Throughout his time as an MP Martin has campaigned
for a better deal for pensioners – an increase in the basic state
pension and a fairer system of concessionary TV licences. He has sponsored
a 10 minute rule Bill to promote cheaper TV licences for pensioners
As a former Council playworker, stricter regulation
for those working in child care remains a priority for Martin
He has contributed to debates on a variety of matters
including: legal aid funding in Reading, Northern Ireland, right to
roam, modernisation of the House of Commons, community health care in
Berkshire, the economy, home affairs, hunting, air traffic control,
transport, bank closures and National Health Service complaints procedures
He has tabled a number of parliamentary questions
on a whole host of issues including: local government, crime and disorder,
education and employment, Northern Ireland, AWE Aldermaston, police
funding, toy safety, GM Foods, prisons, the health service, aerospace
industries, equal opportunities, civil service performance, mobile homes,
human rights and the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry
He has signed a number of Early Day Motions (EDMs)
in response to concerns raised by constituents (the full Early
Day Motions List is on the Parliament
web site).
Martin is also committed to opening up Parliament
to his constituents in Reading West by organising regular group tours
of the Houses of Parliament. Several hundred people have taken part
in these tours and the opportunity to quiz Martin about his work and
Parliament.
Martin believes strongly in retaining the link between
MPs and their constituents and will only support those forms of electoral
reform that keep the all important link between MPs and their constituents.
He produces a "Parliamentary News" report which is
delivered free through every door in the town, writes a regular column
in the Reading Chronicle, and helps produce "Reading Banner" which is
available on-line on the Reading
Labour Party web site - click on "News and Campaigns". He also occasionally
writes articles for the national and specialist media.
Martin has no outside business interests, believing
that representing 70,000 people is a full-time job.
Martin has always been comitted to keeping in touch
with the people he represents all the year round and welcomes feedback
on his work in the Constituency or the actions and policies of our new
Labour Government.
