Stephen's Week

EASTER RECESS

Parliament did not sit for the days either side of the Easter weekend. During this time I helped with the local elections campaign in Bristol, concentrating on Ashley, Cabot, Clifton East, Easton and Lawrence Hill wards. I also met the PG Group, the developers who hope to transform part of St Pauls. I went to Bournemouth and went through a political right of

passage by being booed at a teachers' conference! The ATL (Association of Teachers and Lecturers) were mainly nice to me but didn't like my answer on the pay of classroom assistants, which I agreed to go away and think about. I had a meeting with the MD of First Group Buses to discuss plans for showcase bus routes and other transport issues in Bristol. I met with some potential black activists and councillors, organised by Operation Black vote. The young people at "Fairbridge" on Stokes Croft cooked me a healthy lunch (having been horrified by my Westminster eating habits) and I presented certificates to those who had completed their access course. I went to a concert at Bristol Grammar School organised by African initiatives, to raise money for girls' education in Tanzania. Oh, and in case you are wondering, I did take a bit of time off, visiting South Wales and the New Forest.

MONDAY 16th APRIL

Back up to London. My stress levels somewhat lower than when I left a couple of weeks ago. Time away from constant pressure of Westminster life and a catch up on sleep put me in a good mood for the new session. The afternoon meeting of Education Select Committee approved our report on the 'Bologna Process' of harmonisation of higher education structures across Europe.

In the evening I chaired the Lib Dem group reviewing our post 16 and adult learning policies. We went through the sections written up by members of the group over Easter. We are aiming to get the consultation paper written up by the end of May.

TUESDAY 17th April

Another "first" today - a photo op on the step of 10 Downing Street. The occasion was the presentation of the "Lives, Not Knives" petition collected by Cllr Shirley Marshall. This calls for higher sentences for knife crimes. You can see a picture on our web site at

http://www.bristolwest-libdems.org.uk/news/000325.html ITV, Radio Bristol and GWR all covered the event, as did the Western Daily Press and Evening Post. Shirley came up to London with fellow Ashley councillor Jon Rogers plus a teacher and two pupils from St Mary Redcliffe School. I gave them all a tour of Parliament and as the weather was so hot we had lunch on the terrace!

Later I met with two construction companies to talk about a reappraisal of the Severn Barrage. I tabled a motion in favour of a barrage last year and have just written an article for the "House Magazine" (Parliament's magazine) about it.

In the evening there was a meeting and dinner of the All Party Group on Universities. The guest speakers were the Chief Exec of the Scottish Funding Council and the Vice Chancellor of Leeds Met University. They both talked about collaboration between universities and further education colleges.

WEDNESDAY 18th April

Morning meeting of Education Select Committee quizzed the Secretary of State, Alan Johnson. He was the last witness in our enquiry into the new 14 - 19 diplomas that will commence in September 2008. Then to PMQs, not a particularly memorable one but of course this session will be Blair's last as Prime Minister. In two weeks time he may well have resigned...

Afternoon took a taxi to the Institute of Education in Bloomsbury to a recording for Teachers TV, again on 14 - 19 diplomas. We would have preferred to have seen the GCSE and A Level curricula incorporated in the new diplomas, rather than them continuing as separate qualifications.

After the Lib Dem Parliamentary party weekly meeting I went to a reception for HOST, in the grandeur of the Foreign Office. HOST is what it says, a charity that brings together households that are willing to host international students.

THURSDAY 19th April

Breakfast time trip to the Royal Academy to see their current blockbuster exhibition 'Citizens and Kings 1760 - 1830" which was in its last few days. Portraiture is my favourite art form and there were some superb examples, including by Bristol born artist Sir Thomas Lawrence. You can get a taste here http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/citizensandkings/

Mid morning met with a visiting delegation from Lithuania. Their deputy education minister, Prime Minister's adviser and some people from the Embassy were learning about England's higher education system. I told them about my visit to Vilnius in 1992, just after the Soviet army withdrew. The Baltic republics have seen enormous changes since then and I'd like to go back.

After catching up on office work I took a train back to Bristol. On arrival at Temple Meads went straight off to canvassing in Lawrence Hill!

FRIDAY 20th April

Down to the City Museum for a catch up briefing by the Director on progress on plans for the new Museum of Bristol. Also discussed the development of an archive of the history of Bristol's black population and a great project where 8 young people have been discovering their African ancestry as part of this years Abolition 200 events.

Spent some time in the constituency office and had some photos in Henleaze and Westbury with Paul Harrod, our excellent new PPC for Bristol North West.

Then it was my normal Friday afternoon surgery before spending the evening canvassing in Clifton East.

WEEKEND

Has been spent delivering leaflets and target letters. I've also attended the first Lord Mayor's Charity Ball, held at the function room in Ashton Gate stadium. Thousands of pounds were raised for under-privileged children in Bristol. And on a smaller but still important fundraising

level I enjoyed our own monthly Sunday lunch curry club at the excellent Bombay Dreams...