Lorely Listens w/e 25th Sept

Written by Lorely Burt on Sun 25th Sep 2005

It's the party season: political parties, that is. In previous years Conference was a fun round of meeting friends, attending training and fringe meetings and the inevitable discussions in the bar way into the night.

I have discovered, however, that conference for an MP is not much of a party at all. YOU now provide the entertainment at fringe meetings and on the conference floor. Pressure groups want to meet you to and get you to help further their causes. Friends say 'you're no fun any more' as you give your excuses and flop into bed exhausted much earlier than you ever did before.

Not that I'm complaining: it's a great honour to be an MP and there is so much to learn and so many important groups to meet. The World Wildlife Fund requested a meeting with me as a member of the Treasury Select Committee. It was fascinating to learn their view on how we in Europe can reduce our pollution through a carbon trading scheme.

Carbon trading works like this: governments will agree a cap for carbon emissions for each industry, and companies who find ways to save energy will be able to trade their carbon allowances to those who do not. In this way the market place will reward energy efficiency, and the overall amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere can be reduced over time. And as we are estimated to be only 2 degrees Celsius under the point of no return for our planet, all we can do is vital.

There was also a conference exhibition with stands occupied by pressure groups from every side of the spectrum: from the hunting lobby to anti vivisection. One that really interested me was the RNID who were giving free hearing tests. As we get older loss of hearing can lead to stress and isolation. I was relieved to learn that my hearing is OK so I can keep on listening.

Speaking of which, I'm pleased to tell you there will be an additional weekly surgery at Shirley Library from now on.

You can see me at Solihull Connect from 9-11 on Saturdays and in Shirley from 12-2pm. Please call my PA Gaynor on 711 1306 for an appointment.