David Crausby

David Crausby MP
Annual Report 2005

The year 2005 saw the Labour Party elected to Government for athird term and I was returned as the Labour MP for Bolton NorthEast. The election campaign was difficult and I wouldlike to thank everyone who worked tirelessly throughout thecampaign because without such dedication and commitment Labourwould not have secured a third term of office.

There can be little doubt that the only party fit for governmentis Labour but forthcoming legislation is the concern of many LabourParty members. Controversial plans for the introduction of IDcards, the Incapacity Benefit Bill and of course the much-debatedEducation White Paper. Many MPs including myself have seriousconcerns about the proposed schools reforms. A background inlocal government is widespread amongst backbench MPs opposed to thereforms and the Prime Minister and others would be wise to make thenecessary changes and address their concerns if the Government isto avoid an embarrassing defeat on this issue.

In the not too distant future we will of course be thrown intothe process of choosing a new Labour Party leader. In thiscentenary year of the election of the first Labour MPs we need toremember our roots, listen to the voice of the active Labourmembership in order to overcome any differences we have and worktogether for the common good.

For my own part it has been an extremely busy year especiallyconcerning my responsibilities on the Defence SelectCommittee. I am the Vice Chair of the SelectCommittee and this has inevitably increased my workload andinvolvement in the Committee. We are currently engaged in areport on the recently published Defence Industrial Strategy and wewill be engaged throughout the whole parliament on a comprehensivestudy into our Nuclear Deterrent.

Here in Bolton we have moved just a few doors to a new office at580 Blackburn Road but our telephone and fax numbers remain thesame. My caseload continues to deal with a steady stream ofproblems including immigration, benefits, CSA and local authoritymatters. I continue to receive letters fromconstituents across the entire political spectrum on a wide varietyof issues. My regular surgeries are held in Bolton Town Hallon the second Friday of each month and, when able, I meetconstituents in my Blackburn Road Constituencyoffice.

Representing Bolton North East as your Member of Parliament hasnot always been easy but it has always been worthwhile andrewarding. I very much look forward to continuing my efforts,serving the community, campaigning and working towards a fourthterm Labour Government.

David Crausby MP.