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25 November 2011

Simon Hughes
MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark

Sadly this week I must start my column with tributes – to three good friends who have died in the last month.

Flo Weller (Pearson) was one of the people who most personified Bermondsey. Present in the Blue in all weathers, earning her living by looking after the community and selling flowers and plants which made people happy, Flo was a friend to so many. We will miss her every week. Flo Cornish was another no-nonsense Bermondsey character who saw her role as working for her estate (the Dickens) and the wider community for years and years.

It is often volunteers, not the paid workers, who are the glue who hold our communities together. I send my condolences and warm appreciation to both their families. And then Andy Harrison, who worked with me when I was still a new MP, and who died tragically in his early forties. He was one of the brightest and best of Liberals – and his wisdom and humour will be missed by many.

The big political announcement this week was about new initiatives to build more homes, help with mortgages, and provide more money for affordable rented housing. The really important point is that the government have now agreed that jobs and housing must be at the top of the political agenda.

We are determined not just to tackle dreadfully long waiting lists left after the last Labour government, but also to give maximum opportunity for work and apprenticeships in construction and other industries. Anybody who wants full details, please either look at my website or send me a note or email. I am clear: we still need more council and other affordable rented housing across all of Southwark.

With Liberal Democrat councillors I will go on challenging local Labour policy which seems to want to put more and more money for rented housing away from the north of the borough.

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