Looking back on a busy year, I feel deeply privileged to have been able to use my position as a public representative to help so many good causes locally and nationally.
As one with personal family experience of the disease it was an honour to lend a hand to young disabled people in the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's Trailblazers network. They went undercover to expose the reality of discrimination in accessing goods and services and I hope that the event we launched in Parliament will force the pace with government and others in allowing everyone to use their full potential.
Energy conservation has been a key issue for me. I left the Northern Ireland Select Committee to join the one that shadows the work of the Energy and Climate Change department. As a former miner, energy politics is in the blood. But it is also one of the most important items facing humanity if we are to combat climate change.
A whole range of measures, large and small, will be needed to ensure that climate change isn't catastrophic and I shall continue to highlight these and push government and others to green up and clean up.
As a former trade union leader and a strong supporter of working people I also add my weight to the fight for justice. I was pleased, therefore, to table a Commons motion supporting miners in Canada and Brazil fighting for health and safety standards.
But the meat and drink of my job as an MP is in Blaydon. Last year thousands of people were in touch with me about concerns ranging from issues to do with their houses, amenities and benefits to wider political issues. I hope that my advice and that of my staff has been helpful.
I expect this year to be the same and look forward to being able to use my office as a public representative in helping make life better in Blaydon, the North East and more widely.
Various public and private companies as well as organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau have supplied me with advice leaflets to encourage people to know their rights and entitlements. These are available from my office.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |