West Midlands Liberal Democrats

This week Solihull MP signed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, in doing so pledging her commitment to Holocaust Memorial Day and honouring those who died during the Holocaust.

Friday January 27th will mark the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Nazi concentration and extermination camp which is the site of the largest mass murder in history - and in the weeks running up to the day, the Holocaust Educational Trust placed a Book of Commitment in the House of Commons, giving MPs the chance to honour those who were persecuted and killed during their Holocaust and encouraging constituents to actively speak out against prejudice and bigotry today.

Concerned parents who completed Cllr Ann Holtom's road safety survey have also called for school crossing wardens to be provided outside Castle Vale's schools to give additional protection for their children. Currently there are 390 wardens across Birmingham who assist and provide protection to children when crossing the road at the start and end of the school day. Ann's survey highlighted the fact that there are NO crossing wardens on Castle Vale.

Lib Dem Euro MP Liz Lynne hosted a top level seminar with cancer experts on best practice in controlling the disease in older people at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday (Jan 24th).

Among topics on the agenda were the latest reports on a Dutch initiative for comprehensive geriatric assessment for older people diagnosed with cancer and moves to promote healthier, active ageing.

Solihull MP Lorely Burt has welcomed news that Post Offices in Solihull have been saved by Liberal Democrat Business Minister, Ed Davey.

After ending Labour's shameful Post Office closure programme, which saw more than 7100 Post Offices disappear in their 13 years in office, Ed Davey has announce a ten-year deal between the Post Office and the Royal Mail has been reached.

Solihull MP Lorely Burt has attended a parliamentary reception in the House of Commons, organised by Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity, for the launch of their new report, Preventing Babies' Deaths: what needs to be done.

6,500 babies are stillborn or die shortly after birth every year in the UK. The charity's report proposes that 1,200 babies' lives could be saved every year through a combination of more research, better care and greater awareness of the risks of stillbirth and newborn baby death.

Cllr Ann Holtom has responded to the recent announcements made by Labour leader Ed Miliband and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls in which they have reversed Labour's stance on the economy. In a statement, Cllr Holtom said: "Gordon Brown and the last Labour government left Britain's finances in ruins. But that hasn't stopped Labour from opposing every measure needed to clean up their mess. They have fought election after election, including last year's Council election in Tyburn, by telling voters there's an easy way out, their so-called Plan B. Now Miliband and Balls have admitted they accept the cuts and won't reverse them. They have even called for public sector workers to take pay cuts. Labour MPs and union leaders don't know what to think. Everyone has been conned by Labour."

Solihull MP Lorely Burt has slammed Tory Council plans to scrap free parking in Shirley town centre.

Mrs Burt raised the issue this week in the House of Commons during a debate on local high streets, highlighting that charging for the car parks would put more pressure on shops already struggling to make ends meet.

Following a recent fatal accident, a petition for a pedestrian crossing on Farnborough Road, Erdington was raised by concerned local residents. As previously reported on this site, Cllr Ann Holtom asked the Birmingham City Council Cabinet member with responsibility for traffic to intervene in the aftermath of this tragedy. The residents' petition was signed by Ann Holtom as well as by hundreds of local people and has resulted in Birmingham Council deciding to install a zebra crossing.

Lorely Burt had rejected the idea that a new 'Thames Estuary Airport' is the best way to improve Britain's airline capacity, saying that the development of regional airports such as Birmingham is a better course to take.

Media reports in the last few days have reported a formal consultation on the proposed new airport, dubbed 'Boris Island' because of the support from London Mayor Boris Johnson, is due to be announced but Mrs Burt is unconvinced.