News Release

6th May 2005

GENERAL ELECTION

"I am honoured, delighted, and elated to be re-elected to represent the Lichfield Parliamentary constituency with a majority increased by almost 50%. The election campaign seems to have been going on for months, not weeks, and now it is finally all over I want to remind all my constituents that I am there to represent all of them - regardless of how they might have voted. As far as I am concerned in Staffordshire, my blue rosette goes back in its drawer until the next general election.

"Although the general election nationally did not see the win I wished for, democracy will be helped by Labour having a smaller majority in Parliament. After 8 long years, the spotlight will move away from the non-elected special advisers and spin doctors in Whitehall and back onto Parliament where debates and rebellions by back-benchers will mean something again. And this has to be good for the future of our nation as we face growing economic instability in the next few years. Meanwhile, in the House of Commons, I will continue to raise matters of concern to people living in Lichfield, Burntwood, Armitage and the rest of our constituency ."