Hoey makes statement to members of Vauxhall CLP
lambethlife Thu May 15, 2008 at 01:54:11 PM GMT 
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Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey has released a statement to members of Vauxhall CLP regarding her appointment by the Mayor Boris Johnson and the controversy surrounding the announcement during the election campaign
Johnson today announced that Hoey would be Commissioner for Sport - see http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=16913
This is her statement to Vauxhall members
Thursday 15th May 2008
Dear Member of Vauxhall Labour Party,
The Members of this Party are its lifeblood and so I wanted you to be the first to know that I have now agreed to be the Mayor of London's Commissioner for Sport.
I have been asked to develop the London legacy plan for sport arising from the unique opportunity that the 2012 Olympics gives us, and to help increase grass roots sport participation and access to sporting opportunities across London.
As you may know, for my whole political life I have been passionate about seeing that the power of sport be used to change the lives of our young people. Sport crosses all political divides and just as the Prime Minister appointed non-Labour MPs to advise on issues such as housing, I too feel that on some issues the "big tent" approach to politics is in all our interests.
I will not, of course, be involved with any other aspect of the Mayor's administration and nor would I ever want to be. I do see substantial benefits for this and neighbouring constituencies and am confident that I can make a difference in this unpaid role.
Of course just like a Minister, my duties and responsibilities as a Labour MP will always come first. I look forward to explaining this in more detail either at a ward meeting or at the GC but as I said, I wanted you to be the first to hear the formal news today.
On a personal note, I would add that I am all too aware of how this news first came out and how upset some of you were and are. It is a matter of deep regret to me. I share your sorrow at the loss of the Mayoralty. In campaigning across the constituency I saw just how hard so many of you were working.
But we are now where we are and I know that the people who elected me to serve in Parliament are very supportive of politicians from different parties working together for the common good. Our challenge in Labour is to work together in the coming years to win for Labour in Europe, again in Lambeth in 2010, and after again in Parliament. I look forward to serving you, and working with you.
Best wishes & see you soon. Please do email me or call me if you would like to discuss this issue further - I would be delighted to hear from you.
Kate
Hmm... I'm not sure if this will be acceptable to all Vauxhall members - it will be an interesting GC in two weeks' time!
