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1. Team GB’s success at the Beijing Olympics can, in part, be said to have been made in Manchester. For example, all the cycling medal winners trained at Manchester’s velodrome, the National Cycling Centre.
2. Even though I support the blue side of Manchester’s football heritage, I don’t really mind that wherever I go in the world it’s not Manchester City that starts the conversation. ‘Ah, yes, Manchester United,’ is the response when I say where I come from. It’s commonplace everywhere — in Europe, Africa, Asia and even the U.S.
3. In the current climate motorists have a long list of issues from which to choose to raise on the doorstep. Policies aimed at reducing emissions — like the changes to Vehicle Excise Duty or here in Manchester the proposals for congestion charges — are not without controversy.
4. Today the demands are for even higher standards in the quality of care, for greater flexibility and convenience in treatment times, and for more prevention through screening and health checks.
5. The impact of the downturn is starting to feel very real. House prices and the housing market have been taking the knock for some time and that’s affecting people.
6. As the prospect of a Tory government gets nearer, many traditional Labour voters — some who switched away in recent times and many who stayed at home — seem more determined to prevent that happening.
7. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds pay taxes and can join the army, so surely they should in turn be given their right to vote.
8. People in south Manchester overwhelming want to be able to recycle more than they currently can — especially cardboard and plastics — and want more frequent and accessible collections, particularly for those living in flats.
9. The Tories seem unable to make any impact north of the border.
10. As the economy faces such difficulties, more tough questions need to be asked about what the Tories would do if elected. Their ideology of free markets and small government needs challenging. That has to be part of our job.
11. The era of industrial Britain, where a large section of our workforce provided cheap labour in factories and processing goods, is over.
12. Like many of my friends and colleagues, I can’t get enough of Obama news; latest polling, speeches, visits, reaction of world leaders.
13. Although my seat is a contest between Labour and the Lib Dems, it could well make the difference between a Labour and a Tory government at the next election. In terms of international development, this choice is a very clear one.
14. It’s not a matter of if economies around the world becoming low-carbon, but when and how: through struggle and strife or through advancement and progressive leadership. Larry Elliot described it today as the ‘Green New Deal.’ It’s a leadership we in Britain can provide, and from which our economy can benefit.
15. I wish that Iraq had not happened — and that we had not lost touch with so many of our natural supporters. But this should have provided an opportunity for the Liberal Democrats as a party. Yet their protest gains are now diminishing.
16. Over the last 15 years or so, Manchester has undergone huge transformation — from a city in decline and on its knees to one that is growing, vibrant and confident.
17. Funding for sports (and the arts) are often the first things facing the chop in difficult times.
18. In these difficult times, when tough decisions are required, the differences between Labour and the Tories are becoming much clearer. One party believes in intervention to reduce social and economic costs and the other believes in market forces and letting things take their course.
19. I will take a short time out from being in Parliament when the baby is born but I’ll still be doing my constituency work — just with another baby in tow.
20. It’s become unfashionable to celebrate political achievement, and Labour achievement even less so. And it’s positively uncouth to be proud of something that this Labour government is doing. So, slam me for saying so, but I’m really proud of the NHS.