Parkinson's UK Policy Panel and ambassadors visit Westminster
10 February 2012
This week, members of our Policy Panel and ambassadors
(pictured above) met with politicians at Westminster to
discuss how best to influence law-makers and make an impact on
behalf of people with Parkinson's.
We left with the impression that there are a lot of politicians on our side and actively supporting the Parkinson's community in Parliament.
Vince Curnow, Policy Panel member
Our Policy Panel are people affected
by Parkinson's who help us form our
official opinions on major public policy issues. These
standpoints help to inform how we campaign for change.
Our ambassadors accompany our policy and campaigns staff to
meetings to talk to politicians about the reality of being affected
by Parkinson's.
Working together to influence Lords and MPs
During the day the group toured the Houses of Parliament. And
they met with Baroness Gale and Steve Brine MP, who are chair and
vice chair of the All-Party Parliamentary
Group (APPG) for Parkinson's.
They discussed how we can work together to influence decisions
made by Lords and MPs about issues that concern people affected by
Parkinson's.
Both Baroness Gale and Steve Brine provided their insight and
advice on what makes politicians tick, and how persistence and
pressure can really pay off.
They also took away ideas for work that the APPG could focus on
in the coming year.
Positive politics
Vince Curnow, a member of our Policy Panel, commented:
"We had such an interesting day.
The experiences and views of people affected by Parkinson's - such as our Policy Panel members and ambassadors - is central to our policy work.
"We left with the impression that there are a lot of politicians
who are on our side and actively supporting the Parkinson's
community in Parliament.
"It was refreshing that the day was all about positive
politics."
People affected by Parkinson's at the centre of our work
Drew Lindon our parliamentary officer, adds:
"It's crucial that we continue to influence decisions being made
at all levels of government.
"The Policy Panel and ambassadors are vitally important to make
sure people affected by Parkinson's are at the centre of this
work.
"We will continue to campaign to change attitudes and get better
services for people affected by Parkinson's, and make the best use
of our All-Party Parliamentary Group."
Find out more about our policy and campaigns work
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