RECENT STORIES
Medical Journalism Awards 2007
Ian is a member of the Medical Journalism Association and always enjoys their Annual Awards. All the entrants were of an extremely high calibre this year and a surprising number of awards went to young female journalists. Ian is pictured above with Vivienne Parry who won the National Radio Award for her Radio 4 piece "Am I Normal?" and with Julian Stammer from Inside Out East who won brought Regional Television award back to Norfolk for his piece "Stammering". Julian was also named broadcast regional journalist of the year. You can view the full list of winners here
Cookery Competition!
Ian is pictured here with Richard Knights, Head Chef, Lavender House Restaurant. Richard made it to the final round of the UK leg of the “International Mâche Match”, the final was held in one of the House of Commons restaurants so Ian went along to support him. Richard made it to runner up which is a great
achievement for him and for food in Norfolk!
The real people of Parliament!
Parliament is like a small village, as well as 646 MPs who all have their own staff, there are approx 1,550 members of staff who work for the House including cooks and canteen staff, security and IT staff, even a falconer to catch the pigeons! Ian is always the first MP in his office each morning and the only other people about at that time are the cleaning staff! He is pictured here with Nellie from Sierra Leone and Theresa from Ghana. Ian has been helping them learn about the British Parliamentary system and British culture as well as giving them some tips on language for their citizenship test. If you want to find out more about working in Parliament click here
Mass Lobby of Parliament 17th October to Support Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill
Ian recently met a delegation of disabled people from Norwich who came down as part of a nationwide mass lobby to get support for the new Disabled Persons (Independant Living) Bill. Click here for more information.
Nuclear Test Veterans Inquiry
The Inquiry took place on the 15th and 16th of October, John and Ian are pictured above with some of the Veterans and their families. Watch this space the report will be out soon!
Mousehold Defenders!
Ian joined the Mousehold Defenders also known as the Mousehold Heath Conservators for an afternoon of conservation on Mousehold Heath. Ian really enjoyed the day and put the following message up on his blog:
"I broke into lathers of sweat and developed a sore back cutting out gorse on Mousehold Heath with the Mousehold Heath Defenders this weekend. They are an amazing bunch of hard working environmentalists. Couldn’t we have a day when 1000 people from Norwich help to preserve the Heath and manage the flora and fauna?" If you are interested in getting involved please email mouseholdhd@yahoo.co.uk
Parents Have the Right to Care EDM
As Chair of the All Party Group on Cancer Ian regularly meets families who have difficulty caring for children with cancer. After discussion with children's cancer charity CLIC Sergeant Ian decided to put down an Early Day Motion on the subject. Click here for more details.
Macmillan Coffee Morning 28th September
Once a year Macmillan Cancer Support holds the World's Biggest Coffee Morning. The idea is that anyone can hold a coffee morning to raise money for cancer support services. There was no shortage of volunteers around Norwich and Ian managed to make it to several. Click here for more details and pictures.
Labour Party Conference Bournemouth
It was an incredibly busy week for Ian, as well as speaking at debates on Cancer Services, the DNA database and Cuba Ian had the opportunity to meet with representatives from numerous charities to talk about potential work in the future. Ian also had the opportunity to put some of his views forward about the Leader's Speech in a comment piece in the Independent, click here to read it.
John Garrett 1931-2007
John Garrett, Labour MP for Norwich South 1974-83 and 1987-97, passed away on 11th September 2007. Ian paid the following tribute
"John and I were comrades from 1970, often sharing political platforms together and were a united campaiging team in the 1992 election. The dissapointment for me was that he won and I narrowly lost! I was saddedned when he withdrew from the 1997 campaign and will miss his intelligent and thoughtful advice."
The Cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
Find out the true financial and military cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The government has never released the collated figures, despite repeated requests from MPs, but they are revealed here for the first time, thanks to Ian and William Mathew from the School of History at the University of East Anglia.
Ammunition Art Exhibition
Ian was asked to open the Ammunition Art Exhibition: Make art not War at St. Margaret’s Church Art Gallery, St. Benedict’s Street. The show features work from 17 local and international artists exhibiting sculpture, painting, poetry, prints, audio works and digital images, using their creativity as a response to the current political climate. Ian is pictured above with iconic 1960s pop art pioneer, the artist Colin Self, who attended Norwich School of Art and Design and has a poster in the exhibition. The exhibition runs from August 20th-September 1st, is open daily 10 – 6pm except Sunday and admission is free.
Greenstock Festival
The first ever Greenstock Festival run by the Green Grocers of Earlham Road was a great day out, a picnic, a chance to buy local produce and learn about green issues! Ian took part in a Question Time debate on climate change alongside representatives from other poitical parties. To see a video of the day click here
For a press report click here
The Seven-Year Old Surgeon
On a recent visit to Imperial College London Ian met Akrit Jaswal. Akrit is studying medicine at Imperial. The unusual thing about this story is that Akrit is only 12 years old. Akrit is Indian and grew up in a rural village, he was a gifted child who loved languages and Shakespeare. Akrit performed his first operation at the age of 7. For more details click here
Sexual Health Bus
Ian recently visited the Summer Sexual Health Bus. Organised by the local NHS Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Health Outreach Project the bus moves around the city and provides free sexual health advice to anyone who needs it. The bus also provides free condoms and can direct you to other pregnancy and sexual health services.
People First of Norfolk
Ian visited the People First of Norfolk Open Day. People First of Norfolk is a Self Advocacy organisation for adults with learning difficulties.
They provide training information and advice to adults with learning difficulties, they campaign to raise awareness and do lots of fundraising. Mostly they aim to have fun along the way! For more details on their work click here.
Summer Recess 2007
Parliament goes into recess each summer, usually for about 2 months. Each summer MPs are criticised for taking long holidays. However recess does not mean that MPs are on holiday. It means that there is no business going on in Parliament so the MPs are able to spend all their time in the constituency working on local issues. Ian will be in Norwich all summer dealing with constituents’ problems and visiting local groups and projects. Keep an eye on the map to see whether he has been out and about near you recently!
Unitary Status -Back to the Drawing Board
Norwich City Council put in a bid to become a unitary authority, essentially this means that all the services for Norwich would be provided by one council for Norwich instead of two, click here to find out more. The Government decided that under the current boundaries Norwich was not ready for unitary status. However they have said they would consider it with larger boundaries. Click here for the Ministerial Statement. Ian is taking a neutral role on the proposed unitary status. As an MP he represents people who are both for and against the changes. As such Ian feels that the bect way to decide is through public consultation with residents and that is what the government will do before any decision is made.
Norwich Peace Cycle
Ian recently opened the Annual Norwich Peace Cycle. The cycle is organised by the Norwich and Norfolk Muslim Association it is aimed at addressing local needs and highlighting the value of peace and caring for the wellbeing of the city. The cyclists rode for 4 miles begining at The Forum going round the old city walls or inner ring road and gathering at the peace memorial in Chapelfield Park.
UK Lung Cancer Coalition Campaign
Ian is supporting the UKLCC campaign to double one year lung cancer survival by 2015. For more details click here
Muscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association recently launched an EDM calling on the government to introduce a network of muscle disease specialists and Ian was happy to support them. For more details click here.
Sue Ryder Care Annual Reception
Ian recently hosted Sue Ryder Care's Annual Reception. Sue Ryder Care provides hospice services for the terminally ill. They used the reception to launch their latest document asking for help providing better services. For more details click here
Gordon Brown becomes Prime Minister
Gordon Brown has just become the new Leader of the Labour Party and the new Prime Minsiter of Great Britian. For a full run down of the day's events, including Tony Blair's last Prime Minsiter's Question Time and Gordon Brown's speech as he entered No 10, visit the BBC by clicking here
Launch of the STEPS Centre
Ian chaired the launch of the STEPS Centre, which aims to unite science and technology with development studies. They will bring together social and natural scientists to work together to find innovative ways to fight global poverty and increase social justice. They also want to use science and technology to make development sustainable. To find out more about their work click here
Launch of the Nanotechnology Taskforce
Ian is Chair of a new Nanotechnology taskforce, coordinated by the University of Surrey the taskforce aims to put pressure on government to develop a coherent plan for developing and using nanotechnology in the UK. The picture above shows Ian alongside Sir Harry Kroto and Prof Ravi Silva at the launch. For more details click here
Opening of the Wellcome Collection
Ian recently attended the opening of the Wellcome Collection. The Collection is a unique mix of galleries, events, and meeting, reading and eating places where you can consider what it means to be human. One of their projects is integrating science medicine art and humanities, Ian is very interested in this project and similar ideas lie behind his think tank. Stephen Fry gave the opening so you can see it really was a multi-disciplinary event!
Call for Universal access to Prostate Brachytherapy
On Tuesday Ian took part in a live audio link up so he could speak to a conference in Glasgow about the importance of making sure bracytherapy is available for prostate cancer patients across the UK. Prostate brachytherapy is a less invasive treatment for prostate cancer with fewer chances of side effects. Read the full story in the Glasgow Herald. For more information on prostate brachytherapy click here.
Prime Minister's Question Time
Wednesday 13th June
Ian had another opportunity to ask a question at PMQ's this week. Ian had actually stood down and was not expecting to have the opportunity to ask a question, however when the speaker came to him he quickly asked about the Nuclear Veterans project he is currently working on. The question led to a lot of press interest and several Norwich veterans got in touch as well.
To see Ian ask the question on media player click here
To see Ian aks the question on real player click here
To read a transcript click here
Visit to the Assist Trust
| Ian recently visited the Assist Trust as part of National Volunteer's Week. The trust run the Heath Gardens which are managed by adults with learning disabilities. For more details of their work click here |  |
Football Festival
Ian recently presented the prizes at the first of this year's two Norfolk FA Football Festivals. The event was held at Thorpe St Andrew School. Click here for more details.
All Party Breast Cancer Group Saving Lives
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Ian has joined forces with the UK’s leading breast cancer charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Breast Cancer by signing up to the charity’s Screening Saves Lives campaign. Click here for the full story |
Proposed Heartsease Academy
Ian and the local Labour Councillors are opposing plans to turn Heartsease High School into a City Academy. The sponsors are the Bishop of Norwich and local Christian businessman Graham Dacre. For a round up of the Academy campaign please click here
Nuclear Test Veterans
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While in New Zealand last summer Ian met Professor Al Rowland of Massey University. Prof Rowland has just published research which found severe chromosome damage in Nuclear Test Veterans. As such Ian has put down an EDM calling for an Inquiry into the health effects nuclear testing has had on British veterans.
For Dr Rowland's report click here
for press coverage click here for the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association click here
Labour Deputy Leadership Battle
As you will be aware from reports in the media, there are big changes afoot in the Labour party. The Deputy Leadership election has been an exciting opportunity for the party to look at it's policy and direction and look at how to move forward after Tony Blair. Ian voted 1 for Jon Cruddas 2 for Harriet Harman and 3 for Hilary Benn in the election.
Wi-Fi
Ian has been concerned about the dangers of wirless internet technology for some time. He has written repeatedly to the Department of Health asking them to do more research into the effect the technology may have on children in schools. Ian worked closely with Panorama on their recent investigation into Wi-fi. For more details click here
Norwich in Monopoly Bid!
Ian is supporting the Lord Mayor of Norwich (above) and Norwich City Council in a campaign to get Norwich on the UK Monopoly board. Norwich has been in the Angel-Islington position in the past but at present Norwich is not even on the board! Vote for Norwich by clicking here!
Lung Health Awareness Day
Ian demonstrated his support for the British Lung Foundation’s ‘Missing Millions’ campaign at a Lung Health Awareness Day at the House of Commons on 9th May. For details of the campaign click here
Norwich City Council Local Elections
Labour held control of Norwich City Council winning 15 seats on May 3rd. Ian is pictured above with Cllr Julie Brociek-Coulton who was re-elected in Sewell Ward. The Lib Dems came in second with 11 seats, the Greens also did well winning 10 seats which almost put them in as the official opposition. For a full rundown of the elections from the Evening News click here. For the BBC's statistics click here. For an in depth look at what Labour has done for Norwich click here
Mental Health Committee
Ian has an ongoing interest in Mental Health and as such was pleased to be asked to serve on the Mental Health Bill Committee. The Committee meets four times a week over a month to examine all aspects of the Bill. Click here to see the Bill's passage through Parliament and read transcripts from the Committee hearings.
After Dinner Speech Herstmonceaux Castle
International Science Conference
Click here for details
Target PAD
Back in Parliament and Ian has just sponsored a PAD clinic. PAD stands for peripheral arterial disease, it is when fatty build up inside the arteries stops the blood flow to the legs. It is a little known condition but sufferers are at a high rish of heart attack or stroke. The clinic tested MPs for PAD and gave them information to take back to their constituencies and local media. For more details click here
Crop Science & Climate Change
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During Recess Ian gave the welcome address at a Crops for Climate Change event which was held at The Forum in Norwich as part of Earth From the Air Exhibition. The event was a joint project by the Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council and the John Innes Centre. Ian was concerned by the topic and secured a debate on the subject in parliament.
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Parliamentary Recess
Parliament was in recess for two weeks over
Easter. MPs are often criticised for taking long breaks. In reality these breaks are not holidays they simply mean there is no business in Parliament so the MPs can get back to their constituencies and concentrate on local issues for a while. This recess Ian was as busy as ever as well as meeting constituents, he visited the East Anglian Ambulance Service (above) and the Phoenix Centre at Mile Cross (below), has been
campaiging against the Academy at Heartsease and a phone mast in Thorpe St Andrew, joined a 2hr Radio Norfolk discussion on Homelessness in Norfolk and met with mid-wives who are concerned about job-losses. Phew!
Supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness
It is a worrying fact that more men die of Cancer than women. Ian is supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness week 19th-25th March. For more details click here
Trident day of Protest
On Wednesday 14th March Ian joined fellow MPs and protestors in a day of protest against making a decision now on whether to renew Trident (the UK's nuclear weapons system). You can see him helping to tear apart a cheque for £76 billion in the picture above. For more info on the day click here.
New Rights for Tenants
Earlier this week Ian joined Housing Minister Yvette Cooper, Shelter and the Citizen's Advice Bureau to celebrate launch of the governments new tenancy deposit scheme. For more details click here
Copyright Debate
Ian recently took part in a debate on Copyright, held by the Author's Licensing and Collecting Society and chaired by the BBC's John Humphrey's. For more details click here
Eating Disorders Debate
Ian recently obtained a debate on Eating Disorders. The same week that a constituent of Ian's had been in the press after she died of bulimia, which had initially been wrongly diagnosed as liver disease. Ian is joined by beat's Young Ambassador Georgina Weatherill and Directior of Operations Emma Healey who came to Westminster to watch the debate and were able to do an interview with Radio 4's 'Today in Parliament' to promote the issue after the debate. To read the debate click here.
ReThink Trident Campaign
Ian joined fellow MPs and campaigners
onboard the Greenpeace ship the Arctic Sunrise to support the ReThink Trident Campaign. The Campaign believes that the government are being too hasty by rushing in to renewing the UKs nuclear deterrent and is urging them to consider all the alternatives and provide full costing before going ahead. Click here for more details.
NORFOLK MPS RAIL INQUIRY REPORT IS PUBLISHED
The One Railway Inquiry which Ian organised in conjunction with fellow Norfolk MPS Richard Bacon and Norman Lamb following complaints from passengers, has published its findings, there has been a great deal of interest from passengers and One!
Click here for the full report
Click here for a press round-up
City College Visit
Ian recently visited Norwich City College for a question and answer session with A-Level students, for the full story click here
NEWS ARCHIVE Parliamentary Session 06/07
Smokefree England
As Chair if the All Party Group on Cancer Ian supports the NHS's Smokefree England Campaign. Ian attended the Smokefree England National Stakeholder Conference on 8th Feb, Caroline Flint Minister of State for Public Health gave the Minsiterial Address, for further details and to see the presentations from the day click here
RSA 25 Years
Ian hosted the Raynaud's and Scleroderma Association Silver Jubilee celebrations at the House of Commons on 5th February. The Association is concerned with raising funds for welfare and research projects, such as improving servcie provision, access to treatment and reducing mortality. For more details click here
Beat!
Ian is a long term supporter of Norfolk based charity the Eating Disorders Association. They recently rebranded themselves as 'beat' with the aim of sending a more positive message out to people who suffer from eating problems. Ian sponsored their launch at the House of Commons. For more details on the event and beat click here
Avian Flu
Ian asked Environment Minister David Milliband on the 5th February whether the Avian Flu outbreak at the Bernard Matthews factory in Suffolk could be linked to a previous outbreak in Hungary. At the time the link was quickly denied by government but it turns out Ian's suspicions were correct. For the latest on the outbreak click here
Stuff Stigma!
Ian is a long term supporter of mental health charities and he was happy to give a short speech entitled 'Setting the Scene' at the recent 'Stuff Stigma 07' Conference at the Maddermarket Theatre in Norwich. For a round up of the day click here
Call Centres
Ian is strongly opposed to the off shoring of call centres and spoke out against Norwich Union's parent company Aviva when they moved 4,000 jobs overseas last year. Ian secured a debate on Call Centre Regulation in October last year, you can read the debate here. As such Ian was delighted when earlier this month Norwich Union announced they are to return 150 call centre jobs to the UK, for details on the decision click here.
Royal Society MP Scientist Pairing Scheme
Last week Ian took part in the Royal Society MP Scientist Pairing Scheme. The picture above shows Ian with his partner for the week, Dr Vasily Oganesyan. This is a yearly exchange scheme which aims to get scientists out of the lab and engaged with policy and politics. Ian was happy to get involved as this is something he feels very strongly about being one of the few scientists in Parliament. Ian returned the visit in January by spending the day geeting back to basics at Vasily's lab at the University fo East Anglia. For more info on the scheme and more info on the Royal Society 'Science in Society' project click here
ONE Railway Inquiry
Ian was sick of late trains and broken signal boxes on his way to and from Westminster, when he got stuck on the train one evening he got chatting to fellow passengers he found out many of you feel the same! This has led to the One Railway Inquiry which Ian organised in conjunction with fellow Norfolk MPS Richard Bacon and Norman Lamb. the Inquiry took place on Friday 15th Dec 2006. Click here for the full story or Click here to visit the Inquiry website. The Report will be out soon!
Britain Against Cancer Conference
Ian is chair of the All Party Group on Cancer who have just held their Annual Conference - Britain Against Cancer. The Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt spoke at the conference and made an important announcement. Read the full story here
Group on Scientific Research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) Publishes Inquiry
The GSRME has now published its long awaited Inquiry Report. Also known as the 'Gibson Inquiry' the Group has spent the last year receiving evidence from patient groups and specialists from all over the world, and held 5 oral evidence hearings. The report calls for massive government funding of research into the illness. You can visit the Groups website and read the finished product by clicking here
Shelter Campaign
Ian recently joined Shelter's latest campaign, asking the Chancellor Gordon Brown to build more social rented homes. Read the full story here
Cancer Research UK Reception
Ian recently hosted a Cancer Research UK reception at the House of Commons to celebrate the fact they achieved more than a quarter of a million signatures asking for an updated Cancer strategy. Read the full story here
Epolitix Charity Champion Awards
Ian has won the Health Champion Award the past three years in a row. To read the story on why Ian was presenting the award this year instead of receiving it click here
Supporting the Norfolk and Norwich Scope Association
Ian recently visited the NANSA Family Centre on Woodcock Road. Read about his visit here
Newton's Apple Launch
Newton's Apple is a new science think tank (of which Ian is a founder member). It aims to shake up the relationship between science, society and politics. Click here to visit the web page, find out what it is all about and read their first publication of essays.
YMCA Trianing Awards Ceremony
Ian recently spoke at the YMCA Training Awards Ceremony. For more details about what YMCA Training is all about and why Ian supports them, click here
Sunbed Seminar
Ian recently hosted a Seminar in Parliament looking at issues surrounding the tanning industry. Click here for more details.