Alok Sharma's Westminster Diary, June 2, 2011
Alok Sharma MP • Published 3 Jun 2011 09:30
1 Comment
Along with the Mayor of Reading and other local folk, I was lucky enough to be invited by Reading Football Club to watch the big match at Wembley on Monday.
The atmosphere was electric, especially at the start of the second half when Reading were flying, the fans were very vocal in their support of the team and the players showed real grit.
The result will be analysed in detail elsewhere in the Chronicle, all I will say is that I think we were just a bit unlucky, especially as at one point it really did look like we were in for a spectacular comeback.
The reaction of the fans to the result was telling and says a lot about Reading as a real community club.
As he left Wembley, Sir John Madejski was repeatedly approached by sympathetic fans wanting to shake his hand, thank him for all he has done for the football club, wish him well for next season and get their picture taken with the club chairman.
Sir John is clearly held in very high regard by the club's supporters and the dignified, positive and uplifting speech he gave on Monday evening back at the Madejski stadium to Reading's players, and all those who work for the club, summed up the spirit of Reading FC.
Last week Reading put in formally its bid for city status to the Cabinet Office. I think Reading deserves to be granted city status. We are an economic powerhouse and already have many of the attributes of a city.
Although Reading is the bookies' favourite, I don't think the result is a foregone conclusion and there will be tough competition from other towns.
To press home Reading's bid I will be holding a debate in Parliament next week to highlight the strength of our case.
Gaining city status will not change things overnight for Reading but over a period of time it will help to raise our international profile and bring more investment into the area. And this can only be good news for jobs and for local people.
Last week I also attended the historic address to Parliament by the President of the United States.
After the speech Mr. Obama chatted with parliamentarians, and yes, I did manage to shake his hand!
The President's personal story is remarkable. His grandfather, a cook in the British Army, could never have imagined that his grandson would become the most powerful person in the world.
A truly inspirational family journey!
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MoHamEggs
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Jun 16, 11:20
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