GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

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 MP'S, LOCAL GOVERNMENTMEP'S, EUROPE,  POLITICAL PARTIES, NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

"The most effective way to restrict democracy is to transfer decision-making from the public arena to unaccountable institutions: kings and princes, priestly castes, military juntas, party dictatorships, or modern corporations." Noam Chomsky.  

 

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" George Orwell.

Key Political links

House of Commons website http://www.parliament.uk/  Political Database links to everything political http://www.politicsdirect.com/ They Work for You- Lists short biographies of all 659 MPs interests, voting records http://theyworkforyou.com/  The Public Whip-check out your MP’s voting record http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/  Fax your MP type in your postcode find your MP-fax em! -brilliant   http://www.faxyourmp.com/  Write to Them Finds your MP, MEP, and Councillor so you can write to them!  http://www.writetothem.com   Find your MP http://helpfultechnology.com/constituencies/ http://www.parliament.uk/mpslordsandoffices/mps_and_lords/alms.cfm http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/commons/l/ http://politics.guardian.co.uk/flash/0,,2226079,00.html New BBC site http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/default.stm Politicians twittering: http://tweetminster.co.uk/mps/tweeters, http://cllrtweeps.com/ 

New Government http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19564

Guardian Politics- Excellent information & links to Key blogs http://politics.guardian.co.uk/election2005/parties , Constituency Map http://politics.guardian.co.uk/election2005/map/0,,1458832,00.html 

Top Political Blogs:  Andrew Rawnsley, http://www.politicshome.com, Nick Robinson http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/ Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog, Labourhome, Tom Harris, Labour List  http://www.gofourth.co.uk/ http://www.leftfootforward.org, http://www.newstatesman.com/politics, http://www.torystories.com/  http://newearthdeal.org/ Telegraph: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/go/category/view/politics, ConservativeHome,Guido Fawkes http://iaindale.blogspot.com, Policy Exchange Politicalbetting, TWatson Mbright Liberalconspiracy, LibdemvoiceLiberalenglandLDblogsCompass Political news& comment http://www.politics.co.uk/  Newsnight, Thinktanks links Total Politics, UK Polling, SnowblogMirror- Dev World  Paul Smith http://bristolwestpaul.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/international-jet-set/ http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/thought-leadership

Register of members interests http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/memi02.htm  HOC Business. http://news.parliament.uk/subject/Commons-business EDM's http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/Default.aspx

UK List of MEPS-Europarliament & 2009 EU Election Info  http://www.europarl.org.uk/uk_meps/txukmeps/txmain.html, BOND: Election Resources for NGO'sEU Election SiteToolkit, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Parliament_election,_2009,    Guidance :  http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/   http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/, http://www.dopolitics.org.uk/ http://www.euractiv.com/en/HomePage

Government news 

http://www.thegovernmentsays.com & Govt News Service http://www.gnn.gov.uk , http://www.wired-gov.net,Public Services Superportal http://www.direct.gov.uk/Homepage/fs/en, Parliament What's on http://www.parliament.uk/what_s_on/what_s_on.cfm E-petitions to Govt. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk, http://www.publictechnology.net, http://www.number10.gov.uk/

LOCAL MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT- CONSTITUENCIES CONTACT NUMBERS  

Roger Berry MP, (Kingswood) Tel 0117 956 1837 Tel 0117 956 1837 Fax: 0117 970 1363. Email: berryr@parliament.uk Web: http://www.rogerberrymp.co.uk

Don Foster MP (Bath) Tel: 01225 338973. Fax: 01225 463630. Email: fosterd@parliament.uk. http://www.donfoster.co.uk

Dr Liam Fox MP (Woodspring) Tel: 01275 790090. Fax: 01275 790091.  http://www.epolitix.com/EN/MPWebsites/Liam+Fox

David Heath MP (Somerton and Frome) Tel: 01373 473618. Fax: 01373 455152. Email: davidheath@davidheath.co.uk. Web: http://www.davidheath.co.uk

David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells) Tel: 01749 673146. Fax: 01749 670783. Web: http://www.wellsconservatives.org.uk

Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) Tel: 0117 939 9901 Email: mccarthykg@parliament.uk http://www.kerrymccarthymp.org/

Andrew Murrison MP (Westbury) Tel: 01225 752141. Fax: 01225 776942. Email: murrisona@parliament.uk. Web: http://www.andrewmurrison.co.uk

Doug Naysmith MP (Bristol North West) Tel: 0117 950 2385. Fax: 0117 950 5302. Email: naysmithd@parliament.uk Web:  http://www.epolitix.com/EN/MPWebsites/Doug+Naysmith/ 

Dan Norris MP (Wansdyke) Tel: 01454 857406 Fax: 01454 857382. Email: norrisd@parliament.uk Web: freespace.virgin.net/norris.wansdyke

John Penrose MP (Weston Super Mare) Tel: 01934 622894 Fax: 01934 623955 Email: john.penrose@weston-conservatives.co.uk  http://www.weston-conservatives.co.uk

Dawn Primarolo MP (Bristol South) Tel: 0117 909 0063. Fax: 0117 909 0064. Email: dawnprimarolomp@parliament.uk Web: http://www.dawnprimarolo.labour.co.uk, http://www.bristolsouthlabourparty.org.uk

Steve Webb MP (Northavon) Tel: 01454 322100. Fax: 01454 866515. Web: http://www.stevewebb.org.uk

Stephen Williams MP (Bristol West)  Tel: 0117 942 3494 Email: stephenwilliamsmp@parliament.uk Web: http://www.bristolwest-libdems.org.uk

If the MP you wish to contact is not mentioned above, please ring the House of Commons on 020 7219 3000, or leave messages on 020 7219 4343. If you are unsure who your local MP is, your library will be able to help. Very useful Web site to find out who and where your MP is: http://www.locata.co.uk/commons    

Guardian 'Politics' homepage find your MP, news and links to all things political http://politics.guardian.co.uk/0,9215,440480,00.html

LOCAL GOVERNMENT  

 

LOCAL COUNCILLORS-contacts:  BRISTOLhttp://www.bristol-city.gov.uk/ccm/content/council-democracy/elected-representatives/councillor-finder.en?xsl=detail&wardid=1  or see http://www.digitalbristol.org go to 'council & democracy' BATHhttp://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bathnes/councilinformation/yourrepresentatives/default.htm http://www.cityofbath.co.uk/Community/body_politics.html

GOVERNMENT OFFICE FOR THE SOUTH WEST works with other government departments, regional agencies, local authorities and private and voluntary sectors towards a sustainable future for the region.  Contact: Phil Harding, 2, Rivergate, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6EH. Tel: 0117 900 1700. Email: phil.harding@gosw.gsi.gov.uk Its “Greener Events” guide on http://www.oursouthwest.com has received national recognition. Web: http://www.gosw.gov.uk

SOUTH WEST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY (SWRA), based in Taunton, The South West Regional Assembly is a voluntary grouping of councillors from local authorities in the region and representatives of various sectors with a role in the region’s economic, social and environmental well-being. Contact: Dennett House 11, Middle St Taunton TA1 1SH Tel 01823 270101 Email: swra@southwest-ra.gov.uk Web: http://www.southwest-ra.gov.uk  

SOUTH WEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (SWRDA) One of nine new DETR-sponsored regional agencies set up to promote economic and social development, including sustainable development in their region. Contact: Ian Thompson, 100 Temple Street, BRISTOL BS1 6AE Tel: 0117 933 0200  Fax: 0117 927 6466.  email enquiries@southwestrda.org.uk web: http://www.southwestrda.org.uk South West office in Brussels http://www.southwestukbrusselsoffice.com  

THE WEST OF ENGLAND PARTNERSHIP was formed in response to sub regional opportunities and challenges. Particular attention is being given to transport, appropriate housing supply, economic competitiveness and inclusion, and culture, leisure and tourismIt. Consists of four unitary authorities - Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire - and a range of social, economic and environmental partners http://www.westofengland.org/site/Home_1.asp

LA DIRECTORIES http://www.oultwood.com/index.php, http://www.tagish.co.uk/tagish/links/localgov.htm, http://www.lga.gov.uk/LinkSearch.asp?lsection=329

LA/PUBLIC SECTOR NEWS/INFO http://www.24dash.com, http://www.lgn.co.uk, http://society.guardian.co.uk/localgovt, http://www.lgcnet.com, http://www.info4local.gov.uk, http://communities.gov.uk, http://www.direct.gov.uk/Homepage/fs/en, http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=1, http://www.nlgn.org.uk

LA/INTERNATIONAL LINKS http://international.lga.gov.uk/index.html, http://international.lga.gov.uk/lg-alliance/index.jsp, http://www.clgf.org.uk, http://www.oultwood.com/localgov/countries/europe.php, http://www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/localauthorities/NottinghamDeclaration, http://www.iclei.org

THE SOUTH WEST UK IN EUROPE The South West UK Brussels Office gives the SW a unified voice in Europe. Contact: Avenue Michel Ange 86, B1000 Brussels Tel: +32 2 734 4110 Fax: +32 2 734 4434 E-mail: info@southwestuk.be Web: http://www.southwestukbrusselsoffice.com  

EUROPEAN CONSTITUENCIES AND MEPS IN THE SOUTH WEST  

Trevor Colman MEP &  William, Earl of Dartmouth MEP, PO Box 410 Newton Abbot Devon UK TQ12 9BJ 01626 831340, http://www.ukipsw.org/

Ashley Fox MEP Tel: 0117 9736811 / http://www.fox4europe.blogspot.com/ Email: ashley.fox@southwestconservatives.com, http://www.southwestconservatives.com

Julie Girling MEP ,Tel: 07802 728225 /
Email: juliegirling@msn.com / Web: www.juliegirling.com,
http://www.southwestconservatives.com

Giles Chichester (Conservative), Contact: Longridge, West Hill, Ottery St Mary, Devon EX111UX. Tel: 01404 851106. Fax: 01404 850752. Email: vgiles@gileschichestermep.org.uk Web: http://www.gileschichestermep.org.uk

Graham Watson (Liberal Democrat) Contact: Bagehot’s Foundry, Beards Yard, Bow Street, Langport, Somerset TA10 9PS. Tel: 01458 252 265. Fax: (01458) 253430. Email: euro_office@cix.co.uk Web: http://www.grahamwatsonmep.org  

You will be able to obtain latest information re: the six SW MEPs by calling Europe Direct: 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by visiting the web site of the European Parliament above.

EUROPE  

EUROPA - your gateway to Europe http://www.eu.int/index_en.htm

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT is the directly elected democratic expression of the political will of the peoples of the European Union, the largest multinational and democratically elected international Parliament in the world. It has 732 MEPs who exercise democratic control at European level. (President: Josep Borrell Fontelles) UK Information Office: Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9AA, Tel: 020 7227 4300, Fax: 0131 557 4977, Email: epedinburgh@europarl.eu.int Web: http://www.europarl.eu.int  

See the EU Parliament on the Web live http://www.europarl.europa.eu/wps-europarl-internet/faces/live/live-program.jsp?language=en

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION The powerful unelected executive of the EU (President José Manuel Barroso). A range of Commissioners are allocated policy areas supported by administration departments or directorates. Contact: Main Office, Rue de la Loi, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 299 1111.  It also supports a national network of information centres throughout the member states where you can access information on EU policy. In the UK contact: Reijo Kemppinen, 8 Storey’s Gate, London, SW1P 3AT. Tel: 020 7973 1992. Fax: 020 7973 1900. Email:  Reijo.Kemppinen@cec.eu.int Web: http://www.cec.org.uk or you can access all EU institutions on the Europa server Web: http://www.europa.eu.int

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR TRADE Peter Mandelson is European Commissioner for Trade, responsible for the European Union’s external trade policy. Contact: 200 rue de la Loi, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32-2-298 56 15 Fax :+32-2-299 60 87 Web: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/commission_barroso/mandelson/index_en.htm

THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL brings together the heads of state or government of the 25 member states of the European Union and the President of the European Commission. It should not be confused with the Council of Europe (which is an international organisation) or the Council of the European Union (which consists of the ministers of the 25 member states). The European Council is hosted by and takes place in the member state holding the Presidency of the Council, and punctuates the political life and development of the European Union by meeting at least twice a year (generally in June and December). Contact: Rue de la Loi 175, B-1048 Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 285 5650. Fax: +32 2 235 4977 Email: public.info@consilium.eu.int Web: www.ue.eu.int/en/Info/eurocouncil/index.htm

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OR THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS The Council is composed of one representative at ministerial level from each member state, who is empowered to commit their government. Council members are politically accountable to their national parliaments. Which ministers attend each Council meeting varies according to the subject discussed, although its institutional unity remains intact e.g. the Development Council consists of each country’s development minister. The Council is the Community’s legislative body; for a wide range of Community issues, it exercises that legislative power in co-decision with the European Parliament. Contact: Secretary-General Javier Solana, Council of the EU, Rue de la Loi 175, B1048 Brussels, Belgium. Tel: +32 2 285 5650. Fax: +32 2 235 4977. Email: public.info@consilium.eu.int Web: http://ue.eu.int/showPage.ASP?lang=en

POLITICAL PARTIES

CONSERVATIVE CENTRAL OFFICE  25 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0DL. Tel: 020 7222 9000. Web: http://www.southwestconservatives.com http://www.southwestconservatives.com/associations, Bristol & South Glos Conservatives  http://www.bsgconservatives.com/index.html, NE Somerset http://www.northeastsomersetconservatives.co.uk/ Bristol University http://www.buca.co.uk Bath http://www.bathconservatives.com, http://www.westonconservatives.org.uk/

CO-OPERATIVE  PARTY  National Organiser, 77 Weston Street,  LONDON SE1 3SD  020 7367 4150 M.tiedemann@party.coop, http://www.party.coop

GREEN PARTY Political party. Campaigns on behalf of social justice and the environment. Contact: 1a Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ. Tel: 020 7272 4474. Fax: 020 7272 6653. Email: office@greenparty.org.uk Web: http://www.greenparty.org.uk, SW http://southwest.greenparty.org.uk Bristol Green Party: http://www.bristolgreenparty.org.uk E-mail: bgp@bristolgreenparty.org.uk

LABOUR PARTY 16 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Tel: 08705 900200. Email: info@new.labour.org.uk  Web: http://www.labour.org.uk  

LABOUR SOUTH WEST 4, Emery Road, Brislington Bristol, BS4 5PF, Tel: 01179729446 e-mail: southwest@new.labour.org.uk SW Labour Link Bristol http://www.bristollabourparty.org.uk, BathNES http://www.baneslabour.org Bristol University http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Union/UBLC/

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS 4 Cowley Street, London SW1P 3NB. Tel: 020 7222 7999. Email: info@libdems.org.uk Web: http://www.libdems.org.uk, http://www.flocktogether.org.uk/english-libdems,  Bristol http://bristol-libdems.org.uk/ Bath http://www.bathlibdems.org.uk/, http://www.flocktogether.org.uk/western-counties, http://www.flocktogether.org.uk/devon-and-cornwall

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Nobel House 17 Smith Square London SW1P 3JR Tel: 08459 335577 Fax: 020 7238 6609 Email: helpline@defra.gov.uk Web: http://www.defra.gov.uk

DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Secretary of State for International Development: The Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander MP, 1 Palace St, London SW1E 5HE. Tel: 020 7023 0000. Public enquiry point 0845 300 4100.Fax: 020 7023 0019 Email: enquiry@dfid.gov.uk Web: http://www.dfid.gov.uk. They also produce an excellent quarterly magazine ‘Developments’, available free. Web: http://www.developments.org.uk  

Department of Energy and Climate Change. New ministry under Ed Miliband focus on solving the twin challenges of climate change and energy supply bringing Climate Change elements from DEFRA & BERR http://www.decc.gov.uk/index.htm see also Office of Climate Change. http://www.occ.gov.uk & Committee on Climate Change (CCC). http://www.theccc.org.uk/

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform It is jointly responsible, with DfID and the FCO respectively, for trade policy; and trade promotion and inward investment. The Department brings together functions from the former Department of Trade and Industry, including responsibilities for productivity, business relations, energy, competition and consumers, with the Better Regulation Executive (BRE), previously part of the Cabinet Office Contact: 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H OET. Tel: 020 7215 5000. Email: dti.enquiries@dti.gsi.gov.uk Web: http://www.dti.gov.uk

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs:  Foreign and Commonwealth Office, King Charles Street, London SW1 2AH. Tel: 020 7008 1500. Web: http://www.fco.gov.uk   

HOUSE OF COMMONS/HOUSE OF LORDS Tel: 020 7219 3000. Web: http://www.parliament.uk

HOUSE OF COMMONS INFORMATION OFFICE Enquiries and information about all aspects of parliamentary work. Provide series of booklets and will give records of MPs who have signed EDMs etc. House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA Tel: 020 7219 4272. Email: hcinfo@parliament.uk To check out EDM signers on the internet, contact Web: http://www.edmi.parliament.uk/edmi

HOUSE OF LORDS INFORMATION OFFICE London SW1A 0PW. Tel: 020 7219 3107 Email: hlinfo@parliament.uk

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  Secretary of State for Defence, The Ministerial Correspondence Unit, Floor 5, Zone A, Main Building, Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB. Tel: 020 7218 9000. Web: http://www.mod.uk  

Bristol North-South Forum, c/o liz.zeidler@modoto.co.uk