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Another busy month has passed and the great thing about this column is that it gives me a chance to pick out the best bits and look forward to the month ahead. Well, the big event in the Parliamentary calen-dar was the opening of the new session with the Queen‟s Speech. For those not hooked on the ceremonial splen-dour, there is still plenty of meat on the pro-gramme that the government has set out for the coming months. Last year of course, I had the privilege of being the captive held hostage in Buckingham Palace while the Queen visited Parliament. This year I took the chance to take part in the procession from the House of Commons into the House of Lords to hear the speech at first hand. Despite what the gloom-mongers may say in the media there is in fact some really important pieces of legislation for Parliament to debate. More importantly, getting some of this into law will make a real difference to the lives of many people in Watford and across the country. The big issue is the economy and how to make sure we continue the recovery from recession. New legislation is needed to control the banks and especially the bonuses paid to bankers. It is clear that it is more regulation of the banking sector and not less that is required. Taken together with tough measures to reduce the government borrowing, the economy is a strong feature in this programme. But so too is the need for continued investment in our public services and in our future. I believe very strongly that although we have to get the deficit down, we cannot afford to push the coun-try back into recession just as we seem to be getting out of it. So we need to continue to invest in the skills of young people to get them back to work and the new Digital Economy Bill will promote invest-ment in modern technology. Over the years many of my constituents have talked to me about the problems of getting old and having to sell their homes to pay for their care. I know it is a real worry for them and their families. So the new Social Care Bill should be widely welcomed. It will provide for free personal care in their own homes for those with the highest needs. From next October more than 275,000 of those with the greatest needs will be protected for good from charges and top-up fees for care in their own homes. In due course we should have a na-tional Care Service. There is so much more in the Queen‟s Speech that I don‟t have space to mention – control of cowboy clampers; new guarantees for parents and pupils to know how schools are performing; new parenting orders for those whose children ignore ASBOs; bringing into UK law a ban on the production and use of cluster bombs; more support and a fairer deal for consumers faced with high energy prices. Check out my website for more information on these and more www.claire-ward.org.uk. So there will be plenty to keep me busy in Parliament and in Watford in the coming months. For this month I shall also be preparing for Christmas. With two young children, Christmas is such an exciting time and I am making sure that I enjoy it as much as they do. Whatever your faith, can I wish you a Happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
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