A constituency of vibrancy but also of real need

Written by Sarah Teather MP and published in North West London Newspapers Times/Chronicle Series on Wed 3rd Dec 2003

Sarah Teather MP speaking up for Brent in Parliament.

Last week I made my maiden speech in the House of Commons. As I spoke in the chamber for the first time it reminded me of my election night. I had the same sense of awe, honour and privilege that I had that evening.

My maiden speech was an opportunity for me to reflect on my first few weeks as an MP, to tell the House of Commons about Brent - its problems and strengths - and to set out some of the key issues I intend to campaign on locally and in Parliament. I would like this week to share some of those thoughts with you.

Brent East is a constituency of great vibrancy and diversity but is also a place of great need. The wealthiest and the poorest live side by side in some of the most densely populated areas in the country.

Crime is high in Brent - burglary and violence are twice the national average, and robbery six times the national average. But despite a very real fear of crime, I have found in Brent a sense of community and welcome that I have met nowhere else in London.

It is said that 130 languages are spoken in Brent schools. There is a kaleidoscope of religions—Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist and Jewish, to name but a few. There is also a large Irish population. But the different communities co-exist happily in a model of tolerance and acceptance.

I shall never forget the Borough's Diwali procession last month. I watched young children from a local primary school, dressed in the most beautiful costumes. They were proud to wear them and there was lots of bustling and excitement. But it was not only the Hindu children who took part in the procession: all the children from the local community took part—white, black and Asian. To me, that is a model of multi-culturalism.

There are many issues that I intend to raise in Parliament as the local MP - the closure of local Post Offices, the need for better funding for local schools, more Police on our streets, and more GPs. I shall also continue to campaign against top-up fees and tuition fees nationally.

Whilst I talk about need in the local community, in my final column before Christmas, I would like to mention a local charity, Cricklewood Homeless Concern (CHC). CHC does a truly remarkable job of caring for those who have no home and nowhere else to turn, but are facing a major funding crisis and an uncertain accommodation future. I would urge readers as the nights draw in and the weather gets colder to go out and give your support to the work that this truly worthy organisation does. There can be very few situations more desperate than to be without a home at Christmas time. Brent is a very warm and giving community and I feel sure that the charity will be well supported by local people.

To contact Cricklewood Homeless Concern you can write to them at 60 Ashford Road, Cricklewood, LONDON, NW2 6TU or telephone them on (020) 8208 1608.