Letter from Parliament: Tony Lloyd

Tony Lloyd MP

Sadly, I couldn’t get to Manchester on Tuesday for the anniversary due to parliamentary engagements, but the House of Commons did hold a minutes’ silence in remembrance of the 22 victims who died on that horrific day. My thoughts are with the families of those affected.

There has been a row in parliament this week about a private member’s bill. Whilst the Parliamentary Boundaries Bill will decide the borders of all constituencies, the government won’t support it.

The senior members of the shadow cabinet had training about dementia this week, which I welcomed. Simple things ensure people with dementia don’t lose their humanity, and it is such a good thing to have this training because we may deal with constituents who have dementia.

I also attended a meeting about more resourcing for people with Alzheimers, such as help with guiding them through government and other challenging issues.

Some people who have long term conditions, such as Parkinson’s and IBS, may not be eligible for the NHS prescription certificate, which saves money on prescriptions for long term conditions. We’ve been pennywise and pound foolish with this, and this needs addressing. When people with long term conditions are treated regularly, it can save them from needing intense care if they got worse.

I am also pressing on with the need for councils being able to build houses and am supporting the campaign for more council houses. I’m aware Rochdale Council doesn’t own houses directly, but councils up and down the country ought to be able to build them.

A wide range of people from all kinds of different faith backgrounds and society came to the Mayoral Sunday event at St Chad’s, which was very nice.

I had a conversation with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Monday about Labour's policies and about Brexit, which has been an important part of my week. We both went to Belfast on Friday and met with chamber of commerce business leaders about the need for no hard border across Ireland. I also had a meeting with the shadow Brexit secretary as we need to make sure Brexit doesn’t destroy jobs or the economy.

A new campaign, the UK says No to Domestic Abuse, has my support. The campaign brings organisations together with services for victims and recognise what they have been, or are, going through. This is about the need to recognise they need help and support for a myriad of reasons, and providing practical and accessible support.

Domestic abuse can have a big impact on children because if they witness or are brought up in one of these households, it can lead to them becoming a victim or abuser in their adult life.

It’s a campaign I whole-heartedly support and is very important to me.

This weekend I will be having my advice bureau, attending the Gracie Fields 40s Family Fun Day in Milnrow and I will also be supporting Madina Mosque in their iftaar when they break their fast.