Last week, Parliament finished for the Summer recess which gives me a (welcome!) break and also an opportunity to get out and about and meet with more of my constituents. Here’s an update on some of my activities from the past month…
Attorney General to review paedophile sentence
I welcome news last week that the new Attorney General, Baroness Scotland, has agreed to my request for her to appeal the sentence of a paedophile who raped a 10-year old girl.
He had been given two concurrent 18-month sentences which meant that he would spend just 4 months more in jail – having served 8 whilst awaiting trial.
Rape is a serious offence and rape of a 10-year-old girl is unimaginable. I was particularly concerned about this young girl as she has been in care since the age of four so has no parents who can support her or who can call for the sentence to be reviewed.
Homelessness
Since my election in May 2005, each year I have promoted local charities as my ‘Charities of the Year’. This year they are DENS – Action Against Homelessness and Hope for Children.
Homelessness affects a wide variety of people and the work carried out by DENS is truly impressive. They operate a night-shelter offering emergency overnight accommodation with an evening meal and breakfast for a nominal charge. They have just opened a day centre which at the moment is only open 3 days a week. I have visited the day centre and I really feel for their clients who without it have to walk the streets carrying all their belongings all day. DENS would like to open the day centre 5 or even 7 days, but needs to raise the funds to do this. DENS also has a first-class resettlement programme which helps not only with housing, but also finding work and claiming benefits.
This is a good cause, and if you would like to help them the best place to start is a visit to their website at www.dens.org.uk.
I will be joining them again on their sponsored sleep out at St Albans Abbey on 7th – 8th December – why not join us? Hospital campaign
It is extremely disappointing news that the judicial review appeal by Dacorum Hospital Action Group (DHAG) has failed. I pay due credit to the hard work and dedication of Zena Bullmore, DHAG and all who have contributed to the campaign. It has been fantastic to see the way the whole community has come together to support this cause and it makes me immensely proud to represent the people of the Hemel Hempstead constituency in Parliament. Our community is being constantly tested at the moment and time and again has come together to show its resilience.
I pledge to keep fighting for hospital services to remain in Hemel Hempstead.
…and finally
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has kindly written to congratulate me on my promotion to the shadow front benches. I am delighted to have been offered the position of shadow Minister for Health as it is a subject that is very close to my heart. It is especially welcome as the subject is one which is of such importance to my constituents.
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