Continued driving force from the British Federation of Brass Bands (BFBB) has meant that the newly formed All Parliamentary Group on Brass Bands, formed last month in the House of Commons, is gaining in size with more politicians and dignitaries pledging their support.

Debate

After a long and detailed debate in the ‘Commons’ last month, which tackled the thorny issue of more legitimate Government funding for bands, support now totals 29 members from The House of Commons and eight members from The House of Lords.

The full list of members is:

I think bands should be encouraged to contact their local MP. If he or she appears on the membership list above then contact them to congratulate them or if they are not currently on the list then persuade them to become a memberPhilip Watson

Jeff Ennis (Chair), David Heath & Lord Jones (Vice-Chairs), Lord Foster (Secretary), Peter Atkinson, Kevin Barron, John Battle, Richard Benyon, Colin Burgon, Ronald Campbell, Michael Clapham, David Crausby, Philip Davies, David Drew, Bill Etherington, Michael J. Foster, Julia Goldsworthy, Lindsay Hoyle, Mark Hunter, Eric Illsley, Michael Jack, Denis MacShane, Denis Murphy, Gwen Prosser, Laurance Robertson, Dan Rogerson, Terry Rooney, Marsha Singh, David Taylor, Neil Turner, George Young, Lord Bilston, Lord Brookman, Lord Davis of Coity, Baroness Golding, Lord Hoyle and Lord Lipsey.

Success

Commenting on the success of the group so far, Development Officer Philip Watson told 4BR: “I hope the Parliamentary Group will continue to grow at a good rate. It started with an initial membership of twenty and is now over thirty. I think it will be a great lobbying tool for the brass band sector and the more members the more useful it will be to bands.”

Philip concluded to 4BR: “I think bands should be encouraged to contact their local MP. If he or she appears on the membership list above then contact them to congratulate them or if they are not currently on the list then persuade them to become a member.”