Stephen's Week
April 24, 2006 2:40 PM
By Stephen Williams MP
By Stephen Williams MP
Hello all
Here is an account of my week:
TUESDAY 18th April
Back to London after the Easter weekend. Not much on today so spent mainly catching up with correspondence.
WEDNESDAY 19th April
Morning meeting of Education Select Committee was on children's services.
Local government is meant to integrate as far as possible the range of services provided to children. I used this opportunity to recount my experience of meeting a group of young carers last year. Children are not formally recognised as carers. But many of them support a parent with a handicap or serious illness. Others help with the care of a sibling.
This affects their education. I asked for children's and adults social services to complete whole family assessments so that the needs of child carers are met.
PMQs at noon - the breakfast table discussion had been about Labour's broadcast the night before about "Dave the Chameleon" Cameron. I'd watched it on the web this morning and thought it was both funny and effective. So everyone expected Blair to have some more fun at Dave's expense. But he didn't and it was a forgettable half hour. Maybe Blair doesn't watch his own party political broadcasts..
Later in the afternoon I went to a reception for the Edge Group employer awards. These recognise innovation in skills training.
Normally I have another day to go in London but I am limiting my time there so I can help in the local elections. So I rush to Paddington to get the 4.30pm train which means I am back in Bristol in time to go canvassing in Horfield.
THURSDAY 20th April
Apart from dealing with email from home I go canvassing in Filwood (aka Knowle West) in the afternoon and Kingsweston in the evening.
FRIDAY 21st April
Mid morning to the new Fairfield High School. The school is moving from its Victorian buildings in Montpelier to state of the art 21st century facilities just off Muller Road. The building is amazing and so are the views from the roof terraces. I hope the building will inspire the pupils and staff to strive for higher standards.
Lunch with "SARI" - Support Against Racist Incidents at their offices in Portland Square. We have a marvellous selection of home cooked curries while talking about the work that SARI does to support families and individuals who have experienced racism. The rest of the afternoon and early evening is spent at my surgery in the Council House.
SATURDAY 22nd April
Canvassing before and after lunch in Horfield.
SUNDAY 23rd April
Lunchtime to Bristol Cathedral for the St George's Day Parade. Over a thousand scouts and their leaders paraded on College Green and took part in the service. Doug Naysmith, MP for Bristol NW was also there. He's Scottish and I'm Welsh but we were both in the scouts so didn't mind commemorating St George's Day! While sat in the cathedral I reflected on the fact that we are lucky that a large number of adults are willing to volunteer their time for this marvellous organisation. Several of them are also Lib Dem activists! Incidentally, scouts are now mixed, with boys and girls from aged 6.
Outside the flag bearers lined up and I did an inspection with the north Bristol area chairman.
In the evening to Jury's Hotel for a dinner and party hosted by the Bristol Punjabi Association. On the way in the Lord Mayor, the Lord Lieutenant and myself were announced, garlanded with a sandalwood necklace and then loudly drummed in by some very young drummers.
The event was to celebrate Vaisakhi, the Punjab harvest. Six months ago when I went to a Diwali dinner the curry was so hot I had tears. In my speech I made a joke about food tasters in the kitchen - but the fare this time was mild but tasty. I had a lift home with Peter and Pearl Abraham in the Lord Mayor's jag!
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