News from July 2009

Thursday, 23 Jul 2009

The Gary McKinnon Case under the Extradition Treaty.

Before the Parliamentary recess started there was another debate on the implications of the Extradition Treaty with the United States that the Government introduced last year. I voted against the treaty because I was concerned that it would not afford British citizens the same protection against extradition that it would provide to US citizens facing extradition to Britain. In fact it meant that it would be easier to extradite British people to the US than US citizens to Britain. I felt that this was unfair and could result in miscarriages of justice. The Gary McKinnon case has confirmed my fears. Gary Mckinnon is a young man suffering from Aspergers Syndrome, who tapped into a number of US state computers because he has a bit of an obsession with UFOs. For this reason the US government is seeking his extradition under the new treaty. The treaty means that the US government only has to demonstrate reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed rather than present clear evidence of a crime. Gary could be tried in a British court but the Home secretary has agreed to is extradition to the US. I voted to refuse to extradite Gary.

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Tuesday, 21 Jul 2009

John McDonnell Raises in Parliament Blight to Heathrow Villages from 3rd Runway Threat

I raised in Parliament today (Tuesday) the blight to their properties, which residents in the Heathrow villages are experiencing as a result of the 3rd runway threat, and the failure of BAA to keep its promise to bring forward the implementation of the bond scheme. I also expressed my fears about the potential risks to our environment from the development of the Gasworks site in Southall, in particular the massive increase in traffic and also the potential pollution resulting from the excavation of this contaminated land. You can watch my speech in the House of Commons chamber on the film.

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Monday, 20 Jul 2009

John McDonnell Joins Heathrow Villagers’ Picnic on Airplot Site

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On Saturday I joined local residents and campaigners from the Heathrow villages in a picnic on the airplot site in Sipson, which with the assistance of Greenpeace, thousands of us have bought to prevent the 3rd runway being built over our village. The site is exactly where the 3rd runway and sixth terminal would be built if BAA gets its way. However most commentators and campaigners now believe that the runway proposal is dead, given the volume of opposition to this lunatic plan, which flies in the face of all the policies now being developed to protect our environmennt and to tackle climate change. I filmed a short spell at the picnic and our site.

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Sunday, 19 Jul 2009

Hayes Cricket Club Family Funday

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Hayes Cricket club, which I am proud to be the patron of, held its annual family funday and colts teams award ceremony today (Sunday). After experiencing a difficult time six years ago the club has gone from strength in recent years thanks to the hard work of a number of volunteers and the commitment of the young players and their parents. Keith Wallis, the club secretary, has played a major role in its success. Despite the weather the funday was really enjoyable. I interviewed Keith about the club’s progress, the plans for the future and how people can get involved. The weather was overcast and windy so you may need to turn up the volume for Keith’s first sentence as the wind affected the microphone.

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Yeading Meadows Nature Day at Yeading School, Hayes.

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This Saturday I visited the Prakash celebration at Guru Nanak School, Brookside Community Centre’s “Brookside’s Got talent” show and the Yeading Meadows Nature Day at Yeading Junior School.

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Friday, 17 Jul 2009

Twinkle Totz Nursery Brookside Hayes

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This week I went along to the end of term performance of the “Three Little Pigs” by the children at Twinkle Totz nursery in the Brookside Community Centre in Hayes. The children sang and acted with such confidence and enthusiasm. They were a real credit to the nursery and their parents. This is a wonderful nursery and the children were so happy. I interviewed Susan Dhillon, who has been the driving force behind the nursery and Mrs Angus, the head of the nursery, who has worked so hard for the children with her excellent team of staff.

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Thursday, 16 Jul 2009

Parliamentary Debate on the War in Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan has claimed more lives of British soldiers this week. This terrible loss of life prompted a debate in Parliament today (Thursday). The debate focused on an at times unseemly tussle between the political parties on whether the Government had provided sufficient support in terms of troops and equipment to fight this war. I spoke in the debate to express my distress at the loss of so many young lives and my view that this war was unnecessary, unwinnable and ill-judged.

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Saturday, 11 Jul 2009

No 3rd Runway Campaign at Hayes Carnival

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The No 3rd Runway Campaign participated in the Hayes Carnival and gained a really warm response from members of the local community who lined the roads as the procession passed by.

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Hayes Carnival 2009

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Last year the Hayes Carnival was threatened by the withdrawal of support by Hillingdon Council but the community rallied round and we saved the carnival. I convened a meeting of local community groups and we set up the Hayes Carnival Committee, chaired by John Chamberlain from Hayes End Methodist Church and comprising representatives from many local groups, charities and religious organisations. The Carnival Committee has worked hard and secured a small grant from Hillingdon Community Trust to support local groups participating in this year’s carnival procession. This year has seen the number of community organisations participating in the carnival almost double. The whole event has been a tremendous success. I filmed some of the carnival participants. We will commence planning next year’s carnival in September. Our aim is to make it bigger and better each year. If you would like to get involved in the carnival next year please contact me.

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Wednesday, 08 Jul 2009

St Mary’s, Hayes, Flower Festival

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Every year St Mary’s Church in Hayes holds its summer fete and flower festival. It is always a really enjoyable occasion for the whole community. This year the fete comprised all the usual home made cakes, jams, tombola and games stalls. In addition, there were children’s dance groups, a dog show and music from Hayes FM, our local community radio. It is a tradition that the children from Dr Tripletts school decorate the hedge along the path to the church with their own little bouquets of flowers and the church itself is decorated with absolutely beautiful flower arrangements. In the church hall parishioners were serving a delicious spread of salads and cakes. The sun shone, the music played and laughter rang out as local residents enjoyed a great day.

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Opening of Safer Neighbourhood Team Police Base in Barnhill

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On Saturday I joined the local councillors, Police officers and members of the community for the official opening of the new base for the Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams on the Barnhill Estate. This idea came from the Barnhill Initiative Group, which I set up 10 years ago to bring local people together to improve the quality of life in the area. Local Councillors John Major and Anthony Way have led on the project over the last three years. They identified three empty shops on Welbeck Parade. This was a site where anti social behaviour was bringing the whole area down. Now thanks to the funds we have raised, one of the shops is a community cafe and the other two have been converted into a Police office and drop in for the Police Safer Neighbourhood teams for Barnhill and Charville Wards. This will put our local Police teams at the heart of the communities they serve, helping reduce crime and this increased Police presence will reassure local residents. 

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Friday, 03 Jul 2009

Petition for Pump Lane Bus Route

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The Hayes Working Men’s Club has launched a petition to secure a bus route down Pump Lane. We have tried over the years to get a bus route extended to the bottom of Pump Lane to serve the local residents in that area and the shops, office, factories and the Working Men’s Club. The Club has gained the support of the local Townfield councillors, Lynne Allen, Tony Eginton and Robin Sansapuri. I fully support this campaign and interviewed Alan Grover from the Club. If you would like to add your support please email me with your name and address and I will ensure that you are included in the petition. The petition will be presented to the leader of Hillingdon Council and the Mayor for London, who is responsible for Transport for London and thus in deciding London’s bus routes.

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