Obama becomes President

There is a real sense of possibility now that Obama is in the White House. Driving home in the car listening to him speak you could not fail to be moved by his oratory and his sense of purpose. He is quite clearly the man we need for these difficult times. As a would be politician I am fascinated by the way he crafts his speeches - they have amazing structure, and an almost lyrical feel. It is wonderful what he is doing.

Just two quotes from the speech resonated above all:

"On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics."We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.
In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less.
It has not been the path for the faint-hearted, for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.
Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things -- some celebrated, but more often men and women obscure in their labor -- who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom."

and on the role of government in the days that lie ahead:

"The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works, whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end."

Comment: The last quote will, I hope, be adopted by the next Conservative Government: the test for government institutions in the UK in the days, months and years that lie ahead is surely whether they are helping people in a real and cost effective way ... some call it the Cuprinol test - are they doing what it say on the tin?

David Cameron in the North East

On Friday 9 January we were delighted to welcome David Cameron to the North East. The Nissan car plant in Sunderland had announced 1,200 job losses 24 hours before so David headed up the A19 for a private meeting with Nissan bosses.
While on Wearside, David visited the City of Sunderland College with Sunderland Central PPC Lee Martin. He toured the new campus, chatted to students and told gathered journalists "I remember the pride everyone felt when Nissan came to the North East under the last Conservative Government. I remember going to the
plant last year and seeing what is a fantastic example of motor manufacturing. There's nothing wrong with the plant - it's the most efficient plant in the world. There's nothing wrong with the product - the
Qashqai has been a fantastically successful car."
The day was rounded off in North Shields where 150 residents had gathered for the North East's first Cameron Direct. For an hour David fielded questions from the audience on issues relating to crime and anti-social
behaviour, the EU, tuition fees, upgrading the A1, and even UFOs. Sat to his left were North Tyneside Mayoral Candidate Linda Arkley, and Tynemouth PPC Wendy Morton, who said after the event "The great thing about
Cameron Direct was that it was the audience of local residents who asked all the questions and so set the agenda for the evening. This was the first 'Cameron Direct' event in the North East - and it was extremely well
received by the local community."