Barry Sheerman

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Barry Sheerman
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    • Charity auction for Bill Owen/Compo’s hat

      Posted at 12:45 pm by barrysheerman, on Dec 18, 2020

      I used to know the Last of the Summer Wine crew very well years ago and I can recall introducing them to former prime minister Harold Wilson when he opened the Huddersfield Hotel owned by the Marsden brothers.

      Bill Owen, who played Compo in the long-running show, was a generous supporter of our party, and opened our former offices in Huddersfield town centre. He also kindly donated a hat for auction, along with a note of authenticity.

      A family friend bought it for my daughter who was a big fan at the time. A recent attic reorganisation has seen the hat resurface and now I am happily putting it up for auction with all proceeds to support the Platform 1 charity in Hudddersfield.

      Platform 1 are an incredibly valued charity specialising in mental health and have helped so many in our town. You can find out more about their work, and support them directly via: platform-1.co.uk/about-us

      How to bid

      If you’re interested in owning the hat and accompanying authenticating note from Bill, you may wish to participate in the silent auction. You can send an email to barry.sheerman.mp@parliament.uk titled ‘Bid’, with an amount along with your name and address. Whichever person has made the highest bid by 12 noon on 30th January 2021 will win.

      Remember silent auctions mean you don’t know how much other people have bid – so it’s wise to bid high, especially as all money will go to Platform 1

      Alternatively, just fill out the below! Ensure your email is correct, as if we cannot contact you the bid won’t count

      Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments
    • Green National Service

      Posted at 2:28 pm by barrysheerman, on Jul 15, 2020

      Hopefully we are slowly coming through this terrible outbreak of a virus that has tragically cost so many lives and put our society, our country, and every country at a standstill. Many experts and pundits now predict that we will soon plunge into the worst economic depression for 100 years. This is as well as combatting the growing threat of climate change. For my part I am an optimist and I don’t believe that the people of our nation are willing to let this happen without a fight.

      My experience in public life, particularly the world of education, skills and training of young people, suggests that younger people may well be forced to bear the brunt of the coming storm, with fewer opportunities and jobs on offer. 

      For some time now, I have been speaking up in Parliament and across Huddersfield for a ‘Green National Service’ which would be made available to young people across the country after they complete their formal education, be that at age 16, 18, or 21. I have been inspired by the approach of other countries; Germany offers young people a voluntary environmental year which involves working on an environmental project alongside seminars about green issues, whilst the U.S. has the peace corps. 

      In our country, I envision a year-long scheme which pairs young people with projects that range from cultivating rewilding sites to working with major corporations to improve their carbon footprint. There will be something for every interest, skill level and career aspiration, with every participant receiving a wage or stipend to cover their costs. Tailored training on key skills, competences and environmental sector knowledge will be provided, equipping young people for their future careers.

      Why a specifically green national service? Because young people care passionately about the environment. Both the climate strikes in Huddersfield and meeting Greta Thunberg in Parliament have brought this home to me in a very vivid way. In constructing a scheme to improve our young people’s futures, it makes sense to address of one the biggest threats to that future: the climate crisis. Young people are determined to protect the environment and if we as politicians can provide them with an outlet to do that in a systematic way, the result could be revolutionary. 

      Of course, such a scheme would need funding. I think a windfall profit tax is the way to do this, targeting companies with a high turnover who – through no plotting or planning of their own – have done especially well during this crisis. When I first came into Parliament as a young MP, everyone was surprised by the amount that Margaret Thatcher’s windfall profit tax on banks made. This could be a simple method to address the unfairness in our taxation system and the diversion of resources away from young people in recent years, giving back to them what they are due.  

      The climate crisis requires industries to mobilise and modernise. From manufacturing, to energy and utilities, transportation to farming and conservation, sectors and professions across the UK are in dire need of climate change specialisms. A ‘Green National Service’ would bridge the gap between the opportunities that young people need and the needs of Britain’s businesses. 

      Covid-19 has totally altered so many elements of our society. Life after Covid cannot afford to be a return to the former ways of doing things – for the sake of our young people, our environment and our economy. Politicians must go beyond providing assurances for a better future after this outbreak and begin to develop and implement concrete proposal. I believe young people and defining their role in combatting the climate crisis should be at the top of the list of priorities.

      Posted in Uncategorised | 0 Comments
    • Community after Covid

      Posted at 7:41 pm by barrysheerman, on Jul 5, 2020

      After this long disruption of our lives we look forward to seeing our families and friends and we relish the opening up of pubs and restaurants. We also welcome the ability to return to all our places of worship. Perhaps now is a good time to think about some of the ways our lives have changed during the seemingly endless weeks of isolation.

      The past weeks of lockdown have been stressful for the many people confined to their homes, unable to go to work and barred from mixing with their loved ones. Then there was the added burden of the inability to involve themselves in sports or other leisure activities.

      Has there been any positive side to these dramatic changes in our normal everyday routines? We have certainly been given time to think about the very personal aspects of our lives, our relationships, our beliefs and the balance between our work and leisure time. I have spoken to a number of people who have decided to change their jobs and retrain for a new career. Other friends have become much more interested in their faith or discovering some deeper sense of meaning in their lives through exploring new paths to a greater feeling of well being.

      The trauma we have witnessed has shown humankind to be no longer totally in charge of its destiny. We find ourselves unable to be in total control of the world around us. We are accustomed to being able to automatically deploy the relevant science, technology or medical resources to sort our problems. Not being in charge of our own lives or destiny at this time can be dispiriting & depressing but I have seen a lot of evidence of local people responding to these challenges by taking charge in their local communities at grass roots level.

      Up and down the country we have seen new neighbourhood groups, revitalised local charities in villages and in the heart of our towns and people deciding to pitch in to work together to make a difference. They might be using traditional ways of doing this, but many are using social media and what’s app groups to keep in touch, organise and get things done. From helping shielded neighbours with their shopping to assisting parents with child care problems, or organising online quizzes there has been a remarkable flourishing of buzzing little local groups. Many near neighbours who had hardly exchanged words in the past have become friends working together.

      All this activity is heart warming and really exciting; but how do we keep this new spirit alive as we start to get back to our old lives? The new normal could be an exciting opportunity to strengthen & grow what we created during the crisis. For many of us the Thursday night clap, saucepan bashing moments at eight a clock when we thanked the NHS teams and all those working to save us & our country were very special moments! It is that kind of spirit of communities coming together that I hope we can carry forward in the future!

      Posted in Columns | 0 Comments | Tagged covid19
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