Welcome To My Website
This website is all about what I'm doing for Gloucester and gives you a chance to be kept informed through regular newsletters and to let me know your views by emailing me at richard.graham.mp@parliament.uk or visiting the contact details section.
We all know 2011 has been a difficult year, but there are lots of exciting things happening in Gloucester and I hope that my regular blog and selected latest articles below give you an idea.
On the last day of Parliament I delivered my Tailor of Gloucester Christmas card by Faith Fenner of Elmbridge Junior School to the Prime Minister via his Political Advisor at No 10 Downing Street.
It just shows that things made in Gloucester can reach the earthly stars!
My Summary of 2011
Most ironic moment:
A microsoft powerpoint presentation by Bill Gates in Parliament that crashed.. twice
Most bizarre moment:
Being introduced to Jesse Jackson by Keith Vaz. What was the Thai Airlines slogan? As smooth as silk – both of them
Most satisfying moment in Parliament:
Helping get the government to agree cash incentives for SME businesses to take on apprentices (£1,500 each)
Most satisfying moments in Gloucester:
The opening of our Station Art Exhibition at the Station: seeing my History Week make £4,000 for next year’s History Festival..and scoring a hundred for Gloucester City Winget
Best examples of physical regeneration in Gloucester:
Elim Housing’s new development on the old Musket site in Matson; and the new Roberts & Limbrick Carriage Building on Bruton Way
Best destructive moment:
The end of the old Gloscat tower. As you come over Metz Way it used to challenge the Cathedral, and ruin the view of our city from many angles. Not any more..
Best campaign in Gloucester:
The Save our City Centre campaign led by Moose! We’ll see in due course how much support we rallied to keep the city centre in Gloucester, and what support some of the nuttier alternatives had
Most frustrating moment:
The endless letters in The Citizen about the Railway Triangle. Do we have an unemployment problem that we want to solve with businesses and jobs: or do we want another 20 years of wasteland and fantasies about a new railway station?
Most interesting city centre developments:
Our new co-op at 46 Westgate: the restoration of the Barclays branch in Southgate (before they did the one in Knightsbridge) and the new Miss Silver retro shop on Commercial St
Most Painful Moment:
Cycling 105 miles from Gloucester to Parliament for charity!
Best Punchline moment:
Five Live radio saying that Northern Rock had been taken over by the Virgin Mary. Well it is Christmas..