28-07-03

Barrett launches second annual report

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP, today launched his second annual report, which will now be distributed to over 30,000 households in his West Edinburgh constituency.

The report, which follows a massive, positive response to his 1st annual report last year, describes what Mr Barrett has done in the last 12 months, both in the House of Commons and in his constituency.

The report highlights how he has:

• asked over 350 parliamentary questions on topics ranging from transport and the environment to foreign affairs and pensioner poverty;

• tabled 14 motions to parliament on global and local issues such as the war in Iraq and tackling the misuse of fireworks;

• spoken in Commons' debates on topics such as saving local post offices, military conflict in Iraq, the new tax credits and the Scottish manufacturing industry;

• helped produce 10 reports as part of the International Development Select Committee which involved important visits to Malawi, Ethiopia and the UN headquarters in New York.

The report also describes Mr Barrett's activities in the constituency. In particular, he:

• ran a highly successful 'Save the Post Office' campaign, attracting the signatures of over 10,000 of his constituents;

• held over 100 advice surgeries around the constituency, helping countless individuals with their particular problems;

• initiated new 'street surgeries' where selected streets are visited to hear local concerns;

• expanded the www.johnbarrettmp.com website to help keep people up to date with local and national news;

• communicated regularly with local organisations, supported community fundraising events, gala days and local initiatives.

Launching the report, John Barrett MP said:

"One of my pledges at the last General election was to keep my constituents fully informed of my work in Edinburgh and in Parliament.   This annual report is a key part of delivering on this promise, keeping in touch all year round and not just in the run up to an election.

"There is a lot to report on too.  Last year, I highlighted the conflict in Afghanistan, following the September 11th terrorist attacks.  This year the conflict in Iraq has once again drawn the eyes of the world abroad, an issue which has dominated proceedings in Parliament and dominated my postbag.

"At a time when the general public are becoming more and more disenfranchised from the political process, I believe local MPs have a duty to re-engage their constituents.  Part of this comes from listening to what people have to say but part of it also comes from effective and regular communication.  Hopefully, annual reports like the one I have launched today help achieve just that."
       
ENDS

John Barrett's annual report is also available online.