| Welcome to my web site. | Latest site update: 25th January 2012 |
I hope this site will serve as a useful means of communication for constituents. This page shows news headlines with links for more detail. The most recent ones are at the top. The menus at the left give access to other sections of the site. Please use it to keep in touch and to send me messages. You can also receive my tweets using @fabianhamilton
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Listen to Fabian on Radio JCom |
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Opening of extension to Harewood Church of England Primary School: Fabian returns to a former part of his constituency for the ceremony marking the completion of a remarkable building project made possible by the generosity of the Earl of Harewood. Added 25/1/2012
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Picture and details |
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Parliamentary and Constitutional Reform: Fabian answers questions concerning his work at Westminster as a member of the Select Committee and outlines some of its enquiries. Added 22/1/2012
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Support for action on excessive car insurance premiums: Fabian has added his voice to the call for limits to the increase in car insurance costs in West Yorkshire arising from suspected false whiplash claims. Critical increases in Bradford premiums highlight the issue. Added 20/1/2012
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Labour campaign on car insurance |
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Fabian opens a brand new nursery in Chapeltown: Best Childcare invited Fabian to 'cut the ribbon' at their new nursery on Chapeltown Road. Fabian congratulated the developers who have undertaken a magnificent restoration of a run-down building. Added 9/1/12
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Full story and pictures |
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Diabetes UK Parliamentarian of the Year: On Monday 19th December 2011, Fabian was given an award by Baroness Barbara Young, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK in the light of his work to promote awareness of diabetes and raising finance through cycling. Added 16/12/11
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Fabian joins the Labour Front Bench Treasury Team: Fabian has accepted the invitation to becme the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Rachel Reeves who shadows the Chief Secretary of the Treasury. Added 16/12/11 | Full details |
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Fabian's 2011 Christmas Card Competition: Fabian thanks the pupils who submitted the winning entries to his annual card design competition that was judged this year by Radio Leeds presenter Liz Green. Added 13/12/11
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Winners and their designs |
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State visit by the President of Turkey: Fabian welcomes President Gül to the Palace of Westminster on behalf of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Turkey. | |
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Official opening of the Leeds Stammering Centre: Fabian welcome the speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon. John Bercow MP and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls MP to the open the centre which is located at the Reginald Centre on Chapeltown Road. | Pictures and full details |
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National Youth Lobby of Parliament: Fabian meets constituents who came to London to lobby against the government cuts to youth services. | Picture and details |
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Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting at the United Nations: Fabian is honoured to have been asked a second time to represent the UK Westminster Parliament at the IPU meeting in New York. | |
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Fabian meets rescued Chilean miners at Leeds fundraising dinner: An event held at Elland Road football stadium for the charity, 'Make a Dream', gave Fabian the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet some of the men who made world headlines following their ordeal trapped in the Chile mine disaster. | Photograph and details
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Fabian speaks in the House of Commons: On Thursday 10th November 2011, Fabian interevened on three matters being debated at Westminster: The continued recruitment of young soldiers, Human Rights issues in Tibet and the private management of Hinchingbrooke Hospital near Cambridge. |
Hansard links |
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All Party Political Group: Fabian is elected to the executive committee of the group of members of parliament campaigning for fair and full compensation to policy holders affected by the demise of Equitable Life Assurance. | Executive membership |
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Solar panel crisis: Fabian has tabled an Early Day Motion criticising the government for the precipitate ending of the subsidised 'feed in' electrical tarif which will jeapardise many jobs and the saving of energy. | |
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Moortown Children's Centre opening: Fabian does the honours at a fun Halloween themed open day on Monday 31st October 2011. | Report and pictures |
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Fabian votes 'No' in EU referendum debate: As a long-term supporter of the EU, Fabian voted against the motion tabled on Monday 24th November to hold a referendum on the UK's continued membership. He regarded such a debate as a distraction from the real task in hand of reform of the EU believing that withdrawal, which was the agenda of those proposing the motion, would be a disaster for this country. He position was in no way determined by any pressure from Party Whips. | |
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Fabian opens the Buslingthorpe Power Station: The company Reg Bipower have brought their green technology to Leeds in a project that burns recovered cooking oil to produce electricity at times of peak demand. | Pictures and full details |
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Fabian visits Enterprise World of Work at Kerr Mackie School: An event sponsored by Leeds Legal on 14th October as part of Education and Enterprise Week 2011to introduce pupils to the world of work and showing how skills learned at school will help in securing employment and a career. | |
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Fabian visits exiled Tibetan Parliament in Dharamsala: In a cause dear to his heart as chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Tibet, Fabian accepts the invitation to make an exchage visit with other MPs to India and meet those determined to keep alive the vision of an independent Tibet. Deatils of the visit can be found using the links alongside to the Tibetan Society web site. Fabian was in India from the 3rd - 7th October 2011.
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Annual Parliamentary Report: Fabian has published his Annual Report to electors and Labour Party members in his constituency. A full insight into the work of your local Member of Parliament.
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Download report |
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Fabian presents gifts to local schools from Tesco: Four local schools went to the Tesco store in Roundhay Road on Friday 30th September 2011 to receive gifts of school equipment. Fabian did the honours.
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Illustrated report |
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University of the Third Age in Wetherby: On Thursday 22nd September, Fabian ventured outside the constituency to talk to members of the University of the Third Age in Wetherby about the work of an MP in Parliament and the reality of life in the opposition party compared with when Labour was in government. | U3A in Wetherby |
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Fabian speaks at Overseas Development Seminar: The Overseas Development Institute invited Fabian to join a panel at a seminar held in York on 21st September 2011 | Issues raised by Fabian |
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Boundary Commission Proposals for Leeds: Fabian invites electors to look at the outline proposals that split up the constituency to link urban districts with very diverse rural areas and suggests that this will neither meet community needs nor voter expectations. | Details and consultation |
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Speaking up for the Sikh Community: Fabian addresses the Annual Conference of the Sikh Federation in Wolverhampton and speaks of his work as chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Sikhs. | Full details |
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Social Housing scandal: In a short video made during a visit to the Beckhill Estate in Meanwood, Fabian shows us at first hand the dereliction and tragedy resulting from the failure to invest in social housing. | Watch the video |
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Fabian joins mission to help democracy in Iraq: Support for the regional government in the northern Kurdish region. | Visit to Irbil in Northern Iraq |
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How statistics can mislead: Fabian reacts to the Guardian's simplistic reporting of MPs' voting and attendance figures at Westminster. |
Setting the record straight |
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Shadow Education Secretary in Leeds. Andy Burnham MP Shadow Education Secretary visited the Leeds NE constituency garden party event on the 5th of September 2011. | Full details |
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Leeds Chapeltown Carnival: Fabian and local councillor Jane Dowson enter into the carnival spirit at the annual celebration on August bank holiday 2011. Visit the gallery of photographs which includes one of young Amy Kenyon who is pictured with her grandma, Audrey, together with Fabian and Jane Dowson after winning the Labour Party 'Name the Tiger' competition (It was 'Minty' of course).
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Gallery of photographs
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City rioting: Fabian was concerned to do what was possible to support law and order in the constituency and calm public fears about escalating disturbances spreading to Leeds. To this end he was active in local meetings to offer his help and support.
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Further details |
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Police reform: Fabian speaks out against government proposals to introduce directly elected police commisioners. | Statement by Fabian |
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News International Scandal: Fabian has received many communications from constituents who have grave concerns about recent events and revelations. He has made the following general response. | Fabian's response |
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Fabian pedals to Amsterdam for St Gemma's: Together wiith his son and daughter Fabian has completed his ride from London to Amsterdam on a sponsored cycle ride to raise money for St Gemma's Hospice in the constituency. The ride was arduous and took longer than expected due to the bad weather and heavy rain. Please make his efforts worthwhile and sponsor him. | |
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All Party Parliamentary Group on Turkey: Fabian is re-elected chair of the group of MPs concerned with relationships with this strategically important country. | APPG Group Turkey |
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A challenge for the government reading strategy: Fabian has questioned the empahasis to be given to just one method of teaching reading, phonics, and argues that it will put off children from reading for pleasure. | Details and press coverage |
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All Party Parliamentary Group visit to Iceland: Together with four other MPs, Fabian undertook a fact finding visit in the aftermath of the collapse of Icelandic banks and the loss of British deposits. | More details |
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Chapel Allerton Primary School children appeal to David Cameron: Fabian supports children, campaiging to "Send Your Sister To School".
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Full details
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Visit to St Gotthard Base Tunnel: Fabian and fellow parliamentarians inspect the world breaking Swiss tunnel project, which will slash lorry use and improve the enviroment. | Full details |
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Circus animals debate: Fabian supports constituents who have contacted him concerned about the continuing use of wild animals in circuses. | Fabians reply |
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Winterbourne View Care Home Scandal: Fabian tables 20 key questions for the Health Minister Andrew Lansley MP to answer about the disgraceful events at the Castlebeck run care home in Bristol. Ministerial response- Click here Response about Care Quality Commission - Click here |
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Fabian meets campaigners fighting to protect our National Health Service: You can sign their petition by clicking left on the 38 Degress logo. | 38 Degrees campaign |
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Equitable Life Campaign: Fabian teams up with a glamorous ally in the fight for justice. | Goldfinger moments |
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NHS Campaign: On Friday 20th May Fabian met with local health professionals in Leeds to discuss the many concerns surrounding the government proposed changes to the National Health Service. Fabian pledged his opposition. | Keep NHS Public Campaign and demonstration |
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Fabian quizzes Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg: The Political and Constitutional Reform Committee met on the 12th May to discuss the respective powers of central and local government. The meeting was held in public and recorded. | Watch the proceedings |
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Election success for Labour in Leeds NE: Fabian extends his heartfelt congratulations to Christine Macniven and Rebecca Charlwood on their success in winning Council seats in Roundhay and Moortown gaining seats from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats repectively. Fabian was also delighted that Mohammed Rafique retained his seat for Labour in Chapel Allerton and he was especially pleased by the massive support that Katy Sian received in Alwoodley even though the ward was retained by the Conservatives.
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Results |
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Future of the NHS: Fabian acts to reassure concerned constituents of his strong opposition to the proposed radical changes to NHS administration in England. | Statement |
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LGI Children's Heart Surgery Unit Campaign: Fabian adds his voice to the campaign to retain specialised children's heart services in Leeds at the Infirmary. | |
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High Speed Rail to Leeds: Fabian has restated his support for the construction of a high speed rail line to Leeds which can offer so much to the region's economy. He challenges the Tory MPs to back their government Transport Minister Philip Hammond to resist the arguments of vocal protests from those wishing to block the project because it goes through their areas. | NIMBYs against High Speed Rail reported in Metro |
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Winter fuel allowance - Budget stealth cut: Fabian has learned angrily of the unannounced budget decision to reduce pensioners' winter fuel allowance. For next winter it comes down to 200 pounds from 250 pounds for over 60s and down from 400 pounds to 300 pounds for over 80s. Fabian is furious and accuses George Osborne of being too ashamed to report this cut in his budget speech and having no understanding of pensioners' daily struggle to make ends meet.
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Leeds Trolley Bus: Fabian presses the government transport minister, Norman Baker for the much needed infrastructure investment to go ahead. | Minister's response |
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Lest we forget: Fabian is visting Auschwitz and Birkenau again as part of a local BBC project led by Radio Leeds presenter Liz Green with two teenagers, one Jewish and the other Muslim, who together will reflect upon the atrocities that took place during the Second World War. | Auschwitz visit |
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Tony Shinberg 90 years young: Fabian called in at the birthday celebration of Tony Shinberg on Saturday 12th March. Tony, widely known in Leeds NE is best respected for his commitment to swimming, a sport that he has coached for over 50 years. | Photograph |
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Commemoration of the Tibet revolt 1959: Fabian attended a wreath laying ceremony outside Westminster Abbey to commemorate the unsuccessful uprising in Tibet which led to the exile of the Dalai Lama and the complete establishment of Chinese rule and oppression. | Westminster ceremony |
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Fabian supports victims of Lehman Structured Products Mis-Selling: Fabian has signed EDM Motion 366 which calls for victims of this company to be compensated. | |
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News International takeover of BSkyB: Fabian has written to Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport over the decision not to refer the proposed takeover to the Competition Comission. |
Ministerial response documents |
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Joint Committee on National Security Strategy: Fabian has been invited to serve on this committee with members from both Houses and the three main political parties. The committee, chaired by Margaret Beckett MP, scrutinises the implementation and development of the National Security Strategy. Fabian attended his first meeting on the 1st of March. | |
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Success Pages: Fabian meets with Lorna Claxton, the proprietor of the magazine Chapeltown and Harehills News, which is being rebranded as Success Pages to promote local business. Fabian will be invited contribute regularly to a readers forum where he will respond to questions of concern from local residents. | |
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Flood Risk Management: Fabian spoke on Wednesday 9th February in the Westminster Hall debate on Flood Risk Managament stressing the need for improvement to Leeds flood defences. | |
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Fabian arranges for local author Iby Knill to speak at Westminster: Moortown resident, Iby Knill, a survivor from the wartime horror of Auschwitz-Birkenau will be talking in Speaker's House, Palace of Westminster on February 14th about her experience. | |
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Campaign against police cuts: Fabian meets local MPs, Yvette Cooper the Shadow Home Secretary and Ed Balls the Shadow Chancellor with Hilary Benn who together pledge to challenge reduced police expenditure in West Yorkshire. | |
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Proposed sale of Forestry Commission estate: Fabian views the appalling proposal to sell off our forests to the private (or even charitable) sector as one of the most ridiculous policies of this coalition government. It will be opposed not just by all Labour MPs but by most of the public as well. Fabian is determined to fight this sell-off in any way he can. | |
| Yorkshire Ripper's appeal refused: Fabian has welcomed the Appeal Court decision to reject Peter Sutcliffe's attempt to gain consideration for parole.
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Christmas Card competition winner announced: Charlotte a pupil in Year 7 at Cardinal Heenan High School was selected as the winner by the judges, David Lascelles and Diane Howse of Harewood House. Fabian expresses his gratitude to all the many pupils who took part in the competition and the school staff who helped them. | |
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Fabian opposes rises in student fees: In the parliamentary debate on 9th December 2010, Fabian joined his Labour colleagues in opposing the government plans to substantially raise the fees that universities charge. | |
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Fabian represents UK parliamentarians at the UN: On the 8th December 2010, Fabian was one of two UK MPs asked to represent the UK Parliament at the United Nations on the occasion of the 2010 Annual Parliamentary Hearing of the Inter Parliamentary Union. | |
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Christmas cards pour in: Schools from around the constituency have been sending in the entries for Fabian's Christmas card competition. Judging will begin later this week. |
Some entries received |
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Fabian opens Leeds Mitzvah Day: Fabian praises the good works and care for others that members of the Zone youth club have undertaken to help all sections of the local community. | |
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Fabian speaks at Westminster on packaging waste targets: As a member of the Delegated Legislation Committee, Fabian intervened to challenge the government on its adoption of softer targets for the recycling of packaging waste. Fabian attacks this dilution of the previous government's work to increase recycling. | Hansard record for 22nd Nov 2010 |
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Threat to Free School Meals: Fabian has learned that Free School Meals, so vital for many children from poorer homes, will go when the government's new Single Universal Credit starts. Fabian is very worried about the consequences. | |
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Royal Engagement: Fabian is delighted to add his congratulations to Prince William and Kate Middleton on their engagement. He is also pleased that there is a local connection. Kate Middleton's father Michael was born in 1949 at Chapel Allerton in Fabian's Leeds NE constituency. | Wikipedia article |
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Fabian is appointed to Political and Constitutional Select Committee: Fabian was delighted to be asked to serve on this recently established Select Committee at a key time when the shape of government in the UK is under close scrutiny. | PCR Committee |
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Equitable Life - Fabian introduces Commons Amendment: On Wednesday 10th November Fabian tabled an amendment to the Equitable Life (Payments) Bill seeking to protect one group of elderly policyholders being excluded from the proposed Government compensation scheme. Sadly, his amendment was defeated.
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Fabian celebrates 25 years of Hansa's: To celebrate 25 years of trading in the constituency, Hansa's famous vegetarian Gujerati restaurant has published a special book of recipes. Fabian launched the publication in Waterstone's bookshop on Saturday 6th November. | Picture on gallery page |
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Leeds Trolleybus - Prime Minister ducks Fabian's question: At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday 3rd November David Cameron would not reassure Leeds citizens that the long-needed transport project would be funded. | |
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New venue for constituency surgeries: Fabian is delighted to report that he will now be holding surgeries at the new Reginald Centre in Chapeltown. This fabulous building brings togther many kinds of community support and is ideal for constituents to meet their MP. Frequent buses pass the front entrance. Fabian will be holding two surgeries each month at the centre.
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Reginald Centre |
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Christmas card competition for constituency schools: Fabian has invited pupils in his constituency to design his official Christmas card that he plans to send out in December to his many contacts and friends who work for the community in Leeds North East. The theme of the competition is: 'The Meaning of Christmas' and entries will be judged by Viscount and Lady Lascelles of Harewood. |
Entries so far received - see Main Menu. |
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Justice for Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight - MPs' support grows. There are now an additional 29 MPs' signatures to Fabian's Early Day Motion demanding government pressure on Turkey to bring to court those suspected of the murder of these two Leeds United football fans stabbed to death in Istanbul in April 2000 | Yorkshire Evening Post article |
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Visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau: In October, Fabian, his wife Rosy, together with Sir John Stanley MP and his wife made a short private visit or pilgrimmage to the sites of the former Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps in Poland. They were also able to visit the site of Oscar Schindler's gactory in Krakow. Fabian and Rosy paid for the visit themselves. More pictures of the visit Click here | |
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Jade's Trust Campaign: On Friday 25th September Fabian met Debra Hill, former cancer patient, to continue the campain to send a 10,000 signature petition to 10 Downing Street. The campaign set up by The Sun newspaper in memory of the late Jade Goody seeks to lower to 20 years the age at which young women become eligible for cervical screening. Fabian pledged his wholehearted support. | |
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Equitable Life Payments Bill Debate: Continuing his campaign to champion the cause of Equitable Life Policyholders who were let down by the failure of government regulation and who lost heavily, Fabian spoke in the House of Commons on the 14th September to support the long awaited scheme that will bring some compensation for those policy holders still alive to benefit. | |
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Justice for Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight: On Tuesday 7th of September, Fabian was invited to meet the recently appointed Turkish Ambassador to the UK concerning the contined failure to bring to justice the murderers of Kevin and Chris, two Leeds football fans who were just supporting their team at the match with the Turkish Galataseray team in April 2000. The Ambassador assured Fabian that he would do all he could to secure action by the Turkish justice authorities to bring a case against those accused. | Leeds fans remembered |
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Cycle to Work Alliance: Fabian helped launch the Cycle to Work Alliance with British Olympic Gold medallist, Chris Boardman MBE. The Alliance consists of British Heart Foundation and the leading providers of the cycle to work employee benefit (Halfords, Evans Cycles and Cyclescheme) and aims to encourage cycling to work as a way of bringing physical exercise into peoples daily routine. | Cycle to Work Alliance
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Charity Bike Ride: Fabian starts his sponsored London to Paris Bike Ride today (July 8th). He is raising funds for Diabetes UK whose aim is to improve the lives of people with the condition and work towards a future without diabetes. It represents the interests of people with diabetes by campaigning for better standards of care and is one of the largest backers in the UK of research into better treatments for diabetes and the search for a cure. |
Sponsor Fabian |
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Select committee elections: Fabian was proposed for the membership of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC). Elections were held on Wednesday 23rd June 2010 but he was not successful. Fabian previously served on the committee during the last parliament and will maintain a close interest and scrutiny of foreign affairs policies. | FAC facts |
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Leadership election: Campaign by David Milliband for the leadership of the Labour Party. Fabian is supporting David's campaign. Labour Party members met David in the Civic Hall on Thurday 17th June 2010. | David Miliband Visits Leeds.
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Westminster bike ride: While promoting health and cycling as a means to help with city congestion, Fabian means Olympic Gold Medalist Victoria Pendleton MBE. | Fabian with Victoria |
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