Makerfield MP has the fighting spirit
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Courier
THE WIGAN COURIER - WIGAN’S ONLY FREE NEWSPAPER THAT COVERS LOCAL SPORT
Well Makerfield MP, Yvonne Fovargue did exactly that almost three years ago. In May 2010, Yvonne was elected MP for Makerfield following her predecessor, Sir Ian McCartney, who stepped down as MP after 23 years in Parliament. Local to the Borough, Yvonne was Chief Executive at St. Helen’s Citizens Advice Bureau for more than 20 years, and although she is now an MP it is a subject still close to her heart.
Success
By Hannah Smith
STEPPING into a new job can be hard, especially if the previous employee had held their professional position for more than 20 years, was highly-regarded amongst colleagues and the community, and was awarded a knighthood for his services.
Standing up for consumer rights and credit consumers, Yvonne campaigned against the Government to amend the Financial Services Bill, in a bid to see a cap on the cost of payday loans. Rogue lenders encourage people who cannot obtain credit to take out loans with high charges which they cannot afford to replay. Yvonne’s campaign succeeded, giving the Financial Conduct Authority greater powers to protect customers from high interest rates. At a local level, Yvonne’s campaigned with residents of Hawkley Hall and Winstanley against the release of the Green Belt land for housing. In July 2012, Government-appointed Planning Inspector, Kevin Ward, suspended his examination of the Wigan Core Strategy after he concluded that insufficient land had been identified for the Borough’s housing needs to 2026. Although the case is ongoing, Yvonne met with Mr Ward again. Having considered the written evidence and taking account of discussions at the hearing sessions the inspector concluded that there was a significant issue with the potential supply of land for new housing. Mr Ward is yet to make his final recommendation following the meeting, however it looks hopeful that the Green Belt land will remain.
Promotion
Yvonne’s hard work as not gone unnoticed by the Leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband, who handed Yvonne a promotion in January. Yvonne accepted Miliband’s promotion and is now working on Transport Team as Shadow Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport. Her portfolio includes: buses, taxis, light rail and tram, traffic management, regional and local transport, natural environment – including biofuels,sustainable travel – Walking and Cycling,
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accessibility and equalities and alternatives to travel. My new role aims to promote the alternatives of traveling other than using a car”, explains Yvonne. “I’m currently working with businesses to help promote the use of public transport as a means to travel to work. “We are fortunate in the Borough to have a good public transport system and I’m working with local public transport providers to help continue this system.” Although being in opposition since becoming an MP in 2010, Yvonne is hoping Labour can get back into power in 2015 and is standing as Makerfield MP in the next election. She praises the good community spirit seen in her constituency to help them through a difficult time. “Although I deal with a lot of serious, hard-hitting issues, there are a lot of great community groups in my constituency. This community spirit is what we need to get us through this difficult time. “Many of my constituents are rallying round for local charities such as Oasis Food Band. Although we shouldn’t need food banks in this day and age, we are having to and so charities like this are vital.”
Family
Yvonne’s world has completely changed since becoming an MP. Spending most of her time in the North West, living in Warrington and working in St. Helen’s, Yvonne had only visited London a handful of times. How times have changed. Now Yvonne now finds herself commuting to London weekly, working in the capital city three days a week. But, judging by her office windowsill which is laden with family photographs, Yvonne prefers to spend her time in her constituency, where she lives with her husband. “Since being elected as Makerfield MP there has been a seamless transition. The same hard-working staff still work in the office and so this helped the transition. “I wanted to stand as Makerfield MP as I felt I could represent the area well as I was local, so I knew the area well. I’m here to represent the people of my constituency to make their lives better.” Although Yvonne stepped into the shoes of one of Labour’s most prolific politicians, her success at local and national level has shown that she is one of Labour’s future stars.