Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

CHANGE

How do you like your city, sir, madam? One skyscraper or two? As for me, I would have a plate full, but add a dash of clearer leadership would you?

It is tremendous to see the cranes on the Plymouth skyline and the regeneration work now well underway. The Mackey vision for the Plymouth of the future, supported by all political parties, is slowly appearing before our very eyes, with the exciting plans for Millbay still to come. I strongly support the current plan for growth, for much taller buildings, for bringing the city centre back to life with people living in it once again. The economic and cultural engine room of the far south west is on a roll. This under-achieving city of ours, blessed with such a superb setting – the moor, the sea and the rolling beauty of the south hams and Cornwall – may yet achieve its potential in our lifetime. This is important even for those living outside its boundaries – for the wellbeing of the centre of gravity affects us all.

But I wish to advocate one further step to set us up for the future: stronger, clearer leadership, by choosing a directly elected mayor. The law of the land allows the voters of any city to choose to be governed by a figurehead (effectively a chief executive) that they themselves elect.

The citizens of Plymouth last looked at this issue 4 years and 11 months ago and the referendum was defeated. The law requires a gap of 5 years before we can ask the question again. That period expires on 24th January 2007. A petition signed by just 5% of the adult population, less than 10,000 people, will trigger a second referendum.

A yes vote would open the way for a mayoral election next year.
I believe that we should look at this again. Torbay went down this route a year or two ago and it seems to have brought benefits. Everybody knows who is in charge and there is greater transparency and accountability.
Compare that with the current situation here. At local elections we vote for the candidates in our ward. The team with the most councillors runs the city. Even if we know who the local leader is, that caucus of councillors can change their mind every year if they want and change that person. The people don’t choose our city’s leader.

But we could. Should we? What do you think?

posted by Nigel on Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

SHORT BREAKS

In the twinkling of an eye how a life can change. On Thursday of last week, at approximately eleven o’clock, mine did. Each year all MPs enter a ballot for the right to introduce a new private member’s law. Those drawn in the top ten have a real chance of success. For the past thirteen years my name has not come up. Last Thursday I was drawn number four!

Two days earlier I had attended a powerful event at the House of Commons at which a number of children’s charities under the heading: “every disabled child matters” called for a new law to help families who care for their disabled children get more short breaks to help them cope.

I have long believed that we should do more for certain groups in society, and disabled children have always been top of my list. We can pay for it by doing less for other groups (although this is not the time to unpack that argument!).

Since becoming an MP, some of the most challenging moments are the surgery visits by parents looking after their disabled children. They always look exhausted and always ask for the same thing: respite care. Many of these families are at breaking point When they are struggling to cope 24/7 is it too much to ask that they might have the occasional night or weekend off? Of course there is some help available, but not enough to go around. All over the country it seems to be getting worse not better. This seems to me to be inexcusable. A short break can make all the difference as these heroes care for their loved ones.

The Disabled Children’s Short Breaks bill will seek to impose a duty on local and health authorities to make sure that there is an adequate supply of short breaks in their area for families like this. Yes, it will come with a price tag, but this should be a high priority for local councils and perhaps they could review some of their other spending to pay for it. Children with severe disabilities, and their carers, should be treated with special honour.

So nine months of unexpected activity and skilful diplomacy now lies ahead. I will be working with children’s charities and will seek to build a Commons consensus, to help those families get the little bit of extra help they deserve in their caring marathon.

I welcome your views.

posted by Nigel on Monday, December 04, 2006

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

ENGAGEMENT

On Sunday last I opened the Goosewell Primary school annual crafts fair, organised by its Parent/Teacher Association. It is the sort of thing I do whenever I can, an always pleasant duty. Our daughter and grandchildren came with us, so we even got to see inside Santa’s grotto. What a busy chap he is.

I was struck once again by just how important it is for people to engage with their community on a voluntary basis. I have visited the school a few times and its professional leadership is excellent. Within minutes you pick up the orderly, nurturing environment and it is clear that the head teacher and staff are doing a great job. The government has pumped more money into education than ever before and you can tell that from the computers and facilities on display.

So why do we need parents to be involved in the school, raising money, putting on events and generally helping out? Because it adds tremendous value to every organisation when people volunteer to get engaged and give of themselves. The extra bits of equipment that will be bought with the cash raised will doubtless be welcome, but that is only a tiny part of the story. It is the unseen benefit of teamwork, the involvement of wider talents, fresh perspective, additional energy that all helps to build a healthier organisation. It strengthens relationships and deepens bonds between institution and community.

And best of all, those who volunteer also seem to benefit from the muscle aching fruits of their efforts. Have you ever noticed that the people who are at the heart of voluntary activity are some of the happiest people you meet? I wonder why?
Life is getting busier and busier for most of us. We are running to stand still. But I keep stumbling over hundreds of hardy souls in Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge who make time to put something back in to society: school governors, scout leaders, hospital visitors, charity activists, church carers and political activists, all make our society work. And they all benefit from serving the wider community. There is something about the human spirit that is enriched when we give out, rather than seeking to receive. No matter how much money we pump into public services, no matter how frenetic our twenty-first century lives become, there must always be space made for those who volunteer to serve, and they will always be the happiest people

posted by Nigel on Monday, December 04, 2006