National Campaigns
Since becoming an MP, I have responded to thousands of campaign emails, usually generated by a third party (such as 38 degrees) on a huge range of issues. Some campaigners, who forward campaign emails on issues concerning them - that they are alerted to by third parties - have received dozens upon dozens of replies from me. I know these views are sincerely held and this seems an efficient way of expressing them to me.
I am really pleased to hear from any constituent on any issue. However, the number of campaign emails takes up a whole member of my staff, full time to respond to everyone individually. With the salary, pension and other costs, plus the cost of paper, postage and cartridge ink, I estimate that these individual responses cost you, the taxpayer, at least £40,000 per year. If all 650 Members of Parliament have a similar number of campaign emails, then the cost to the tax payer would equate to £26million. I am not sure this represents value for money.
So, in order to provide more information, more efficiently to my constituents, I have decided in future to reply by email with a link to my website for each campaign that you write to me about, showing my response and links to other relevant information of concern, thus both saving the tax payer around £40,000, and providing access to greater information on each issue.
Also, because of the identical nature of the campaign e mails, after reading my response on my website, I suggest you take a look at the relevant government departmental website where there is far more information on the many issues you may raise.
The added value from this is that individual case work problems will benefit from more of my and my staff’s research and assistance.
UPDATED: Improving Broadband speeds in Derbyshire and Derby
Broadband for many households in area can be frustrating. Speeds may be tediously slow and the connection can drop frequently. This can affect businesses and home users alike. read more »
UPDATED: Campaign to Protect Rural England’s campaign on the National Planning Policy Framework
Currently, the planning system is made up of thousands of pages of complex, confusing and sometimes contradictory guidance, with a staggering 3,000 pages of new rules being issued between 2005 and 2010. read more »
Abu Qatada and the European Court of Human Rights
In my view, Abu Qatada is a dreadful man and I want nothing more than to see him out of Britain. read more »
Save the Children and the ‘Charter to End Extreme Hunger’
I share the deep concern of all the constituents who have contacted me about the situation across the Sahel region of West Africa. read more »
The future of Peacocks Stores
It is always sad to see established companies like Peacocks go into administration, however, I sincerely hope that this will allow the business to be stabilised and be put back on a sound financial footing. read more »
Live Music Bill
While the live music scene for established acts and large venues in the UK is relatively strong, it is unfortunate that the Licensing Act 2003 restricts the grassroots music scene. read more »
RBS and Stephen Hester’s bonus
I understand the level of anger about excessive bonuses, especially in state owned banks. read more »
Recall of Members of Parliament
At the last General Election, the Conservative Party manifestos included a commitment to establish a recall mechanism. I am therefore pleased that the Government has recently published a draft Bill, proposing to introduce a power of recall. read more »
Extradition laws and Richard O’Dwyer
When the Coalition entered office in 2010, it recognised that there were long-standing and deeply held concerns about the UK’s extradition arrangements with other EU member states and about our extradition treaty with the United States. read more »
National Outcomes Strategy for Neurological Conditions
I realise that many neurological conditions can cause varied symptoms and can often have debilitating and life-long effects on sufferers. I am happy to confirm therefore that the Government has welcomed the National Audit Office report. read more »
Bombardier Campaign
Pauline Latham OBE MP welcomes announcement of Bombardier’s security in Derby for the next three years!
Pauline Latham OBE MP, the Member of Parliament for Mid-Derbyshire has welcomed an announcement made by Bombardier that has confirmed that the Derby based site is now secure for the next three years. read more »
Pauline Latham OBE MP congratulates Bombardier on winning recent Southern contract
Pauline Latham OBE has publically congratulated Derby train makers, Bombardier upon the announcement of their success in being awarded a £188 million contract to build 130 carriages for the rail company, Southern. read more »
Pauline Latham OBE MP meets with Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP in Derby to discuss Bombardier
Mid Derbyshire MP, Pauline Latham OBE has met with Minister of State for Transport, with responsibility for rail policy, The Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers MP. read more »
Getting a better deal for the World’s poorest people
Pauline Latham OBE MP hosts event to celebrate two charities: The launch of Energy Aid, and the work of Seeds for Development
Pauline Latham, MP for Mid Derbyshire has this week hosted an event in the Palace of Westminster in order to celebrate the launch of a new, global energy NGO, called “Energy Aid”, and to commend the work and success of a smaller charity, called “Seeds for Development.” read more »
International Development Aid for Neglected Tropical Diseases
Pauline Latham OBE MP, a Vice Chairman of the All-Party Group on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases welcomed a commitment by the United Kingdom through the Department for International Development (DFID) to help eliminate some of the many Neglected Tropical Diseases. read more »
World AIDs Day and the Terrance Higgins Trust
Pauline Latham, MP for Mid Derbyshire, joined Nancy Dell’Olio in Parliament to support HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust’s (THT’s) Stand Up, Stand Out campaign for World AIDS Day (December 1st). The campaign has been set up to raise public awareness of the UK’s growing HIV epidemic. read more »