Last September, I wrote on my website about what would have been the inaugural East of England Grand Committee. The Committee has been set up as an opportunity for MPs to discuss and raise issues relevant to their Constituencies with the Regional Minister and their regional Parliamentary colleagues.
Sadly, history repeated itself Tuesday morning, February 23, 2010, at the East of England Grand Committee, which was due to take place in Westminster. For the meeting to be quorate, 17 Parliamentarians needed to be present, but with only 16 MPs attending, the meeting had to be abandoned. It was again noticeable that an overwhelming majority of Conservative MPs for the Eastern Region were absent - eight out of 12 Labour MPs attended, two of three Liberal Democrats, but only six out of 41 Conservatives were present.
I find myself questioning whether the Conservatives are really interested in the future of the East of England. The facts are that the region is generally safe territory for the Conservatives. Of course some will have had good reason not to attend the meeting, but perhaps too many take their positions for granted.
However, with the General Election fast approaching, it is foolish to pass up these opportunities to discuss the issues facing the East of England. Now is the time for scrutiny and debate about the key issues facing our region and country – the economy, jobs, crime, immigration, education, health, pensions, climate change; the list goes on.
In the coming weeks, I will be focusing on dealing with my constituent’s personal issues, as well as concentrating on:
· Completion of the Bedford Bypass
· Improving rail services and reducing congestion as Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Thameslink
· East West Rail Link
· Boosting the Town Centre
· Raising school standards and facilities
· Supporting opportunities for business
· Supporting opportunities for sports development
· Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
· The Bedford - Milton Keynes Waterway
· Early introduction of a Kidney Dialysis Unit
· Detention of children
So even if the Conservatives cannot be bothered to show up, I am still invested in the future of Bedford and the East of England, and working hard to make it a better one.
