Apologies to all constituents trying to track me down this weekend - I have left the office and the phone is off. Out with mates this evening then seeing family / friends tomorrow. So excited to be playing cricket on Sunday at the wonderful Wormsley ground, in an all day match for 2 charities.
http://www.wormsleycricket.co.uk/events2013/lords-commons-v-authors-2103.html
I am in a House of Commons team that will feature Business Minister Matt Hancock's interesting bowling, the robust batting of Yorkshire's finest, Nigel Adams, MP and a variety of other MPs and parliamentarians, against the might of the The Authors XI, which will feature assorted actors and writers like Sebastian Faulks, and rather worryingly a few good cricketers: http://www.theauthorsxi.com/
Previous cricket form this summer is
- rained off without a ball being bowled at Stamfordham a month ago,
- and then 21 runs in my first outing 10 days ago.
Friday, 17 May 2013
James Wharton wins Private Members Bill Ballot - as immortalised in Bob's cartoon
The North East should decide on it's relationship with Europe. I am backing James's plans for a law to legislate for an EU Referendum. Europe has changed immensely over the last few decades. Our relationship with Europe needs to change as well. Put simply, the European Union is a very different beast from what people voted for in 1975. Like many people across the region I never have had that vote. I want to see powers brought back to Britain, with greater control over our own affairs. I do not want the Euro, or for us to be part of some kind of European superstate, run from Brussels.
I hope the Labour MP's in the region will back my Conservative colleague, James Wharton, the MP for Stockton South, whose Private Members Bill will put the proposal for an EU Referendum into law.
The Prime minister has made it very clear that he wants the British people to decide our European future with an in/out referendum. We, as Conservatives, are now trying to turn this commitment into law. That
law can only be put in place if Labour MP's in our region back this bill. I urge them to ignore Ed Milliband and back our plans to give the region its say on our future with Europe.
Spare Room Subsidy - Labour campaigned for it in 2010, opposed it 13, and now agree no repeal
Liam Byrne, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, has again made it clear that he will not be repealing the spare room subsidy changes if Labour won in 2015. This is not surprising. This repeal was in the 2010 Labour Manifesto. However, they decided to take the easy option in 2012-2013 to call this a bedroom tax and have a pop at the Coalition.
Now they are in the interesting position of Labour still peddling the bedroom ‘tax’ lie, but not saying they would repeal it. How a working taxpayer's subsidy of someone on benefits can be a tax remains beyond me but at least all 3 parties are now agreed. Shame about the positioning these last 6 months.
Now they are in the interesting position of Labour still peddling the bedroom ‘tax’ lie, but not saying they would repeal it. How a working taxpayer's subsidy of someone on benefits can be a tax remains beyond me but at least all 3 parties are now agreed. Shame about the positioning these last 6 months.
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Still unwanted: L16 DEM .. the price is dropping
My former 2010 general election opponent is still struggling to sell his personalised Lib Dem number plate after deciding in a "Road to Damascus" moment to switch to Labour. Andrew is keen to stand for Labour at the next general election against me - even though his Liberal colleagues in the House of Commons are actually trying in the Coalition to solve some of the disastrous debt problems left to us by Gordon Brown.
Now the BBC have taken up the story.
Are some oil companies driving up prices for consumers?
Yesterday in parliament we confronted one of the issues that many of us having been arguing about for some time in Westminster and in the pubs / workplaces of Northumberland. The offices of several firms involved in the oil market have been raided by EU Officials. BP, Shell and Statoil were all raided. It is early days but the investigation relates to possible price fixing of oil, refined products and biofuels. As yet, it is important to say, nothing is proven. But, I welcome the investigation.
All companies are cooperating but there was an ugly atmosphere in the House of Commons yesterday. On a day when a Europe vote dominated the headlines it was ironic, but good, to see EU investigators taking up the cause of the motorist, the tractor driver and the parent trying to heat their home.
I have long campaigned that something is amiss in the state of the oil market - whether it is heating oil or the domestic petrol / diesel market; but I remain frustrated that the Office of Fair Trading seem unable to do anything, despite frequent investigations.
My question to the Lib Dem Secretary of State Ed Davey conveys some of that frustration:
Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 15 May 2013, c652)
The newspapers feature extensive gossip about the mythical "tea room" in the House of Commons. In reality it is a 65 foot by 18 foot room where you get a cup of tea or a light meal. But only MPs are allowed there. After the Commons statement on this issue I again raised the ineffectiveness of the OFT with Ed Davey; Ed is, to be fair, a decent man doing a tough job, and was only trying to eat his lunch. I am going to try and invite the OFT in to the House so that Ministers can hear just how bad it is. If individual constituents want to make the case send their representations to me at the House of Commons and I will pass on to the OFT.
On a final point my colleague, Rob Halfon, the MP for Harlow, who has long fought the cause of the motorist, came up with one key recommendation:
Rob called on the government to change the law so that people could be jailed "for fixing oil prices" and for any cash recovered in fines, if the companies are found guilty, to be returned to motorists.
That would be a very popular policy....
UPDATE: this just spotted on this story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/10062783/SFO-urgently-reviewing-oil-price-inquiry.html
All companies are cooperating but there was an ugly atmosphere in the House of Commons yesterday. On a day when a Europe vote dominated the headlines it was ironic, but good, to see EU investigators taking up the cause of the motorist, the tractor driver and the parent trying to heat their home.
I have long campaigned that something is amiss in the state of the oil market - whether it is heating oil or the domestic petrol / diesel market; but I remain frustrated that the Office of Fair Trading seem unable to do anything, despite frequent investigations.
My question to the Lib Dem Secretary of State Ed Davey conveys some of that frustration:
Guy Opperman (Hexham, Conservative)
People in the north-east welcome the three-year fuel duty freeze, but we have concerns that the OFT, despite having had repeated evidence, particularly in rural Northumberland, of a lack of competition, has still failed to act. Does the Secretary of State agree that a way forward would be to summon the OFT to the House so that all MPs can make representations in his presence and get some action from it? No one has any faith in the OFT.
Edward Davey (Kingston and Surbiton, Liberal Democrat)
I am sorry to hear that my hon. Friend does not have faith in the independent competition authorities. According to the empirical evidence of how they compare to other competition authorities around the world, they actually score extremely highly. Nevertheless, even though I saw those findings when I was competition Minister, I wanted to strengthen them still further, because there is no room for complacency. I hope he realises that the Government will ensure that the competition authorities have the powers they need.
The newspapers feature extensive gossip about the mythical "tea room" in the House of Commons. In reality it is a 65 foot by 18 foot room where you get a cup of tea or a light meal. But only MPs are allowed there. After the Commons statement on this issue I again raised the ineffectiveness of the OFT with Ed Davey; Ed is, to be fair, a decent man doing a tough job, and was only trying to eat his lunch. I am going to try and invite the OFT in to the House so that Ministers can hear just how bad it is. If individual constituents want to make the case send their representations to me at the House of Commons and I will pass on to the OFT.
On a final point my colleague, Rob Halfon, the MP for Harlow, who has long fought the cause of the motorist, came up with one key recommendation:
Rob called on the government to change the law so that people could be jailed "for fixing oil prices" and for any cash recovered in fines, if the companies are found guilty, to be returned to motorists.
That would be a very popular policy....
UPDATE: this just spotted on this story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/10062783/SFO-urgently-reviewing-oil-price-inquiry.html
Tuesday, 14 May 2013
Hexham schools discussed in DofE today
I met David Laws, MP, the Minister for Education, today to discuss the ways in which Hexham's Queen Elizabeth High School can be at the front of the queue for any future money for rebuilding or improving the school - using central government money.
We have successfully won the case for a rebuild of Prudhoe High School last year and it has been made clear to me by many parents, children and teachers that Hexham QEHS needs investment. Clearly these are difficult times to be pitching for further capital funds but if you do not ask you do not get. David was very helpful on this issue and made it clear that his department is conducting an assessment of all school buildings, including Hexham, this summer. From that assessment our needs will be clear and the bidding process can begin.
Separately I urged the Minister to come to Northumberland and meet local Headteachers himself and see both the amazing success of our schools and the problems that they face in providing education in a largely rural context. I am hopeful that he will be visiting in the near future this summer, and will let local heads know if and when he is coming. At that meeting I know he wishes to meet with Northumberland County Council officers to discuss amongst other things the Northumberland approach to the Local Government Pension Scheme and the bizarre approach of NCC to pension contributions by schools who are academies or who wish to become academies. I again raised this today. One thing is clear - the overcharging approach of NCC is unacceptable. Ministers agree. Michael Gove, the Secretary of State, agrees. The department for Communities and Local Government agree. This unfair approach will change, and it will change soon.
We have successfully won the case for a rebuild of Prudhoe High School last year and it has been made clear to me by many parents, children and teachers that Hexham QEHS needs investment. Clearly these are difficult times to be pitching for further capital funds but if you do not ask you do not get. David was very helpful on this issue and made it clear that his department is conducting an assessment of all school buildings, including Hexham, this summer. From that assessment our needs will be clear and the bidding process can begin.
Separately I urged the Minister to come to Northumberland and meet local Headteachers himself and see both the amazing success of our schools and the problems that they face in providing education in a largely rural context. I am hopeful that he will be visiting in the near future this summer, and will let local heads know if and when he is coming. At that meeting I know he wishes to meet with Northumberland County Council officers to discuss amongst other things the Northumberland approach to the Local Government Pension Scheme and the bizarre approach of NCC to pension contributions by schools who are academies or who wish to become academies. I again raised this today. One thing is clear - the overcharging approach of NCC is unacceptable. Ministers agree. Michael Gove, the Secretary of State, agrees. The department for Communities and Local Government agree. This unfair approach will change, and it will change soon.
Sunday, 12 May 2013
For sale, one numberplate: L16 DEM
My Lib Dem opponent at the last election has offically left that party and joined Labour in a bit of a huff. He complains the Coalition is "drowning families in debt". He seems to have forgotten who got us into this mess in the first place - his new best friends in the Labour Party.
I also distinctly remember him using the criticism at the last election that the Labour party was drowning families in Northumberland in debt.
The good people of Northumberland have very long memories.
On a lighter note Mr Duffield is known for his personalised number plate, proudly displaying: L16 DEM. Presumably not quite the message he wants to send out given his new loyalties. Perhaps Mr Cable might take it off his hands?
I also distinctly remember him using the criticism at the last election that the Labour party was drowning families in Northumberland in debt.
The good people of Northumberland have very long memories.
On a lighter note Mr Duffield is known for his personalised number plate, proudly displaying: L16 DEM. Presumably not quite the message he wants to send out given his new loyalties. Perhaps Mr Cable might take it off his hands?
Saturday, 11 May 2013
Surgeries, Green Energy Fair and the market 4 me today
I have a busy day starting in Hexham, with a variety of surgeries and then will be meeting constituents in Ponteland. Hope to pop in to Hexham market which is also on today, as is the Green Energy Fair, which is in the Trnity Church Hall in Beaumont Street, from 10-4.
Friday, 10 May 2013
Owen Patterson in Northumberland today
Pleased to have DEFRA minister meeting farmers and discussing broadband at 3.30 this afternoon. He will also be going to Northumberlandia in the morning and then meeting several of the Tranwell wind farm campaigners at a lunch in Blagdon
Thursday, 9 May 2013
Meeting Chairman of the Bar and then local lawyers re Legal Aid consultation
On Monday 13 May the Chairman of the Bar, Maura McGowan QC, and Mark Hatcher, Director of Representation & Policy, are coming in to the House of Commons to meet Robert Buckland MP and myself, and some of the other former barristers who are now in the House. Both Rob and I did plenty of legal aid work and Rob is still a working Recorder who sits in the summer. This will be the second such meeting I have held with Bar representatives in the House in the last few months.
When the House breaks for the bank holiday in late May I am also meeting a number of local barristers and solicitors on Tuesday May 28 in the Hexham office.
There is widespread concern about the changes on a number of levels and I have received several representations from practitioners. I am studying the consultation myself so have no firm and final views about it but it is clearly deeply unpopular with the legal profession.
What is clear is that both government and the legal profession will need to find a way forward. However, the idea that there will be no cuts to the legal profession's state budget is simply untenable: government is still spending more than it earns and the state expenditure has to be cut. Noone wants this but we are having to make some very tough choices to a lot of budgets. Cases like very high cost cases [VHCC] still take up too much of the budget at the expense of the younger lawyers / cases.
For myself I have long favoured a Woolf style assessment on the fees at the end of almost all cases, being carried out by the Judge. This would take out all bureaucracy, as it did so successfully at the civil bar. It would allow Judges to case manage the costs, rather than a civil servant miles from the action.
However, I will look forward to meeting the Bar Chairman and listening to her and Rob Buckland MP's views, and as always welcome input from constituents who have concerns.
When the House breaks for the bank holiday in late May I am also meeting a number of local barristers and solicitors on Tuesday May 28 in the Hexham office.
There is widespread concern about the changes on a number of levels and I have received several representations from practitioners. I am studying the consultation myself so have no firm and final views about it but it is clearly deeply unpopular with the legal profession.
What is clear is that both government and the legal profession will need to find a way forward. However, the idea that there will be no cuts to the legal profession's state budget is simply untenable: government is still spending more than it earns and the state expenditure has to be cut. Noone wants this but we are having to make some very tough choices to a lot of budgets. Cases like very high cost cases [VHCC] still take up too much of the budget at the expense of the younger lawyers / cases.
For myself I have long favoured a Woolf style assessment on the fees at the end of almost all cases, being carried out by the Judge. This would take out all bureaucracy, as it did so successfully at the civil bar. It would allow Judges to case manage the costs, rather than a civil servant miles from the action.
However, I will look forward to meeting the Bar Chairman and listening to her and Rob Buckland MP's views, and as always welcome input from constituents who have concerns.
The bite sized version of the Queens Speech
Here are the key parts of the Queens Speech in short form
Care Bill
- A single statute on care and support.
- The right for carers to receive support from their local council.
- A cap on the care costs which someone can pay.[Dilnot]
- A legal entitlement for everyone to a personal budget for care.
The Bill will also include a legislative response to the Francis Report into the failings at Stafford Hospital:
- Ofsted-style ratings for hospitals and care homes.
- Power for the Chief Inspector of Hospitals to identify problems with the quality of care.
- A new criminal offence for providers to offer false and misleading information about their performance.
Pensions Bill
- The new flat-rate pension to replace the current two-tier system from April 2016.
- Bringing forward the increase in the state pension age to 67 by eight years.
- A system of automatic transfers for an employee’s pension pot to follow them when they change jobs.
- The Pensions Regulator will have a new objective to consider minimising any impact on the sustainable growth of employers.
- The amalgamation of bereavement benefits into the Bereavement Support Payment.
National Insurance Contributions Bill
- The £2,000 employment allowance for every business and charity announced in this year’s Budget.
- Measures to combat tax avoidance, including an extension of the General Anti-Abuse Rule, which targets aggressive tax avoidance schemes, to National Insurance Contributions.
- Further attempts to stop companies avoiding paying NICs using offshore employment payroll companies.
- Measures minimising the tax advantages for limited liability partnership members by ending the automatic presumption that they are self-employed when they are technically employees.
Deregulation Bill
- A duty on regulators of industries to consider the impact that their actions will have on growth.
- Council and housing association tenants will qualify for the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire after three years, down from five.
- Self-employed workers whose jobs don’t risk harming others will be exempt from health and safety law.
- Employment tribunals will no longer be able to make wider recommendations following successful discrimination cases under the Equality Act 2010.
- Councils will no longer need to produce assessments after designating air quality zones.
Intellectual Property Bill
- A Unified Patent Court, based in London, will introduce a single patent system across all EU countries.
- Clearer guidance for businesses on what is protected under design law. The aim is that this will aid innovation by making investment in the design sector safer. Similarly design ownership will be clarified.
- New criminal penalties for those who copy registered deigns.
- A new design rights opinion service will settle intellectual property disputes without litigation.
- Sharing of information between the UK and other patent offices on unpublished patent applications.
Draft Consumer Rights Bill
- Consolidates eight pieces of legislation in one place.
- Clarify areas where the law has fallen behind the pace of change, for example on e-books.
- Easier access to compensation for those affected by breaches of consumer and competition law. More powers for Trading Standards to require businesses to compensate consumers for breaches of consumer law.
- Deregulation for businesses and enhanced consumer protection.
Local Audit and Accountability Bill
- Closes the Audit Commission.
- Extends the council tax referendum provisions so that taxpayers can veto rises in council tax from local quangos.
HS2 Hybrid Bill / High Speed (Preparation) Bill
- The construction of the high-speed rail route and the compulsory purchase of land for it.
- Powers for the Transport Secretary to pay for design work and surveys of the land for HS2.
Energy Bill
- Help for consumers to find the best energy tariff, including clearer and simpler information on bills.
- Incentives for businesses and households to cut their electricity use.
- The power for the government to set a target range for the decarbonisation of the power sector.
Water Bill
- Makes it easier for new businesses to enter the water market and for water companies to buy and sell water from one another in order to cope with drought.
- Changes to compensation arrangements for those affected by water companies abstracting water in order prevent unsustainable practices.
Mesothelioma Bill
- A scheme for people suffering from the asbestos-related cancer to receive compensation payments if their employers cannot be traced.
Immigration Bill
- Bigger fines for businesses using illegal labour.
- Temporary migrants must make a contribution before being able to use the NHS.
- Private landlords will be forced to check the immigration status of their tenants.
- Illegal immigrants will not be able to obtain UK driving licences.
- Only cases raising the most important immigration issues will have the right of appeal.
- Limits on the use of Article 8 in immigration cases.
Offender Rehabilitation Bill
- Supervision after release for offenders serving custodial sentences of less than 12 months and an extension to supervision after release for offenders serving custodial sentences of 1-2 years.
- Drug-abusing offenders will be required to attend treatment appointments. Offenders can be tested for Class B as well as Class A substances.
- A new requirement for offenders to attend appointments or activities to support their rehabilitation. Offenders serving sentences in the community will need to seek permission before moving out of the local area.
Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill
- Six powers to deal with anti-social behaviour which combine 19 existing ones.
- Owning or being in charge of a dog that is dangerously out of control in a public place will be extended to private places too.
- An increase in the maximum penalty for the illegal importation or exportation of firearms.
- Forced marriage to become a criminal offence.
- A Police Remuneration Body will replace the Police Negotiating Board.
- Police and Crime Commissioners will have the responsibility of commissioning victims’ services.
- Implementing recommendations from Sir Scott Baker’s review on extradition.
- The Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate will inspect the Serious Fraud Office.
- The police will be able to prosecute uncontested minor offences of shoplifting.
- An extension of the witness protection scheme.
- Compensation for miscarriages of justice will depend on a new ‘clear innocence’ test.
Defence Reform Bill
- Large scale changes in procurement of defence equipment.
- An increase in the size and role of the Reserve Forces.
Care Bill
- A single statute on care and support.
- The right for carers to receive support from their local council.
- A cap on the care costs which someone can pay.[Dilnot]
- A legal entitlement for everyone to a personal budget for care.
The Bill will also include a legislative response to the Francis Report into the failings at Stafford Hospital:
- Ofsted-style ratings for hospitals and care homes.
- Power for the Chief Inspector of Hospitals to identify problems with the quality of care.
- A new criminal offence for providers to offer false and misleading information about their performance.
Pensions Bill
- The new flat-rate pension to replace the current two-tier system from April 2016.
- Bringing forward the increase in the state pension age to 67 by eight years.
- A system of automatic transfers for an employee’s pension pot to follow them when they change jobs.
- The Pensions Regulator will have a new objective to consider minimising any impact on the sustainable growth of employers.
- The amalgamation of bereavement benefits into the Bereavement Support Payment.
National Insurance Contributions Bill
- The £2,000 employment allowance for every business and charity announced in this year’s Budget.
- Measures to combat tax avoidance, including an extension of the General Anti-Abuse Rule, which targets aggressive tax avoidance schemes, to National Insurance Contributions.
- Further attempts to stop companies avoiding paying NICs using offshore employment payroll companies.
- Measures minimising the tax advantages for limited liability partnership members by ending the automatic presumption that they are self-employed when they are technically employees.
Deregulation Bill
- A duty on regulators of industries to consider the impact that their actions will have on growth.
- Council and housing association tenants will qualify for the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire after three years, down from five.
- Self-employed workers whose jobs don’t risk harming others will be exempt from health and safety law.
- Employment tribunals will no longer be able to make wider recommendations following successful discrimination cases under the Equality Act 2010.
- Councils will no longer need to produce assessments after designating air quality zones.
Intellectual Property Bill
- A Unified Patent Court, based in London, will introduce a single patent system across all EU countries.
- Clearer guidance for businesses on what is protected under design law. The aim is that this will aid innovation by making investment in the design sector safer. Similarly design ownership will be clarified.
- New criminal penalties for those who copy registered deigns.
- A new design rights opinion service will settle intellectual property disputes without litigation.
- Sharing of information between the UK and other patent offices on unpublished patent applications.
Draft Consumer Rights Bill
- Consolidates eight pieces of legislation in one place.
- Clarify areas where the law has fallen behind the pace of change, for example on e-books.
- Easier access to compensation for those affected by breaches of consumer and competition law. More powers for Trading Standards to require businesses to compensate consumers for breaches of consumer law.
- Deregulation for businesses and enhanced consumer protection.
Local Audit and Accountability Bill
- Closes the Audit Commission.
- Extends the council tax referendum provisions so that taxpayers can veto rises in council tax from local quangos.
HS2 Hybrid Bill / High Speed (Preparation) Bill
- The construction of the high-speed rail route and the compulsory purchase of land for it.
- Powers for the Transport Secretary to pay for design work and surveys of the land for HS2.
Energy Bill
- Help for consumers to find the best energy tariff, including clearer and simpler information on bills.
- Incentives for businesses and households to cut their electricity use.
- The power for the government to set a target range for the decarbonisation of the power sector.
Water Bill
- Makes it easier for new businesses to enter the water market and for water companies to buy and sell water from one another in order to cope with drought.
- Changes to compensation arrangements for those affected by water companies abstracting water in order prevent unsustainable practices.
Mesothelioma Bill
- A scheme for people suffering from the asbestos-related cancer to receive compensation payments if their employers cannot be traced.
Immigration Bill
- Bigger fines for businesses using illegal labour.
- Temporary migrants must make a contribution before being able to use the NHS.
- Private landlords will be forced to check the immigration status of their tenants.
- Illegal immigrants will not be able to obtain UK driving licences.
- Only cases raising the most important immigration issues will have the right of appeal.
- Limits on the use of Article 8 in immigration cases.
Offender Rehabilitation Bill
- Supervision after release for offenders serving custodial sentences of less than 12 months and an extension to supervision after release for offenders serving custodial sentences of 1-2 years.
- Drug-abusing offenders will be required to attend treatment appointments. Offenders can be tested for Class B as well as Class A substances.
- A new requirement for offenders to attend appointments or activities to support their rehabilitation. Offenders serving sentences in the community will need to seek permission before moving out of the local area.
Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill
- Six powers to deal with anti-social behaviour which combine 19 existing ones.
- Owning or being in charge of a dog that is dangerously out of control in a public place will be extended to private places too.
- An increase in the maximum penalty for the illegal importation or exportation of firearms.
- Forced marriage to become a criminal offence.
- A Police Remuneration Body will replace the Police Negotiating Board.
- Police and Crime Commissioners will have the responsibility of commissioning victims’ services.
- Implementing recommendations from Sir Scott Baker’s review on extradition.
- The Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate will inspect the Serious Fraud Office.
- The police will be able to prosecute uncontested minor offences of shoplifting.
- An extension of the witness protection scheme.
- Compensation for miscarriages of justice will depend on a new ‘clear innocence’ test.
Defence Reform Bill
- Large scale changes in procurement of defence equipment.
- An increase in the size and role of the Reserve Forces.
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Key contents of Queens Speech
Social Care and introduction of the Dilnot Commission's findings is the major bill for me in this year's Queens Speech, although I am really pleased to hear that we are likely to be reforming women's pensions. The BBC has their take on what will or will not be in the Speech here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22381348
I will update with the real thing later
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22381348
I will update with the real thing later
Queens Speech, Meeting with the Boss [political not regal] and a morning in Brixton Prison today
About to cycle to Brixton Prison where I will be meeting prisoners and seeing the work being done to try and improve the prison's outcomes and generally rehabilitate prisoners to prevent offending on release. Then back to Westminster for the pomp and ceremony of Queens Speech, which sets out the legislation that will the Coalition will try and bring through parliament this year. There is then a debate on its contents at 2.30, which will be robust as this is one of the few times that MPs can question the PM and the Leader of the Opposition. The debate on the contents of the Queens speech is then opened up to other MPs who will debate it over a period of several days.
I will be in the House until at least 10pm tonight as we have to vote then, but have to pop out of the chamber on several occasions, and will also be meeting Mark Harper, my political boss, who I have sorely neglected as a Parliamentary Private Secretary of late. Will definitely be spending more time on Home Office matters in the next few months.
I will be in the House until at least 10pm tonight as we have to vote then, but have to pop out of the chamber on several occasions, and will also be meeting Mark Harper, my political boss, who I have sorely neglected as a Parliamentary Private Secretary of late. Will definitely be spending more time on Home Office matters in the next few months.
Monday, 6 May 2013
Prison Radio - I will be live in Brixton Prison on Wednesday at 9.45am discussing "Doing Time"
My book "Doing Time" is going down well in prisons and the Prison Radio Association have kindly asked me to come in to Brixton Prison on wednesday May 8th to talk live on the Prison Radio service about the changes I want to see in prisons. My thanks to Phil Macguire and Chris Impey for making this possible. I will report back after the visit and the radio show. If you want to know more then go to www.prisonradioassociation.org
It is a while since I was last in Brixton. It is an iconic prison in London and I had clients there about 10 years ago so I will be interested to see the changes. The prison features very heavily in John Podmore's seminal work on his life as the prison governor there - a book he wrote, called Out of Sight, Out of Mind, is required reading for anyone interested in prison reform.
It is a while since I was last in Brixton. It is an iconic prison in London and I had clients there about 10 years ago so I will be interested to see the changes. The prison features very heavily in John Podmore's seminal work on his life as the prison governor there - a book he wrote, called Out of Sight, Out of Mind, is required reading for anyone interested in prison reform.
Back in Westminster
At my desk tonight going through outstanding correspondence / catching up on emails. Tomorrow the House returns. I have meetings, in particular, tomorrow with the NHS Minister over GP contracts / revised terms and conditions. This has been particularly brought to the fore by my meetings with the Haydon Bridge GPs in April, and extensively in correspondence, but others have also raised it.
As I have been up north for the Council elections my apologies if we have been a little slow responding to your emails / letters but they will all be dealt with, as always. We get over 100 letters / emails a day but try to respond to everyone. If you have not received a response within a few weeks then do not hesitate to contact the London office which deals with all the correspondence.
As I have been up north for the Council elections my apologies if we have been a little slow responding to your emails / letters but they will all be dealt with, as always. We get over 100 letters / emails a day but try to respond to everyone. If you have not received a response within a few weeks then do not hesitate to contact the London office which deals with all the correspondence.
Sunday, 5 May 2013
2013 Elections: The Analysis
I am very proud to say we chalked up an impressive 5% increase in our vote in Thursdays elections in my patch, despite 2008 already being a record year for the Conservatives.
The Conservatives 55% vote share in the constituency in a record breaking result. The Liberal Democrats on the other hand lost half their vote share, falling to third place with 13% of the vote, down from 26% in 2008. In one of the most dramatic gains in the County, Colin Cessford turned a 14% Lib Dem majority in Hexham West into a 19% Conservative one - with a huge 33% swing.
Labour, who lost every seat in the constituency at the 2008 elections, saw an 11% increase in their vote this time round, to 23%.
Despite being Labour’s top Conservative-held target seat in the constituency, Labour only managed to knock 5% off Councillor Terry Robson’s majority in Hexham Central with Acomb. Cllr Robson held the seat with a 14% majority. In Haltwhistle, Cllr Ian Hutchinson also pulled off an impressive victory to hold his marginal seat with a 7% majority, despite a tough challenge from Labour.
With UKIP falling flat across the constituency Ponteland saw its three Conservative Councillors turn their seats into some of the safest in the Country, each wining by a majority of more than 60%. Councillor Eileen Armstrong turned her Ponteland East and Stannington seat to the safest in the constituency, gaining a massive 83% of the vote. Not far behind her was Ponteland West Councillor Veronica Jones on 80% and Group Leader Peter Jackson with 81% of the vote in his Ponteland South and Heddon seat. Ponteland North Councillor Richard Dodd was unopposed.
In Corbridge Conservative Cllr Jean Fearon increased her majority from a marginal 8% in 2008 to an impressive 34% this time round, with the Liberal Democrats collapsing into third place.
Labour’s success on a County level was built on gains made in its traditional stronghold in the south-east of the County, where it gained 11 seats from the Lib Dems. Labour gained 15 seats on the authority in total– fnishing as the biggest single party with 32. It means Labour will form a minority administration at County Hall.
The Conservatives remain as the second largest group on the council, increasing the number of seats they hold to 21 wining four new seats from across the County. The Conservatives gains where: Hexham West, Cramlington West, Bamburgh and Morpeth North.
Congratualtions to everyone, from all parties, who took the time to get involved in these elections. A special thank you to my hardworking team of volunteers and Councillors in my constituency who ensured we had such a great result.
The Conservatives 55% vote share in the constituency in a record breaking result. The Liberal Democrats on the other hand lost half their vote share, falling to third place with 13% of the vote, down from 26% in 2008. In one of the most dramatic gains in the County, Colin Cessford turned a 14% Lib Dem majority in Hexham West into a 19% Conservative one - with a huge 33% swing.
Labour, who lost every seat in the constituency at the 2008 elections, saw an 11% increase in their vote this time round, to 23%.
Despite being Labour’s top Conservative-held target seat in the constituency, Labour only managed to knock 5% off Councillor Terry Robson’s majority in Hexham Central with Acomb. Cllr Robson held the seat with a 14% majority. In Haltwhistle, Cllr Ian Hutchinson also pulled off an impressive victory to hold his marginal seat with a 7% majority, despite a tough challenge from Labour.
With UKIP falling flat across the constituency Ponteland saw its three Conservative Councillors turn their seats into some of the safest in the Country, each wining by a majority of more than 60%. Councillor Eileen Armstrong turned her Ponteland East and Stannington seat to the safest in the constituency, gaining a massive 83% of the vote. Not far behind her was Ponteland West Councillor Veronica Jones on 80% and Group Leader Peter Jackson with 81% of the vote in his Ponteland South and Heddon seat. Ponteland North Councillor Richard Dodd was unopposed.
In Corbridge Conservative Cllr Jean Fearon increased her majority from a marginal 8% in 2008 to an impressive 34% this time round, with the Liberal Democrats collapsing into third place.
Labour’s success on a County level was built on gains made in its traditional stronghold in the south-east of the County, where it gained 11 seats from the Lib Dems. Labour gained 15 seats on the authority in total– fnishing as the biggest single party with 32. It means Labour will form a minority administration at County Hall.
The Conservatives remain as the second largest group on the council, increasing the number of seats they hold to 21 wining four new seats from across the County. The Conservatives gains where: Hexham West, Cramlington West, Bamburgh and Morpeth North.
Congratualtions to everyone, from all parties, who took the time to get involved in these elections. A special thank you to my hardworking team of volunteers and Councillors in my constituency who ensured we had such a great result.
Friday, 3 May 2013
Conservative Gains in Northumberland
Results as follows: in west northumberland count as decided in Hexham today
Bellingham: Conservative win for John Riddle
Corbridge: Conservative win for Jean Fearon
Haltwhistle: Conservative win for Ian Hutchinson
Hexham East; Conserative win for Cath Homer [new candidate]
Hexham West: Conservative win for Colin Cessford [new candidate]
Hexham Central and Acomb: Conservative win for Terry Robson
Humshaugh: Conservative win for Rupert Gibson [new candidate]
Ponteland East: Conservative win for Eileen Armstrong
Ponteland West: Conservative win for Veronica Jones
Ponteland South: Conservative win for Peter Jackson
Ponteland North - Conservative win when Richard Dodd elected unopposed by any other party - very bizarre!
South Tynedale: Conservative win for Colin Horncastle
Haydon and Hadrian: Lib Dem hold
Prudhoe North and South: Labour wins
Bywell & Stocksfield: Independent wins
I would make 4 observations from this election -
- Great results in the 3 tough Labour / Conservative fights of Hexham Central, Hexham East and Haltwhistle for our Conservative councillors. On a national swing all should have gone to Labour but all 3 were held by a hundred plus votes or more.
- Lib Dem vote declined everywhere. Not as bad as South Shields last night where they got 1%, but in Prudhoe North it was a Lib Dem seat before this election and their candidate this time did not get 10% of the vote. A good hold for the Lib Dems in Haydon and Hadrian, but the hard work of former ambulance man Colin Cessford knocking on every door for over a year paid off in Hexham West. No canddiate has worked harder this last year.
- Ponteland saw a failure by Labour to put up any Labour candidate in any of the 4 county seats, and only 1 liberal in Pont South, leaving 2 fights in east and west against Ukip on their own, which both of our star ladies won by a landslide. Ukip made little impact here. One of their candidates told me unequivocally and robustly last week that he would be a councillor on Friday, and then only polled just over 10%.
- across the county the labour party have clearly made progress but the Conservatives have also won new seats in Cramlington, Morpeth North and Bamburgh.
My thanks to all the candidates who worked so very hard, including the losers on the day. Noone left anything in the locker.
My congratulations to the winners from other parties - Tony Reid, Eileen Burt, Anne dale, Paul Kelly and Alan Sharp - all fought good campaigns. My thanks to all the council and electoral staff, the police and everyone involved in the count. These events take a lot of managing / effort. My final thanks to all the supporters, families and friends who gave up so much time / effort for their candidates - but most of all my thanks to everyone who participated. We are lucky to have the vote - it was good that you used it.
For my part, my phone is off - I am going to be sleeping a lot this weekend!
Bellingham: Conservative win for John Riddle
Corbridge: Conservative win for Jean Fearon
Haltwhistle: Conservative win for Ian Hutchinson
Hexham East; Conserative win for Cath Homer [new candidate]
Hexham West: Conservative win for Colin Cessford [new candidate]
Hexham Central and Acomb: Conservative win for Terry Robson
Humshaugh: Conservative win for Rupert Gibson [new candidate]
Ponteland East: Conservative win for Eileen Armstrong
Ponteland West: Conservative win for Veronica Jones
Ponteland South: Conservative win for Peter Jackson
Ponteland North - Conservative win when Richard Dodd elected unopposed by any other party - very bizarre!
South Tynedale: Conservative win for Colin Horncastle
Haydon and Hadrian: Lib Dem hold
Prudhoe North and South: Labour wins
Bywell & Stocksfield: Independent wins
I would make 4 observations from this election -
- Great results in the 3 tough Labour / Conservative fights of Hexham Central, Hexham East and Haltwhistle for our Conservative councillors. On a national swing all should have gone to Labour but all 3 were held by a hundred plus votes or more.
- Lib Dem vote declined everywhere. Not as bad as South Shields last night where they got 1%, but in Prudhoe North it was a Lib Dem seat before this election and their candidate this time did not get 10% of the vote. A good hold for the Lib Dems in Haydon and Hadrian, but the hard work of former ambulance man Colin Cessford knocking on every door for over a year paid off in Hexham West. No canddiate has worked harder this last year.
- Ponteland saw a failure by Labour to put up any Labour candidate in any of the 4 county seats, and only 1 liberal in Pont South, leaving 2 fights in east and west against Ukip on their own, which both of our star ladies won by a landslide. Ukip made little impact here. One of their candidates told me unequivocally and robustly last week that he would be a councillor on Friday, and then only polled just over 10%.
- across the county the labour party have clearly made progress but the Conservatives have also won new seats in Cramlington, Morpeth North and Bamburgh.
My thanks to all the candidates who worked so very hard, including the losers on the day. Noone left anything in the locker.
My congratulations to the winners from other parties - Tony Reid, Eileen Burt, Anne dale, Paul Kelly and Alan Sharp - all fought good campaigns. My thanks to all the council and electoral staff, the police and everyone involved in the count. These events take a lot of managing / effort. My final thanks to all the supporters, families and friends who gave up so much time / effort for their candidates - but most of all my thanks to everyone who participated. We are lucky to have the vote - it was good that you used it.
For my part, my phone is off - I am going to be sleeping a lot this weekend!
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Voted in Stamfordham 1st thing - now campaigning in Haltwhistle
Good luck to all our candidates all across the region - my thanks to them for having the courage to stick their hand up, put themselves before their community and put in the hard yards to meet the voters. Also huge thanks to all their families and friends who have had to put up with tired and campaigning candidates for several months.
To all the volunteers and supporters throughout the region - we could not do this without you...
To all the volunteers and supporters throughout the region - we could not do this without you...
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
3 children & 1 teacher changing maths in Hexham and Westminster
Last week I welcomed the 3 maths gurus from Hexham Middle School who helped convince education minister Liz Truss that the old way is best. Elizabeth Nixon, Anisha Bannister and Amy Hawke – along with their maths teacher Cath Parker – came to westminster and met the Minister after writing to me last year.
The Department for Education has now ditched plans to replace the old long-division system with the modern system ‘chunking’.
Elizabeth Nixon said: “Liz Truss was very interested in what we had to say and did seem to listen to everything we said.
“I felt that what I’d written had actually made a difference, and that what goes on in Parliament is actually influenced by what we say, even when we’re children.”
Mrs Parker, who at 42 can certainly remember the old ways while still young enough to understand the modern, said: “When I was a child I had a maths teacher who would hit me with a ruler if I got it wrong! But this all began with the girls here in September when I was teaching long division, and Amy said ‘why have I spent five years of my life trying to divide numbers using ‘chunking’ when it’s that easy?’.
“I said it was because a lot of teachers followed Government curriculum.
“But the children much prefer long division and find it much easier. By teaching them ‘chunking’, you aren’t actually teaching them how to divide. You are only teaching them how to subtract.”
The minister agreed to return the curriculum to “tried and tested” methods instead of the modern concept.
And Mrs Parker said: “It’s a victory for common sense. The education minister has listened to everyone, including schoolchildren. We had quite a long chat with her and wanted myself and the girls to show her how we saw the more efficient method.”
I have competition for my job in a short while as Elizabeth added: “I hope one day, if not as a child but as an adult, I can come back , maybe even as an MP!”
It was a great day and the 4 ladies were very impressive.
The Department for Education has now ditched plans to replace the old long-division system with the modern system ‘chunking’.
Elizabeth Nixon said: “Liz Truss was very interested in what we had to say and did seem to listen to everything we said.Mrs Parker, who at 42 can certainly remember the old ways while still young enough to understand the modern, said: “When I was a child I had a maths teacher who would hit me with a ruler if I got it wrong! But this all began with the girls here in September when I was teaching long division, and Amy said ‘why have I spent five years of my life trying to divide numbers using ‘chunking’ when it’s that easy?’.
“I said it was because a lot of teachers followed Government curriculum.
“But the children much prefer long division and find it much easier. By teaching them ‘chunking’, you aren’t actually teaching them how to divide. You are only teaching them how to subtract.”
The minister agreed to return the curriculum to “tried and tested” methods instead of the modern concept.
And Mrs Parker said: “It’s a victory for common sense. The education minister has listened to everyone, including schoolchildren. We had quite a long chat with her and wanted myself and the girls to show her how we saw the more efficient method.”
I have competition for my job in a short while as Elizabeth added: “I hope one day, if not as a child but as an adult, I can come back , maybe even as an MP!”
It was a great day and the 4 ladies were very impressive.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Work not benefits will pay as welfare reforms start
The first pilot project started yesterday in Ashton under Lyme, Greater Manchester. It will transform welfare and simplify the system. After months of opposition even Liam Byrne, the shadow welfare minister accepted that Ian Duncan Smith's reforms were correct and indicated his party now backed the introduction of the new universal credit syste.
The new system is designed to ensure it always pays for people on benefits to go back to work or accept extra hours. Labour, as usual, voted against the scheme when it was debated by Parliament last year. But yesterday Mr Byrne said the universal credit system was a ‘fine idea’, albeit one with some details still to be ironed out.
Shadow employment minister Stephen Timms also said the scheme was a ‘sensible’ idea which would ‘potentially simplify’ the benefits system.
The fundamental point is that people should be encouraged back in to work not trapped in a situation where they earn more on benefits than they could do if they tried to work.
For more details on the story see here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2316612/Universal-Credit-shake-make-sure-work-pays-gets-underway-Labour-finally-admits-sensible-idea.html
The new system is designed to ensure it always pays for people on benefits to go back to work or accept extra hours. Labour, as usual, voted against the scheme when it was debated by Parliament last year. But yesterday Mr Byrne said the universal credit system was a ‘fine idea’, albeit one with some details still to be ironed out.
Shadow employment minister Stephen Timms also said the scheme was a ‘sensible’ idea which would ‘potentially simplify’ the benefits system.
The fundamental point is that people should be encouraged back in to work not trapped in a situation where they earn more on benefits than they could do if they tried to work.
For more details on the story see here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2316612/Universal-Credit-shake-make-sure-work-pays-gets-underway-Labour-finally-admits-sensible-idea.html
10 times Ed Miliband was asked to accept wants to borrow - no answer
Despite outlining plans that would require more than £28billion of borrowing yesterday he refused to accept he would borrow more - car crash interview on World at One yesterday and rightly reported in todays papers
Campaigning and surgeries today in Ovingham, Haltwhistle and Haydon Bridge this evening
As the County Council campaign enters its last few days I shall be in 3 towns and various villages today but holding a series of surgeries on the way - not least the meeting tonight in Shafto School for concerned local residents in Haydon Bridge
Monday, 29 April 2013
Syria and red lines
Beware politicians who say something is non negotiable, or a red line which cannot be crossed. I have done this job for nearly 3 years now and politics is rarely black and white: I worry when we get ourselves backed into a corner because of rhetoric.
This week-end the issue is Mr Obama’s use of the red line phrase over Syria. The US and other countries are rightly demanding more proof that chemical weapons were used, that they were used by the Syrian government, and that the user had the full authority of Assad. If this is forthcoming then it is a war crime. War criminals need prosecution once they have been toppled from the protections of state power.
Although some people do not realise this, as yet, but we in Europe have got very good at prosecuting war crimes and the tribunals have brought many dictators and offenders to justice.
There is plenty of evidence of how loathsome this Syrain government is, and how cruel it is towards its own citizens, with or without using chemical weapons. Shelling and bombing civilian populations with conventional munitions can impose horrendous injuries and deaths. The issue should be how could western military intervention help, rather than whether there is sufficient pretext for such intervention.
As one colleague put it:
The problems with any military intervention are manifold.
- How could western bombs rain down without killing some people who are not part of the government and state armed forces?
- If the west uneashes some of its might to tip the balance in favour of a rebel victory, what kind of a government might replace Assad’s?
- How would any such replacement government heal the wounds of the current civil war?
- Is there a danger that more people who do not share the west’s beliefs in democracy, freedom and human rights take over in this blighted state?
- Could a change of government usher in a new instability, as pro Assad forces became the new rebels?
For me the best way is to assist the Syrain opposition as best we can without getting involved with offensive measures or boots on the ground
This week-end the issue is Mr Obama’s use of the red line phrase over Syria. The US and other countries are rightly demanding more proof that chemical weapons were used, that they were used by the Syrian government, and that the user had the full authority of Assad. If this is forthcoming then it is a war crime. War criminals need prosecution once they have been toppled from the protections of state power.
Although some people do not realise this, as yet, but we in Europe have got very good at prosecuting war crimes and the tribunals have brought many dictators and offenders to justice.
There is plenty of evidence of how loathsome this Syrain government is, and how cruel it is towards its own citizens, with or without using chemical weapons. Shelling and bombing civilian populations with conventional munitions can impose horrendous injuries and deaths. The issue should be how could western military intervention help, rather than whether there is sufficient pretext for such intervention.
As one colleague put it:
The problems with any military intervention are manifold.
- How could western bombs rain down without killing some people who are not part of the government and state armed forces?
- If the west uneashes some of its might to tip the balance in favour of a rebel victory, what kind of a government might replace Assad’s?
- How would any such replacement government heal the wounds of the current civil war?
- Is there a danger that more people who do not share the west’s beliefs in democracy, freedom and human rights take over in this blighted state?
- Could a change of government usher in a new instability, as pro Assad forces became the new rebels?
For me the best way is to assist the Syrain opposition as best we can without getting involved with offensive measures or boots on the ground
Sunday, 28 April 2013
Speaking about my book "Doing Time" Hexham Book Festival 6.30 Monday Queens Hall
Prison reform and criminal justice are the issues addressed in my book which I am discussing in a Q and A session Monday evening at the Queens Hall Hexham - the proceeds from the book go to my favourite NHS charity the National Brain Appeal
Please feel free to come along - its my first Book Festival! I will be signing copies of the book with the bookshop Cogito Books afterwards in the foyer.
The BBC reviewed the Book here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20270600
The short summary would be as follows:
A ground-breaking study of national importance of our criminal justice system by an MP and a former criminal barrister of note.
Prison does work. It locks people up so that the prisoner cannot then commit a crime: yet prison for years has failed to change the prisoner's behaviour. It is a disappointing fact of our prison system that under the last government released prisoners had a reoffending rate of approximately 70%. Prisons are a short term fix, not a long term solution. The public does not want us to be soft on prisoners. The Justice system needs to command the respect and confidence of the people. It clearly has not commanded that respect for some considerable time. Repeated polling shows that the public wants prison to be more effective at changing prisoners' behaviour. Put simply, it wants government to knuckle down and make prisons work . This study attempts to analyse what went wrong with the prison regimes in the past, makes suggestions for future changes, and assesses how things are changing under the new government. By ignoring prisoners, locking them up, and then discharging them with no basic skills, and still drug addicted, we have created a recipe for disaster and ever increasing prison numbers. This government should make the tackling of crime and reoffending a number one priority. The key point is that we know what the problems are: all are capable of being addressed.
Please feel free to come along - its my first Book Festival! I will be signing copies of the book with the bookshop Cogito Books afterwards in the foyer.
The BBC reviewed the Book here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20270600
The short summary would be as follows:
A ground-breaking study of national importance of our criminal justice system by an MP and a former criminal barrister of note.
Prison does work. It locks people up so that the prisoner cannot then commit a crime: yet prison for years has failed to change the prisoner's behaviour. It is a disappointing fact of our prison system that under the last government released prisoners had a reoffending rate of approximately 70%. Prisons are a short term fix, not a long term solution. The public does not want us to be soft on prisoners. The Justice system needs to command the respect and confidence of the people. It clearly has not commanded that respect for some considerable time. Repeated polling shows that the public wants prison to be more effective at changing prisoners' behaviour. Put simply, it wants government to knuckle down and make prisons work . This study attempts to analyse what went wrong with the prison regimes in the past, makes suggestions for future changes, and assesses how things are changing under the new government. By ignoring prisoners, locking them up, and then discharging them with no basic skills, and still drug addicted, we have created a recipe for disaster and ever increasing prison numbers. This government should make the tackling of crime and reoffending a number one priority. The key point is that we know what the problems are: all are capable of being addressed.
Epic Weekend
Campaigning, door knocking, rain dodging, beer sampling, orchard planting, speech giving, food festival going, volunteering, and even rode a horse at a pub....a great Northumberland weekend
- Knocked on over 300 doors in Wylam, Ovingham, Ponteland, Hexham and South Shields
- Helped Wylam First School plant its native wild flower meadow / orchard this Sunday afternoon
- Sat on a horse and drank beer in aid of the Haydon Bridge Beer Festival and Fourstones Church at the wonderful Railway Pub in Fourstones [good beer] - well done to everyone who rode, cycled or ran from Haydon Bridge to Warden fora good cause
- Campaigned with Karen Allen in South Shields and for our County Council candidates in Ponteland, Bywell and Hexham
- Did a couple of surgeries
- Supported the Hexham Food Festival - great organisation / delicious food and drink
- Missed Pippa at the wedding but the Allendale wedding did get a lot of people excited in Hexham and it was great for the hotels and B and Bs
- Held a party for 70 just outside Corbridge Friday night and gave a short speech [1 genuinely funny line - was complimented on speech being "punchy and short" ... there is a compliment in there somewhere]
- Knocked on over 300 doors in Wylam, Ovingham, Ponteland, Hexham and South Shields
- Helped Wylam First School plant its native wild flower meadow / orchard this Sunday afternoon
- Sat on a horse and drank beer in aid of the Haydon Bridge Beer Festival and Fourstones Church at the wonderful Railway Pub in Fourstones [good beer] - well done to everyone who rode, cycled or ran from Haydon Bridge to Warden fora good cause
- Campaigned with Karen Allen in South Shields and for our County Council candidates in Ponteland, Bywell and Hexham
- Did a couple of surgeries
- Supported the Hexham Food Festival - great organisation / delicious food and drink
- Missed Pippa at the wedding but the Allendale wedding did get a lot of people excited in Hexham and it was great for the hotels and B and Bs
- Held a party for 70 just outside Corbridge Friday night and gave a short speech [1 genuinely funny line - was complimented on speech being "punchy and short" ... there is a compliment in there somewhere]
Friday, 26 April 2013
So Yvette Cooper - why are you campaigning against Labour policy?
Yesterday both Yvette Cooper and I were campaigning in South Shields. I was in Whitburn knocking on doors in Myrtle Avenue, Adolphus Street and Shearwater with Karen Allen, our locally born South Shields candidate. Yvette was in town for a flying visit and critical of the spare homes subsidy policy changes. She wants to call a taxpayer subsidy a tax - but seeing as she is married to Ed Balls I am not going to expect wise financial understanding from team Balls.
However, this is exactly the same policy change as was in the Labour party manifesto, [and as set out by James Purnell, the former Labour Work and Pensions Minister before 2010], which promised to reform housing benefit to ensure that people on benefits do not end up getting subsidies for rented accomodation that those who work could never afford to live in. Thus, all political parties accepted at the last election that this was an issue that had to be tackled. Like lots of our countries problems the reality is that this government is the one that has to take the hard decisions.
There are 12,000 people on the social housing waiting list in Northumberland, including several thousand in my constituency. We also have many homes occupied by social housing tenants where the present tenant is living in a home with more bedrooms than the present occupant needs. Housing benefit costs the UK taxpayer £23 Billion. It used to be £11 Billion barely 12 years ago. All of this has to come out of working people's taxes.
Its cost has risen self evidently by over 100% in the last 10 years.
Our welfare bill in this country is also simply unsustainable.
The Coalition are trying to address this problem.
What to do?
Clearly we should tackle the need for social housing by building more 1 bed and 2 bed social housing bungalows and flats. This we are doing both locally and nationally. I can point to a large number of great projects locally - Trinity Court in Corbridge is but one that ISOS is opening soon.
But this will not be enough. We need to move people to homes that the state will continue to provide, but free up housing stock for people who need 2, 3 or 4 bed homes. I have local people who have been on waiting lists for well over 5 years.
There is a very large pot of money available to ensure that those who either cannot move or cannot afford to pay the difference can do so.
Yvette is thus criticising a policy she campaigned upon at the last election to introduce.
Yvette also fails to want to cut welfare in any way which is disappointing.
However, this is exactly the same policy change as was in the Labour party manifesto, [and as set out by James Purnell, the former Labour Work and Pensions Minister before 2010], which promised to reform housing benefit to ensure that people on benefits do not end up getting subsidies for rented accomodation that those who work could never afford to live in. Thus, all political parties accepted at the last election that this was an issue that had to be tackled. Like lots of our countries problems the reality is that this government is the one that has to take the hard decisions.
There are 12,000 people on the social housing waiting list in Northumberland, including several thousand in my constituency. We also have many homes occupied by social housing tenants where the present tenant is living in a home with more bedrooms than the present occupant needs. Housing benefit costs the UK taxpayer £23 Billion. It used to be £11 Billion barely 12 years ago. All of this has to come out of working people's taxes.
Its cost has risen self evidently by over 100% in the last 10 years.
Our welfare bill in this country is also simply unsustainable.
The Coalition are trying to address this problem.
What to do?
Clearly we should tackle the need for social housing by building more 1 bed and 2 bed social housing bungalows and flats. This we are doing both locally and nationally. I can point to a large number of great projects locally - Trinity Court in Corbridge is but one that ISOS is opening soon.
But this will not be enough. We need to move people to homes that the state will continue to provide, but free up housing stock for people who need 2, 3 or 4 bed homes. I have local people who have been on waiting lists for well over 5 years.
There is a very large pot of money available to ensure that those who either cannot move or cannot afford to pay the difference can do so.
Yvette is thus criticising a policy she campaigned upon at the last election to introduce.
Yvette also fails to want to cut welfare in any way which is disappointing.
Crime down in Northumbria latest stats show
Congratulations to all the local officers: violent crime, theft, and burglary were all down between 10 and 15 % compared with 2011, while sexual offences have dropped by nearly a quarter at 24%.
Read more: http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2013/04/26/police-chiefs-praise-fall-in-north-east-crime-61634-33238951/
Read more: http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2013/04/26/police-chiefs-praise-fall-in-north-east-crime-61634-33238951/
All men and women may park in Northumberland but in Hexham we pay for the privilege
The Lib Dem parking policy is crazy. If George Orwell were alive today he would look at the parking situation in Northumberland and shake his head in wonder. Whilst some parts of the County enjoy free parking those of us who live and work in places like Hexham are forced to pay for parking. That this is having an impact on the trade in the town is beyond dispute. There are NCC parking enforcement officers who are zealous to say the least - and I receive regular and detailed complaints that the officers actions are driving people out of the town. Five separate constituents have raised this problem these last 7 days from employers of 20 + people in Hexham, to one man bands, to local townspeople. Only this week I received a complaint as to possible penalties being imposed by the parking attendant when a trader was legitimately using a loading bay.
Employers are struggling to employ people in the town because people who work in Hexham more often than not cannot get more than 3 hour parking for the day.
If this were a policy county wide I would be more understanding, but the reality is that Hexham pays and the South East of the County does not. That is simply unfair and merely because our Lib Dem masters in Morpeth say it is what they agreed with South East residents does not make it fair.
The Conservatives have a simple pledge of fairness across the County - we will make parking free for all. This would cost in lack of revenue but would be more than offset by the impact it would have in trade, in support for our shops and retailers who make up the life blood of this great county. People would have the money in their pockets to spend in the towns and shops that is presently being spent on inequitable and unfair parking charges. This is a choice - and a choice to support all of Northumberland - not just the Liberals favoured few.
For my quotes I prefer Jefferson to Orwell - "all men and women are created equal and should be allowed to park equally - and freely - across the County!" Vote Conservative for a free parking policy on May 2.
Employers are struggling to employ people in the town because people who work in Hexham more often than not cannot get more than 3 hour parking for the day.
If this were a policy county wide I would be more understanding, but the reality is that Hexham pays and the South East of the County does not. That is simply unfair and merely because our Lib Dem masters in Morpeth say it is what they agreed with South East residents does not make it fair.
The Conservatives have a simple pledge of fairness across the County - we will make parking free for all. This would cost in lack of revenue but would be more than offset by the impact it would have in trade, in support for our shops and retailers who make up the life blood of this great county. People would have the money in their pockets to spend in the towns and shops that is presently being spent on inequitable and unfair parking charges. This is a choice - and a choice to support all of Northumberland - not just the Liberals favoured few.
For my quotes I prefer Jefferson to Orwell - "all men and women are created equal and should be allowed to park equally - and freely - across the County!" Vote Conservative for a free parking policy on May 2.
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Wishing Nigel Dodds MP a good recovery after his heart attack in the commons today
The Northern Irishman is an excellent MP and suffered an attack today. He is an outstanding parliamentarian. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Wishing him a v speedy return to full health
Health Minister Dr. Dan Poulter MP and I at Hexham Hospital tomorrow
Dan is the health minister who helped save my life and together tomorrow we will be going to the wonderful Hexham hospital.
The story of how Dan helped me is well known, as he is not only a Health Minister, but a good doctor.
On April 26, 2011, almost exactly two years ago, I collapsed, and was suddenly violently sick. Dan arrived to help. He conducted a review of my symptoms and summoned an ambulance. That night and the following 2 weeks was scary but the NHS did a great job and I am better than before.
The story of how Dan helped me is well known, as he is not only a Health Minister, but a good doctor.
On April 26, 2011, almost exactly two years ago, I collapsed, and was suddenly violently sick. Dan arrived to help. He conducted a review of my symptoms and summoned an ambulance. That night and the following 2 weeks was scary but the NHS did a great job and I am better than before.
The full story is in today Journal: http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2013/04/24/hexham-mp-guy-opperman-set-to-help-launch-northumberland-hospital-61634-33225486/#ixzz2RMsI5F8k
Update: apologies but the schedule for tomorrow changed and it appears we are going to Hexham hospital and the RVI and not laying the foundation stone at cramlington. That will be for another day I am now told.
Update: apologies but the schedule for tomorrow changed and it appears we are going to Hexham hospital and the RVI and not laying the foundation stone at cramlington. That will be for another day I am now told.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
The lights go out in the House of Commons
Michael Gove is very quick on his feet. Yesterday he was answering Education questions on academies, when the lights went out in the House of Commons. He was talking to Labour's Kate Hoey MP about:
"the amazing Durand academy in her constituency. To this day I am grateful, because it is an outstanding school with a wonderful team of teachers. The fact that it is thinking of opening boarding provision for children after the age of 11 is a bright ray of hope. It is a pity that some unfortunate words have been said
—[Interruption - as lights go out before coming back on]
All I can do is quote Cardinal Newman:
"the amazing Durand academy in her constituency. To this day I am grateful, because it is an outstanding school with a wonderful team of teachers. The fact that it is thinking of opening boarding provision for children after the age of 11 is a bright ray of hope. It is a pity that some unfortunate words have been said
—[Interruption - as lights go out before coming back on]
All I can do is quote Cardinal Newman:
“Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom”.
The same spirit of that great pioneer of education is operating in Greg Martin's Durand school. I hope that it will come to Sussex as well."
"Part of the banking system should be local" - The Archbishop backs our local banks campaign
So said Justin Welby yesterday at a Bible Society event: he stated that problems were created when banks became distant from the communities they served.
The Anglican leader said the simplest solution to recreate a local banking system was "recapitalising at least one of our major banks and breaking it up into regional banks".
He cautioned against allowing the banking system to become too concentrated in the mistaken belief that it was safer. "As a bank, you can be big and simple or small and complicated, and do well. If you get big and complicated, you become unmanageable,"
I am delighted that the Archbishop agrees with our proposals for local banks.
Our conference to discuss how we do this is getting bigger and better and is on June 7th
The Anglican leader said the simplest solution to recreate a local banking system was "recapitalising at least one of our major banks and breaking it up into regional banks".
He cautioned against allowing the banking system to become too concentrated in the mistaken belief that it was safer. "As a bank, you can be big and simple or small and complicated, and do well. If you get big and complicated, you become unmanageable,"
I am delighted that the Archbishop agrees with our proposals for local banks.
Our conference to discuss how we do this is getting bigger and better and is on June 7th
Happy St Georges Day
Shame that if Scotland goes independent it would have to use the Euro, or a new currency.
Alex Salmond as usual wants lots of cake, has eaten it already, and wants to eat it again and again.
Not so the Pound and the Bank of England [Alex - the clue is in the name]
If Scots want to go independent then they have to find another currency - the dreaded Euro being the currency that dare not speak its name.
European Leader Barroso has warned that Scotland would not be automatically eligible to stay in the EU either – let alone join the Euro – it raises an awkward question as to what these independent Scots would use to pay the bills.
The SNP want to stay in the sterling zone. ‘Our preference is to use sterling”, says John Swinney, the SNP finance spokesman, “and no one can stop us.” True; no one can stop the Russians using it either. No one stops us using the rouble. As George Osborne said today, no one stops Panama using the US Dollar. But it’s better, of course, to use a currency over which there is some degree of national control.
This morning, Osborne had this to say to BBC Radio 4:
Note how Osborne refers to the ‘rest of Scotland,’ leaving open the option of Orkney and Shetland seceding and becoming the Dubai of the north. If you do a Salmond, and draw an imaginary line into the sea, their claim (right) would be no less logical than that of Scotland as a whole.
Anyway, today’s Treasury paper will say there is a ”need to agree a negotiated set of constraints on its economic and fiscal policies”. Here’s its case:-
"The idea of Scottish separation is, to me, such a nonsense because it creates a thousand problems and solves none. Scotland’s problems are dire economic growth, the worst poverty levels in Western Europe, appalling life expectancy etc. None of which will be resolved by having more Saltires flying over hospitals, or cutting back the military. Osborne is right to highlight the currency issue, as it’s one of many to which the nationalists really do have no convincing answer."
Alex Salmond as usual wants lots of cake, has eaten it already, and wants to eat it again and again.
Not so the Pound and the Bank of England [Alex - the clue is in the name]
If Scots want to go independent then they have to find another currency - the dreaded Euro being the currency that dare not speak its name.
European Leader Barroso has warned that Scotland would not be automatically eligible to stay in the EU either – let alone join the Euro – it raises an awkward question as to what these independent Scots would use to pay the bills.
The SNP want to stay in the sterling zone. ‘Our preference is to use sterling”, says John Swinney, the SNP finance spokesman, “and no one can stop us.” True; no one can stop the Russians using it either. No one stops us using the rouble. As George Osborne said today, no one stops Panama using the US Dollar. But it’s better, of course, to use a currency over which there is some degree of national control.
This morning, Osborne had this to say to BBC Radio 4:
"Britain has taken a decision not to join currency zones like the Euro. Britain has had a poor experience with things like the ERM where it has tried to lock its currency to other currencies. So it’s not clear that it would be in the interests of the rest of the United Kingdom to enter into a Euro-style currency zone with the rest of Scotland…. It’s unlikely that we could make it work. There are some very big questions as to whether the rest of the United Kingdom would want to tie itself to what would have become a foreign government, why it would want to tie itself to an economy very dependent on the price of oil and a very large financial sector. These would be questions for England, Wales and Northern Ireland."
Shetland’s claim to North Sea assets is no less logical than Salmond’s.
Note how Osborne refers to the ‘rest of Scotland,’ leaving open the option of Orkney and Shetland seceding and becoming the Dubai of the north. If you do a Salmond, and draw an imaginary line into the sea, their claim (right) would be no less logical than that of Scotland as a whole.
Anyway, today’s Treasury paper will say there is a ”need to agree a negotiated set of constraints on its economic and fiscal policies”. Here’s its case:-
“In practice this would be likely to require rigorous oversight of Scotland’s economic and fiscal plans by both the new Scottish and the continuing UK authorities. Even with constraints in place, the economic rationale for the UK to agree to enter a formal sterling union with a separate state is not clear. The recent experience of the euro area has shown that it is extremely challenging to sustain a successful formal currency union without close fiscal integration and common arrangements for the resolution of banking sector difficulties.”The Spectator writes this morning that:
"The idea of Scottish separation is, to me, such a nonsense because it creates a thousand problems and solves none. Scotland’s problems are dire economic growth, the worst poverty levels in Western Europe, appalling life expectancy etc. None of which will be resolved by having more Saltires flying over hospitals, or cutting back the military. Osborne is right to highlight the currency issue, as it’s one of many to which the nationalists really do have no convincing answer."
Saturday, 20 April 2013
Guest Post: Will Green, Haydon Bridge and Hadrian
I live in Haydon Bridge and I have been a Tyne Valley resident all my life. I have farmed and worked locally as a solicitor and seen the difficulties faced by local people. We need a strong voice for the future.
I am standing for election because I feel Haydon and Hadrian is becoming marginalised by a County Hall that ignores the concerns of our part of Northumberland.
I attended Haydon Bridge Technical School in the days of Edward Waite. The Haydon Bridge Partnership includes 17 schools and my priority will be to see that, whatever system is adopted, the necessary investment will follow and the views of the parents and the communities who support these schools will be heard at County Hall.
Jobs are the lifeblood of any community – farming, tourism and our local businesses need to be as free of interference as is possible to create income and jobs for all our benefit. I shall do all I can to support and promote local jobs at County Hall.
It is unfair that those of us who live here and shop in Hexham have to pay parking charges when it is free in Blyth and Ashington. The Conservatives have campaigned to end this inequality, and I shall be part of that campaign.
Many of you will have seen me on the campaign trail these last few months - whether it was at the Innerhaugh and Showfield residents meeting, fighting the recently proposed wind farm south of the Tyne, in the Village Hall and cafe in Gilsland or at Greenhead Market. All of you now have my leaflet, 5 key pledges, and details. Please feel free to get in touch. Best wishes, Will
I am standing for election because I feel Haydon and Hadrian is becoming marginalised by a County Hall that ignores the concerns of our part of Northumberland.
Jobs are the lifeblood of any community – farming, tourism and our local businesses need to be as free of interference as is possible to create income and jobs for all our benefit. I shall do all I can to support and promote local jobs at County Hall.
It is unfair that those of us who live here and shop in Hexham have to pay parking charges when it is free in Blyth and Ashington. The Conservatives have campaigned to end this inequality, and I shall be part of that campaign.
Many of you will have seen me on the campaign trail these last few months - whether it was at the Innerhaugh and Showfield residents meeting, fighting the recently proposed wind farm south of the Tyne, in the Village Hall and cafe in Gilsland or at Greenhead Market. All of you now have my leaflet, 5 key pledges, and details. Please feel free to get in touch. Best wishes, Will
Friday, 19 April 2013
South Shields Action days
In South Shields today + Saturday, meeting at; ‘Next’ Car Park, Unit F & G, Waterloo Square Coronation St, South Shields NE33 1EW at 10.30am. Come and help local woman Karen Allen. I shall be leading a team to North Tyneside tomorrow afternoon as well.
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Owen Patterson Visit
Local farmers will be pleased that Owen is coming to meet and listen to farmer's difficulties here in Northumberland in 3 weeks time:http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/farming-news/farming-news/2013/04/18/spring-brings-tough-challenges-for-farmers-51140-33192622/
Owen is the Secretary of State for Farming and we will be able to have a detailed Q+A with him - details of visit on May 10 in the late afternoon to follow.
Owen is the Secretary of State for Farming and we will be able to have a detailed Q+A with him - details of visit on May 10 in the late afternoon to follow.
Action Day in Haydon Bridge this Saturday
Meet 11 am HB Station to support Will Green, who lives in Haydon Bridge, and is the right man for this seat. I have a packed day Saturday including an early morning event in Fourstones, campaigning in Haydon Bridge, several constituency surgeries / visits and also am helping open the Westside Contemporary Gallery in Newton at 3.
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Guest Post: Cath Homer, Hexham East
I am very involved with many activities in the town, from the Abbey to the Scouts, however I had never previously thought of running for office. I am not a politician. But I do want to improve our community. I want to get things done.I believe we have a strong sense of community here in Hexham, and we can achieve great things when we work together.
The County Council needs to do more for Hexham:
- from small things, like tackling litter and graffiti, and smartening up or town
- to helping our retailers fight back so that we have a town centre we are all proud of
- to big things like backing our campaign for investment in our high school, and upgrading our bus station.
I launched the campaign to fight for investment in Queen Elizabeth High because, as a mum of three myself, I know our kids deserve a high school which is fit for the future. I will be pushing hard for funding to make that a reality.
I also know how important our local NHS is. I am determined to protect the quality of services at Hexham General Hospital.
I won’t be making any big promises I can’t keep. The only promise I will make is that I will work hard to do my best to serve our local community.
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Back in Westminster
After nearly 3 weeks up north I am now in HOC but will be here only for a short while before heading home tomorrow.
I have surgeries booked in Hexham on Thursday, and a variety of other visits and events planned this weekend.
I have surgeries booked in Hexham on Thursday, and a variety of other visits and events planned this weekend.
Who is right? Miliband or Blair/Blunkett/Reid & co?
"Labour must search for answers and not merely aspire to be a repository for people’s anger," says Tony Blair's in his recent article in the New Statesman. http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/04/labour-must-search-answers-and-not-merely-aspire-be-repository-peoples-anger
His advice has been strongly rejected by Ed Miliband. Blair's former cohorts have been queuing up to agree with Tony: David Blunkett and Dr John Reid [last week], and Tessa Jowell [yesterday] backed up the former PM. But Ed still wants to oppose. Answers on a postcard as to whether Ed is correct to be taking his party ever further to the left or should he be heeding the advice of his former boss?
I do not want to get embroiled in other people's dirty laundry but there is a serious point. Opposition's should oppose - but I find it very irritating when they do not do so constructively.
It is worth reading the New Statesman article [I have done - just as I regularly read the Guardian to get both viewpoints], but here are excerpts:
Blair writes: "The ease with which it [Labour] can settle back into its old territory of defending the status quo, allying itself, even anchoring itself, to the interests that will passionately and often justly oppose what the government is doing, is so apparently rewarding, that the exercise of political will lies not in going there, but in resisting the temptation to go there."
Following last week's fractious debate on welfare, Blair says that Labour must be "the seekers after answers, not the repository for people's anger". He writes: "In the first case, we have to be dispassionate even when the issues arouse great passion. In the second case, we are simple fellow-travellers in sympathy; we are not leaders. And in these times, above all people want leadership". Rather than retreating to its ideological "comfort zone", Blair argues that Labour must remain on "a centre ground that is ultimately both more satisfying and more productive for party and country".
Ed Miliband these last few days has politely told Tony Blair what to do with his advice about the direction of the Labour party. Miliband is clearly heading leftwards. The unarguable statistic is the fact that Labour have opposed every single cut to national spending thse last 3 years. I accept that not all the governments decisions are perfect but knee jerk opposition, without an alternative, is neither constructive opposition nor does it win elections. Tony Blair of all people - who won 3 elections easily - understands this.
Blair goes on to pose seven questions that he says are examples of those Labour must answer if it is to address the need for "fundamental reform of the post-war state". In a sign of how he would have approached last week's debate on welfare differently, he says that the party should look at the "right balance between universal and means-tested help for pensioners" and ask what is "driving the rise in housing benefit spending". He adds: "If it is the absence of housing, how do we build more?" Blair also urges the party to explore how it can focus on "the really hard core of socially excluded families, separating them from those who are just temporarily down on their luck". In 2011, the coalition launched a scheme led by Louise Casey, the former head of Blair's Respect Task Force, aimed at helping England's "120,000 most troubled families".
On public services, Blair says that Labour should ask how it can take "the health and education reforms of the last Labour government to a new level, given the huge improvement in results they brought". Blair has recently praised Michael Gove's free schools as "a great idea" and has accused the teaching unions of obstructing "necessary educational change". In addition, he calls for Labour to explore how "developments around DNA" can help reduce crime and how technology can "cut costs and drive change in our education, health, crime and immigration systems".
Hinting at his frustration at the party's perceived lack of policy development, Blair writes: "There is no need to provide every bit of detail. People don't expect it. But they want to know where we're coming from because that is a clue as to where we would go, if elected." The danger for Labour, he adds, is of "tactical victories that lead to strategic defeats".
The former Labour Prime Minister’s allies aren’t quite so keen to let his New Statesman piece disappear into the party recycling bin just yet. On the Sunday Politics Shows both Tessa Jowell and Dr John Reid urged the Labour party to change. He said:
‘The important thing to recognise is that as you move from the politics of opposition to the politics of a potential government that you have to be offering solutions and not just criticising the status quo.’
Asked what the evidence was for the centre ground moving left, Reid said:
‘I don’t know, you’ll have to ask Ed Miliband that.’
David Blunkett also pitched in on Sky with his own thoughts, arguing that the party needed to get out and out in the press more. He said:
‘If I have a criticism, it’s that many of my frontbench colleagues – not just the cabinet but junior shadow ministers – aren’t writing and speaking enough. I mean, the idea that every time you write… that it’s seen as a criticism, we are literally going nowhere.
‘So we’ve got to have the confidence to be able to say where we’re going, not just a narrative about what the Government is doing.
The reason the Blairites are so agitated – and it’s not clear whether this was a co-ordinated fightback or not – is that Miliband dismissed Tony Blair’s warning on the centre ground. Reid made that very clear in his interview with Andrew Neil. Never mind the list of questions: Blair’s piece was a direct rebuttal of the claim that Miliband has been making for months that he believes the location of the centre ground is changing. They do not agree with him, and fear that failing to heed the advice of a man who knows a thing or two about changing a party’s electoral fortunes could cost Labour a 2015 victory.
Not my words - that's the commentary from the New Statesman once more - which by the way was the only left of centre magazine to back Ed for the leadership. We live in interesting times.
His advice has been strongly rejected by Ed Miliband. Blair's former cohorts have been queuing up to agree with Tony: David Blunkett and Dr John Reid [last week], and Tessa Jowell [yesterday] backed up the former PM. But Ed still wants to oppose. Answers on a postcard as to whether Ed is correct to be taking his party ever further to the left or should he be heeding the advice of his former boss?
I do not want to get embroiled in other people's dirty laundry but there is a serious point. Opposition's should oppose - but I find it very irritating when they do not do so constructively.
It is worth reading the New Statesman article [I have done - just as I regularly read the Guardian to get both viewpoints], but here are excerpts:
Blair writes: "The ease with which it [Labour] can settle back into its old territory of defending the status quo, allying itself, even anchoring itself, to the interests that will passionately and often justly oppose what the government is doing, is so apparently rewarding, that the exercise of political will lies not in going there, but in resisting the temptation to go there."
Following last week's fractious debate on welfare, Blair says that Labour must be "the seekers after answers, not the repository for people's anger". He writes: "In the first case, we have to be dispassionate even when the issues arouse great passion. In the second case, we are simple fellow-travellers in sympathy; we are not leaders. And in these times, above all people want leadership". Rather than retreating to its ideological "comfort zone", Blair argues that Labour must remain on "a centre ground that is ultimately both more satisfying and more productive for party and country".
Ed Miliband these last few days has politely told Tony Blair what to do with his advice about the direction of the Labour party. Miliband is clearly heading leftwards. The unarguable statistic is the fact that Labour have opposed every single cut to national spending thse last 3 years. I accept that not all the governments decisions are perfect but knee jerk opposition, without an alternative, is neither constructive opposition nor does it win elections. Tony Blair of all people - who won 3 elections easily - understands this.
Blair goes on to pose seven questions that he says are examples of those Labour must answer if it is to address the need for "fundamental reform of the post-war state". In a sign of how he would have approached last week's debate on welfare differently, he says that the party should look at the "right balance between universal and means-tested help for pensioners" and ask what is "driving the rise in housing benefit spending". He adds: "If it is the absence of housing, how do we build more?" Blair also urges the party to explore how it can focus on "the really hard core of socially excluded families, separating them from those who are just temporarily down on their luck". In 2011, the coalition launched a scheme led by Louise Casey, the former head of Blair's Respect Task Force, aimed at helping England's "120,000 most troubled families".
On public services, Blair says that Labour should ask how it can take "the health and education reforms of the last Labour government to a new level, given the huge improvement in results they brought". Blair has recently praised Michael Gove's free schools as "a great idea" and has accused the teaching unions of obstructing "necessary educational change". In addition, he calls for Labour to explore how "developments around DNA" can help reduce crime and how technology can "cut costs and drive change in our education, health, crime and immigration systems".
Hinting at his frustration at the party's perceived lack of policy development, Blair writes: "There is no need to provide every bit of detail. People don't expect it. But they want to know where we're coming from because that is a clue as to where we would go, if elected." The danger for Labour, he adds, is of "tactical victories that lead to strategic defeats".
The former Labour Prime Minister’s allies aren’t quite so keen to let his New Statesman piece disappear into the party recycling bin just yet. On the Sunday Politics Shows both Tessa Jowell and Dr John Reid urged the Labour party to change. He said:
‘The important thing to recognise is that as you move from the politics of opposition to the politics of a potential government that you have to be offering solutions and not just criticising the status quo.’
Asked what the evidence was for the centre ground moving left, Reid said:
‘I don’t know, you’ll have to ask Ed Miliband that.’
David Blunkett also pitched in on Sky with his own thoughts, arguing that the party needed to get out and out in the press more. He said:
‘If I have a criticism, it’s that many of my frontbench colleagues – not just the cabinet but junior shadow ministers – aren’t writing and speaking enough. I mean, the idea that every time you write… that it’s seen as a criticism, we are literally going nowhere.
‘So we’ve got to have the confidence to be able to say where we’re going, not just a narrative about what the Government is doing.
The reason the Blairites are so agitated – and it’s not clear whether this was a co-ordinated fightback or not – is that Miliband dismissed Tony Blair’s warning on the centre ground. Reid made that very clear in his interview with Andrew Neil. Never mind the list of questions: Blair’s piece was a direct rebuttal of the claim that Miliband has been making for months that he believes the location of the centre ground is changing. They do not agree with him, and fear that failing to heed the advice of a man who knows a thing or two about changing a party’s electoral fortunes could cost Labour a 2015 victory.
Not my words - that's the commentary from the New Statesman once more - which by the way was the only left of centre magazine to back Ed for the leadership. We live in interesting times.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Guest Post: Colin Cessford, Hexham West
I was a frontline paramedic & Director of the Ambulance Service locally.
The truth is we need real change at County Hall. The Lib Dems have neglected our roads, threatened our Middle Schools, and allowed Tynedale to suffer at the expense of Morpeth, Ashington and the south east of the County.
However, the failure of the Lib Dem Council to protect our green belt in Hexham West is their biggest failure: they have had 5 years to sort out a local development plan and they have failed to act. I hope to use my experience in delivering public services if elected to serve you at County Hall, in order to put local people first. I want to be your new County Councillor because I want to fight for our area at County Hall and put forward a positive vision for our community.
I am already a Town Councillor, and am really enjoying helping local people get a better deal.
As a result I want to be
- A County Councillor who sticks up for Hexham, at Morpeth.
- Not a Councillor who sticks up for the County Council, here in Hexham.
I hope you will be able to support me. Your vote will make all the difference.
However, the failure of the Lib Dem Council to protect our green belt in Hexham West is their biggest failure: they have had 5 years to sort out a local development plan and they have failed to act. I hope to use my experience in delivering public services if elected to serve you at County Hall, in order to put local people first. I want to be your new County Councillor because I want to fight for our area at County Hall and put forward a positive vision for our community.
I am already a Town Councillor, and am really enjoying helping local people get a better deal.
As a result I want to be
- A County Councillor who sticks up for Hexham, at Morpeth.
- Not a Councillor who sticks up for the County Council, here in Hexham.
I hope you will be able to support me. Your vote will make all the difference.
Ponteland Green Belt campaign update
Over 2500 objections were handed in recently to County Hall objecting to green belt development. Congratulations to Alma Dunigan and her team of locals, who with the support of their four local Conservative Councillors, are fighting to protect the Ponteland Green Belt. Alma and others featured in Saturday's Journal making their case that there is minimal new housing need in the area, given the developments already going ahead at St Mary's, on the old Police Station site, and other local smaller schemes, her expression:
"Any housing develoment should be based on housing need and not developer's greed"
was quoted back to me by a local, almost word for word, over the weekend.
The company behind this are very slick, with a team of very expensive PR merchants fronting them. They spin their campaign to argue that their motives are altruistic, when it is clear that their overriding motive is profit. If this development goes ahead it will set the trend potentially for even more building on their bank of local green belt land.
The reality is that the company chose not to work with local people. They should not be surprised when we object and seek to combat the spin. I have been, and remain, fully supportive of Alma and her team.
Full details of the campaign being run and the help we are giving them visit: http://www.pontelandgreenbelt.co.uk/
"Any housing develoment should be based on housing need and not developer's greed"
was quoted back to me by a local, almost word for word, over the weekend.
The company behind this are very slick, with a team of very expensive PR merchants fronting them. They spin their campaign to argue that their motives are altruistic, when it is clear that their overriding motive is profit. If this development goes ahead it will set the trend potentially for even more building on their bank of local green belt land.
The reality is that the company chose not to work with local people. They should not be surprised when we object and seek to combat the spin. I have been, and remain, fully supportive of Alma and her team.
Full details of the campaign being run and the help we are giving them visit: http://www.pontelandgreenbelt.co.uk/
Sunday, 14 April 2013
The Adonis review is good news for the north east
I helped contribute ideas to the Adonis review and think the authors have done a great job - the full report is here and I am still going through it in detail:
http://northeastaccess2finance.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/north-east-independent-economic-review-report-april-2013.pdf
It is intended as a manifesto for business, public service and political leaders across the LEP region.
Lord Adonis writes as follows:
"I sense a real appetite for change to promote more and better jobs and a better quality of life in the North East. Although commissioned by the North East LEP, it is pitched to a far wider audience, just as the LEP itself is a real partnership, indeed a federation of support drawn widely and often from those who are not directly represented on its Board. Big change is already in the making. The decision last month by the seven local authorities in the North East LEP region to establish a Combined Authority to take on responsibility for transport, skills and economic development is a breakthrough in vision, capacity and dynamism to tackle future challenges in partnership. I warmly welcome this bold initiative. This report offers an agenda for the Combined Authority and for the LEP and its partners.
It highlights five priorities in particular:
1. Champion “North East International”, promoting the region at home and abroad as a magnet for trade, talent, tourism and inward investment.
2. A doubling in the number of youth apprenticeships to tackle the evil of low skills and high youth unemployment, alongside higher school standards and an increase in the proportion going on to higher education.
3. The development of strong “innovation and growth clusters”, stimulating universities and their graduates, and existing companies and public institutions, to create and finance new high growth enterprises and jobs.
4. Big improvements in transport infrastructure and services to overcome the relative national and international isolation of the North East and to improve connections within the North East so that people can get to and from work more easily and cheaply.
5. The creation of stronger public institutions, including the location of key national institutions – such as the new British Business Bank – in the North East.
By these means, the North East can create more and better jobs, and a better economy and society.
All this is within our grasp. The task now is to agree on a plan and implement it. There is no time to lose.
On a personal note, although I was often in the North East in previous ministerial roles, and know many of its schools and transport networks from that period, getting to know the area’s companies, institutions and communities more intimately in recent months has been immensely stimulating. It has left me full of optimism for the region and its future. The North East has great strengths – in its people, its enterprises, its public institutions, and its natural, cultural, and so many other assets. There is huge capacity for success in the future, with will and leadership."
http://northeastaccess2finance.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/north-east-independent-economic-review-report-april-2013.pdf
It is intended as a manifesto for business, public service and political leaders across the LEP region.
Lord Adonis writes as follows:
"I sense a real appetite for change to promote more and better jobs and a better quality of life in the North East. Although commissioned by the North East LEP, it is pitched to a far wider audience, just as the LEP itself is a real partnership, indeed a federation of support drawn widely and often from those who are not directly represented on its Board. Big change is already in the making. The decision last month by the seven local authorities in the North East LEP region to establish a Combined Authority to take on responsibility for transport, skills and economic development is a breakthrough in vision, capacity and dynamism to tackle future challenges in partnership. I warmly welcome this bold initiative. This report offers an agenda for the Combined Authority and for the LEP and its partners.
It highlights five priorities in particular:
1. Champion “North East International”, promoting the region at home and abroad as a magnet for trade, talent, tourism and inward investment.
2. A doubling in the number of youth apprenticeships to tackle the evil of low skills and high youth unemployment, alongside higher school standards and an increase in the proportion going on to higher education.
3. The development of strong “innovation and growth clusters”, stimulating universities and their graduates, and existing companies and public institutions, to create and finance new high growth enterprises and jobs.
4. Big improvements in transport infrastructure and services to overcome the relative national and international isolation of the North East and to improve connections within the North East so that people can get to and from work more easily and cheaply.
5. The creation of stronger public institutions, including the location of key national institutions – such as the new British Business Bank – in the North East.
By these means, the North East can create more and better jobs, and a better economy and society.
All this is within our grasp. The task now is to agree on a plan and implement it. There is no time to lose.
On a personal note, although I was often in the North East in previous ministerial roles, and know many of its schools and transport networks from that period, getting to know the area’s companies, institutions and communities more intimately in recent months has been immensely stimulating. It has left me full of optimism for the region and its future. The North East has great strengths – in its people, its enterprises, its public institutions, and its natural, cultural, and so many other assets. There is huge capacity for success in the future, with will and leadership."
Heston in Hexham
The great chef will be here on Wed 24th at Hexham Golf Club at 7pm: a good intiative from the Hexham Golf Club and Waitrose in aid of Josie's Dragonfly Trust, Water Aid and Alzheimers Care in Northumberland. Heston Blumenthal will be demonstrating and then cooking a fish dish then lemon tart... sadly I will be in Westminster that night, but it is a good cause [for £10 entrance and tasting] with a great chef and I strongly recommend it.
Guest Post: Fiona Hunter, Bywell
I worked 35 years in the NHS.
I live in Newton and was formerly on Tynedale District Council; I stood down to help my family, but am keen to get involved again to help our community in whatever way I can.
As a wife, mum and grandmother I know how difficult life can be in these tough times, whether in schooling, housing or health issues. 
I live in Newton and was formerly on Tynedale District Council; I stood down to help my family, but am keen to get involved again to help our community in whatever way I can. We live in a wonderful area here in the Bywell Divison (Ovingham, Ovington, Wylam, Newton and Horsley) and we want it to remain so. At present we are lucky with our schools, but I intend to ensure this remains so.
I am worried about the invasion of planning applications in the Green Belt, which could adversely affect us in many ways: I will support local people who face these problems, whether it is in Ovingham or elsewhere.
Hexham General Hospital is a great local asset and I shall be happy to help with any issues relating to its continuing services.
We have a few hubs of several businesses starting in our community and I pledge to support local businesses, especially by fighting to improve our broadband. As for the roads round here - do not get me started! This council has let us down badly. I am not and never will be a politician - but this election is about local people with local problems and ensuring that we get local solutions that really work.
I hope, if you elect me as your county councillor, I can help to improve my community to make it an even better and safer place to live.
Saturday, 13 April 2013
Farmers Markets in Hexham and Greenhead this weekend
Saturday 9-1.30 in Hexham and 10-2 in Greenhead tomorrow - I will try and be there as I have not been to the Greenhead Market for a while and want to see how it is coming along. If you have not been I urge you to go - given the size of Greenhead this is a market that punches well above its weight!
Halty Junior Football
Haltwhistle United Football Club Juniors team is booming in terms of numbers but is suffering from a lack of facilities. With over 80 youngsters already signed up the club is struggling to provide a suitable place to play. Last week local people, like Susan and Martin, asked to come and see me to see if there was any way I could help; they are amongst the many local people who give up their time to help make football happen on the Tyne pitch by the A69 Roundabout. I took along the local County Councillor Ian Hutchinson. We met to talk through the problems, pitfalls and opportunities and then went down to the Tyne pitch to watch the teams of girls and boys train. One thing is clear - the facilities are spartan!
Currently there is one pitch which is mainly used for the under 16's team. That is leaving at least 5 teams of enthusiastic young footballers either doubling up on the same pitch or with nowhere to play. Clearly the pitch, which is already next to a river, struggles from overuse.
Currently there is one pitch which is mainly used for the under 16's team. That is leaving at least 5 teams of enthusiastic young footballers either doubling up on the same pitch or with nowhere to play. Clearly the pitch, which is already next to a river, struggles from overuse.
The County Council owns the land by the A 69 roundabout. At the request of HUFC officers I have asked for a meeting next Thursday at 4.30 in Hexham, with a few key representatives of the Club, and the County Council officer, to start a dialogue: we hope to try and sit down and work out exactly how we can help improve the future of one of Tynedale's fastest growing junior football teams. At he same time everyone locally understands, and accepts, that there is also a need to ensure that if at some point in the future there is possible future business development then this site has been earmarked, in part, for such a use.
I firmly believe a compromise can be found, whereby the dedicated team of local volunteers who run the club get better facilities and the County Council get what they want.
I should stress that the development of the Burn pitch would not solve this problem. If the Burn pitch development goes ahead then there will still be a need at the Tyne pitch.
If you have not gone along to a game at the Tyne pitch I urge you to go. You cannot fail to be impressed by the hard work local people have put into making the club a success, and it was just fantastic to see young boys and lots of girls enthusiastically engaged in a game it was clear that they all loved. You will need to wrap up, and I suggest go to the loo before you go!
I see no reason why football and future jobs cannot co-exist for the mutual benefit of the town.
I should stress that the development of the Burn pitch would not solve this problem. If the Burn pitch development goes ahead then there will still be a need at the Tyne pitch.
If you have not gone along to a game at the Tyne pitch I urge you to go. You cannot fail to be impressed by the hard work local people have put into making the club a success, and it was just fantastic to see young boys and lots of girls enthusiastically engaged in a game it was clear that they all loved. You will need to wrap up, and I suggest go to the loo before you go!
I see no reason why football and future jobs cannot co-exist for the mutual benefit of the town.
The Ponteland Council race sees non starters and falls at the 1st
The race is on but there will be no town council election and no Labour candidates at all..
The most surprising result is in Ponteland North, where Conservative County Councillor Richard Dodd has been elected without an election even being held. No other parties could find candidates to contest the election. It is a remarkable turnout for Cllr Dodd, who only won the seat from the Liberal Democrats in 2008. That will leave around 4000 people in Ponteland unable to vote at this election. And they aren't the only ones.
Ponteland's Town Council elections will not be going ahead after only the Conservatives were able to field candidates. 13 out of the 13 Councillors on the Town Council will now be Conservative. That is another remarkable turnout for a Town Council which had a Lib Dem majority in the last ten years.
I think the fact only the Conservatives are fighting every seat is testament to fact it is the Conservatives who consistently put Ponteland first. These elections will be about local people and local issues. It is the Conservatives, and our local candidates and Councillors, who have stood up for Ponteland against the neglect from the Lib Dem County Council. From fighting to fix our roads, to trying to get proper protection for our green belt, and a fair deal for Ponteland, we have truly led the way.
Only the Conservatives have been able to field candidates in all 67 Divisions for the coming County Council elections. Here in the Hexham constituency again only the Conservatives have candidates in every division, with the Lib Dem leaving 3 seats uncontested. The only one they are fighting is Ponteland South and that is bizarre: Liberal Ian Southern lives in Hexham and is standing for Hexham Town Council for the Liberals
- but at the same time is seeking election for Ponteland South and Heddon, some 20 miles away: very odd.
In Ponteland East and West our two local women, Councillors Eileen Amrstrong and Veronica Jones, both have just one opponent from a national party of the right. Eileen's opponent is from Bardon Mill. What these opponents policies are on the 3 Tier, the improvement of the roads / potholes, getting a better deal from Morpeth and combatting the big guns at Lugano I am unsure. But we take nothing for granted and you will see the ladies out there every day on the doorstep. We have a very strong group of candidates and councillors, who have a strong record of action in their communities. It will be that record on which local people will quite rightly judge them and their opponents. I urge you to support Eileen and Veronica.
More details on the Lib Dem implosion here: http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2013/04/12/one-horse-election-is-off-61634-33158747/
- but at the same time is seeking election for Ponteland South and Heddon, some 20 miles away: very odd.
In Ponteland East and West our two local women, Councillors Eileen Amrstrong and Veronica Jones, both have just one opponent from a national party of the right. Eileen's opponent is from Bardon Mill. What these opponents policies are on the 3 Tier, the improvement of the roads / potholes, getting a better deal from Morpeth and combatting the big guns at Lugano I am unsure. But we take nothing for granted and you will see the ladies out there every day on the doorstep. We have a very strong group of candidates and councillors, who have a strong record of action in their communities. It will be that record on which local people will quite rightly judge them and their opponents. I urge you to support Eileen and Veronica.
More details on the Lib Dem implosion here: http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2013/04/12/one-horse-election-is-off-61634-33158747/
Friday, 12 April 2013
Karen Allen selected as candidate for South Shields
The Shields Gazette reported her selection as follows:
"Karen Allen was born and raised in South Shields, and said she was “absolutely over the moon” at being selected to represent the party.
Ms Allen finished second to Mr Miliband in the 2010 election – polling 7,886 votes or 21.6 per cent of the total vote.
Now, she says she is once again ready to hit the campaign trail in a bid to convince the people of South Shields she is the right woman for the job.
She said: “A by-election is always an exciting and interesting campaign and it is going to be an intensive few weeks.
“I feel South Shields has been neglected by Labour for a number of years. Last time they catapulted in a rising star with ministerial posts which kept him busy.
“During my last campaign one of my biggest issues was King Street. There are still a lot of boarded-up shops and that needs to be addressed.”
Speaking passionately about the town where she grew up, Ms Allen, who attended Harton Comprehensive School, added: “We have such a beautiful coastline and some of the friendliest people in the country.
“If I am lucky enough to be selected, representing the town would be such an honour.
“There is so much to South Shields. It is such a unique place and for all the right reasons.”
Ms Allen, who runs a weekly reading project at a school helping young people, added: “I really do want to give it my all. It is a different playing field now. There is a woman going up against a woman for a start. I am really excited about the campaign.
“I’m hoping to build on what I achieved at the last election, to show that the Conservatives are in South Shields, we are committed and we want to reach out to the electorate we haven’t reached.
“I think there is everything to play for and there is no reason why South Shields cannot have their first Conservative MP. I would love to be that person to represent my home town.”
I urge everyone to come and give her a hand - particularly on the Saturday Action Days on April 20th and 27th when we will meet at 10.30 in the Asda car park in the centre of town. She is a brilliant candidate - locally born, went to school here, and knows South Shields inside out.
Action day in Stocksfield helping Paul Vickers tomorrow
Meet at the Stocksfield Railway Station at 11am. All welcome. This is the team we had out delivering recently for Fiona Hunter: my thanks to all the team - the picture was taken on Wylam Bridge
Time is standing still at the Abbey
The Hexham Abbey clock is stuck at 3.15 for some time now but will be repaired soon: full story here: http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2013/04/10/hexham-abbey-193-year-old-clock-to-be-repaired-61634-33145870/
Locals have started discussing whether this is a "Back to the Future" moment - but in reality the metal of the crank and strengthening arm has failed, and it should be repaired soon. I spoke to Canon Graham Usher of the Abbey on Wednesday and the work to the rest of the Abbey continues. It is a wonderful place and should be visited soon if you have not already been - whether you wish to come to visit to worship or simply because you wish to visit one of Northern England's finest church buildings.
Locals have started discussing whether this is a "Back to the Future" moment - but in reality the metal of the crank and strengthening arm has failed, and it should be repaired soon. I spoke to Canon Graham Usher of the Abbey on Wednesday and the work to the rest of the Abbey continues. It is a wonderful place and should be visited soon if you have not already been - whether you wish to come to visit to worship or simply because you wish to visit one of Northern England's finest church buildings.
Guest Post: Cllr Eileen Armstrong, Ponteland East and Stannington
With less that thirty days to go before polling day in the County Council elections I thought it would be a nice idea to hear from some of the local Conservative candidates standing around my patch. First up is Eileen Armstrong, our County Councillor in Ponteland East and Stannington who is up for election on May 2nd...I have been a Town Councillor for six years and a County Councillor for the past two years. I was elected as County Councillor at the by-election in November 2010 for Ponteland East . Having lived in Ponteland all my life, I am a widow, mother of three daughters and have two grandchildren – one of which attends Darras Hall First School. I have continued to represent the views of everyone regardless of their political persuasion.
The future protection of Greenbelt is of a high priority for those directly or indirectly affected as the majority wish to preserve Ponteland for the rural community it is; therefore I will continue to be your Greenbelt champion and take forward your views to County Hall.
Increasingly a large number of complaints are about the state of our roads but the Liberal Administration has this year cut a further 10% from the Highways budget. The Council owns £680 million of unused property costing £13 million a year to run...yet our roads are some of the worst in the County.
I am also currently working on behalf of those residents struggling with flooding. I appreciate this will be an on-going concern for many and I will continue to strive to achieve desired results for all.
At County Hall I have been leading the End of Life Care Working Group to raise the profile of End of Life issues. This will have a strong focus on helping people retain control, privacy, dignity and choice when faced with a life limiting illness.
I am passionate about the area I live in and that is why I want to continue to represent my community in the future.
Thursday, 11 April 2013
In Hexham, For Hexham - a first step to smartening up Hexham
On Monday evening I met with many of the local independent shop owners, who asked to come and see me to discuss how Hexham could be returned to its former shopping destination glory. This is the latest in a series of meetings I have had with retailers and local business groups.
All of us agreed on Monday that we need to act now to smarten up Hexham in a number of ways.
1. Our first big idea is a town centre clean up to be fixed on a date in May when we ask everyone to get the town cleaned, painted and planted for the summer. I envisage a volunteer army of townspeople giving up an hour or so to clean their area and common parts. We are working on the date and will let everyone know once we have discussed feasibility and got certain key permissions.
2. I also asked the shopkeepers, both those who were there [and others not present but who we will write to] to draw up a list of key changes they would like to see in the town - both big and small: - from lights that have not been fixed for years, - to shop fronts that have not been cleaned or maintained, - to landlords or the County Council who have failed to do their bit - and big ticket items like the state of the Shambles. The list will be long and I welcome the input of one and all.
3. We need to make sure all the interested parties are working together: sometimes it seems to me that not every private or public sector organsiation is pulling in the same direction in Hexham -a point made by the shopkeepers who came to see me.
4. I am going to try and engage with the landlords and write / speak to them to ensure that they are doing their bit - particularly those landlords who are not able to let their premises at present.All of us agreed on Monday that we need to act now to smarten up Hexham in a number of ways.
1. Our first big idea is a town centre clean up to be fixed on a date in May when we ask everyone to get the town cleaned, painted and planted for the summer. I envisage a volunteer army of townspeople giving up an hour or so to clean their area and common parts. We are working on the date and will let everyone know once we have discussed feasibility and got certain key permissions.
2. I also asked the shopkeepers, both those who were there [and others not present but who we will write to] to draw up a list of key changes they would like to see in the town - both big and small: - from lights that have not been fixed for years, - to shop fronts that have not been cleaned or maintained, - to landlords or the County Council who have failed to do their bit - and big ticket items like the state of the Shambles. The list will be long and I welcome the input of one and all.
3. We need to make sure all the interested parties are working together: sometimes it seems to me that not every private or public sector organsiation is pulling in the same direction in Hexham -a point made by the shopkeepers who came to see me.
5. Encourage people not just to show their loyalty but educate them as to the dangers of internet shopping - we are in a "Use It or Lose it" situation. either we support the town or it will struggle.
6. I have called campaign "In Hexham, For Hexham" - as we will be writing to all local businesses, big and small, the Courant and the business groups, asking them to sign up to the "In Hexham, For Hexham" campaign. The idea is for all the small local shops, cafes, businesses big and small to invest and work together to promote Hexham as a retail and general destination for the benefit of everyone.
I want us to come together to work for the benefit of our wonderful town. By joining the forces of our local retailers, big and small, we can really start to make a difference to how people view the Town Centre. This is all about taking action now. We have had a very positive first meeting and over the coming weeks and months we will be developing our plan to get Hexham back on the map as a retail destination.
We can also use the investment of the big stores to the advantage of the town. We need to come up with a strong retail offer across the whole town and ensure we get the mix right to keep our town centre alive.
Yes, we need more investment and support from County Hall, but our overall aim must be to improve the lot for Hexham local residents. We can do that by highlighting the wonderful things already of offer here, but also working hard to bringing businesses and shops into our town and breathe new life into the town.
With teamwork, an open mind and application our best days can lie ahead.
Hexham Abbey yesterday
Up to a thousand people gathered for the Maurice Reed Memorial Service. A short blog post does not do justice to this amazing Allendale man, whose mother was turning hay the day before he was born in 1928. The Tribute and the Address gave great stories of a sporting countryman who could value an animal, and an antique, with equal dexterity. Made an MBE by the Queen, Maurice raised over £250,000 for charity not least for Mencap, and the Coquetdale Shepeherds Disaster Fund. Both Graham Usher and I had, in our time, received the wise advice to "remember that, for the Northumberland Farmer, land means everything to us." Maurice lived a life with the land, and knew instinctively the time for birth, for planting, for death and so much more.
Afterwards we went to the Tynedale suite at the Hexham Mart. Above the Livestock Ring at the Rothbury Mart, and reproduced in yesterdays order of service, was the following caption which summed up also a lot of Maurice's approach to life:
"Good luck to the hoof and the horn.
Good luck to the flock and the fleece
Good luck to the growers of corn
With the blessings of plenty and peace"
It was a privilege to have known such a man
Afterwards we went to the Tynedale suite at the Hexham Mart. Above the Livestock Ring at the Rothbury Mart, and reproduced in yesterdays order of service, was the following caption which summed up also a lot of Maurice's approach to life:
"Good luck to the hoof and the horn.
Good luck to the flock and the fleece
Good luck to the growers of corn
With the blessings of plenty and peace"
It was a privilege to have known such a man
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Good news Ryan Mania out of RVI and ok
All he has is a small fracture of C7... I have done that, and it still really hurts, so he looked remarkably cheery yesterday when he was discharged from the RVI and went home to Galashiels yesterday. Full credit to the teams at Hexham Racecourse, the RVI & GNAA who looked after him. As a former jock we know we are really lucky to have these people to call on when the ground rushes up to meet you a speed.
The deaths of local Maurice Reed and Lady Thatcher cast a shadow over this week
Today I am in Hexham Abbey for the funeral of the former Hexham Mart Chief, Maurice Reed. It will be packed and rightly so. Maurice was one of the most prominent figures in the Tynedale world these last 50 years - a countryman to his boots, an auctioneer, and mastermind of the move of the Hexham Mart from the town centre to Tyne Green. He also was a leading figure in the navigation of the crisis that was BSE.
I did not know him till later in his life but he was immensely kind to me, particularly in 2008-2009 when I was the candidate, giving me advice, support and always willing to help. We will remember him and give him a good send off today.
Then on Monday we learnt that Lady Thatcher had passed away. I met several times in her later years, but was a child when she came to power. When I did meet her you were struck - even in her later years - by both her formidable intellect and her declining health. Even though her health has not been good for at least 5 years, when she was on form she could still fix you with a steely gaze, and urge you to action like no one else I have ever met. She loved her husband deeply and missed him terribly after his death. My thoughts and prayers are with her family of children and grandchildren who will mourn her.
I am not going south for the return of parliament today - I have the Abbey service, followed this afternoon at 3pm by a long booked meeting with local GPs, which we have tried to organise for nearly 10 weeks, and then 3 surgery appointments in Hexham this evening.
I did not know him till later in his life but he was immensely kind to me, particularly in 2008-2009 when I was the candidate, giving me advice, support and always willing to help. We will remember him and give him a good send off today.
Then on Monday we learnt that Lady Thatcher had passed away. I met several times in her later years, but was a child when she came to power. When I did meet her you were struck - even in her later years - by both her formidable intellect and her declining health. Even though her health has not been good for at least 5 years, when she was on form she could still fix you with a steely gaze, and urge you to action like no one else I have ever met. She loved her husband deeply and missed him terribly after his death. My thoughts and prayers are with her family of children and grandchildren who will mourn her.
I am not going south for the return of parliament today - I have the Abbey service, followed this afternoon at 3pm by a long booked meeting with local GPs, which we have tried to organise for nearly 10 weeks, and then 3 surgery appointments in Hexham this evening.
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Foreign policy, international tax evasion, DfID and Bill Gates
On Monday I met with a group of concerned locals in Hexham to discuss the UK Governement's approach to international aid, our foreign policy in places such as Syria and Afghanistan, the progress being made on international tax reform and how best we address issues of global poverty.
We spoke for around 80 minutes and I answered questions on
- how we ensure the support goes to the proper recipients not to corrupt parties, as it clearly has done on occasions in the past
- how we lead the way in the transparency of our support - thereby ensuring that support is known and accounted for
- the pressure being brought to bear on recipient countries to ensure that they play their part in reforming their own countries - an example is the pressure that the UK government is bringing on Pakistan
- the difference that the new developments are making in the countries we support - particularly for women and children
- the genuine problem of Syria's decline into civil war and our limited ability to help there without committing troops.
I made clear once again that there is no intention whatsoever to divert Dfid budget money for military use but again made the point that there is a need to support project development [like water projects / vacinations and infrastructure] with ongoing financial and security support.
- we discussed the legend that is Bill Gates, whose foundation has transformed African health in particular.
If you have not had a look at the Gates foundations efforts to improve world health I urge you to do so:
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do
I met Bill Gates shortly after I became an MP - he is an incredible man who is putting his great we
alth to good use.
Finally, we also discussed tax reform so that countries, leading businessmen, and corporates pay their fair share. This will be top of the agenda at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland in June, but it was good to see progress being made on two levels recently:
- agreements with Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man on tax avoidance
- and this week George Osborne has a signed an information exchange agreement with the finance ministers of France, Germany, Italy and Spain in the latest effort to crack down on tax evasion.
Under the agreement, banks in the G5 will be forced to reveal financial details of foreign clients which will then be handed on to the tax domicile to be checked for evasion. The agreement, which is described as a “pilot” scheme, is based on the America’s Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) which has been used to capture US tax evaders abroad since 2010.
In a letter to Algirdas Semeta, the EU tax commissioner informing him of the deal, the five finance ministers have said the “pilot will not only help in catching and deterring tax evaders but it will also provide a template as to the wider multilateral agreement we hope to see in due course.” They said they “invite other EU Member States to join in this pilot” which they hope will remove “the hiding places for those who seek to evade paying their taxes.”
Fuller details here: http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-signs-tax-deal-france-171703796.html
We spoke for around 80 minutes and I answered questions on
- how we ensure the support goes to the proper recipients not to corrupt parties, as it clearly has done on occasions in the past
- how we lead the way in the transparency of our support - thereby ensuring that support is known and accounted for
- the pressure being brought to bear on recipient countries to ensure that they play their part in reforming their own countries - an example is the pressure that the UK government is bringing on Pakistan
- the difference that the new developments are making in the countries we support - particularly for women and children
- the genuine problem of Syria's decline into civil war and our limited ability to help there without committing troops.
I made clear once again that there is no intention whatsoever to divert Dfid budget money for military use but again made the point that there is a need to support project development [like water projects / vacinations and infrastructure] with ongoing financial and security support.
- we discussed the legend that is Bill Gates, whose foundation has transformed African health in particular.
If you have not had a look at the Gates foundations efforts to improve world health I urge you to do so:
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do
I met Bill Gates shortly after I became an MP - he is an incredible man who is putting his great we
alth to good use.
Finally, we also discussed tax reform so that countries, leading businessmen, and corporates pay their fair share. This will be top of the agenda at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland in June, but it was good to see progress being made on two levels recently:
- agreements with Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man on tax avoidance
- and this week George Osborne has a signed an information exchange agreement with the finance ministers of France, Germany, Italy and Spain in the latest effort to crack down on tax evasion.
Under the agreement, banks in the G5 will be forced to reveal financial details of foreign clients which will then be handed on to the tax domicile to be checked for evasion. The agreement, which is described as a “pilot” scheme, is based on the America’s Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) which has been used to capture US tax evaders abroad since 2010.
In a letter to Algirdas Semeta, the EU tax commissioner informing him of the deal, the five finance ministers have said the “pilot will not only help in catching and deterring tax evaders but it will also provide a template as to the wider multilateral agreement we hope to see in due course.” They said they “invite other EU Member States to join in this pilot” which they hope will remove “the hiding places for those who seek to evade paying their taxes.”
Fuller details here: http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/uk-signs-tax-deal-france-171703796.html
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