I was privileged to serve Plymouth as a Member of Parliament between 1997 and 2010.  You can find information about some of my work during that time in the archived sections of this website.
 
There are a number of issues I will continue to pursue outside Parliament - so do check the Blog from time to time. I want to help Plymouth on its path to meeting its ambitious plans for growth and development to reach the 2020 vison for the city to be ‘One of Europe’s finest, most vibrant waterfront cities where an outstanding quality of life is enjoyed by everyone’ . Long standing interests in the environment, affordable housing and the challenges of old age will also be on my agenda.
 
I have lived in Plymouth for over thirty years: I have deep roots here and it is very much my home. Making a contribution to the life and politics of the city and its people will remain a key part of life for me in the foreseable future.

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Linda Gilroy c/o  Plymouth Labour Party, 21 Durnford Street, Plymouth, PL1 3QF.

[E] gilroyl@hotmail.co.uk  

When I was first elected in 1997 the legacy left to Plymouth by my Conservative predecessor included three of the poorest council wards in the entire country—including the very poorest. Over the past twelve years, Plymouth has begun to change beyond recognition. I have campaigned for Plymouth to have the recognition and support from government which it so strongly deserves. Some of the highlights with which I have been personally involved include:

• The first new medical school in the country for 25 years and the first new dental school in 50 years –an investment over £100 million in Plymouth of over £100 million as well as training doctors and dentists who go on to work locally.
• £49 million of money from the Government’s New Deal for Communities Programme to regenerate Devonport, bringing down the wall – with a further £250 million for public and private sector partners.
• Successfully campaigning for HMS Scylla to become an artificial reef—estimated to have brought £30 million to Plymouth’s marine economy since 2004.
• Bringing forward by five years £78 million of Government investment in Plymouth’s schools, enabling the partial or whole rebuild of Tamarside, Lipson, Stoke Damerel and John Kitto.
• Increased Government funding for our University—141% rise from 43.5 million in 1997 to over 104.8 million in 2009.
• The lease of vacant land in the south yard of Devonport to Princess Yachts, ensuring this major employer and international brand remained based in Plymouth, securing 2000 local jobs.
• I helped on the detailed stages of the legislation which enabled Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) to be set up and campaigned for Plymouth to be one of the first – and am very proud that it is now highly regarded nationally and internationally!

 I am very proud to live in Plymouth and prouder still to have represented Plymouth in Parliament. I am as eager and ambitious for our City now as I was when first elected and I wake up every morning determined to do more. The work goes on.