On Wednesday 29th October I went to London to lobby parliament; I didn’t know what it involved exactly, but my MP David Winnick had said that it should be the next stage of my campaign. Fortunately I had nothing to fear as I was not alone. Helen Walker, my partner John and I set out for London at 6.15am. We stopped at Watford Gap Services for Helen to be interviewed by BBC Radio WM at 7.30; she answered all of the questions with courage and dignity. You can listen to that interview by following this link and moving the cursor to 1:35:46. You might like to have some tissues handy: Pete Morgan BBC Radio WM http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p028m41w Fortified by cups of coffee we journeyed on – by the time we arrived in Central London at 10.35am Alison Mayle had given her first recorded interview to BBC London. Alison had volunteered to be interviewed at the last minute; COPS member Sandra Jones had wanted to be there but became unwell and was unable to travel. Christine Fulton’s MP Cathy Jaimeson was also interviewed. She called upon the government to look at the circumstance under which the changes had been made to the 1988 RUC Pension Rules without any discussion with the rest of the UK. If Alison hadn’t stepped in the cameras would not have been made available and we would have received no TV coverage of the day: but that’s what members of COPS do – they look out for one another, step up when they are needed and watch each other’s backs. Alison left us at this point her mission complete. Christine Fulton had travelled down from Kilmarnock on the Tuesday 28th so that she would be available at 9.30am to speak with Ms Jaimeson. It was Jo Bosworth’s turn next and she went into the Houses of Parliament to lobby her MP Edward Garnier . Jo wasn’t alone either as her mom - also called Jo - travelled with her from Leicestershire for moral support. At 12.35pm Helen took up the baton again – this time to lobby Steve McAbe, COPS member Iris Long is his constituent but couldn’t make it to London – so she did the next best thing and sent in Helen! Not wishing to send her in by herself, a group of us tagged along and shared our first experience of a parliamentary security check. Anjanna Gadgil of the BBC met us with a camera crew and filmed us making our first entrance into parliament. Once inside the central lobby, NARPO CEO Clint Elliott appeared as if by magic and Mr MacCabe found himself confronted by a group of five ‘lobbyists’. Having introduced himself Mr McCabe strode off to find somewhere for us to talk to him – we followed behind, determined not to become lost in the labyrinth that is the House of Commons. Once ensconced in some spare seats in a very grand corridor, we set to work trying to convince Iris’ MP to support our campaign. Please bear in mind that as his constituent was not there to lobby him – Mr McCabe was not obligated to speak to us. He asked lots of questions and made copious notes but more than that – he listened, and he listened well. Apologising he hurried off to a debate – minutes later he came back and asked a few more questions before leaving again. We were satisfied that we had been able to state our case. MP Nicola Blackwood sent her PA to meet with ‘A’ (she’s shy and doesn’t wish to be named) happily A was able to join us in London at the last minute but Ms Blackwood could not be available at such late notice. We were due to be interviewed live for BBC London in 8 minutes and we exited parliament and ran – yes I didn’t quite believe it myself – we ran the 500 yards to College Green risking life and limb to cross the busy road. This is the fruit of our labours: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04ls3xs/bbc-london-news-29102014 Christine exited left and headed off back home to Scotland, followed by Clint who had a bus to catch and A said her goodbyes and hailed a taxi. I achieved the impossible and managed to be in two places at once; as we were working hard in London, BBC Coventry and Warwickshire were airing an interview pre-recorded the day before. Shane O’Connor BBC Coventry and Warwickshire - scroll to 2:25:09: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p028lrr4 Helen needed to meet with her MP Mr Shepherd – already running 15 minutes late, we hurried back into parliament passing through security for a second time. Whilst Helen lobbied Mr Shepherd I accosted 3 police officers on duty in the central lobby – they were genuinely surprised to hear of the 1987 Police Pension Rules that rob a police widow of her pension if she remarries or cohabits with a partner. Having instructed them to sign the petition and tell their colleagues about the campaign, it was my turn to lobby my MP. David Winnick was a delight he treated me to a pot of tea – we took it in turns to pour as we spoke at length about the campaign. He will apply for an adjournment debate early next year – this means that the Minister involved will have to stand up in the House of Commons and answer questions put by Mr Winnick; I am assuming that unless he has been re-shuffled, this will be current Minister of State for Policing, Justice and Victims Rt Hon Mike Penning. Mr Winnick then gave me a tour of parliament - I was enthralled as it is a treasure trove of history and art. Jo and her mum left for their train leaving John, Helen and myself to travel by underground to visit the Tower of London to see the poppies; we paid our respects at this truly wonderful memorial and took to the underground once more. We were just about to enter the underground car park to retrieve the car when I was asked to do a last minute interview for BBC Radio WM Scroll to 1:36:36 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p028m424 During our homeward journey we received word that our BBC Midlands Today interview had aired. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b04ls6v2/midlands-today-29102014 We travelled back to Walsall and having dropped off Helen, returned home to Bloxwich. Before retiring to bed we watched BBC Midlands Today - I had remembered to record it before we left for London - I was astonished to see that we were the lead story. It had been an exhausting day, but I was convinced that it had been a profitable one and worth every once of effort that we had put into it. The following day I received the best possible news - the Police Federation of England and Wales have officially made it their policy to publically support our campaign. One last thing - the Oscar goes to: Jo Bosworth's mom - for keeping John entertained as he trudged around parliament with us as we lobbied our MPs; it could not have been an easy day for him and Jo senior, who is 80 years young - was an absolute joy.