VIEWPOINT FOR 26 NOVEMBER 2009 
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

Last week I attended a briefing meeting in the House of Commons on the Social Care Green Paper that has just completed consultation before it will come back as a White Paper in the New Year. 
To everyone’s amazement the Prime Minister pre-empted this consultation in the Queen’s Speech by promising free personal care for some highly deserving people. It was at this meeting that a Labour Peer condemned the PM as an admiral firing an Exocet into his own flagship and another Labour Peer said it was an idea that had not been sufficiently thought through. Strong language indeed and coming from his own side! 
On the Health Select Committee we are doing an inquiry into this Green Paper and it will be fascinating to hear evidence from all sides of this argument.
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During the weekend I was involved with young people. 

First I went back to St John’s Primary School for a question and answer session with year 6 pupils. 
These were about the role of an MP and about climate change. They showed their interest and knowledge about green issues and we discussed things they could do to increase re-cycling and I may be unpopular with some parents as I suggested that the young people should make sure lights, computers and TVs are turned off at home when not in use, that low energy light bulbs should be used where possible and that parents should not drive uneconomically. They are going to write to me about deforestation in the Amazon region so I can pass their letter to the relevant Minister to ask what the Government and the international community are doing about this aspect of climate change. 

Then I went to Haybridge High School to meet some of their sixth form and to be grilled about a wide range of issues including climate change again, how to engage young voters, inevitably about university and top up fees, about Trident and Section 28 and about how to get into politics. It was stimulating to hear how interested young people are in the important issues that face us all.
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This year I was able to get to the concert given by Wyre Forest Young Voices and Primary Chords. 
Their professionalism and the sounds they produce, remembering the ages of some of the singers, have to be seen and heard to be believed and is a great tribute to the team of dedicated professionals who guide and tutor them, Geoffrey Weaver, Conductor and Musical Director, Carol Hill, Conductor, Susannah Vango, Voice Coach and Michael Elden and 
Nicci Lane, Accompanists. 
Yet again they entranced the audience with staggeringly good young soloists, Christina Lloyd-Hall, Faith Newrick, Sam James and 
Nicole Stone.
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My final visit of the weekend was to Comberton Primary School to meet the Head and Deputy Heads to learn of their successes and problems with developing the Primary School prior to a meeting I plan with the County Director of Children’s Services to pass on concerns and good news. 
I also met members of the elected School Council and heard of the work they are doing towards increasing safety at school – very impressive.

RT

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