Julie Morgan MP

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Au revoir to the Constitution?

The French 'non' to the European Constitution throws the whole project in to doubt, not least the referendum here in Britain. All the press commentary is that Tony Blair will be breathing a sigh of relief, as the polls indicated the same result might happen here — with the knock-on effect of damaging the PM's leadership. Whether this is true or not, only the Prime Minister knows.

Personally, I feel that the 'non' is a blow for progressives across Europe. I did not think that a referendum on the Constitution was necessary in the UK, as the vast majority of the text is simple consolidation and codifying of what was already contained in the Treaties of Maastricht, Rome and so on. The rest was technical changes to matters like the Presidency of the Union (currently rotating every 6 months; the Constitution would've changed this to a single president with a renewable term of two and a half years). Perhaps now we will not have a vote at all. If the Dutch vote 'no' (nee?) then the Constitution in its current form is dead and there will be no point in our vote.

I hope that in the aftermath of this, and during the UK's presidency of the Union starting soon, we can push for the EU to reconnect with Europe's citizens. The EU has become too distant and people neither understand, nor care about, it — which is most unfortunate considering the good that the EU is capable of doing.

Posted at 04:22 pm by juliemorgan
Comment (1) Permalink

Friday, May 27, 2005

Taking your concerns to the top

I had a meeting this morning with Inspector John Roberts of South Wales Police about the myriad of complaints of anti-social behaviour I have been getting. This seems to have spiked in the last couple of months. Residents in Gabalfa, Mynachdy, Whitchurch, Llandaff North and elsewhere have told me of either very serious individual incidents or a pattern of behaviour which is deeply troubling.

I firmly believe that the Government is right to be talking about "respect" in our communities. There has been a move away from deference in our society, be it deference to headteachers, police officers, public servants like nurses or, yes, politicians. (Think of the incident last year when Fathers 4 Justice protestors threw purple powder at the Prime Minister — the Guardian ran an editorial at the time highlighting the fact that such a protest in the very seat of democracy in Britain was a glimpse into the kind of anarchy that results when people feel fundamentally removed from the political process.)

The problems in our communities are often manifesting themselves in trouble between residents and small gangs of young people, and in my view the reaction to this from some has not been favourable (banning hoodies in shopping malls, for instance). I think it is important to recognise, too, that the trouble is only caused by a very small minority and that young people, too, are intimidated by some of these yobs and tired of being stereotyped.

Still, anti-social behaviour from wherever it comes must be met very firmly and decisively. I think that we have all failed some of our communities, including in Mynachdy, when it comes to protecting them from this low-level crime. I pointed out to Inspector Roberts this morning that people need to see the police presence on the streets and have confidence in their ability to tackle this behaviour long-term.

I have had some success in tackling anti-social behaviour locally — in Court Field in Whitchurch, for example, and in Silver Birch Close — but once the troublemakers are scared off by the increased police presence, they move on to somewhere else. It is like a merry-go-round, except there is nothing merry about it. It makes many people's lives miserable and I know how they feel; residents near to my constituency office are experiencing problems, too.

I hope that in this Parliament we will be able to give the police more powers, that that legislation will be supported by all parties (not always the case when it comes to past anti-social behaviour legislation) and that we will get more police on the streets where they can do the most good. In the meantime, residents should make sure that they report every incident that occurs, and if people want to be kept in touch with what is happening across Cardiff North, they should let me know.

Posted at 02:48 pm by juliemorgan
Make a comment Permalink

Surgery reminder

Just a quick reminder that I'm holding two surgeries today:

1. Asda Coryton, 12pm - 1pm

2. Constituency Office, 17 Plasnewydd, Whitchurch, 7pm - 8pm

No appointment necessary!

Posted at 11:03 am by juliemorgan
Comment (1) Permalink

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Keeping up the pressure

To Business Questions and my first chance to ask an oral question of a Minister in this Parliament. Business Questions happens every Thursday and is when the Leader of the House of Commons announces the business for the coming week. It is also a time when Back Benchers get to ask for a debate on a given subject, although in practice it can become a bit of a forum for a debate on anything and everything going on in the news!

I asked a question on smoking in public places. I think that, although it seems certain that there will be a clause in the Public Health Bill which will give the power to the Welsh Assembly to decide on a smoking policy, it's important to reflect the strength of feeling on the subject at every opportunity:

Julie Morgan (Cardiff, North) (Lab): May I also raise the issue of smoking in public places? Is my right hon. Friend aware that yesterday there was a cross-party vote in the Welsh Assembly in favour of introducing a ban on smoking in all enclosed workplaces and public places with a few exceptions such as prisons and nursing homes following the report of the cross-party working group ably chaired by Val Lloyd, the Assembly Member for Swansea East? I urge my right hon. Friend to introduce a public health Bill in England as soon as possible. Can he assure me that such a Bill will provide an opportunity for the Welsh Assembly to carry out the report's recommendations?

Mr. Hoon: I am aware of the vote, and I recognise, as I told the House earlier, that there is great concern among right hon. and hon. Members about the subject. I can, however, give my hon. Friend the assurance that she is seeking and confirm that such a Bill will be introduced as soon as possible. (Link)

Posted at 02:57 pm by juliemorgan
Make a comment Permalink

Revealed: the ways of Westminster

This column appears in the "Cardiff Post" today.

Many people may wonder just what backbench MPs do in Westminster. They may even wonder what effect we can possibly have.

It was something I had cause to ponder myself this week. Last Thursday, I spoke to the Heads of Medical Schools and the Association of UK University Hospitals about the ways that MPs can influence discussion, policy and legislation in the House of Commons.

And when I sat down to analyse what I do in Westminster, I realised what a range of ways there are for backbench MPs such as myself to influence things. We really do have many opportunities to have our say and to shape the agenda.

We can, for example, choose to speak in the House of Commons Chamber itself and raise local, national or international issues. We can ask oral questions, make speeches or make interventions in other people's speeches. For example, I have recently asked questions about the Women's Workshop in Cardiff and anti-social behaviour orders and made speeches focusing on the Llanishen and Lisvane reservoirs and on Welsh issues raised by the Equality Bill.

As MPs, we can also call for adjournment debates in Westminster Hall - this is a smaller and a more informal forum for debate. MPs request debates on an incredible range of specific issues and I've participated in debates, for example, on poverty in South East Asia.

But if an MP really wants to get the attention of the press and the public, tabling an Early Day Motion (EDM) is often a good way to do so. An EDM is a motion put down asking for a debate on a particular subject. Even though there is rarely time to debate these, they are a good way to draw attention to an issue.

Another way of raising issues is through All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs). These are cross-party groups that hold meetings in particular areas of interest and they provide information to MPs about various topics. For example, I chair the APPG on Children in Wales and we have had meetings on topics like child poverty in Wales, autism and smacking.

If, after all this activity, an MP has any energy left, he or she can request a meeting with a minister to discuss issues, or to lobby them.

Or, if you get lucky, you might get the chance to propose and lead the debate on a Private Member's Bill. Last March, I led the debate on my Bill about banning smoking in public places in Wales.

Posted at 11:01 am by juliemorgan
Comment (1) Permalink