I have been given Attitude Magazine’s award for Politician of the Year for my work on Equal Marriage. I am really delighted.  Thank you Attitude and you can read Pink News’ write up on the award here.

Here’s the article I wrote for the last ever edition of the Hornsey Journal:

It is with great sadness that I write this article for the last ever printed version of the Hornsey Journal. For many years, the Journal has set the bar for local journalism. It has always offered a balanced mix of well-informed news stories, lively opinion and debate between readers.                           

Over the years, I’ve been particularly grateful for the way the Journal has so consistently and coherently reported on my local work. Without it, news of my local campaigns would not have reached as many people. For instance, until very recently, the Journal has closely followed my campaign to move the dangerous 144 bus stop – which affected many Hornsey and Wood Green residents who needed to travel to and from Muswell Hill. Thanks to their reporting, many residents will now be aware that the bus stop is being moved to a safe location, so the journey should now be much easier for the elderly and disabled.

Whilst I am therefore glad that the Journal will be replaced by the new Ham&High Broadway in the west of the borough, it is a shame that a part of my constituency – Wood Green – will be left without coverage. Wood Green is such a vibrant and active part of my constituency. I can only hope that other newspapers will carry on reporting local news to such a high standard!

I wish the new Ham&High Broadway team the very best, and again thank the Hornsey Journal team for their great work in the constituency over the years.

Lynne Featherstone

MP for Hornsey and Wood Green

When asked if I supported the campaign ‘No more Page 3’ during an interview with the Independent on Sunday – I said yes!

It isn’t top of my list of things to do – but it is part of the whole issue surrounding the coarsening of women’s representation in the public space – and it is anything but harmless.

Page 3 has the effect of enforcing the notion that women are little other than sex objects. For me, a semi naked woman in a ‘family friendly’ daily newspaper for the direct purpose of the titillation of men is an outdated idea that has no place in a modern world or in a country that prides itself on the strides made in the last 40 years towards equality between the sexes.

How are we to convince our daughters that they are equal members of society when they see women portrayed in this way, not in men’s magazines but on the 3rd page of a daily newspaper? In my view, photos such as these suggest that the value of a woman is in direct relation to her pleasant appearance, which is an extremely sad message to send to women. I for one want our children to know that they are worth more than what is skin deep.

What people do in private interests me not at all (so long as it is legal) but I do want to protect the public space. It saddens me that this issue is often not taken seriously and derision is frequently the go to response to voices opposing Page 3 – but this will not alter my position on this issue.

Today is the day when wheel clampers clamping on private land can no longer extort and terrify motorists in the manner to which a number of people had sadly become accustomed. They are no more! They are ex-clampers. And most people would think that a very very good thing!

It was practically the first decision I made as a Minister in the Home Office – to ban wheel clampers – and possibly one of the most popular decisions the Coalition has taken! The evidence of their bad behaviour (and for any who were unlikely angels – blame your less than well-behaved colleagues for the ban) was overwhelming.

They will still be able to ticket on private land – but they have to fulfil stringent conditions for such tickets that are issued to be valid in terms of signs and conditions etc.

So if you park on private land make sure you read the notices – and be aware – there are still those with lawful authority to clamp – like Councils and the police.

A good job jobbed!

My new department, the Department for International Development (DFID), recently put together this excellent video about how Britain helps some of the poorest people in the world:

Today it was the turn of Hornsey’s doorsteps to get some calls from me. It’s always lovely to get to talk to people face-to-face – and you never quite know what issues they’ll bring up!

We (a surge of Liberal Democrats) were doing our Community Survey and knocking on the doors in Hornsey. As ever – there were a host of issues bothering  local residents from lighting (too little) to bins (too many) – not to mention controlled parking zones! One of the questions was about how people contact Haringey Council and what their experience is when they do!

It was fascinating to find that whilst local people were really keen to contribute their views to us on the doorstep – and they certainly had a lot of lively views about local issues – very few of them attended or even knew about the Hornsey Area Forum!

It was a beautiful sunny day – and we couldn’t have asked for better weather – not to mention the very friendly and cheerful reception on the doorstep!

Thanks to the great team of people who turned up to help today!

As I said in a recent blog ‘Common sense and a DNA for fairness’ are what the Liberal Democrats bring to the Coalition table.

Never more true than in our commitment to fairer taxes. Not only have we taken the lowest earners out of tax all together but we have put back £500 in normal tax payers pockets. And you can read how we are going further with our mission to make tax fairer here.

A great pleasure to meet with the President of Malawi – Her Excellency Joyce Banda. As you can see – a formidable woman. I was exceptionally pleased to have an early opportunity to meet with this powerful woman who is determined to move her country in the right direction – economically, constitutionally and to repeal the ‘bad laws’.

Since going into Coalition the Liberal Democrats are always getting it in the neck. The right hate us for inhibiting an untrammelled right wing agenda and Labour who might claim the left (but not really sure on what basis) hate us for being in Coalition with the Conservatives.  The need for stability at the time of the last election forgotten – only the need for a whipping boy.

But you know – sticks and stones….

Nothing is more terrifying than a lurch to the right or the left right now. Common sense and a DNA for fairness are what is needed – and that is what the Liberal Democrats bring in this most challenging of times.

We’ve published a record of our action in Coalition and you can read it here. Actions – not political nonsense.

The SOLA Awards is a project created by the Damilola Taylor Trust. It aims to reward the success of talented and inspirational young people similar to the ‘Pride Of Britain’ Awards. The awards are primarily London based, however they also have a National Award for a National Campaigner.

They are looking for nominations – so you can help them find the most talented and inspirational young people by nominating any talented/inspirational young people you know and spreading the word about this to your community contacts.

To nominate, simply click on this link. Closing date: 30th Sept 2012