Gateshead Constituency Labour Party Parliamentary Report David Clelland MP www.david-clelland.org.uk 11th January 2007 Thank You My sincere gratitude to party members who supported me in the selection process for the Parliamentary candidate for the new Gateshead Constituency. I will work hard to win the confidence of those who did not. It was a very proud moment for me, to be selected for the constituency in which I was born and brought up and represented as a local councillor, and I pledge to continue to repre- sent Gateshead’s interests locally and nationally to the best of my ability. I know that it has been a very diffi- cult and trying process for all concerned but we now have a Gateshead constituency and the opportunity to forge a strong and vibrant new party. I hope that we can now move on and work together to focus our activi- ties not only on the forthcoming local elections in May but also on the future development and growth of our Party and the improvement of the lives of all in our community right across the constituency. Trade Union Education Centre Opening Gateshead Police - Allan Curry Nothing too good for the workers! After 5 years as Gateshead’s Police And Newcastle College’s new na- Chief Superintendent, Allan Curry is tional TUC Education Centre, taking up a new post at Force HQ. I opened by Gordon Brown, is a joined councillors, officers and citizens wonderful example of the way in to wish Allan well, and to thank him which trade unions are continuing for his contribution to making Gates- to fulfil their historic role by work- head a safer place to live. ing in partnership with government (pictured below with Cllr Brian Richmond, and business to develop and im- Allan Curry and Cllr Mick Henry) prove the skills that their members need to get into work and to do the jobs of the future. (left, listening to Gordon Brown) Carers’ Allowance - Petition Presented Thanks to support from party members, carers, the Gateshead Carers’ Association and carers’ groups, the on-line petition I set up in September calling for a review of the Carers’ Allow- Elgin Centre Christmas Fair ance and the replacement of the I was delighted to be able to join Cllr ‘all-or-nothing’ rule with a slid- Brian Coates and members of the com- ing scale grew to just over munity for the start of the Centre’s Christmas celebrations. 3,000 signatures. We pre- sented the petition to Down- ing Street to mark Carers’ Rights Day, and met with the Minister to discuss the issues. (above with Gateshead Carers’ Association members Jimmy Miller, Graeme Lyall, the Minister Anne McGuire, Debbie Sales and Elsie Johnson; and left, outside Downing Street) January 2007 executive, Nexus. I also met with Comment Parliament Defence Minister Derek Twigg to So, symbolically at the start of a talk about HMS Calliope, without New Year, we have the opportu- With Christmas and the New Year much obvious progress on my sug- nity to start a clean sheet with a over, Parliament has resumed work gestion to move it down river to new constituency. It will be an im- and the programme outlined in the purpose-built and designed prem- portant year, not only for the fledg- Queen’s Speech is well under way. ises on the former McNulty ship- ling Gateshead Party, but also for This week saw the remaining yard. But, I was told, the Navy has the Party nationally. stages of the Welfare Reform Bill no money to effect a move - it’s Our first challenge will be the lo- and the Statistics and Registra- clearly all gone on the millions cal elections in May. Last year’s tion Service Bill. Legislation dealt spent on the refurbishment of the elections were virtually conducted with before the House rose for Ministry of Defence. under fire from our own side, Christmas included the Second never mind the opposition! I hope Readings of the Digital Switch- that Ruth Kelly’s choice of private over Bill, Offender Management sector education for her son is not Bill, and the Third Reading of the the beginning of a similar wave of long-awaited Corporate Man- embarrassments for those of us on slaughter and Corporate Homi- the ground! cide Bill. This Bill isn’t perfect Then, later in the year, we will but, with amendments made in I presented a book to the Chief Ex- have Party leadership and dep- committee, it represent a huge step ecutive of ‘Book Aid’ which col- uty leadership elections. Inevita- forward and offers an effective lects books and distributes them in bly, the press will regurgitate the way hold companies, if not indi- the Third World. usual accusations of uncertainty viduals, to account where negli- and confusion over policy direc- gence results in death. tion - but hopefully, that will only As always, further details of any apply to the Tories! Bills presented to the House can be But the leadership election, even obtained from my office. though there might only be one The Prime Minister also initiated a candidate, still offers a forum for debate in the country about Tri- Constituency all members to debate and discuss dent by making a Statement on the The usual round of constituency the Party’s future direction. Government’s decision to maintain surgeries have taken place with I have been greatly encouraged by the UK’s independent nuclear de- nothing in particular to report. some of Gordon Brown’s recent terrent. The world has changed speeches - not least his speech at dramatically since Britain acquired The month has seen the sad the opening of the Trade Union a nuclear deterrent half a century passing of two of Gateshead’s Education Centre - and his hints of ago, and the question has to be great political figures. a refreshing new approach to La- asked whether it is wise to keep it I attended the funerals of Len bour in government. The leader- in very different times. What good Edmondson, a giant of a man ship election campaign, even with are nuclear weapons against terror- who was one of Tyneside’s one candidate, will provide the op- ism? On the other hand, can we great trade union officials, serv- portunity to discuss policies that take the risk of giving them up, at ing my own union the AEU/ have been ignored or ridiculed in a time when the only certain thing AMICUS with great distinction the past few years; the deputy about our world today is the uncer- for many years and who was leadership campaigns, with more tainty? active in the pensioners’ move- front runners than the Grand Na- I was also able to press the Trans- ment right until his death, and tional, most certainly will! port Minister in debate on the of my dear friend and former I know that many Party members dualling of the A1 by emphasis- Gateshead council colleague, share my concern that a throwback ing that whilst the scheme was a Steve Nugent. Steve was a to patronage and privatisation, high priority for the region, there wonderful person, a true social- top-down management and cen- were insufficient funds to do the ist, and a mentor to me and to tralised control won’t lead us to work. many other Gateshead party victory next time. A new Leader In addition to the usual Northern members. I shall miss his ad- will provide the opportunity to re- Group and PLP meetings, I have vice, his wit and intellect but fresh the Party and the Govern- met with Bernard Garner, the mostly I shall miss his deep and ment - we should grab it. Chief Executive of the transport loyal friendship.