Harry Cohen
CONSTITUENCY VISITS
One of the fascinating things about being a member of parliament is the wide variety of topics you have to deal with. One moment, you can be debating something which effects the whole world and the next it is something entirely local.
The last couple of weeks in parliament have demonstrated that. We had a major debate on Iraq and the announcement of the Defense Review. Of course, we have to modernize our armed forces to meet the demands of the 21st century but it is also important that we retain those traditions, which contribute so much to their effectiveness. That is why I, and other colleagues, argued for the retention of the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, which is based in the region and recruits locally, which is exactly what the army is saying it wants.
On a local level, I visited Winwick Primary School where the children questioned me on a wide variety of subjects demonstrating an impressive degree of interest in the world around them. I also visited the residents of St. Paul’s Court for an equally wide-ranging discussion.
One subject raised with me at St Paul’s Court was the difficulty people have in crossing Froghall Lane. The lights change so quickly at the Junction of Froghall Lane, Tanners Lane and Bewsey Road it is hard to get across in time. The safety of pedestrians is important, particularly if we want to encourage people to walk more and not use their cars for short journeys. By coincidence, the same topic cropped up in a letter from a constituent who contacted me about the problem of trying to cross the road from Marks & Spencer to Boots, in Gemini. She was right, as I found out for myself when I watched young mums trying to get their buggies across this busy road and where a pedestrian crossing needs to be provided urgently.
I also visited the local Co-op store in Capesthorne Road where I went to talk to the shop workers about the abuse and violence they have to put up with in the course of their work. They have some awful stories to tell and yet there are people who know who is responsible and who won’t give evidence. The message is clear: if we want to tackle criminals we all have to play our part. More safety measures can be put in to stores but the people responsible for these crimes can only be put away if people stop protecting them. I’ve applied for a debate in parliament so I can raise this issue and I hope the Speaker will grant me one soon.
Parliament is now in summer recess but my constituency office remains open five days a week from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and I can be contacted in the usual ways:
- by phone – 01925 232 480
- by fax – 01925 232 239
- by letter – Gilbert Wakefield House, 67 Bewsey Street, Warrington WA2 7JQ
- by e-mail – jonesh@parliament.uk
