For many people, the New Year brings with it celebration and a sense of optimism for the months ahead. This year though, yet again, it also brings a significant hike in rail fares – and for commuters, that is anything but a cause for celebration.
2013 has flown by, and it’s been quite a year. I'd like to take this opportunity to reflect on the last 12 months and to wish all my constituents, and everyone in the West Midlands, both a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
November's Newsletter gives an update on my work on Road Safety Week and HS2 as a Shadow Transport Minister, as well as Labour's pledges to scrap the Bedroom Tax and freeze your energy bills. There is also news about the campaign to boost the BBC's presence in the West Midlands and exciting new developments for cycling in Birmingham!
I'm encouraing Birmingham Northfield’s designated drivers to claim their reward for keeping the roads safe this Christmas. As part of a national campaign run by Coca-Cola in partnership with the THINK! Road safety campaign, designated drivers can enjoy a “buy one, get one free” offer on Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Zero as they celebrate the festive period in local pubs and bars. I’m really …
Richard Burden MP, Labour’s Shadow Roads Minister, responding to the Government’s merger of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) into the DVSA said:
“Ministers are out of touch if they think announcing a new name is the same as making real improvements to safety on our roads.
Last month, the Amnesty International Group in Bournville, South Birmingham, asked me to address them on my work as a member of the International Development Committee of the House of Commons. This article taken from what I said to the meeting. After 8 years on the International Development Select Committee (IDC), my appointment as Shadow Transport Minister means I have had to recently step down …
I was Labour Member of Parliament for Birmingham Northfield between 1992 and 2019 and a former Shadow Transport Minister. I now chair Healthwatch in Birmingham and Solihull, and the West Midlands Board of Remembering Srebrenica. I also work as a public affairs consultant. I am an effective community advocate and stakeholder alliance builder with a passion for human rights. I am a trustee of the Balfour Project charity and of Citizens Advice Birmingham, and a former Chair of Medical Aid for Palestinians.