John and Rachel joined the manager at Kirkstall Morrison's on a tour of the store, meeting the people who ensure that there is fresh food for us to enjoy, including Pauline in the cake section making jam sponges. It was excellent to see everyone hard at work using the latest technologies and skills.

Rachel and John Battle joined local residents in New Farnley on Friday at the Hillside Community Centre for a coffee morning raising money for Macmillan Nurses.

Macmillan Nurses do an excellent job locally, including at the new Bexley Oncology Wing at St James's Hospital and with the sufferers of mesothelioma in Armley.

Link: http://www.progressonline.org.uk/Magazine/article.asp?a=4207

The expenses scandal brings suspicion on all those who seek to represent their political parties. As a measure of our intention to try and restore an element of trust between voters and political representatives ahead of the June 4th elections, and an eventual general election, as Prospective Parliamentary Candidates we would like to put on record the following five pledges which will govern our conduct if we are elected to Parliament.

A great many of our current Members of Parliament already embody these principles in their day-to-day conduct and their example should be recognised. We would not like to return to a system where only those who are already independently wealthy can put themselves forward for election to Parliament, so necessary reforms to the system of MPs' expenses and allowances should recognise the legitimate need for those representing constituencies outside Greater London to claim for appropriate accommodation and travel expenses. In the absence, however, of a decision on the final form of the new system, these pledges will act as our guide if we have the honour of being elected to the House of Commons.

1. As a parliamentary candidate I will subscribe to high standards of integrity, transparency, accountability and financial economy;
2. I seek elected office not for personal gain but to serve the public and our democracy, which I consider an honour and a privilege;
3. I will publish my expenses online within a month of submitting them and publicise them annually in full to constituents;
4. I will hold regular meetings with my community and will regularly report back to my constituency party;
5. I will apply the principle of best value to all decisions I make which involve the use of public money to cover my duties, including for travel and accommodation.

Rachel Reeves
Labour PPC for Leeds West

(See Progress website for full list of PPC's signed up)

Rachel appeared on Look North on Friday night, calling for root and branch reform of parliamentary expenses and calling on all MPs to hold themselves up to the highest standards of integrity. Trust is integral for MPs to do their jobs and represent their communities and the abuse by some MPs has eroded that trust.

Rachel joined Yvette Cooper and MEPs Richard Corbett and Linda McAvan visiting local businesses in Bramley to talk about the economy, apprenticeships and investment in the future economy.

Link: http://www.ippr.org/events/?id=3472

Speakers: Rachel Reeves, PPC Leeds West and Tony Dolphin, ippr
Chair: Stephanie Flanders, BBC Economics Editor
19 May 2009 - 10:00am ippr offices

It is apparent that the UK economy became too dependent on the City, government, debt and housing as sources of economic growth in the 1990s and 2000s. As a result, the recession is likely to turn out to be deeper and more prolonged than it otherwise might have been. This seminar will look at how the UK economy might develop to make it less vulnerable and more stable in the future and where the jobs of tomorrow might be created. Where will the UK’s comparative advantage lie in tomorrow’s capitalism? What role should the state play in helping to shape the new economy?

Reeves and Dolphin will present a paper they are writing on this topic as part of the Tomorrow's Capitalism programme.

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00kkf6t/Newsnight_13_05_2009/

Rachel Reeves along with other Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, discuss the expenses issue.

Rachel joined John Battle MP, Richard Corbett MEP, Councillor Neil Taggart and Lorraine Fitzsimons from Hope not Hate as well as people from the Leeds West community to join forces to unite against racism and stop the BNP from getting a seat in the European Parliament on June 4th. It was an excellent event bringing together people from the faith communities, trade unions and community groups.

If you want to get involved in the campaign to fight fascism, please get in touch, as there is a very real possibility that the BNP could get a seat in Europe if we sit back and do nothing.

Link: http://www.gofourth.co.uk/

Rachel took part in the Go Fourth Rally with John Prescott and Alistair Campbell on Saturday night at Leeds Civic Hall, campaigning for a fourth term government and to defeat the BNP in the European elections on 4th June.