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Labour’s Annual Conference was held in Liverpool this year, and Rachel had a packed schedule of events throughout. It was the first Party Conference ever opened up to the public, as guests attended to ask questions direct to Ed Miliband.

The Labour Leader delivered his keynote speech on Tuesday, and set out his direction. Afterwards, Rachel said:

“Ed’s speech set out what he stands for as leader of the Labour Party: our promise for Britain. He prioritised a strategy for jobs and growth which this government has ignored completely. Ed talked about promoting apprenticeships, a fairer settlement for students, and rewarding responsible behaviour in the boardroom and in our communities. His is a positive message about where we should aspire to go as a country – and I’m delighted to be working with him to deliver it.”

Speaking to delegates and guests at more than a dozen events, Rachel talked about her vision for creating a savings culture in the pensions system, the importance of making automatic enrolment work, the role of women in politics and about her experience working with charities in Leeds West, both before and since her election in 2010. She was delighted that people from Leeds West – both the public and party members, came to Liverpool:

“I enjoyed discussing my ideas in a variety of meetings, and was particularly impressed that so many delegates were engaged in discussing the future of our pensions system. I’m looking forward to getting back to Leeds and holding the government to account in Parliament.”

Rachel has given her warm congratulations to Caroline Gruen, who has been chosen by local Labour Party members to fight the 2012 local elections in Bramley and Stanningley Ward.

Caroline, who is a retired teacher and Council Education Officer, is delighted to be selected,

"I have already been welcomed into the heart of many of the very active and vibrant community groups in the area who have told me about the things that are on their minds. I will be working with your local Councillors to make sure the Council deals swiftly with your problems with housing, the local environment and traffic issues. I have made it a priority to join the campaign to keep the iconic and historic Bramley Baths open and I look forward to helping to make exciting improvements on the housing estates and of course the central feature of Bramley Park.”

Rachel, Patron of Bramley Elderly Action, was proud to be asked to address its Annual General Meeting this weekend.

Bramley Elderly Action was founded in 1994, and runs advice sessions on issues like security, visits to supermarkets, keep fit classes, bingo and tai chi, amongst other things.

Rachel said: “Bramley Elderly Action do some fantastic work for the residents in my Constituency, and are a vital part of our local community. I'd like to thank Lee Ingham, his staff and volunteers for giving their time and energy so generously for this wonderful organisation."

Rachel visited Skillz Education in Wortley today to see their work with kids from across West Leeds as the new school term gets into full swing.

Joining classes in business, joinery and plastering, Rachel spoke with children who go to the centre on Dixon Lane Road and their teachers about what Skillz are doing with them.

Rachel said: "I've known about Skillz Education since they were set up a couple of years ago. Theirs is a real success story and seeing them continuing teaching in this new academic term is really encouraging. Skillz provide a fantastic learning environment that sets their students up with what they need for work or further study."

Read more about Skillz at www.skillzeducation.co.uk

Rachel with Alzheimer's campaigner at Kirkstall Abbey

Rachel joined the Leeds Alzheimer's Society for a 'memory walk' round the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey on Sunday. Local Alzheimer's Society volunteers and friends and familiy of people touched by Alzheimer's took part in the afternoon walk for people to share stories and memories and raise awareness of the illness which is affecting more and more people.

Rachel said:

"Increasingly we all know someone with Alzheimer's. I see its impact on my grandparents and know the excellent work that volunteers and carers do to support vulnerable people. It was wonderful to meet fantastic volunteers and campaigners like Barbara and I would urge those affected by Alzheimer's to contact the Leeds Alzheimer's Society to find out what support is available.".

Even wind and raid couldn't put a damper on our spirits as Team Labour went leafletting on the Billingbauk estate this morning, delivering hundreds of newsletters to local residents. If you want to help us spread the word, please get in touch!

You can read Rachel's chapter in The Purple Book by clicking here.

The Purple Book hopes to offer a platform for modernisation of the Labour Party and provide new and fresh ideas that will allow the Party to reconnect with voters.

You can order your copy of The Purple Book for just £7.50 by clicking here.

You can visit the Forward Ladies website by clicking here.

Forward Ladies, the fastest growing and most dynamic business networking organisation for women in the North, held a reception in the Palace of Westminster today following a consultation event in which members called on the government for more help for small businesses, and better support from the banks. Rachel attended to hear the views of the women attending and join their discussions on equality and diversity, and support for women in business.

Rachel and NHS campaigner Jamie Hanley paid a call to 10 Downing Street today to deliver Leeds’ verdict on the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill. Handing in the signatures gathered in Leeds last week, Rachel said:

“The Government have continued with this costly top-down reorganisation of the NHS. I have received more letters about the Health Bill than anything else. People in Leeds care about our NHS, and they care about protecting the excellent children’s heart unit at the LGI – they don’t want to see expensive top down reorganisations that weren’t in any party’s manifesto.”

“It’s now two weeks since I wrote to Andrew Lansley requesting a meeting about the heart unit at the LGI but I haven’t yet had a reply. The Government are ignoring the concerns of people in Leeds who want to protect local services like the children’s heart unit.”

Jamie Hanley, NHS campaigner, said:

“When I was collecting signatures on Horsforth Town Street the view was clear, and I’m proud to have taken that view direct to Downing Street today.”

The Health and Social Care Bill was debated in Parliament last week. Shadow Secretary of State for Health, John Healey has criticised the Government. He said in the House of Commons yesterday:

“Last week MPs were asked to debate, amend and pass the Health and Social Care Bill with no new information of the costs and consequences of the biggest reorganisation in NHS history.

“The day after the debate, the new impact assessment was then smuggled out with no press statement. It shows Monitor, the new economic regulator, plan to employ 600 staff at an average cost of £84,000. And most importantly, it shows a Health Minister signed off the assessment on 1 September – a full 5 days before the Bill was debated last week.

“It’s a disgrace these facts were kept hidden from MPs and the public before such a critical and controversial debate.”

Click here to read about the NHS Campaign Day

It was great to be joined by so many local Labour members and supporters yesterday as we delivered our newsletter in the New Wortley area of Armley ward. We delivered to hundreds of homes, and managed to speak to quite a few local residents as we walked around. If you are interested in helping us to campaign, please get in touch!

Yesterday, Rachel spent the day in Stalybridge and Hyde, the Constituency of Labour MP Jonathan Reynolds, in her role as Shadow Pensions Minister. Rachel address the AGM of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, the largest public sector pension fund in the UK, met with local Council Leader Kerian Quinn and took part in a round table discussion with local residents concerned about the future of pensions.

Rachel said "it is very important for politicians to get around the country and hear the views of ordinary people affected by the decisions of Governments. The residents of Stalybridge & Hyde have told me about their concerns about the Government's current proposals, in particular how women in their mid-50s will be unfairly hit by the acceleration of the retirement age increase, and I'll take what I've heard back to Parliament. I'd like to thank Jonathan Reynolds MP for inviting me, and for all the people I spoke to for giving up their valuable time."

On Saturday, Rachel joined Pudsey Labour Party to campaign against the Government's plans to tear apart the NHS, collecting signatures on a petition to local Tory MP Stuart Andrew.

Speaking alongside local Labour activist Jamie Hanley and Baroness, Rachel said, "the reaction from the public has beenoverwhelmingly positive, and I really hope that Andrew Lansley and David Cameron listen to people of Britain and put a stop to their dangerous plans."

Rachel also appeared on BBC Radio Leeds on Saturday morning to argue the case against the Government's plans - but no Tory or Lib Dem was available to defend their proposals.

Rachel has written to Andrew Lansley, Secretary of State for Health, to ask for an urgent meeting to discuss the future of Leeds Children's Heart Unit. Rachel shares the concerns of local campaigners that the Government's consultation process was seriously flawed, and that closing the Unit will have a huge impact on the future welfare of children across our region.

Yorkshire Evening Post story

Rachel was extremely pleased to be asked to cut the ceremonial ribbon, marking the completion of 132 new homes on the Fairfield estate, Bramley. The new houses, building of which began under the last Labour Government, will provide an affordable, sustainable and attractive housing option for local families.

Cutting the ribbon, Rachel said "It's wonderful to be asked to open this completed development. For years I've been following the progress, and at last it's time they stopped being just houses, and became homes for local families."

Rachel is pictured with local Councillor Ted Hanley and the Withers family, who have just moved into their new home.

Recently I met Adam Hainsworth, of Hainsworth Textile Mill, who sponsored the "behind the seams" exhibition at Armley Mills Industrial Museum. As I opened the exhibition, he invited me to tour his Mill, and this morning I took him up on the offer.

Hainsworth Textiles produce some of the finest products available, including the cloth for military uniforms, and the baize for top snooker tables. I was given a very interesting tour of the four-acre Mill site, followed by the opportunity to support Hainsworth's new range of wool-covered coffins, which Adam hopes will become a large part of their business.