Jordan's Journal

Small firms are vital to the strength of our economy, both locally and nationally. My father has run his own small business for over 25 years, so I know a little of how changing economic conditions affected these businesses in our area.

In these times of a global credit crunch, we need to ensure that small firms are not forgotten while the world's attention is focused, quite rightly, on the future of larger financial institutions. We have to ensure that businesses still have access to the capital they need to help them grow and develop. Yesterday's announcement that the European Investment Bank plans to inject millions of pounds of investment into Britain's small businesses will I'm sure be welcomed by many firms in Colchester.

I think the move also reflects the Government's commitment to small businesses, and shows an understanding of the difficulties those running small firms face as a result of the credit crunch and a world-wide economic slowdown.

These commitments are on top of the Government's wider support for the financial industry, which will create stability in our banking and financial systems. The decisive action taken by Gordon Brown, and copied around the world, will help stabilise Britain's banks and support the long term strength of the economy - which will help small business in Colchester and across the country.

Small firms are vital to the strength of our economy, both locally and nationally. My father has run his own small business for over 25 years, so I know a little of how changing economic conditions affected these businesses in our area.

In these times of a global credit crunch, we need to ensure that small firms are not forgotten while the world's attention is focused, quite rightly, on the future of larger financial institutions. We have to ensure that businesses still have access to the capital they need to help them grow and develop. Yesterday's announcement that the European Investment Bank plans to inject millions of pounds of investment into Britain's small businesses will I'm sure be welcomed by many firms in Colchester.

I think the move also reflects the Government's commitment to small businesses, and shows an understanding of the difficulties those running small firms face as a result of the credit crunch and a world-wide economic slowdown.

These commitments are on top of the Government's wider support for the financial industry, which will create stability in our banking and financial systems. The decisive action taken by Gordon Brown, and copied around the world, will help stabilise Britain's banks and support the long term strength of the economy - which will help small business in Colchester and across the country.

Small firms are vital to the strength of our economy, both locally and nationally. My father has run his own small business for over 25 years, so I know a little of how changing economic conditions affected these businesses in our area.

In these times of a global credit crunch, we need to ensure that small firms are not forgotten while the world's attention is focused, quite rightly, on the future of larger financial institutions. We have to ensure that businesses still have access to the capital they need to help them grow and develop. Yesterday's announcement that the European Investment Bank plans to inject millions of pounds of investment into Britain's small businesses will I'm sure be welcomed by many firms in Colchester.

I think the move also reflects the Government's commitment to small businesses, and shows an understanding of the difficulties those running small firms face as a result of the credit crunch and a world-wide economic slowdown.

These commitments are on top of the Government's wider support for the financial industry, which will create stability in our banking and financial systems. The decisive action taken by Gordon Brown, and copied around the world, will help stabilise Britain's banks and support the long term strength of the economy - which will help small business in Colchester and across the country.

Tomorrow, members of the Parachute Regiment will gather in Colchester for a memorial service to commemorate the 13 fallen soliders from 2 PARA and the 2nd Battalion Battle Group, who were killed in action in Afghanistan.

The final detachment of soldiers returned home to Colchester on Sunday after a particularly gruelling six month tour in Afghanistan's Helmand Provice. The Battle Group consisted of 1,200 soldiers made up of 2 PARA and supporting arms including artillery, engineers, logistics, medical and armoured support.

In Colchester, we are proud of our history as a garrison town and we are also proud of the extraordinary bravery, and sacrifice, that the Parachute Regiment have shown during thier time in Afghanistan. Many people in our town consider the regiments who are based at the garrison to be 'our' soldiers.

No one could fail to be moved at the emotional homecoming scenes that greeted our troops at the weekend when they returned to their family and friends. My uncle served in the last Gulf War and was based in Colchester. I am proud to say that a number of my family and friends have served thier country in all three branches of the armed forces. I know the strain that army families bear when their loved ones are serving overseas. The families of 2 PARA have shown enourmous courage over the past six months and I know that those left behind have, and will continue to have, the full support of our town.

I fully support the UK's role in Afghanistan and as the Defence Secretary said earlier this week, we owe it to the memory of the 121 UK forces who have died in Afghanistan not to simply walk away. The fight for the future of Afghanistan will not be won by military means alone, but by the support of the international community to improve security and governance and to assist the reconstruction.

Tomorrow's memorial service, together with next month's Homecoming Parade, is the least our soldiers deserve. It is recognition for those who returned, and remembrance for those who did not.

Tomorrow, members of the Parachute Regiment will gather in Colchester for a memorial service to commemorate the 13 fallen soliders from 2 PARA and the 2nd Battalion Battle Group, who were killed in action in Afghanistan.

The final detachment of soldiers returned home to Colchester on Sunday after a particularly gruelling six month tour in Afghanistan's Helmand Provice. The Battle Group consisted of 1,200 soldiers made up of 2 PARA and supporting arms including artillery, engineers, logistics, medical and armoured support.

In Colchester, we are proud of our history as a garrison town and we are also proud of the extraordinary bravery, and sacrifice, that the Parachute Regiment have shown during thier time in Afghanistan. Many people in our town consider the regiments who are based at the garrison to be 'our' soldiers.

No one could fail to be moved at the emotional homecoming scenes that greeted our troops at the weekend when they returned to their family and friends. My uncle served in the last Gulf War and was based in Colchester. I am proud to say that a number of my family and friends have served thier country in all three branches of the armed forces. I know the strain that army families bear when their loved ones are serving overseas. The families of 2 PARA have shown enourmous courage over the past six months and I know that those left behind have, and will continue to have, the full support of our town.

I fully support the UK's role in Afghanistan and as the Defence Secretary said earlier this week, we owe it to the memory of the 121 UK forces who have died in Afghanistan not to simply walk away. The fight for the future of Afghanistan will not be won by military means alone, but by the support of the international community to improve security and governance and to assist the reconstruction.

Tomorrow's memorial service, together with next month's Homecoming Parade, is the least our soldiers deserve. It is recognition for those who returned, and remembrance for those who did not.

Tomorrow, members of the Parachute Regiment will gather in Colchester for a memorial service to commemorate the 13 fallen soliders from 2 PARA and the 2nd Battalion Battle Group, who were killed in action in Afghanistan.

The final detachment of soldiers returned home to Colchester on Sunday after a particularly gruelling six month tour in Afghanistan's Helmand Provice. The Battle Group consisted of 1,200 soldiers made up of 2 PARA and supporting arms including artillery, engineers, logistics, medical and armoured support.

In Colchester, we are proud of our history as a garrison town and we are also proud of the extraordinary bravery, and sacrifice, that the Parachute Regiment have shown during thier time in Afghanistan. Many people in our town consider the regiments who are based at the garrison to be 'our' soldiers.

No one could fail to be moved at the emotional homecoming scenes that greeted our troops at the weekend when they returned to their family and friends. My uncle served in the last Gulf War and was based in Colchester. I am proud to say that a number of my family and friends have served thier country in all three branches of the armed forces. I know the strain that army families bear when their loved ones are serving overseas. The families of 2 PARA have shown enourmous courage over the past six months and I know that those left behind have, and will continue to have, the full support of our town.

I fully support the UK's role in Afghanistan and as the Defence Secretary said earlier this week, we owe it to the memory of the 121 UK forces who have died in Afghanistan not to simply walk away. The fight for the future of Afghanistan will not be won by military means alone, but by the support of the international community to improve security and governance and to assist the reconstruction.

Tomorrow's memorial service, together with next month's Homecoming Parade, is the least our soldiers deserve. It is recognition for those who returned, and remembrance for those who did not.

The blog here is still a work in progress, but over the next few week I'll begin blogging regularly to share with you interesting news, activities and campaigns being undertaken by Labour in Colchester.

The blog here is still a work in progress, but over the next few week I'll begin blogging regularly to share with you interesting news, activities and campaigns being undertaken by Labour in Colchester.

The blog here is still a work in progress, but over the next few week I'll begin blogging regularly to share with you interesting news, activities and campaigns being undertaken by Labour in Colchester.