Penarth Times Column
11 Jun 2009
I write a weekly article for the Penarth Times Newspaper, the following is the text of the article that appeared on 11 June 2009.
Expenses
03 Jun 2009
The public reaction to some scandalous stories about MPs expenses is entirely understandable. Where actions are inexcusable it is right that action is taken against those who have done something wrong. But that’s not the whole story.
I am happy to answer questions about my own claims - though I also want to point out that I work full-time as the MP for Cardiff South & Penarth. Some MPs earn large sums outside Parliament as barristers or company directors or in other ways. I don’t.
Compact Commission
28 May 2009
My statement that “volunteering is the essential act of citizenship” has gained widespread acceptance since I first made it in 1997 as part of a general package of initiatives which included the idea of a ‘compact’ between Government and the voluntary sector. Within that approach the concept of a local compact, led by the Local Authority with its community partners, was absolutely central. The ‘compact’ is an agreement between government and the voluntary sector on how to work together, on how to share principles and best practices, and how both can influence the other and become more effective.