all who contacted me.

Briefly put – I believe in extending the boundaries of science as far as possible with appropriate safeguards – so I’m in favour of hybrid embryos to help scientific research, but with the very important safeguard that they can’t be kept longer than 14 days.

On saviour siblings (babies selected to provide genetic material for seriously ill relatives) – I believe they are the act of loving parents – both for the existing child with an illness – and for the child that is conceived to help.

On IVF treatment – I believe that having a loving, stable environment for children is important – but that we shouldn’t discriminate. Therefore I supported replacing the reference to the “need for a father” in considering fertility treatment with the “need for supportive parenting”. The issue is whether or not we have committed, loving couples who are willing and able to pass all the hurdles involved in fertility treatment, rather than whether they happen to be of the same sex or not. There are all sorts of issues around the quality of parenting in this country – but we need more supportive parenting, not less – and discriminating ends up therefore being both wrong but also self-defeating.

And lastly, I supported the 24 week limit on abortion staying as it is. No evidence was produced to say that ‘viability’ had been extended through scientific research. Therefore – for me – the 24 week limit remained appropriate.

I hope that both those who agree and those who disagree will understand that in issues such as these – we all have our own view – and the above are mine.

Highgate Choral Society

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Sunday evening sees me at the South Bank for a concert by Highgate Choral Society – of which I am a patron. They are so brilliant and so professional that it was hard to believe that they are not professionals. A wonderful evening and congrats to all who took part in or helped organise such a fantastic concert.

YMCA Crouch End Fun Run

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Lynne Featherstone with the TAThis weekend was the YMCA Crouch End Fun Run. Every year the YMCA organises this phenomenal local event for local people in Priory Park. Adult and children runs are separate – and there are loads and loads of categories – so that 40’s, 50’s and 60+ all have their prizes.

Lots of local and community groups have stalls. The photo is of me with the local Territorials here to promote joining and inform people about their work. There is much for children and adults to do – as well as run!

I am there to give out the adult prizes – and just like last year (and the year before) it is when I stand on the podium that I say to myself – next year I want to run. Sadly – I just don’t do the practice needed as my current running time before I hurt is around five minutes. Way to go…

Anyway – Budgen’s (one of our excellent local businesses) sponsored the event – and I thank them for that as much is raised for local charities by the YMCA Fun Run. This year that included Action for Kids, 101, Treehouse.

So – maybe next year I will run…

Liberal Democrats say no to Labour's local 'cash for honours' scheme

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Local Liberal Democrats have reacted with incredulity at Labour councillor Sheila Peacock’s suggestion to raise money for the mayor’s charity by selling the honour of the Freedom of the Borough for £100.

At last night’s Council Annual General Meeting when nominating Labour’s mayoral candidate, Cllr Peacock said in return “for £100 and tea with the Mayor” residents could be given the honour.

Cllr Robert Gorrie, Liberal Democrat Leader, comments:

“The mere suggestion that one of the highest honours Haringey Council can award our residents could be open to this sort of car boot sale is shocking.

“Not only does this tarnish the honour for those who have already been awarded the freedom of the borough but brings with it an unfortunate suggestion of sleaze.”

Cllr Richard Wilson, Lib Dem Deputy Leader, adds:

“Labour are not strangers to ‘cash for honours’ scandals but they should not bring these to Haringey – we completely reject any idea of selling off these honours.

“The mayor’s charity work is very important but this is not the way to go about raising money.”

Post Office closures create 'flood' of pouch box applications

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The streets of Alexandra ward will soon be blighted by ugly grey boxes if Haringey Council gives the green light to a raft of applications to install Royal Mail pouch boxes.

Pouch boxes, used to store mail for onward delivery, will likely now be used more frequently after many local Post Offices are faced with closure. Residents and Liberal Democrat councillor Wayne Hoban expressed their concerns to Haringey Council and Royal Mail after five such planning applications were submitted in just one week.

Cllr Hoban has asked Haringey Council and Royal Mail to relocate a pouch box located in Alexandra Park Road and also to provide him with full details of the criteria used to establish whether the proposed site for erection of a Royal Mail pouch box is appropriate.

Cllr Wayne Hoban (Alexandra) comments:

“I am concerned by the sudden rash of boxes plaguing our streets. Local residents and I have written to Royal Mail and Haringey Council to remove a pouch box erected in a completely inappropriate place. However, after many months, both Royal Mail and Haringey Council still appear to be dragging their feet and have so far refused to relocate it to a more suitable location.

“It is suspicious that the Labour government’s recent decision to close local Post Offices, such as the popular and well used Alexandra Park Road branch, has been closely followed by a massive increase in applications for the installation of pouch boxes in the ward. I have no doubt that the two are connected. It is ironic that at a time when many councils across the country are taking steps to remove unnecessary street furniture, the Royal Mail is steadily adding to Haringey’s street-clutter through such applications.”

Gordon Brown's taken up my idea!

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At the start of this year I wrote about how Prime Minister’s Questions could be improved – including the suggestion that the PM could involve the public by letting people video themselves asking questions to which he then responds with video answers. And lo – that’s what 10 Downing Street has gone and done (though I suspect not just as the result of my suggestion!).

Appearing on Any Questions?

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Friday was a long, long day! Crack of dawn start to get to York to meet various youth and equality projects. First stop was to meet the Equalities spokesperson at the Council (LibDem minority control) – Cllr Keith Aspden – who briefs me on the groups I will be meeting.

A quicke radio interview with Minster Radio and then off to meet the CVS – the Community Voluntary Sector – who have fantastic facilities where a number of local voluntary groups operate from as well as facilitating rooms for meetings. Seemed a very well-developed and properly functioning centre – and a model for how perseverance over many years can eventually pay off with proper facilities. And proper facilities, well-designed and pleasant – then in turn create the right environment to encourage all of this good work to continue. A lot of work goes on here to get young people, often the most challenging young people, into work and/or training.

Mad dash onto Castlegate Centre – which is a fantastic drop-in and one stop shop for 16-25 year olds. The downstairs is all modern and beautifully designed with the help of young people to make it an environment they feel comfortable about coming to. And they do. Remarkably successful – young people can just drop in and find help for any number of issues – be it housing, counselling, training – whatever. A pretty inspiring outfit – and again – the people who had fought for it and were running it – totally committed and dedicated.

I then visit York Racial Equality Network, where about 25 people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds have come to tell me their anger and disappointment that the vital work they do is under threat. The Council support them – but the Commission for Equality and Human Rights has, despite assurances, not funded them this year and this is threatening their very existence. Whilst it would be true to say that York is not the diversity capital of this country, nevertheless there is a growing number of black and ethnic minority residents. Add in an influx of Easter Europeans and the issues of pressures on public services, social cohesion and the rest are just beginning to arise. Better to tackle these in proper and timely fashion than wait until real problems hit us. Also there are issues that arise when numbers are relatively few rather than many – issues of isolation, exclusion and race hate incidents.

The York Racial Equality Network is the only organisation doing the work that is needed in this area. Indeed, when the Commission needs to consult or disseminate information in the York area, they themselves turn to the YREN to do this for you.

If the Commission is not minded to reverse their decision (as I have written to them to ask that they do), then I’d very much like to know how they expect the work to support individuals experiencing racial harassment, victimisation and discrimination to continue – and who would be there to disseminate information from the Commission and respond to consultations.

Last stop of the day in York is to the University to meet students who I help launch a campaign against ID cards. Outside of the usual reasons – that they won’t work, won’t stop terrorism, won’t help identity fraud etc – the students are fearful that they are now going to be pressured into having an ID card.

Train leaves York late – so I miss my connection to Maidstone in Kent where I am going to do any questions. I finally arrive and have time for a quick egg and chips with Jonathan Dimbleby and Claire Fox (another guest on the program) then off to the school for the live show. Tony McNulty and Jeremy Hunt are the other two panellists.

The questions were what I expected – 42 days detention, the sudden glut of political memoirs, 10p tax etc – but there did seem to be at least three questions that led back to – yes – you’ve guessed – Gordon Brown and his miseries. I was surprised they didn’t ask about schools testing – but I guess Gordon took precedence.

Jonathan called me Liz (again – he did it last time too) and I corrected him on air – and he said to make amends I could call him David (his brother’s name) which I did! I like Jonathan and I like Any Questions. AQ gives you far more time to answer and discuss an issue than Question Time – but they are actually quite different animals. Afterwards we have drinks and bits with the local people and the staff and students of the school the program comes from. And then finally – back to London.

Exposure magazine

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Visited Exposure last week – the magazine that is produced for young people – the amazing magazine produced for young people in Haringey. It is mostly contributed to by young people who come there for skills training and work experience – expedited by a seriously committed but very small group of professionals.

Andy (who manages the scheme) has created a fantastic atmosphere where young people who have not necessarily always been at ease in the education system can blossom. They learn, depending on their proclivity, to write articles, to do page layouts and graphics or work on video productions. I met lots of bright and very enthusiastic young people who all seemed engrossed in what they were doing and who told me how wonderful the experience was.

Exposure showed me a few of their video productions. Talk about talent and good ideas! One they showed me was a really humorous but devastatingly effective message about taking the risks of sexually transmitted diseases seriously. They had also done videos – equally effective – on knife crime and anorexia.

Such great work. Great outfit. Great kids and marvelous committed staff.

Muswell Hill Library – Liberal Democrats call for rethink on development

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Plans to expand Muswell Hill Library have suffered a major setback after it was revealed that the sale and development of land behind the library would scupper any such extension.

It was exposed at a heated meeting on Wednesday night (14th May 2008) that the controversial development on land at the back of Muswell Hill Library, meant to raise money for extending the library, would ironically leave no room for any extension.

Local Liberal Democrats have called for a major rethink by Haringey Council that would enable the development to go ahead but to also provide space for the library to expand. Cllr Engert has also written to Haringey Council for confirmation that all money raised through the sale of land at the back of the library is ring-fenced for the refurbishment and extension of the building.

Cllr Gail Engert (Muswell Hill) comments:

“It is ludicrous to think that the very development that was meant to pay for the extension is now the very barrier stopping this happening. Original plans showed the library and the development sharing the land equally – now the development takes nearly all the land, leaving the library with very little.”

Cllr Martin Newton (Fortis Green) adds:

“Local residents really feel let down. For years Muswell Hill library has needed refurbishment and to extend to give the local community a library for the 21st century – this will be yet another disappointment for all those who have waited only for Haringey Council to let them down again.”

Crime figures: Liberal Democrats call for action

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Local Liberal Democrats have called for more action to tackle burglary, motor vehicle crime and the worrying increases in racial and homophobic crime. Latest figures released from the Metropolitan Police have shown reductions in total crime reported in Haringey but indicates a concerning increase in more common crimes and static levels of homicide.

Cllr Ron Aitken, Liberal Democrat Crime and Policing Spokesperson, comments:

“Despite reductions in total crime there are still unacceptable increases in more common offences of burglary and motor vehicle crime and in homophobic and racial offences. Local residents want their homes and possessions to be safe and should not be targeted due to their race or sexuality. We need more action and turn our attention to reducing these types of crime.

“The Police have worked extremely hard to achieve these results and we must congratulate their unrelenting efforts. But we must not lose sight of the human misery that lies behind these statistics and there is still considerable room for improvement.

“The Government needs to give the Police the freedom and recognition they deserve by putting an end to time-consuming paperwork and give them the pay-rise recommended by the independent review body.”