Launch of MG KX Momentum BTCC Racing Team

MG/Rover/Longbridge, Motorsport, Northfield area

30 January 2012

1 minute read

1,466 views

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Pleased to have the chance to talk to racing driver Jason Plato at the launch of the MG KX Momentum BTCC Racing Team at the MG factory in Longbridge.

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West Midlands hardest hit by government’s police cuts

Crime and safety

26 January 2012

2 minute read

932 views

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I am calling on the government to rethink its approach to policing after figures released today show that police numbers have fallen to the lowest for a decade, including the loss of 1,077 officers across the West Midlands. Today’s figures show that there are now 8,000 fewer officers on the streets in England and Wales, at a time when personal crime, which includes theft and violence, has gone up …

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Holocaust Memorial Day

News

20 January 2012

2 minute read

1,546 views

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Earlier this week I signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, honouring those who were persecuted and killed during the Holocaust.
Holocaust Memorial Day, on 27th January, marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau – the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history.

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Merry Christmas

Local

23 December 2011

2 minute read

1,417 views

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I’ve been invited to several Christmas events this year, but one in particular has stood out. Last Friday I joined representatives of West Midlands Police to present a special award to Billie Jayne Fulford, a year 11 student at St Thomas Aquinas school in Kings Norton. Until this year, the award has been named after Pat Manion, a former Deputy Head at the school who is remembered for …

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106 Palestinian children remain in jail as shackling continues

Middle East, World

22 December 2011

4 minute read

1,707 views

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On Sunday, Israel released 550 Palestinian prisoners, the second and final phase of the prisoner swap which secured the release of Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in October. Israel reserved the right to make the final decision on which Palestinian prisoners to release, and which should remain in jail. Not surprisingly then, it attracted widespread criticism when not one of the 164 Palestinians …

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Christmas card competition

Local

22 December 2011

1 minute read

1,478 views

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Congratulations to Abdul Ahmed from Fairway Primary School who designed this year’s winning Christmas card.
Once again there were some fantastic designs this year and I would like to say a big thank you to all the schools and children who took part.

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Yes to mayor – but not enough alone

Birmingham, Local government

1 December 2011

5 minute read

1,473 views

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Last week I spoke in a debate organised by Politics in Brum about whether or not Birmingham should have an elected mayor. I am sure there will be many more such debates over the next six months as we move towards a referendum in May 2012 to ask the people of Birmingham whether or not they want an elected mayor. These next six months provide an important opportunity to address some fundamental …

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Save our solar

Environment, energy & climate change

29 November 2011

2 minute read

1,374 views

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I have heard from many constituents who disagree with the government's plans to cut feed-in tariffs (FITs) for solar power. I have also heard from local community groups who are worried that their plans to install solar power panels may now be under threat. Labour has been leading the campaign against the government’s plans, which will put thousands of jobs and businesses in the solar industry at …

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Have your say on the future of housing in Birmingham

Birmingham, Housing

24 November 2011

1 minute read

1,346 views

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Labour in Birmingham has set up a policy commission to look at the future of housing in Birmingham and we want to hear from you.

Whether you are a council or housing association tenant, renting in the private sector or a home owner. We want to know your views online at birminghamhousing.wordpress.com.

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Reports from the West Bank

Middle East

20 November 2011

1 minute read

1,007 views

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I have just returned from a visit to Israel and the West Bank. Here are a few video reports from some of the places I visited. You can click on the menu button to scroll through the videos and also view them on YouTube here.

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Could you live without a toilet?

International Development

19 November 2011

4 minute read

1,103 views

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It’s hard to imagine living without something as simple – and vital – as a toilet. Yet just over 150 years ago this was the daily reality for many people in the UK. Without adequate sanitation or safe water to drink, disease was rife. It was the cause of child mortality levels found in Africa today.

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City Council’s proposed cuts

Birmingham

9 November 2011

2 minute read

1,570 views

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On Monday evening I attended a public meeting in Longbridge about the City Council’s proposed budget for next year. There was a lot of anger at the meeting about the cuts the Conservative-led Council are proposing. It's the Conservatives and Lib Dems running the Council that are making these decisions and they should answer for them. Unfortunately, none of them turned up at Monday’s meeting to do …

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