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Thursday, 22 September 2011

Campaign : Contact a Crossbench Lord

Many thanks to DarkestAngel for writing this post 

"As you may be aware, the Welfare Reform Bill passed its second reading in the House of Lords and has now moved onto committee stage.

Last Wednesday, Lords tabled a “highly unusual” motion to send the bill to Grand Committee, which will take place in side rooms, rather than a fully accessible public room. The motion was voted through, 263 votes to 211, and the bill will now be sent to the Grand Committee.

The main difference between a Committee and a Grand Committee is that no votes take place during a Grand Committee. Therefore, amendments will not be voted on individually. There is also no public gallery and less room for all peers to attend at once.

The reasons given for taking this step were that a bill of this complexity would block up the chamber and delay other bills. Also, that too many people would want to take part in the debate and it would take up too much time.

Several Lords have stated their objections to this:

“There is a great deal of consternation that is being expressed by disabled people about this decision.
Noble Lords have received a number of e-mails. There is both a practical and a symbolic significance to this decision. Disabled people feel that their democratic right to observe the proceedings at the Committee stage is being severely curtailed by any decision to take the whole of the Committee stage off the Floor of the House. I think it is wrong . As well as this, we are now starting a week earlier than previously announced - when some Lord's may still be on holiday - this is because the recess dates were changed late in the day. I'm concerned also about my fellow peers who are wheelchair users. Apparently we may be meeting in a committee room upstairs, which is larger than the Moses Room, though still far from ideal. It had already been accepted on this side that some of the Committee stage should be taken in Grand
Committee, but there are clauses in the Bill that are highly controversial. It is not just about experts coming in; it is about people who feel that their lives or livelihoods are at stake. “

Baroness Lister

“I am very concerned that we are debating a bill that has many aspects which are yet to be finalised. This is a most unsatisfactory situation which many people have expressed concern about. Yesterday matters were made worse by the Coalition Government insisting that the bill is discussed in Grand Committee and not in the Chamber of the House of Lords. It will make scrutiny more difficult and cause real problems for members of the public who want to come and observe proceedings.”

Lord Kennedy

“I am seriously concerned about the ability of all noble Lords to participate in the proceedings on this Bill. The noble Baroness has rightly drawn attention to the shortcomings of the Moses Room. Those shortcomings are just as apparent on the Committee Corridor. Several colleagues have told me in clear terms that the rooms upstairs are not much better and that a lot of furniture will need to be moved to facilitate those who have difficulty with mobility and to enable lobby groups and those who are interested in the Bill to participate and observe proceedings.”

Lord Bassam, Opposition Chief Whip

Some also stated their approval:

“I would prefer that every bill were considered in Grand Committee. It avoids votes at an early stage of examining the bill, the atmosphere is more intimate and business-like and we can spend more time on the detail. It feels to me like a more normal less stilted way of discussing an issue. The Education Bill was on its 10th day in committee yesterday for example whereas in the Chamber it would be rushed through more quickly. There is room to spread out one’s papers on a table in front of the speaker, the Minister has his support team of bill experts immediately behind him to consult and because it is not televised there is usually precious little grand-standing and posturing. It is easier to interrupt to question without it seeming rude. A technical bill like the Welfare Reform Bill in particular is best examined outside the Chamber. Then it returns to the Chamber for the important Report Stage when the important votes are taken.”

Baroness Murphy

We have three main concerns regarding this development:

Firstly, access is poor. We are concerned that wheelchair users in
particular will be affected by this, not to mention members of the
public who wish to attend.

Secondly, we are still unsure if live streaming will be available allowing
campaigners like us and the general public to follow debates and
scrutinise them properly and democratically.

Thirdly, amendments will not be voted upon in Grand Committee, all amendments must be agreed upon unanimously. Just one objection can prevent any attempt to fix the faults of this bill.

We would like to urge you all to contact crossbenchers in the House of Lords (details below) to express your own concerns over this development. We suggest asking for live streaming so that we can at least see events as they happen, not 3 hours later and, of course, raising your objections to the bill so that the Lords understand how it will, as it currently stands, affect so many of us.

We made a difference last time. We can make a difference this time.

Lord Aberdare
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_aberdare

Lord Adebowale
House of Lords,
London,
SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8704
adebowalev@parliament.uk

Baroness Afshar
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
afsharh@parliament.uk

Viscount Allenby of Megiddo
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3497
Fax: 020 7219 0670, 020 7219 5179
michael.allenby@btopenworld.com

Lord Alton of Liverpool
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3551
Fax: 020 7219 3551
altond@parliament.uk

Lord Armstrong of Ilminster
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 4983
Fax: 020 7219 1259
armstrongr@parliament.uk

The Earl of Bewdley
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/earl_baldwin_of_bewdley

Lord Best
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6799
best@parliament.uk

Lord Bew
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
p.bew@qub.a.uk

Lord Bichard
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
m.bichard@btinternet.com

Lord Bilimoria
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6040
Fax: 020 7219 5979
bilimoria@parliament.uk

Lord Birt
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8705
birtj@parliament.uk

Lord Blair of Broughton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_blair_of_boughton

Betty Boothroyd
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8673
boothroyd@parliament.uk

Lord Boyce
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8714
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_boyce

Lord Bramall
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6621
bramallen@parliament.uk

Lord Briggs
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_briggs

Lord Broers
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
anb1000@cam.ac.uk

Viscount Brookeborough
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 1668
brookboroughA@parliament.uk

Lord Browne of Madingley
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_browne_of_madingley

Lord Browne-Wilkinson
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 1639
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_browne-wilkinson

Lord Burns
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 0312
burnst@parliament.uk

Lord Butler of Brockwell
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
butlerf@parliament.uk

Baroness Butler-Sloss
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 4044
butlerslosse@parliament.uk

Lord Cameron of Dillington
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 2530
camerone@parliament.uk

Lord Cameron of Lochbroom
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_cameron_of_lochbroom

Baroness Campbell of Loughborough
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/baroness_campbell_of_loughborough

Baroness Campbell of Surbiton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5124
campbelljs@parliament.uk

Lord Carey of Clifton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
admin@glcarey.co.uk

Lord Carswell
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
carswellr@parliament.uk

Lord Chitnis
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_chitnis

Lord Chorley
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_chorley

Earl of Clancarty
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8929
clancartyn@parliament.uk

Lord Cobbold
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6887
david@parkgatehouse.net

Lord Condon
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3617
condonp@parliament.uk

Baroness Coussins
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
coussinsj@parliament.uk

Baroness Cox
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
ccox@ertnet.demon.co.uk

Lord Craig of Radley
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 2200
craigd@parliament.uk

Viscount Craigavon
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3881
craigavonJ@parliament.uk

Lord Crisp
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3873
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_crisp

Lord Cullen of Whitekirk
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_cullen_of_whitekirk

Lord Currie of Marylebone
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_currie_of_marylebone

Lord Dannatt
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
dannattr@parliament.uk

Lord Dear
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3576
deargj@parliament.uk

Baroness Deech
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3562
deechr@parliament.uk

Lord Eames
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
earmesR@parliament.uk

Lord Elis-Thomas
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8701
elisthomasd@parliament.uk

Lord Elystan-Morgan
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_elystan-morgan

Baroness Emerton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5035
audrey.emerton@sja.org.uk

Earl of Erroll
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3885
errollm@parliament.uk

Viscount of Falkland
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3230
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/viscount_falkland

Lord Fellowes
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8754
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_fellowes

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6693
Fax: 020 7219 1991
finlayi@parliament.uk

Baroness Flather
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
Fax: 020 7219 5979
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/baroness_flather

Lord Freyberg
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5101
freybergv@parliament.uk

Baroness Fritchie
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
fritchiei@parliament.uk

Baroness Greenfield
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6451
greenfieldsu@parliament.uk

Baroness Greengross
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5494
Fax: 020 7219 5979
greengrosss@parliament.uk

Lord Greenway
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 4943
greenwaya@parliament.uk

Baroness Grey-Thompson
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3143
greythompsont@parliament.uk

Lord Griffiths
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
griffithsLJ@parliament.uk

Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
guthrie@rothschild.co.uk

Lord Hall of Birkenhead
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
halla@parliament.uk

Lord Hameed
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7935 5012
Fax: 020 7431 4867
hameed@parliament.uk

Lord Hannay of Chiswick
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 1358
richardson@una.org.uk

Lord Harries of Pentregarth
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 2910
harriesr@parliament.uk

Lord Haskins
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_haskins

Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3781
hastingsm@parliament.uk

Baroness Hayman
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
haymanh@parliament.uk

Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5790
hennessyp@parliament.uk

Lord Hoffmann
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6067
hoffmannl@parliament.uk

Baroness Hogg
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5417
hoggs@parliament.uk

Baroness Hollins
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/baroness_hollins

Lord Hope of Thornes
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
HopeJAD@parliament.uk

Baroness Howarth of Breckland
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8744
howarthv@parliament.uk

Baroness Howe of Idlicote
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6581
Fax: 020 7219 1991
howee@parliament.uk

Lord Hutton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 1639
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_hutton

Lord Hylton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3883
Fax: 020 7219 5979
hyltonr@parliament.uk

Lord Imbert
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_imbert

Lord Inge
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8706
ingep@parliament.uk

Lord Janvrin
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6989
janvrinr@parliament.uk

Lord Jay of Ewelme
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3941
jaymh@parliament.uk

Lord Jones of Birmingham
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3232
mpst.jones@berr.gsi.gov.uk

Lord Kakkar
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
kakkara@parliament.uk

Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_kerr_of_kinlochard

Lord Kilclooney
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6443
Fax: 020 7931 7211
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_kilclooney

Lord Knights
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_knights

Lord Krebs
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_krebs

Lord Laming
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 1414
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_laming

Lord Levene of Portsoken
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_levene_of_portsoken

Lord Lewis of Newnham
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5093
lewisJ@parliament.uk

Earl of Listowel
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 2247
listowelf@parliament.uk

Lord Lloyd of Berwick
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3169
lloydAJ@parliament.uk

Lord Low of Dalston
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 4119
lowc@parliament.uk

Lord Luce
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6147
luceR@parliament.uk

Earl of Lytton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/earl_of_lytton

Lord McCluskey
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
emily@johnsmithtrust.org

Baroness McFarlane of Llandaff
McfarlaneJ@parliament.uk

Baroness Maningham-Buller
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/baroness_manningham-buller

Countess of Mar
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8627
Fax: 020 7219 1991
marm@parliament.uk

Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_marshall_of_knightsbridge

Lord Martin of Springburn
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
martinm@parliament.uk

Baroness Masham of Ilton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6302
Fax: 020 7219 5979
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/baroness_masham_of_ilton

Lord Mawson
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6949
mawsona@parliament.uk

Lord May of Oxford
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6958
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_may_of_oxford

Baroness Meacher
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 4081
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/baroness_meacher

Lord Millett
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6380
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_millett

Lord Mogg
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_mogg

Lord Molyneaux of Killead
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Fax: 020 7219 2347
mckeem@parliament.uk

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/viscount_montgomery_of_alamein

Lord Moran
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
Fax: 020 7219 5979
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_moran

Baroness Morgan of Drefelin
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8727
morgand@parliament.uk

Lord Moser
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3283
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_moser

Baroness Murphy
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 2277
murphyel@parliament.uk

Lord Mustill
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_mustill

Lord Neill of Bladen
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_neill_of_bladen

Baroness Neuberger
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 2716
neubergerj@parliament.uk

Lord Nicholls of Birkenhead
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
nichollsd@parliament.uk

Lord Nickson
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_nickson

Duke of Norfolk
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3175
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/duke_of_norfolk

Lord Northbourne
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3884
Fax: 020 7219 5933
northbournec@parliament.uk

Baroness O’Loan
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8724
oloann@parliament.uk

Baroness O’Neill of Bengarve
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 4120
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/baroness_o%27neill_of_bengarve

Lord Ouseley
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8725
ouseleyh@parliament.uk

Lord Owen
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_owen

Lord Oxburgh
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 4341
Fax: 020 7219 5979
oxburghe@parliament.uk

Lord Palmer
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6452
Fax: 020 7219 0785, 020 7219 5979
palmerad@parliament.uk

Lord Pannick
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_pannick

Lord Patel
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8702
naren.patel@nhs.net

Lord Patten of Barnes
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8736
pattenc@parliament.uk

Earl Peel
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/earl_peel

Lord Powell of Bayswater
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5451
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_powell_of_bayswater

Baroness Prashar
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6792
prasharu@parliament.uk

Lord Quirk
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 2226
Fax: 020 7219 5979
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_quirk

Lord Ramsbotham
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8752
ramsbothamd@parliament.uk

Lord Rana
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3295
dsrana@andrashouse.co.uk

Lord Rees of Ludlow
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_rees_of_ludlow

Lord Rees-Mogg
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
amtraco@btconnect.com

Lord Renwick of Clifton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_renwick_of_clifton

Baroness Richardson of Calow
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 0314
richardsonk@parliament.uk

Lord Rix
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 0315
Fax: 020 7219 5979
leigh.banks@mencap.org.uk

Earl of Rosslyn
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
rosslynn@parliament.uk

Lord Rowe-Beddoe
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6255
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_rowe-beddoe

Lord Sacks
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
info@chiefrabbi.org

Lord St John of Blesto
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3886
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_st_john_of_bletso

Lady Saltoun of Abernethy
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 0313
saltounf@parliament.uk

Earl of Sandwich
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3882
sandwichj@parliament.uk

Lord Saville of Newdigate
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_saville_of_newdigate

Lord Scott of Foscote
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 6373
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_scott_of_foscote

Lord Skidelsky
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8721
skidelskyr@parliament.uk

Viscount Slim
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 2122
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/viscount_slim

Lord Smith of Kelvin
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_smith_of_kelvin

Earl of Snowdon
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/earl_of_snowdon

Earl of Stair
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
dalrymplej@parliament.uk

Baroness Stern
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
sternvh@parliament.uk

Lord Stern of Brentford
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 1300
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_stern_of_brentford

Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5488
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_stevens_of_kirkwhelpington

Lord Stevenson of Coddenham
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_stevenson_of_coddenham

Lord Steyn
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_steyn

Lord Stirrup
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5979
stirrupg@parliament.uk

Lord Sutherland of Houndwood
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 1618, 07753 489643
sutherlands@parliament.uk

Lord Tanlaw
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 4613
tanlaws@parliament.uk

Lord Templeman
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_templeman

Viscount Tenby
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5403
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/viscount_tenby

Lord Thomas of Swynnerton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_thomas_of_swynnerton

Lord Tombs
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
tombsf@parliament.uk

Lord Turnbull
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_turnbull

Lord Turner of Ecchinswell
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_turner_of_ecchinswell

Baroness Valentine
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/baroness_valentine

Lord Vincent of  Coleshill
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
Fax: 01962 734921
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_vincent_of_coleshill

Lord Walker of Aldringham
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
walkermjd@parliament.uk

Lord Walpole
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3173
walpolerh@parliament.uk

Lord Walton of Detchant
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3102
Fax: 020 7219 5979
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_walton_of_detchant

Baroness Warnock
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 8619
warnockh@parliament.uk

Viscount Waverley
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3174
waverleyJD@parliament.uk

Lord Weidenfeld
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_weidenfeld

Lord Williamson of  Horton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3583
williamsond@parliament.uk

Lord Wilson of Dinton
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_wilson_of_dinton

Lord Wilson of Tilyorn
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3161
wilsondc@parliament.uk

Lord Woolf
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 3156
Fax: 020 7219 0785
stevensonmm@parliament.uk

Lord Wright of Richmond
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5353
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/peer/lord_wright_of_richmond

Baroness Young of Hornsey
House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW
Tel: 020 7219 5991
younglo@parliament.uk


Wednesday, 21 September 2011

'never fall ill, never grow old, never become disabled', for if you do, not even Labour will speak up for you.'

To all our members and supporters;

The Labour party conference starts in Liverpool on Saturday. As we all know, Labour were the architects of Employment Support Allowance and the ‘not fit for purpose’ Work Capability Assessment which is so stressful and traumatic it was linked to the suicide of claimants whilst Labour were still in power. The Labour party are the official party of opposition, but they are not opposing the Welfare Reform Bill as they should be and seem to have forgotten that the 10 million sick and or disabled people plus carers, friends and family in the UK have the power to vote. It is time for us to remind Labour that they will not get any of our votes if they do not start to oppose the parts of the Welfare Reform Bill set to return sick people, disabled people and carers to a life of desperation, dependency, despair and charity.

We are asking you to help with a mass email to the Labour party to remind them of our voting power. Please include the following details in your email and send it to Ed Miliband, Margaret Curran (shadow minister for disability) and Liam Byrne (shadow minister for DWP). If you have time please also email it to any Labour MP and particularly any members of the shadow cabinet. We have provided a list of email contacts below.

Please aim to send your email at 11am tomorrow (Thursday the 22nd September) If you can’t send the email at 11am, don’t worry, just please try to send it at any time between then and the end of Labour party conference on Wednesday 29th September.

The email subject  should read “Your Silence Is Deafening”

We suggest embedding a link to this youtube video “The Sound of Silence” To embed the video into your email just copy and paste the link below.



Then please copy the following text into your email;

Dear (insert name here)

'The 10 million disabled people in this country plus their carers, relatives and friends are watching what your party do in relation to disability issues and wondering why you seem disinterested in trying to get their votes by opposing the savage attacks against disabled people being made by the Coalition government. During conference season we wish to remind you, the architects of Employment and Support Allowance to 'never fall ill, never grow old, never become disabled', for if you do, as we have found, not even Labour will speak up for you.'

If you would like to add a short, personal message explaining to Labour how you feel about their lack of support for sick, disabled people and carers then please include it after the suggested text. You might also like to include a photo of yourself, or perhaps a photo of what disability, sickness or caring means to you. Don’t worry if you don’t want to personalise the email, sending the suggested text is fine.



Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 4778
ed.miliband.mp@parliament.uk
Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions
Liam Byrne
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 6953
Fax: 020 7219 1431
byrnel@parliament.uk

House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 8102
Fax: 020 7219 6656
margaret.curran.mp@parliament.uk
Shadow Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities
Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP
Shadow Chief Secretary
Angela Eagle
Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills
John Denham
Cabinet Office and Minister for the Olympics
Tessa Jowell
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Caroline Flint
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 4407
Fax: 020 7219 1277
caroline.flint.mp@parliament.uk
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport
Ivan Lewis
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 2609
lewisi@parliament.uk
Shadow Leader of the House of Commons 
Hilary Benn
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 5770
hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk
Shadow Secretary of State for Defence
Jim Murphy
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 4615
Fax: 020 7219 5657
jimmurphymp@parliament.uk

Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Mary Creagh
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 6984/020 7219 8766
Fax: 020 7219 4257
creaghm@parliament.uk

Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Election Coordinator
Andy Burnham
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 8250
andy.burnham.mp@parliament.uk

Shadow Lord Chancellor, Secretary of State for Justice
Sadiq Khan
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 6967
Fax: 020 7219 6477
sadiqkhanmp@parliament.uk

Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
Meg Hillier
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 5325
Fax: 020 7219 8768
meghilliermp@parliament.uk


Shadow Secretary of State for Health
John Healey

House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 6359
Fax: 020 7219 2451
healeyj@parliament.uk

Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Shaun Woodward

House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 2680
woodwardsh@parliament.uk

Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland
Ann McKechin
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 8239
Fax: 020 7219 1770
ann.mckechin.mp@parliament.uk
Constituency

Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Maria Eagle
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 4019
Fax: 020 7219 1157
eaglem@parliament.uk

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
Peter Hain
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
Tel: 020 7219 3925
Fax: 020 7219 3816
hainp@parliament.uk


Steven Timms MP