Stephen's Week
May 14, 2007 2:39 PM
By Stephen Williams MP
By Stephen Williams MP
Hello all
Here's a note of my Parliamentary doings last week.
Regards
Stephen
MONDAY 7th MAY 2007
As it was the May Day bank holiday it was nice not to have to leap out of bed, get packed and off to Temple Meads! But the pouring rain rather put a dampener on things. Luckily it cleared up for the afternoon traditional Redland Green May Fair. I wandered round the stalls talking to people. And we also had a our own bric a brac stall which raised some funds.
TUESDAY 8th MAY
Off to London. A few afternoon meetings. First, with a Phd student doing a thesis on the role of the private sector in education. I wonder if Brown will halt the academies programme? Then with the Family Planning Association on how to get advice to young people. Finally with Sports Coach UK to discuss sport in schools. My own memories of games in school are not happy ones!
In the evening Sarah Teather and I were the joint guest speakers for the charity Head Teachers and Industry, held at the Marriot Hotel just opposite Parliament (the former GLC building...) We both gave introductory speeches and then answered questions while eating. The director lives in Bristol West. It's remarkable how often I attend events in Westminster and meet people from my constituency.
We got back over the bridge in time for a 10pm division, on a rare Lib Dem motion, on mental health.
WEDNESDAY 9th May
Education Select Committee in the morning was one of our sessions with Ofsted. The Select Committee is the reporting body for Ofsted. We talked about their new "light touch" school inspections, amongst other things.
PMQs at noon was a bit dull, considering Labour had just taken a drubbing in the local elections and Blair was about to announce his resignation. I guess everyone is looking forward to the Age of Brown. But I'm sure Blair's final appearance in June will be an occasion to remember.
After some office work I left for Paddington, so just a brief time in London this week. I came back early to open an exhibition at the City Museum & Art Gallery. It's called Bristol Faces, African Footsteps. As part of the Abolition 200 end of the slave trade events it's about a long term project by 8 young people to record the views of young Bristolian black and ethnic minorities on the slave trade. It also shows their visit to Ghana. They curated the exhibition and planned the launch event. All 8 children spoke and then I gave a speech and opened the exhibition. You can find out more here, http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Leisure-Culture/Museums-Galleries/bristol-faces-afrikan-footsteps.en but do go and see the exhibition for yourself.
THURSDAY 10th May
I watched Blair's statement of resignation as Labour Leader while at home in the morning. I've always though he was a remarkable performer, a mixture of politician and actor. Later, to the constituency office to catch up on some casework and office admin.
FRIDAY 11th May
To the History department at Bristol University. I while ago I suggested to them that as I was doing a scientist shadowing scheme it would also be good to reacquaint myself with my old department. I met Dr Brendan Smith, the Head of the department, as well as several of his colleagues. They were researching a variety of subjects from the British police in Shanghai in the early 20th century (I will be in Shanghai in a month!) to the MOD lands on Salisbury Plain. I also met up with some students for a Q&A and then sat in on a seminar on Victorian technology.
After lunch in the constituency office I went to the Council House for my weekly surgery.
In the evening many members and helpers had a good time at Cotham Parish Hall at our post elections thank you party.
SUNDAY - I'm off back to London this evening as I'm visiting Cambridge University in the morning.
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