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The loss of personal friends or colleagues is always hard and this has been a very sad time. Locally, the Labour Party lost one of its most loyal and hard-working members, Alan Mills. He had been a close personal friend and also served as my PA in the eighties when I was Leader of Greenwich Council.
And there have been two great losses from the national political landscape, both good colleagues and friends; both renowned for their honesty, integrity, intellect, sharp wit and often mischievous sense of humour. I refer, of course to Robin Cook and Mo Mowlem. A week before his death, I recall Robin saying that the continued presence of US and British forces in Iraq was contributing to the civil disorder and not preventing it and that a timetable for withdrawal should be worked out to enable the Iraqis to build up their own institutions for self government. Mo will be remembered for the key contribution she made in bringing the conflict to an end in the north of Ireland, despite all the efforts of Unionists to undermine her.
Unlike Robin, who was from the left or traditional wing of the Labour Party, Mo was one of Tony Blair’s “New Labour”, and yet my last memory of Mo was being one of a million people with her in Hyde Park saying “No” to war in Iraq. Frail and struggling against the brain tumour that eventually led to her death, she made a powerful and emotional speech against the war. Both had so much to contribute and both will be missed by political friends and by their opponents too. It would be a fitting memorial if we could bring the troops home by Christmas.
There has been much in the national press about MPs being on a 12 week holiday, but just because the House of Commons isn’t sitting, doesn’t mean we are all on holiday. I have had ten days away and will take a few more days before parliament returns but my office and my staff have been working as normal; I have been holding regular surgeries throughout August and the summer period does give MPs an opportunity to get out and about in their constituencies meeting local organisations which is often difficult when parliament is sitting.
I have seen some good things – like the young children enjoying themselves at the new Belvedere splash park and the new play area at Bostall Gardens. And I want to pay tribute to the Tri-Forum – the Belvedere, Erith and Slade Green Forums – the community activists who give freely of their own time to help the community and who, with some support from the council, provided activities for young people during the summer school holidays.
I have also seen the evidence of the increased investment in local policing and have spoken to several neighbourhood Bobbies and Community Support Officers who are building up a good relationship with their communities, helping us all to feel more secure.
And I have been preparing for some battles ahead. Along with many local residents I will be giving evidence at the Public Inquiry into the proposed Incinerator at Belvedere. I know I will have the overwhelming support of local people in my opposition to the incinerator. I will also be giving evidence to the Inquiry into the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge, where the community reaction may be more mixed. I am aware that many of my constituents support the bridge because they feel the River Thames is a barrier in Thamesmead & Belvedere. But I feel the adverse effect on the environment, the increased traffic that will be generated, the impact on other areas such as Plumstead and Welling far outweigh any advantages and I do not believe those who argue for the bridge have made a convincing case that it will create jobs in the area. So it will not be long before we are back into the thick of political debate – What do Gateway readers think?
We were all shocked by the recent terrible terrorist attacks on London. They have touched the lives of people all around the country including the residents of Bexley.
Huge amounts of time and effort have gone in from the Council, police and a host of groups such as The Bexley Council for Racial Equality to help reassure people and to help inform the community. The risk is that a tiny number of people determined to frighten others give a bad name to whole groups, quite unfairly. I have friends from a range of faiths, none of these people advocate violence and indiscriminate killings, despite their passion for the beliefs they hold. It is important for people to recognise that in any society there will be a small criminal element and a large majority of law abiding and peaceful citizens alongside.
The best way of working to stop anything similar in the further is if we work together to fight all the forms of crime that we see around us.
Bexley Council is continually working hard to stamp out all forms of crime and anti social behaviour in the borough. We are committed improving the quality of life for residents, and with the help of the local police this is becoming a reality.
Bexley is currently the second safest borough in London and we are working to do even better. Our local police continue to deal robustly with any reports of crime and disorder, helped by community panels and the voluntary sector. If local people continue to help by reporting illegal or suspicious behaviour, we can send out a message to people that plan to cause trouble that it will not be tolerated.
We need to ensure that recent events make local people more aware of these criminal acts and ensure that the community as a whole stands together to stop these kinds of acts happening again. Doing this will help build a safer community for everyone.
It has been proved that camera’s only bring in renevue and don ‘t save lifes. A speed camera has been inserted on Woolwich Road in Belvedere. At the time of installation they planted a tree next to the camera knowing the tree will grow and block the camera from the drivers view. This again proves camera’s are there to make money...... Drivers are consistantly being penalised ,what with paying road tax and petrol! Anon
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