Page 3 of the Sun

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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me, a semi naked woman in a ‘family friendly’ daily newspaper for the direct purpose of the titillation of men is an outdated idea that has no place in a modern world or in a country that prides itself on the strides made in the last 40 years towards equality between the sexes.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.

 

Wheel Clampers on private land are no more

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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!

 

Out and about in Hornsey!

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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!

Lynne Featherstone MP stands up for Haringey’s women

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Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, last week met with two of the UK’s leading sexual health charities – FPA and Brook – to discuss access to contraception in Haringey.

Women aged over 25 in Haringey are facing restrictions on accessing contraception. These women are unable to receive simple forms of contraception such as the oral pill, the contraceptive patch and the nuva ring at local clinical services. They are also being prevented from accessing cervical screening.

Haringey women now have to go to a GP in order to access these services. Many women, however, cannot afford to take time off to visit their GP surgery in order to access services relating to their sexual health. Drop in community clinics, which frequently offer wider opening hours, are therefore vital to ensuring that woman remain protected from cervical cancer, sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies.

Lynne Featherstone MP has now written to NHS North Central London to alert them to this situation, and asked them to investigate the issues raised by the FPA and Brook.

Following the meeting, Julie Bentley, Chief Executive of FPA and Juliet Hillier, Deputy Chief Executive of Brook commented:

“We are really pleased to have had the opportunity to talk to Lynne about some of the restrictions in accessing contraception women over 25 years old are facing in her constituency – particularly in the week that we launched our campaign to raise awareness of access to contraception services and choices.

“Lynne was really engaged in the issues and we hope that we can work together with her on contraception rights and choices in Haringey in the future”

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am deeply concerned about access to contraception for Haringey residents. As a result of limitations placed on these services, woman in this constituency are facing serious threats to their health, which is an unacceptable situation.

“Alongside writing to NHS North London and alerting them to this, I am also assisting NHS Haringey with their historic funding problems, through my campaign for fairer health funding for the borough.”

Liberal Democrats in Government – action not political nonsense

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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.

 

Lynne Featherstone MP drops in on community group

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Lynne Featherstone, the organisers and local residents at the St Raphael’s HallLynne Featherstone MP this week visited a drop in group at St Raphael’s Hall, next to St Michael’s Church in Wood Green.

The group, which runs every Wednesday from 9am – 3pm, is organised by local residents. Soup, rolls, cakes, tea and coffee are provided free of charge. Every week, between twenty and thirty people attend.

Alongside providing food and a social environment, the organisers also schedule talks for their visitors. This week, for instance, a talk was arranged regarding advice on healthy living, concentrating on the prevention and management of Diabetes.

During the visit, the Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green spoke to the residents about a mixture of local and national issues.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“I was very happy to visit the drop in centre this week. I enjoyed sitting down and speaking with the visitors about the issues of the day – their concerns ranged from local crime to national issues such as the economy.

“I applaud the kindness and commitment of the residents who run the group. It is so important to provide social outlets for our community – and the organisers are doing a really great job. I wish them the best of luck for the future.”

Lynne Featherstone MP backs the fight against breast cancer

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Lynne Featherstone MP at ‘wear it pink’ parliamentary eventLynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, this week backed the fight against breast cancer, and took part in Breast Cancer Campaign’s award winning fundraiser, wear it pink day.

On Friday 26 October 2012, wear it pink will see supporters from all over the country in schools, colleges and businesses embracing the event’s new theme: superheroes. The theme stems from the charity’s belief that everybody who joins the fight – from people affected by breast cancer, to Breast Cancer Campaign scientists and all wear it pink participants – is a superhero.

Breast Cancer Campaign is asking everyone to put on something pink and donate £2.00. Whether it’s a superhero cape, pink socks or pink pants you wear over your tights, you can help the charity achieve its target of raising £2 million, so they can continue to fund ground-breaking research.

A spokesperson from the Breast Cancer Campaign said:

“Hundreds of thousands of people take part in wear it pink every year. With your help Breast Cancer Campaign can improve survival rates for the one in eight women who experience breast cancer during their lifetime.

“To take part in the UK’s original and best pink day visit wearitpink.co.uk and register to receive your free fundraising pack now.”

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Every year in the UK, around 48,000 women and 340 men are diagnosed with breast cancer. This is why we all need to support wear it pink day on 26 October, so that Breast Cancer Campaign can continue to fund research which will one day lead to a cure.

“In the past, I have fought hard to ensure all women in Haringey and North London have access to breast cancer screening. I am happy to support the Breast Cancer Campaign, and encourage my constituents to do the same!”

Her Excellency Joyce Banda

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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’.

 

Lynne Featherstone MP calls on Haringey Council to help local community

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Lynne Featherstone MP outside a closed down shop (formerly Bones furniture) in Muswell HillLiberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone has today called on Labour-run Haringey Council to make use of the Sustainable Communities Act.

The Act, which was passed in 2007 with cross party support, gives communities and councils the right to come up with proposals and to then submit these to central government. These proposals can be for any government action or assistance that would reverse community decline and protect community assets.

In 2009, a Liberal Democrat motion calling for Haringey Council to ‘opt in’ and use the powers given in the Sustainable Communities Act was passed unanimously. Since then, however, the Labour-run Council have not submitted any proposals

Councils that have used the Act have achieved positive results. In Sheffield, for instance, the then Lib Dem-led Council made a proposal to Central Government, suggesting that the Council be given power to run and plan the post office network on a trial basis. The proposal was adopted. As a result, a post office was saved from closure and a 5% growth in local Post Office revenue and significant savings to the council’s budget was achieved.

In June of this year, the Government made new regulations, which improved the Act’s process and re-established the rights of citizens and councils that use it. Localworks, the organisation promoting the Act, are calling on councils to pass a new motion resolving to use the strengthened Act.

Steve Shaw, National Co-ordinator for Localworks, said:

“The Act could make a huge difference to boroughs such as Haringey. It provides a mechanism through which local residents can have their ideas – about their local communities – passed to central Government. Government then has a duty not merely to consult but to negotiate and try to reach agreement on those ideas, so this process has real teeth.

“If local councils want more power to improve their communities and save money, then this is their chance.

“I thank Lynne Featherstone for calling on Haringey Council to make use of the Act.”

Lynne Featherstone commented:

“It is just typical of Labour-run Haringey to opt in to the Act and then do nothing. They have so far failed to take the opportunity to use the Act and make proposals to central Government.

“I have now written to the Interim Chief Executive to the Council to alert him to this and ask what steps will be taken from now on in this regard.

“I want Haringey residents to be able to have their say and express their ideas about our community. I am, therefore, very happy to call on the Council to use this Act. I hope, for the sake of our community, that they listen!”