'This has been a busy week in politics'

This has been a busy week in politics, as the Prime Minister reshuffled his Cabinet, and new faces took up exciting new posts. I am sure that Tony Blair now has in place the right people to continue the good work of this Labour Government, and to build on our achievements since 1997.

The key to success in politics, and in all areas of life, is good communication. Good communication helps us to form strong relationships strong relationships with friends and neighbours, and to form effective partnerships in our communities and in business.

Good communication is even more vital between an MP and the constituents he
represents. It is essential that an MP knows about the concerns of the people in his constituency, that he is aware of the problems they face and the worries they have, be these day to day concerns affecting the local area, or wider national or even international concerns.

I am proud to have a home in South Shields, and feel like my colleague Alan Milburn that spending time in the constituency is vital - you will often see me out and about in South Shields, seeing the excellent work being done by our council, doctors and nurses, local businesses, voluntary and community sectors, and a host of other fantastic individuals and groups.

My priority has always been to be available to the people of South Shields, through my monthly 'surgeries' at Ede House, the constituency office, and through regular 'David Calling' sessions.

In recent weeks I have heard through my constituency office that many residents of South Shields are concerned about the proposed Post Office closures - I have responded by launching a campaign to get the Post Office to look again at its plans for South Shields. Many of you have written to me at the constituency office to express your support for this campaign.

Last week I launched my Annual Report, which has been delivered to all of the 40,000 households in South Shields. The Annual report is just one way of letting the residents of South Shields know what I have been doing, and how to contact me.

Another, even more important way to keep in touch with the people of South Shields is through my regular Public Meetings, one of which I held on Saturday, at the South Shields Library Lecture Theatre.

I believe people care passionately about their community, about South Shields, and South Tyneside as a whole. That is why I was so pleased to see so many people at my Annual Meeting on Saturday, where I answered questions about the future of South Shields, and addressed your concerns and issues that affect both South Shields and the country as a whole.

Your views matter because while we all know that we should be demanding some things from Government, other things depend on us. Change in South Shields will never happen if we just rely on Tony Blair to do it for us. This is why it is important that we all come together to share our ideas for the future, to let everyone know, be it at South Shields Town Hall or in Westminster, that we all care about what happens in South Shields, and that we have our own ideas and plans for the development of the Town.