Letter from Parliament - Liz McInnes MP

Want to buy this photo?

Liz McInnes MP

This is my last letter from the 55th parliament of the United Kingdom, and it has been an enormous privilege to represent the people of Heywood & Middleton in Westminster, not to mention a huge responsibility. I hope that you will agree that in the short few months that I have been your MP that I have hit the ground running and spoken up for issues that concern people here in the North West.

I’ve spoken out against the Bedroom Tax, against cruel benefit sanctions and against the ongoing privatisation of our NHS.

I’ve raised the issue of the living wage and am working to make more employers in Heywood and Middleton sign up to paying not just the minimum wage, but the living wage.

I’ve stood up for teachers, civil servants and NHS workers against this government’s relentless attacks on the public sector and its workers.

I’ve represented local industry and small businesses in Parliament.

Locally I’ve supported the group fighting to restore the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service to Heywood and I’ve voiced my objections to the proposed development on the green fields at Langley and Hollin Lane. Just recently I’ve given my support to the residents fighting against the proposal to build houses on the Heywood bonfire site.

It was my pleasure recently to meet constituent John Brooker who was receiving an award for his tireless charity work from the Rotary Club of Great Britain. John was one of only twelve recipients of the Champions of Change Award and it was my great privilege to meet him at Westminster and give him my support for his amazing achievement.

Last week I enjoyed another wonderful performance from the Rochdale Youth Orchestra. It’s always a pleasure to hear the varied styles of this group, from the jazz ensemble to the full orchestra. It’s great to see so much talent amongst our young people, being encouraged by the hardworking volunteer teachers who give up so much of their time to help.

It’s always a pleasure to meet the Bishop of Manchester, David Walker, and last week I was invited to celebrate the centenary of St Aidan’s Church, Sudden, with him. It’s incredible to reflect that this beautiful church was opened at the end of the First World War and that it has sustained the churchgoing community in Sudden ever since.

It was great to be invited to the Easter Fair at Sandon House, Heywood and I enjoyed catching up with old friends there and meeting new ones, as well as taking part in one of the most baffling quizzes I’ve ever encountered! I also enjoyed attending Jack Wilson’s book launch at the Old Police Station in Heywood. Jack is a retired Chief Inspector who has worked in many areas of the North West and, with the help of his daughter in law, the writer Anne Booth, he has published his memoirs and is donating all royalties from the book to Cancer Research. I can’t wait to read the book although I suspect it may be after the general and local elections that I find the time.

Now that this Parliament is dissolved, I just want to say that it’s been my pleasure to serve as your MP over the last few months and to keep you informed via this newsletter. My grateful thanks to all those who have supported me and I look forward to being returned to serve Heywood and Middleton on 7 May.