The House of Commons is gradually coming back to life. The Queen's Speech of the coalition government has announced over 20 new Bills but it will be some time before we see the detail and how devilish that may be.
Fox hunting is back on the agenda with a free vote on whether the ban should be repealed. I have backed a cross-party motion which recognises that the vast majority of the public supports the ban and scrapping would be out of keeping with a civilised society. Let's get this issue out of the way and deal with much more serious matters.
There is no doubt that the next few years will be tough for many and I will do my best to support organisations that stand up for their members. It's one thing to know that the deficit has to be reduced over time but there will be different ways of doing this which need to be discussed. Trade unions, business groups and voluntary bodies should have a role in such debates.
One such body is the Gateshead Voluntary Organisations Council (GVOC) which promotes and develops the local voluntary and community sector in Gateshead. They rightly say that the voluntary and community sector has often championed essential public services that we now take for granted. Child protection and care for the elderly, for example, were developed by the voluntary sector.
GVOC has over 400 members and membership is free. Its services include meeting rooms, photocopier and printing machines, a community accountancy project, training courses designed for the sector, regular newsletters, advice on funding and setting up groups and a payroll service. Some of these services have a charge. All power to their elbow. Their website is at www.gvoc.org.uk
On a wider front, coal and energy continue to be big issues for me in the Commons. I am deeply concerned that this country is importing coal from countries where miners are being killed in their thousands every year. The new Energy Minister told me that he also takes this very seriously and will meet me and other MPs to discuss this and the rise in fatalities and serious injuries in UK coal mines in recent years.
The names and faces at the top may have changed but standing up for those at the bottom (and below) goes on.
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 |