Phil Willis MP - Member of Parliament for Harrogate and Knaresborough

It's Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning today and Phil Willis MP (LibDem, Harrogate & Knaresborough) will be popping in to a number of events in the constituency.

"This is such a good cause and I am delighted to be able to support local fund-raising efforts." said Phil Willis.

"Many of my constituents have been grateful for the work of the Macmillan nurses and this is a fantastic way for the community to say thank you and raise much needed funds at the same time."

With the number of new swine flu cases tripling from around 3000 per week at the beginning
of the month to near 9000 new cases last week it is interesting to see that 77% of those people who visit my site think that the government are handling swine flu well.

“This is welcome news” commented Phil Willis MP (LibDem, Harrogate & Knaresborough) on the announcement that the new vetting system for people working with children would be reviewed.

“Whilst we must do all we can to ensure the safety of children this scheme had been so heavily criticised by so many people and organisations it was clear that some review was necessary” he added.

“Congratulations on 70 years of helping the community” commented Phil Willis MP (LibDem, Harrogate & Knaresborough) marking Harrogate Citizens Advice Bureau’s 70th Anniversary.

“There are very many people in this district who have cause to be grateful to the work of the CAB. I know that during the years that I have been MP staff at the CAB have been invaluable in providing advice and help to my constituents.

“The expertise of not only the paid members of staff but also the team of volunteers is second to none be it benefits, debt advice, housing or a wide range of subjects.

“I am delighted that this new Convention is being held in Harrogate” commented Phil Willis on the news that a major new international convention on enterprise promotion will be staged in the Harrogate International Centre on 15-17 November 2009.

The International Convention on Enterprise Promotion will showcase best practice and innovation in the creation and support of small businesses world-wide. It is being organised on a low-cost not-for-profit basis so that as many SME specialists and support organisations as possible can attend from both the UK and overseas.

Liberal Democrat Janet Law stormed home to a sensational victory in the Starbeck Ward by-election for Harrogate District last night.

Janet polled over 3 times as many votes as the second placed Conservative candidate winning nearly two thirds of the votes in this hotly contested four way fight.

The by-election had been caused by the death of popular local councillor Granville Ward but Janet Law, who had been a leading member of the campaign to save Starbeck Baths, struck a chord with the local electorate.