It would be fair to say this has been an exciting week in Westminster, with the Government seeking to amend, and then re-amend the motion for the Opposition Day debate on Peter Mandelson. It is not often that there is a manuscript amendment to a motion, but it was clear from very early on in the debate that the Government had lost the support of its backbenches. Of course I have seen all that before, and it tends not to end well.
On a more positive note it was a real pleasure to welcome Appleshaw Primary School to Parliament this week to receive their accreditation as an International School from the British Council. This is the second year Appleshaw has been recognised in this way and it is quite some achievement for a small village school. It was great to meet Marta from the school and hear about the work they do building links with a school in Poland and their recent collaboration in a photography project.
On Wednesday this week we marked World Cancer Day and the Government published its National Cancer Plan and for the first time ever there is a chapter on children and young people. It is four years ago that my Hampshire colleague Caroline Dinenage first called for a Children’s Cancer Mission, in memory of her constituent Sophie who died of a rare form of tissue cancer. I can remember sitting alongside Caroline that day, after numerous nurses from this constituency who had been involved in Sophie’s care asked me to support the mission. Well this week it came to fruition finally, and massive credit must go to all those who have campaigned for greater recognition of childhood cancers over the years. I know there are many determined campaigners in this constituency who have done so much, raised hundreds of thousands of pounds, and left a lasting legacy for young people living with cancer.
On the subject of young people I am at Southampton University on Thursday night talking to students, Barton Peveril on Friday and it is the amazing Marion Maxey's 5 Choirs concert this weekend. I was so pleased to see Marion awarded the BEM in the New Year's Honours in recognition of all the hard work she has put in supporting young people and their music in the Town. She really is amazing and I am very much looking forward to the concert which brings together hundreds of performers.
