So the election is not yet finished. An interesting time I think as all would agree. However during the night there was a sense of loss felt. Namely the loss of the MP's, from all parties, who were members of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS, and has changed the group as some members were not returned to Parliament. We have lost some good advocates for HIV+ people in the UK.
The APPG will release a statement on Monday and I will post it.
We will need to lobby for MP's to take an active interest here. This is where we can all play a part by bringing to the attention of your new MP the issues around HIV and encouraging them to actively get involved by joining the APPG.
David Borrow, the incumbent chair of the APPG, Dr. Evan Harris, Sandra Gidley, all lost there seats as far as my current awareness is concerned.
Neil Gerrard who has been a longstanding supporter and previous Chair of the group retired from parliament also.
PDF version
Dear APPG Supporter,
Please see our post election statement below.
Best wishes
Veronica
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Monday 10th May 2010
APPG says farewell to top HIV/AIDS Campaigner David Borrow
The All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS would like to express its heartfelt thanks to David Borrow, its former Chair, for the fantastic leadership he has shown on HIV.
The Group is very sorry indeed to say goodbye to David who has been an excellent and committed Chair.
David said, “I have very much enjoyed chairing the APPG and working with all the NGOs and individuals who make the HIV campaigning sector such a strong one.”
David remains committed to campaigning on HIV and has said,
“I hope to continue to support HIV charities, especially in the North-West where I live. I also have every confidence that The All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS will continue to be strong voice for HIV in parliament.”
The APPG will allow new and returning MPs some time to settle in before holding an AGM and electing a new Chair.
Former Vice-Chairs of the Group, Evan Harris and Sandra Gidley also lost their seats. The APPG owes them a huge vote of thanks for the excellent work they have done on HIV issues.
Other former Vice-Chairs, Jeremy Hunt, Francis Maude and Russell Brown however have been re-elected.
Policy Adviser, to the Group, Veronica Oakeshott said “It is really difficult to see some of our best supporters leave parliament. David has been a fantastic source of advice for the group, day in, day out. I’ll be working hard to develop relationships with new and returning MPs.”
David Borrow has overseen some major projects including the Treatment Timebomb report on international access to HIV treatment, and work to push late diagnosis of HIV in the UK up the political agenda.