Stephen's Week

Written by Stephen Williams MP on Sun 1st Apr 2007

MONDAY 26th MARCH 2007

Started day with a visit to Colston's Girls School on Cheltenham Rd. Then got a mid morning train to London. Education Select Committee in the afternoon continued our review of adult skills. The committee's report on Bullying was released at midnight tonight. This was an enquiry that I initiated last year. I hope it's recommendations will lead to a real improvement in the welfare of thousands of children. You can read the full report here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmeduski.htm#reports

I did an embargoed pre-record interview with Channel Four ready for the morning's news. After last week's exhausting schedule I wanted a good night's sleep tonight but instead went along to the Millbank studios to take part in a discussion on Radio 5 about bullying, in between midnight and 1am!

TUESDAY 27th MARCH

At 11am over to Westminster Abbey for the national service of commemoration of the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 1807. The Abbey filled up with Tony Blair, John Prescott and the rest of the cabinet, Ming Campbell and David Cameron, church and other faith leaders and ambassadors from around the world. I sat next to the representative of Barbados, with an excellent view at the crossing of the Abbey. The Queen entered just before noon and the service began. About half way through a man in African dress rushed from just behind me and started shouting at the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury that the event was a travesty and he called for all people of African descent to leave. I felt uncomfortable at the sight of him being restrained by (white) security men. He was eventually calmed down and led out, shouting at Tony Blair to apologise. This event dominated the news coverage later of what was otherwise a thoughtful and balanced service...though Bristol did it better last Sunday!

In the afternoon I did an interview with London radio station Sunrise on bullying and met the head of the Sector Skills Development Agency. This organisation oversees the various skills councils, for construction, hospitality, IT, social care, etc.

Later we had the first meeting of the Lib Dem policy group reviewing our science and other research policies. This is being done alongside the review of post 16 education policy, that I chair.

In the evening there was a reception at the Millbank media centre for various Parliamentary magazines. After eating at Millbank Pizza Express (I like PE but there aren't many choices in central London outside Parliament itself) with some colleagues it was back to the House for

late votes on the Budget resolutions. These started at midnight. They should have been at 10pm but business was delayed by emergency legislation to implement the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly. This followed the historic scenes that I watched on the office TV yesterday of Paisley and Adams agreeing to form an administration. The Budget votes went on until 12.45am...so another night without enough sleep.

WEDNESDAY 28 MARCH

First thing to Tate Britain for a breakfast viewing of their exhibition of the work of Hogarth. He is probably my favourite artist so I was determined to make time to see the greatest showing for decades of his work. When I was elected I thought it would be easy to enjoy all the exhibitions and shows that London has to offer, but it's really hard to find the time. Anyway, I really enjoyed this one, you can see some of it here http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions/hogarth/

After the last PMQs before Easter (uneventful, dominated by some rather naive questions from Cameron on the British troops captured by the Iranians) I had lunch with the outgoing and new lobby correspondents who report for the Evening Post.

Later with Sarah Teather met the Association of Colleges to discuss the FE and Training Bill that we will be handling in the Commons after Easter.

Another interview on bullying, this time with Colourful Radio on racist abuse. After our weekly Parliamentary Party meeting there was a division on the Casinos legislation, on whether to approve the recommendation of the independent committee that the super casino should be in Manchester. This vote brought together people who thought it shouldn't be in Manchester, or who thought it should be in Blackpool and those who thought there shouldn't be one at all. I fell into the latter camp. The government won in the Commons with a slashed majority of 24 but in a simultaneous vote in the Lords lost by 3, so the process is delayed for now.

I ended the day with a bit of a "jolly". I get invited to lots of receptions, and most of the ones I attend are to do with education. I have to decline a lot of "fun" ones but tonight was able to go to a BBC reception to launch the new series of Doctor Who! As I've been a fan since I was a child this was not to be missed. The current runs of shows is filmed in and around Cardiff, so rather like watching "Casualty" and spotting various places in Bristol, I can also recognise much of Doctor Who's whereabouts. I was surprised to recognise Pontypridd market in the preview of the first episode. Oh and the alien was quite good too...

THURSDAY 29th MARCH

Mid morning met a Bristol West resident who is a trainee journalist to do a radio interview as part of her course work. Spent much of the day in the office catching up on letters and admin. Got the 4pm train back to Bristol. In the evening thoroughly enjoyed Westbury on Trym Primary School's performance of "Joseph". The children were great (especially Joseph and a rather cool Pharaoh/Elvis) and they were well supported by musicians from Westbury Church. The school has just received a well deserved "outstanding" assessment from Ofsted.

FRIDAY 30th MARCH

Morning visit to Hotwells Primary School. Last time I went there was in 2005 when Prince Charles visited them as they were building an organic garden. The garden is now doing well and they use the vegetables in school lunches. After a tour with the Head and a quick Q&A with year 6 I met with the School Council to answer their questions. The council has representatives from each year.

Then to Senate House for lunch with Bristol University Vice Chancellor Eric Thomas. We discussed national higher education policy as well as Bristol issues.

Afternoon saw my fourth school visit of the week - to St George's, Brandon Hill. This is Bristol's oldest primary school, still using its 1847 building. It is quite small and has a mixed intake from the inner city and from both sides of the river. My tour was conducted by four members of the school council. At the end we met the rest of the council for questions.

After a couple of years (almost) as MP I am used to being stopped in the street or a shop by adults. After lots of school visits I am now often startled to have children shouting hello to me as well!

In the evening we had our second "Annual Dinner" since the general election. This will now be a fixed occasion for each March and will be the premier Lib Dem fundraising and social event of the year. This year we were in Badock Hall, Stoke Bishop and our guest speaker was party

Deputy Leader Vince Cable. Over 80 members plus various other paying guests from Bristol's business and cultural sectors heard an excellent speech and helped us raise approximately £2,000 for the campaign fund. We will now start planning next year! It's likely that we will return to Wills Hall, our 2006 venue, which was closed for building work this year.

WEEKEND and EASTER RECESS

Parliament is now in recess until after Easter. While this means a slowing down of the pace and I am at least in one place for more than a few days in a row, it doesn't mean a complete rest or holiday. Especially as we of course have elections in Bristol! So far I have helped in Lawrence Hill, Easton, Ashley, Clifton East and Cabot wards.