Monthly Archives: April 2012

On Sunday 22 April, Councillor Mohammed Ilyas launched his re-election campaign in the Queens road neighbourhood centre in Park ward, Halifax. A packed room listened intently to Councillor Ilyas outline what he has done for the community since he …

more …

On Saturday morning I had the pleasure to visit Skircoat library in Halifax. The library was having an open morning, which it does quite regularly to introduce the library and its services to people who may not be familiar with it and to update users o…

more …

On Saturday morning I had the pleasure to visit Skircoat library in Halifax. The library was having an open morning, which it does quite regularly to introduce the library and its services to people who may not be familiar with it and to update users o…

more …

This morning I attended a breakfast meeting on EU development aid and childhood immunisation in the world’s poorest countries. The event was organised by the European Parliament Working Group on innovation, access to medicines and poverty-related diseases, a working group coordinated by Médecins sans Frontières (MSF – Doctors without borders).

Childhood immunisation or vaccination is something that we in the UK and other EU countries take for granted. In the UK there is a comprehensive childhood immunisation programme which vaccinates children against diseases such as diptheria, polio, whooping cough, meningitis and measles. The programme is free of charge via the NHS and when a child reaches the age for a particular vaccine, parents are invited to bring their child to their local GP surgery.

However, in some of the poorest countries in the world, many children miss out on vaccinations, which can lead to serious illness (in countries where treatment may be unavailable or unaffordable by many) and even death.

The World Health Organisation estimate that vaccination prevents 2.5 million deaths a year. Organisations like GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation) have made significant progress in helping poor countries expand vaccination but there is still progress to be made.

Participants at the event discussed how best the EU can continue to support countries with vital childhood immunisation programmes via development aid, which is currently being reviewed by the parliament. The MEPs present all committed to working to make sure that immunisation remains a priority for EU aid funding.

more …

This morning I attended a breakfast meeting on EU development aid and childhood immunisation in the world’s poorest countries. The event was organised by the European Parliament Working Group on innovation, access to medicines and poverty-related …

more …

As you may have understand from previous blog posts/my tweets*, I have recently moved back to Yorkshire, Leeds to be precise. It was an obvious choice for me as I’m a city girl, I went to university in Leeds, and the city is very well connected for get…

more …

As you may have understand from previous blog posts/my tweets*, I have recently moved back to Yorkshire, Leeds to be precise. It was an obvious choice for me as I’m a city girl, I went to university in Leeds, and the city is very well connected for get…

more …

This morning, I’ve been out and about in Todmorden with some local Liberal Democrats including Council Leader Janet Battye, council candidate Olwen Jennings and local activists Michael Taylor* and Chris Baksa. I was born and grew up in Todmorden, so I …

more …

On Monday morning, I met with Councillor Christine Bampton-Smith, Councillor John Beacroft-Mitchell and Jade Smith from Mytholmroyd Liberal Democrats to welcome improvements to rail services in the town. The Calder Valley train line on which Mytho…

more …

Although not particularly related to being an MEP, I feel compelled to report on an act of kindness I experienced yesterday.Yesterday evening I went running with my (soon to be ex) running club London Heathside. During my run, I managed to trip over a …

more …