Sadiq Khan MP - Fawcett Society

Fawcett Society

Monday, 02 July 2007 18:04

On Monday I attended a Reception organised by the Fawcett Society to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the election of the first ever Black woman to the House of Commons. I still vividly remember the election of Diane Abbott all those years ago. Whatever politics one has, it is worth remembering the important role model Diane has been to many many younger people. The Fawcett society have launched a project; "Celebrating Black women in public life" which should provide an important platform for others to follow in Diane's footsteps. It is a travesty that the only other Black woman MP in Parliament is the excellent Dawn Butler. All political parties really can and must do better. To find out more about the work of the Fawcett Society, visit their website by clicking HERE

In between votes in the evening I also took part in a debate with "Pub Politics", an informal political debating society for young, politically engaged people.

On Tuesday I was really pleased to have tea with Jean Gilmore on the Terraces of the House of Commons. Jean was the winner in a prize draw I had held of all "Totally Tooting" readers who attended a reception celebrating Totally Tooting’s anniversary. I had a great time and enjoyed talking to Jean about the issues that matter to her as well as listening to her tales of life in Wandsworth. You can see previous copies of Totally Tooting by clicking HERE. You can see a photo of Jean and me by clicking HERE.

In the evening I was a poor imitation of Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP during a Hustings in Camden Town Hall, for the Deputy Leadership. As Alan has a very demanding Department to run, he can't always attend all the various hustings that are being held during this contest. I was very happy to step in for Alan, although I am sure many of those who had gathered would have been disappointed to have me rather than him.

On Wednesday, in addition to my usual Parliamentary duties, I attended the Annual Patient Liaison Group meeting at Balham Park Surgery. I really enjoyed this. The Surgery has been in existence since the creation of the NHS in 1948. The Patient Liaison Group was the first to be set up in Wandsworth in 1999.The Group has been proactive since its inception. The Practice was the first in London to achieve the Investors in People Award and in 2002 it won the RCGP Patient Participation Award for a Yoga exercise proposal which established an exercise class for referral patients. I was warmly received by the Patients and Staff who attended the meeting and took part in a really interesting discussion about local Health provision.

On Thursday, in between my duties as PPS to Rt Hon Jack Straw MP, I attended the Centenary Celebrations of the fantastic Sellincourt Primary School in Graveney Ward. Also in attendance was the local Mayor, Cllr Rex Osborn of Graveney Ward, local parents, ex pupils and visitors. The children and staff looked colourful and amazing in their fancy dress from different periods over the last 100 years. The different years also sang songs from different decades over the last 100 years as well as taking part in a Maypole dance.

On Friday I attended Parliament to vote in support of a Private Members Bill on Sustainable Communities. This Bill builds on the Local Government White Paper "Strong and Prosperous Communities" and on the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill. The latter Bill introduces a raft of new measures to enable local people to have a greater say in decisions which affect their communities. It also clarifies the relationship between local and central government and gives local authorities greater autonomy.

On Saturday, after my usual Surgery at Tooting Library, I attended the Funday which has been organised as part of the Furzedown Festival. You can find out more about events in Furzedown by clicking HERE.

On Sunday, I spent all day with my children as part of my treat on Fathers day. We went to the Mela excellently organised by the Fire Service. Not only was the Mela fun and entertaining, but it also gave the fire service a chance to convey potentially life saving information to all those who came. One of the highlights of the afternoon was the dance by the Tamil dancers. You can see a photo of me with them by clicking HERE.

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