Page 62 - Phonebox Magazine January 2011

Out and About with Mark Lancaster
Our local MP
There has been much cause for cheer recently, with different groups celebrating victories across Milton Keynes. First of all, shenley brook end school was crowned winner of the MPs’ schools Parliamentary Debates competition. In its third year, the final of the competition was held in the houses of Parliament. stantonbury Campus, the runners up, put up a great fight, arguing the motion that ‘the euro is doomed to fail’. It was a joy to witness the two opposing sides in action and the standard of debating really does increase every year.
attended an MPs’ surgery, lobbying me about the work done by the charity and the help it provides in the UK and abroad.
School debating competition.
Georgia Sharpe-Harris winning the Christmas card competition at Cedars School.
Over at newport Pagnell’s Cedars school, nine-year-old Georgia sharpe-harris won my competition to design a Christmas card. When I asked my younger constituents to come up with a festive card I was inundated with entries. but of the hundreds of cards I looked through, Georgia’s wintry depiction of the houses of Parliament, The Point, a Christmas tree and Father Christmas in full flight really stood out, so very well done to her.
Meanwhile we were celebrating over at the MPs’ office in Linford Wood as we totted up the money raised for
Man of the match – MK Thunder v Bristol Pitbulls 6 - 2.
encourage everyone to go along to the rink and see their team; it is pretty rare nowadays to be able to get an action-packed evening for just £5.
Continuing the victorious theme, I was pleased to have scored a result for Milton Keynes in Parliament. I called a special debate in the house of Commons on the school admissions issue that has blighted the lives of many of my constituents, particularly in rural Milton Keynes. Countless newcomers to the city have contacted me about not being able to get their children places at nearby schools. Many pupils are having to wait weeks to start; others are being offered places at schools across the other side of
Children in need – a fantastic £210.30. Thank you to the generous people of Milton
Keynes business
Centre who were
the city. after outlining the problems we are facing, schools minister nick Gibb said ‘I am convinced that we have to look again at this issue’ and that he will take into account all the points I made, during the Government’s review of the schools admissions process. It has been great to reassure all the parents, pupils and teachers affected by the current convoluted system that, following their negative experiences, change is afoot.
The international
spotlight was
shone on Milton
Keynes as our
local Formula One
team red bull ‘did
the double’,
winning the drivers’
and constructors’ championships. Fellow MK MP Iain stewart and I went to the nearby Daytona race track in to celebrate our city’s racing credentials, and even had a go at go-karting at the fantastic facility, which has recently attracted the likes of Lewis hamilton. I am happy (and rather smug) to say that I triumphed over my colleagues and even happier to boast about Milton Keynes as a place of sporting prowess.
I then saw another local team stride to victory on home turf – or should that be slide to victory? because the game was at Planet Ice and the team was MK Thunder, the ice hockey team who triumphed over bristol Pitbulls with a 6-2 win. I was proud to present the man of the match prizes and support one of my local teams. I would
Mark and team at Daytona.
chucking notes and coins into Pudsey’s bucket, and the Ora Café who ran a competition in conjunction with our nearby office. Thank you also to Pudsey (‘brought to life’ by Gerald small) who even
Pudsey bear and the MPs raising money at the Ora Cafe.
ContaCt information:
mark Lancaster tD mP
Suite 102, milton Keynes Business Centre, foxhunter Drive, Linford Wood, milton Keynes mK14 6GD
tel: 01908 686830
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