MY gripe this week is about the railways. The commuters among you will know how frustrating train travel has become.
I had my worst journey last Thursday. I left Euston on the 14.40 train to New Street. Just before Birmingham International, the train stopped. There was a problem with the overhead power lines.
To give him credit, the train manager made frequent announcements to assure us that no progress was being made but he would keep us informed. He also warned us that the heating had been switched off to preserve the batteries so we would be cold but not in the dark.
At last we heard that a diesel locomotive was being sent to our rescue.
He then had to get onto the track to couple up the newly-arrived locomotive. Slowly the warmth returned and we moved again, arriving at New Street two hours and 10 minutes late.
The last straw was that no driver could be found at New Street for the 19.01 to Hereford, after we had all climbed onto it. Thus we were delayed again and had to move to another train.
I arrived home at 20.25 after a journey lasting over six hours.

It is no wonder that we prefer to use our cars whenever we can. But car and coach journeys into London may take one hour for the last 10 miles, so really what choice have we?

The Government rightly knows that the four main tasks on which it will be judged are to improve public transport, education, the NHS and to reduce crime.

On the last topic I have tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) to support the Association of Chief Police Officers' proposals to enable more criminal trials to be carried through to a verdict.
So often they are terminated because witnesses and victims are unwilling to testify due to intimidation or loss of confidence in the criminal justice system.
EDMs are not usually powerful weapons in an MP's armoury, but I hope for publicity and extra effect because the other five sponsors are David Taylor (Lab, North West Leicestershire), Ian Taylor (Con, Esher and Walton), John Taylor (Con, Solihull), Matthew Taylor (Lib Dem, Truro and St Ansell), and Sir Teddy Taylor (Con, Rochford and Southend East).
I believe this is a parliamentary first and perhaps another demonstration of the "Taylor effect" that Wyre Forest voters have initiated.