http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/ John Barrett MP for Edinburgh West en-gb Responding to Alex Salmond’s threat to resign if the SNP budget is not voted through the Scottish parliament, John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, said: “If Alex Salmond is thinking of resigning from anywhere, he ought to resign his Banff and Buchan seat here at Westminster, where he is rarely seen.” news/2008/feb/06-1.php Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/feb/06-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called for an urgent debate in Westminster to hammer out a deal to save Edinburgh Observatory from huge funding cuts that could threaten its future. news/2008/feb/05-1.php Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/feb/05-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today, called on Ministers to step up efforts to tackle fuel poverty following fresh warnings that the Government are set to miss their legally binding targets on reducing fuel poverty. news/2008/feb/04-1.php Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/feb/04-1.php The Liberal Democrats have welcomed today’s ruling by the European Court of Justice that Sharon Coleman suffered ‘discrimination by association’ because she was not allowed as much flexibility in her work to look after her disabled son as parents of other children were. news/2008/jan/31-1.php Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/31-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today warned BT that any attempts to axe phone boxes in Edinburgh would by vigorously opposed by politicians and local communities. news/2008/jan/30-1.php Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/30-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today hit out at the Government about the number of laptops lost by Government departments, and called for the reckless handling of personal data to be made a crime. http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/29-2.php Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/29-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today, welcomed the announcement that former members of the Women’s Land Army and Women’s Timber Corps are to be offered a commemorative badge in recognition of their service during the two World Wars. http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/29-1.php Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/29-1.php John Barrett, in his new role as Liberal Democrat Disability Spokesman, has this week met with the Disability Minister, and representatives from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB), The Disability Alliance, SCOPE, Every Disabled Child Matters, and has arranged a number of constituency visits to related organisations. http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/22-1.php Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/22-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on the Government to publish a special needs information pack to help families with children with disabilities access the help and benefits available to them. http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/21-2.php Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/21-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today launched moves in Parliament calling on the government to tighten welfare standards in the chicken farming industry. http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/21-1.php Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/21-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on the Government to protect pensioners in Edinburgh from energy price rises after new figures showed that recent increases in the cost of electricity and gas are set to wipe out pensioners’ winter fuel payment. http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/17-1.php Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/17-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on Alex Salmond to give assurance to Scottish families with disabled children that they will not miss out on £34 million worth of support from Westminster. http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/16-1.php Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/16-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/14-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called for an end to ‘ludicrously high’ bank charges charged by some high street banks. Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/14-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/11-1.php John Barrett MP, new Liberal Democrat Disabilities spokesman, on the squandered talents of Britain’s disabled Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/11-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/08-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today hit out at the news that the Cabinet has agreed in principle to approve a new generation of nuclear power stations, warning that the move threatened to undermine the renewables industry. Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/08-2.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/08-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has been made lead spokesperson for Disabilities in new leader Nick Clegg’s reshuffle of Shadow Ministers. Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/08-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/07-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today joined energy experts in warning that the government’s second consultation on nuclear energy, due to be released on Thursday, may be as flawed as the first. Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/07-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/02-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today urged everyone to make a New Year’s resolution to recycling their Christmas cards. Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2008/jan/02-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/27-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today welcomed news that humpback whales, including his own adopted whale named ‘Auntie’ have received a temporary reprieve as the government of Japan has removed 50 humpbacks from this year’s whale hunt. Thu, 27 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/27-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/22-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on Ministers to do more to tackle fuel poverty this winter after figures released by the Liberal Democrats revealed that the Winter Fuel Allowance now only covers 36% of the average winter fuel bill, compared with almost two thirds in 2003. Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/22-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/22-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has today urged constituents to use a special advice line offered by the Scottish Consumer Council if they receive poor service or faulty goods over the festive period. Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/22-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/21-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, is backing the ‘winter warmer’ campaign over the Christmas break to alert across Edinburgh of the need to protect their pipes from the current cold weather. Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/21-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/17-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today, welcomed the news that the Government has finally agreed additional compensation for those who lost their pensions, when their companies went bust. Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/17-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/05-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today warned that the Government’s obsession with means-testing risked undermining efforts to reform the pensions system. Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/05-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/04-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today attacked the government over the ‘crippling complexity’ of the tax system after a new parliamentary report revealed that the vast majority of VAT and tax returns are filled in late. Tue, 04 Dec 2007 08:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/04-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/01-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today joined campaigners in Parliament for World AIDS day, calling for world leaders to keep their promises to fight HIV and AIDS. Sat, 01 Dec 2007 08:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/dec/01-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/21-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today criticised the Chancellor for failing to protect the public after it emerged that almost 45,000 Edinburgh families will be affected by the loss of sensitive child benefit data. Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/21-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/20-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has today called on the Government to protect civilians working as interpreters for British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tue, 20 Nov 2007 18:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/20-2.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/20-1.php This is an enormous breach of security and will severely dent public confidence in HMRC. For constituents of mine who are receiving Child Support payments these developments are hugely concerning and we need urgent safeguards introduced to ensure that this cannot happen again. Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/20-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/15-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on the Government to radically strengthen the Climate Change Bill, and warned that without major changes, it would be a missed opportunity to tackle global warming. Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/15-2.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/15-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today launched moves at Westminster to secure the release of Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli nuclear technician who lifted the lid on Israel’s nuclear weapons programme. Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/15-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/12-1.php Edinburgh West Lib Dems John Barrett MP and Margaret Smith MSP have teamed up to oppose Labour’s compulsory identity cards scheme and have called for more money for front-line policing. Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:00:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/12-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/06-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today criticised Gordon Brown for lacking the vision required to lead Britain following the Queen’s Speech earlier today. Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/06-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/03-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called for the Government to scrap plans to replace Trident, the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent. Sat, 03 Nov 2007 12:30:00 +0000 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/nov/03-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/23-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has today thrown his weight behind moves in parliament to cut excess packaging. Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/23-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/17-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today has joined forces with Breast Cancer Campaign in its award winning wear it pink day on Friday 26 October 2007 as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/17-2.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/17-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today challenged Government Ministers to commit resources to provide essential healthcare in the poorest parts of Africa as part of the International Health Partnership. Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/17-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/16-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today attacked the Government for not doing more to support armed forces personnel and their families, during a special Commons debate on the Military Covenant. Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/16-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/12-1.php The Website of John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has made it to the final of the British Computer Society MP Website Awards 2007. Fri, 12 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/12-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/09-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today called for a radical simplification of the Tax Credit system after a damning report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Tue, 09 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/09-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/08-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today pledged to back a Bill tabled later today to introduce fixed parliamentary terms of four years. Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/08-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/04-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on international leaders to take tough action against the Burmese government ahead of a global day of action for the Burma campaigners this Saturday. Thu, 04 Oct 2007 17:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/04-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/03-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today warned Government Ministers that any planned Post Office closures in the West of Edinburgh would be vigorously opposed by local politicians and communities. Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/oct/03-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/sep/21-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today pledged to help raise awareness of tinnitus, the medical term for noises inside the ears or head, after experiencing it firsthand at the Liberal Democrat Conference this week. Fri, 21 Sep 2007 17:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/sep/21-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/sep/12-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called for an end to expensive 0870 numbers and called on major companies to pledge to transfer to a new cheaper rate soon to be launched by Ofcom. Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/sep/12-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/aug/21-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West today warned Edinburgh residents not to be conned into donating clothing and other goods to companies posing as charities. Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/aug/21-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/25-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called for a radical simplification of the benefits system after the National Audit Office has refused to sign off the Department for Work and Pensions’ accounts due to unacceptably high levels of fraud and error for the eighteenth year in succession. Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/25-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/24-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on the government not to abandon proposals for a high speed rail link between Scotland and London after a new government report appeared to pour cold water on the idea. Tue, 24 Jul 2007 17:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/24-2.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/24-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today warned that tackling global poverty would take more than photo-opportunities and instead required real commitments to increase aid and end unequal trading rules. Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/24-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/17-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on Gordon Brown to extend financial support for people who lost pensions and retirement benefits when their companies went bust. Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/17-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/12-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today criticised the Government over the continued failure to reform tax credits after new figures revealed the full scale of fraud and error in the system. Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/12-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/10-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today backed ‘Queen’s Spice’ to take the top prize ahead of the final of the prestigious Tiffin Cup after the Queensferry restaurant qualified for the final for the second year in a row. Tue, 10 Jul 2007 12:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/10-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/4-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today warned that the new system of Child Support must not make the same mistakes as its predecessor, the much maligned Child Support Agency (CSA). Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/4-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/2-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today urged anyone flying from Edinburgh Airport to ensure that they are aware of the latest security restrictions. Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:45:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jul/2-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/26-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, speaking on Veterans’ Day 2007, commended the bravery of Edinburgh Veterans. Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/26-2.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/26-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today attacked the SNP for playing politics with international aid and warned that moves to give the Scottish Executive more control over international aid could mean job losses at the International Development Headquarters at East Kilbride. Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/26-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/20-3.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today released new figures showing that around 25,000 Edinburgh Households who are eligible for assistance in the switch to digital television will each have to pay £40 to access it, totalling almost £1 million across the city. Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:45:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/20-3.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/20-2.php John Barrett MP today called on Ministers in Westminster not to push ahead with changes to immigration law that could have a major impact on the future of the Edinburgh Festival and in particular the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:45:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/20-2.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/20-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called for increased awareness of the plight of refugees across the globe and also the contribution they make to their host communities. Wed, 20 Jun 2007 10:45:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/20-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/19-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today criticised the SNP for jeopardising the future economic development of Edinburgh by attempting to scrap the proposed tram network. Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/19-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/18-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, and the Scottish SPCA today joined forces to welcome a breakthrough in the campaign to ban the import of cat and dog fur but warned that any new laws would be toothless without a commitment by Government to enforce any ban. Mon, 18 Jun 2007 15:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/18-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/13-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, is encouraging older people across Edinburgh to claim the benefits and credits they’re entitled to after a new study found that one in three older people in the UK believe their quality of life has worsened in the last year. Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/13-2.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/13-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has teamed up with Oscar winning animated stars Wallace and Gromit to help promote Wrong Trousers Day 2007. Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/13-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/12-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called for a major increase in Fairtrade products to be available on supermarket shelves and an end to unfair trade barriers, ahead of a major new report into Fairtrade by an influential Parliamentary Committee. Tue, 12 Jun 2007 16:45:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/12-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/11-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, backed a Parliamentary motion in recognition of Carers’ Week 2007 which starts today. The motion recognises the six million people carers in the UK caring for loved one who is ill, frail or disabled. Mon, 11 Jun 2007 09:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/11-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/8-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today backed renewed calls for the introduction of a Marine Bill. Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/8-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/7-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today slammed the Government for showing a crippling lack of ambition in renewable energy over the likely decision to press ahead with a new generation of nuclear power stations. Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/7-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/6-1.php Commenting on the publication of the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill, John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, said: "The CSA needs root and branch reform not a gimmicky re-branding exercise." Wed, 06 Jun 2007 09:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/6-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/5-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called for tougher action against Sudan unless it allows a strong UN peacekeeping force into Darfur. Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/5-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/1-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today threw his weight behind calls in Westminster to make more funds available for community media organisations. Fri, 01 Jun 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/jun/1-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/31-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today launched a fresh appeal for veterans across Edinburgh to claim their HM Armed Forces Veteran’s Badge after eligibility was extended for a second time in as many years. Thu, 31 May 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/31-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/25-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has today launched fresh moves in parliament to clamp down on UK arms exports to conflict zones around the world. Fri, 25 May 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/25-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/24-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, has today thrown his weight behind moves in parliament urging Tony Blair and the other G8 leaders to take real action to end global poverty and tackle climate change. Thu, 24 May 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/24-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/22-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, said today: "Nuclear is a tried, tested and failed technology with far higher costs than the renewable alternatives or and energy efficiency measures." Tue, 22 May 2007 12:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/22-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/21-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on Gordon Brown to make fixing the tax credit system his top priority before he leaves the Treasury for Downing Street. Mon, 21 May 2007 17:30:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/21-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/16-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today called on the government to stop clawing money back from victims of tax credit overpayments during a debate in the House of Commons today. Wed, 16 May 2007 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/16-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/15-2.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, called on British Airways (BA) not to abandon Scottish airports and their Scottish staff during questions in the House of Commons today. Tue, 15 May 2007 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/15-2.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/15-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, will today argue that parliament rather than the Prime Minister should have the final say on whether or not Britain goes to war. Tue, 15 May 2007 08:15:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/15-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/11-1.php John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today congratulated local Queensferry radio station Jubilee FM after the station secured a full time broadcasting licence to serve Queensferry and the surrounding area. Fri, 11 May 2007 10:45:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/11-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/10-1.php John Barrett MP commented on the announcement of Tony Blair's resignation as Prime Minister earlier today. Thu, 10 May 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/10-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/09-1.php John Barrett MP today demanded an urgent parliamentary debate on the future of the tax credits following a highly critical report of the system. Wed, 09 May 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/may/09-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/apr/26-1.php Edinburgh West MP John Barrett has backed a British Heart Foundation (BHF) poster campaign urging people over 50 to be physically active for the sake of their health. Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/apr/26-1.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/speeches/speech24-04-07.php Speaking in a debate at Westminster, John Barrett MP called on the Government to accept that community radio and television deserved support to survive and thrive, commenting: "The salary of one Radio 1 DJ is more than the annual Dept. of Culture, Media and Sport support to every community radio station in the country." Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/speeches/speech24-04-07.php http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/apr/17-1.php Speaking from Westminster today John Barrett reminded all those not yet registered to vote or those requiring a postal vote that the deadline is the 18th April. Tue, 17 Apr 2007 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.johnbarrettmp.com/news/2007/apr/17-1.php