Even though I support the blue side of Manchester's football heritage, I don't really mind that wherever I go in the world it's not Manchester City that starts the conversation. 'Ah, yes, Manchester United,' is the response when I say where I come from. It's commonplace everywhere - in Europe, Africa, Asia and even the U.S.

Lucy Powell

Categorized in : Football Europe Blue

Some argue that now isn't the time to push the green agenda - that all efforts should be on preventing a serious recession. That is a false choice. It fails to recognise that climate change and our carbon reliance is part of problem - high fuel prices and food shortages due to poor crop yields compound today's financial difficulties.

Lucy Powell

fuel-prices yield effort

People rightly want our political leaders - on all sides - to concentrate on minimising the damage to jobs, living standards and our savings from the banking crisis.

Lucy Powell

banking-crisis jobs people

These are tough times and under this Tory-led government many people in Manchester are suffering and getting left behind. If elected I will use all my energy, skills, experience and knowledge to stand up for our communities and get things done for the better.

Lucy Powell

government skills people

Funding for sports (and the arts) are often the first things facing the chop in difficult times.

Lucy Powell

sports art firsts

Like many of my friends and colleagues, I can't get enough of Obama news; latest polling, speeches, visits, reaction of world leaders.

Lucy Powell

news speech leader

At times unpopular measures are needed in order to change behaviour.

Lucy Powell

behaviour needed order

The cost of motoring is a massive issue at the moment, there's no question. The price of petrol goes up every time you go to the petrol station.

Lucy Powell

issues cost moments

The era of industrial Britain, where a large section of our workforce provided cheap labour in factories and processing goods is over.

Lucy Powell

factories britain eras

The Tories seem unable to make any impact north of the border.

Lucy Powell

impact borders seems

There's a loss of faith in the banking system that for so long has been the backbone of prosperity and growth.

Lucy Powell

growth loss long

What the Lib Dems have failed to do is offer any meaningful agenda for government or for power.

Lucy Powell

agendas government meaningful

As the prospect of a Tory government gets nearer, many traditional Labour voters - some who switched away in recent times and many who stayed at home - seem more determined to prevent that happening.

Lucy Powell

voters government home

I will take a short time out from being in Parliament when the baby is born but I'll still be doing my constituency work - just with another baby in tow.

Lucy Powell

parliament born baby

The choice between a Labour government and a Tory one is sharpening minds.

Lucy Powell

government choices mind

Sixteen- and 17-year-olds pay taxes and can join the army, so surely they should in turn be given their right to vote.

Lucy Powell

army pay years

At its most basic the democratic contract is a simple one: the right to vote comes with a responsibility to society, through tax payments and citizenship.

Lucy Powell

vote responsibility simple

Indeed, when all parties campaign effectively the overall effect is to push up voting rates, as you see in tight marginal seats or close general elections. That must be good for democracy.

Lucy Powell

voting democracy party

A global deal will only be possible if Britain plays its part, leading the way with other developed countries.

Lucy Powell

play country way

Connecting people to jobs and to each other is absolutely vital to a city's economy (and to the wider economy).

Lucy Powell

cities jobs people

I just hope that the democratic will of the Zimbabwean people prevails. If it does we must move quickly to help restore stability and prosperity.

Lucy Powell

doe people moving