It's important to understand constituents
By Tim Archer
I've spent the first week of the new year visiting Bangladesh. A third of the constituency I hope to represent, Poplar and Limehouse, are from, or their families originate from, Bangladesh.
It's important to get to know and understand as much as possible about all the people of the constituency and my second trip to Bangladesh has really helped me to do this.
The first thing that strikes you about Bangladesh is just how busy it is.
Everywhere you look there is activity. There is a real sense of a commercial spirit from the street vendors upwards.
The second thing that strikes you though is the poverty. Those who can, find opportunities to feed themselves and their families. Sadly those who cannot, are on their own.
There is no welfare state, no safety net. If you fall sick and are unable to earn a living, there is no one obligated to save you. It hammers home how lucky we are to have institutions like the NHS in this country.
I had an audience with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, before she departed for important talks with India.
It is clear that as economic power shifts eastwards to India and China, that Bangladesh, while maintaining important links with the UK, would benefit from further strengthening its relationships with its near neighbours.
- Tim Archer is Conservative councillor, Blackwall & Cubitt Town Ward & prospective MP
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