Five years has gone in a flash

Five years have come and gone in what seems like a flash and as we entered the final week in Parliament all business has been gradually winding up and the final stretch of committees and meetings have been taking place.
By Gordon Birtwistke
Published 30th Mar 2015, 12:24 BST
Westminster. (s)Westminster. (s)
Westminster. (s)

Last Monday began with an Alzheimer’s Society Parliament Day. I was delighted to go along to this event to show my support for what is such an important issue and, despite huge strides over the past six years, dementia is still one the biggest challenges facing our health and social care system. I am committed to ensuring many more people get the diagnosis and support they need, and the Government continues to increase its spending on dementia research and communities are encouraged to become dementia friendly to ensure people with dementia can live full and active lives.

On Tuesday I was busy with meetings. I met the policy co-ordinator for Semta, the sector skills council for advanced manufacturing and engineering where we talked about policy ‘asks’ of the next Government. As apprenticeship ambassador, I couldn’t be more amazed, and relieved that companies and colleges are now finally on board with apprenticeships and we have reached over two million apprentices in this Parliament. There is still more work to be done to close the skills gap and the need for a joined-up approach to skills in each region.

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I was then back to Burnley and delighted to go to nearby Stonyhurst College to talk to them about my job as an MP. The students were engaging as always and I was encouraged by how many expressed their desire for me to be re-elected as MP.

I would like to thank all the constituents of Burnley over the past few years for all their support. I have thoroughly enjoyed being the town’s MP and have been very proud to stand up in Westminster and represent the views of you all as my constituents, as well as helping many people out with their problems on a variety of issues. Our town has come a long way in five years: unemployment is down, we have more apprentices than ever, more jobs, investment, a UTC, a new Emergency Unit, and that’s not even it all of it. I know there are more positive things to come. I am proud to call this my home town and I hope I am re-elected come May for it has truly been such a wonderful experience. In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful Easter with your families.

As of today, when Purdah official begins, I will cease to be the MP officially but my office will continue to be at 23 St James Row during the election, where I will continue to be available to help all constituents for anything they need.

Additionally my email address is [email protected]

Related topics:GovernmentParliamentBurnleyUTC