]> John Barrett MP for Edinburgh West http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/ 2009-12-31T23:19:36+00:00 John Barrett MP 2009-12-31T23:00:00+00:00 2009-12-31T23:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=467

As we start another year it is a good time to think about what we want to change in our own lives as well as the changes we would like to see in the wider world. Many people make New Year Resolutions only to break them in the first week or two. While we let ourselves down in our attempt to make those very minor changes, there is usually little sympathy for politicians who fail to deliver on major challenges, which require compromise from the many involved in complicated negotiations often involving representatives from many countries. In the year ahead it will take more than the action of politicians alone to deliver the change we would all like to see. From tackling the global changes to our climate to the local delivery of healthcare, we must all share in the responsibility for what has happened and what needs to happen. It is too easy to pass the buck to others, but in the future we will all have to accept our own role as part of the problem and be part of the solution.

2009-12-18T11:00:00+00:00 2009-12-18T11:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=465

As I look back over 2009 and forward to 2010, the end of the decade is a time for some reflection. Ten years ago I was selected as the candidate in Edinburgh West, I was then elected as the MP in 2001, was re-elected in 2005 and will stand down in 2010. As I look forward to my last Christmas as the MP for Edinburgh West, those past 10 years have been memorable for lots of reasons. In my first summer as an MP, the twin towers at the World Trade Centre in New York were attacked and much of what has happened in Parliament and elsewhere in the world in the last 10 years stemmed from that tragic event. In 2010, hopefully the Iraq Inquiry will at last reveal the truth behind decisions made to go to war in Iraq, which was made as part of the supposed war on terror. One of my proudest moments as an MP in the last decade, was to go through the lobby with every single one of my colleagues to vote against that military action, in the face of real hostility from both of the other main parties at Westminster. Much has happened since then and too much to detail here. I am sure the year ahead will also be an interesting one. After a decade of the most memorable experiences of my life, it is now time to look forward to the year ahead - with a General Election and a complete change of direction for me. I would also like to thank all those who supported and worked with me over this period, many of whom have become real friends. A big thanks also goes to all those constituents who have also made it such a worthwhile and interesting job and who have sent me hundreds of letters, cards and emails. Apologies in advance for anyone I missed out from my ever expanding Christmas card list. Finally, I would like to wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Hopefully the troubled times at home and abroad, as well as the recession, will come to an end in the near future and I hope that a brighter future unfolds, particularly for those who have been the most vulnerable, at home and abroad, in the last decade. Finally - all the best for the festive season, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

2009-12-17T15:00:00+00:00 2009-12-17T15:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=464

John Barrett MP was today elected to the Scottish Party Executive Committee of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Mr Barrett was elected in the first round of the count and was delighted with the result, as this was a vote of the entire membership of the party in Scotland. He is looking forward to working with the new Convenor, Craig Harrow, in the year ahead.

2009-12-17T11:00:00+00:00 2009-12-17T11:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=466

Edinburgh West MP, John Barrett has signed a cross-party Westminster motion, launched by fellow LibDem MP Mark Hunter, to ‘save the cheque’ after yesterdays announcement that banks will be taking them out of use in 2018. Over 100 MPs have already signed the motion, including that of Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable.

2009-12-15T13:00:00+00:00 2009-12-15T13:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=463

Today John Barrett MP for Edinburgh West received his letter from Sir Thomas Legg regarding the issue of expenses and overpayments, which will have to be repaid by a number of MPs. Mr Barrett's own letter stated that there were no issues and no amounts to be repaid. Sir Thomas Legg's full report on the entire issue will now go to the Members' Estimate Committee in late December. Mr Barrett commented, "I am pleased to see that there were no issues of concern with my own expenses and I look forward to the day when the entire existing system for expenses is swept away and replaced with one which restores the public's trust."

2009-12-11T8:00:00+00:00 2009-12-11T8:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=462

John Barrett MP was shocked at some of the outrageous claims made by MPs as detailed in the press today. Commenting on his own claims, he said that he had claimed for rent of a one bedroomed apartment, the electricity cost, insurance and a television licence. In one month, when he moved flat at the end of his previous lease, his furniture was in storage and this cost was also claimed. He added, "When my lease came to an end, the cost of removal and storage was much less than the month's rent saved when I was flat hunting and had no rent to pay for one month, so it reduced the total cost for that period. The total figures published also include a £2,300 deposit paid to the landlord, which is fully refundable to Parliament when I step down next year. This sum also inflates the total claim figures published."

2009-12-09T17:00:00+00:00 2009-12-09T17:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=461

John Barrett MP joined Amnesty International today at Edinburgh University to help create a mosaic of Binayek Sen, an Indian doctor who is currently in prison and still awaiting a trial and details of politically motivated charges after over two years of waiting. John Barrett, who has been an Amnesty supporter for many years, called on the Indian Government to make sure justice is delivered in this case. John was joined by Tavish Scott MSP and Mike Crockart.

2009-12-08T18:00:00+00:00 2009-12-08T18:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=460

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called for all political parties to commit to a high speed rail network including both Edinburgh and Glasgow and warned that a spur to Scotland was ‘essential’ for the business and environmental case of the project.

2009-12-04T10:00:00+00:00 2009-12-04T10:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=458

Commenting on the Public Sector rich list released by the Tax Payers’ Alliance today, John Barrett MP for Edinburgh West, said:

2009-12-04T10:00:00+00:00 2009-12-04T10:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=459

Commenting on reports that RBS Directors may resign if the Chancellor of the Exchequer were to block  £1.5bn in banker’s bonuses, Edinburgh West MP John Barrett  said:

2009-12-02T15:00:00+00:00 2009-12-02T15:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=457

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today warned that plans to allow post offices to provide banking services were too little too late, after years of underinvestment and post office closures.

2009-11-30T13:00:00+00:00 2009-11-30T13:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=456

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today called for ‘fairer taxes across the board’.

2009-11-17T10:00:00+00:00 2009-11-17T10:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=455

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, is supporting calls to create a new levy on bank profits at a rate of 10%, with all the revenue raised (estimated next year to be around £2bn) going towards tackling the structural deficit.

2009-11-16T12:00:00+00:00 2009-11-16T12:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=454

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today heavily criticised the Government’s 2008 Post Office closure programme after a new report by a House of Commons’ Committee issued a damning assessment of the process.

2009-11-10T16:00:00+00:00 2009-11-10T16:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=453

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on those responsible for failing to get to grips with benefit  fraud and error after it was revealed that £3bn in benefits were overpaid last year.

2009-11-06T9:00:00+00:00 2009-11-06T9:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=452

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has questioned the Government about the real costs of nuclear power. 

2009-11-04T17:00:00+00:00 2009-11-04T17:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=451

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today challenged the Leader of the House Harriet Harman over MPs who have ‘flipped’ the designation of their main home to avoid the payment of capital gains tax.

2009-11-04T16:00:00+00:00 2009-11-04T16:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=450

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today launched a motion in parliament to commemorate the life of tuberculosis (TB) pioneer Sir John Crofton who has died aged 97.

2009-10-21T18:00:00+00:00 2009-10-21T18:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=449

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today hit out at the Government for failing to properly compensate Equitable Life Policy Holders who lots their savings in the collapse of Equitable Life.

2009-10-21T14:00:00+00:00 2009-10-21T14:00:00+00:00 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/news.php?page=news_item&id=446

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West has signed up to the 10:10 carbon emissions campaign to achieve a 10% cut in carbon emissions in 2010.