http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ed-miliband/10089425/Ed-Miliband-is-a-blancmange-in-a-hurricane.html
Well worth a read
My point is that at every turn the Opposition simply oppose
There is no engagement, no debate, no realistic alternative simply a desire for none of what is happening.
Every single budgetary cut for the last 3 years + that has been proposed is opposed.
I would rather we had a nuanced debate but it is like debating with a wall.
On Health yesterday there was widespread criticism but Labour would spend less and will not go back on the reforms.
On Education they oppose free schools locally in Newcastle and then complain that there are no free schools in Newcastle!
On spare room subsidy it is in the Labour 2010 manifesto but then they oppose the so called bedroom tax - which is a subsidy by taxpayers to non taxpayers
On borrowing they want to borrow more but will not say how much or what they will spend it on
I could go on but Michael Gove makes the point better...
Friday, 31 May 2013
Radio Prudhoe at 10.30 + meeting all 4 High School heads today
Looking forward to our regular catch up with the High School Heads at 11. The good news is that the Schools Minister David Laws is coming to Northumberland in July so we are making sure that the Heads get a chance to have a one to one with him. Beforehand at 10.30 I will be on Radio Prudhoe which you can listen to online at www.radioprudhoe.co.uk being interviewed by Jonny McGuigan.
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Shows, Street Parties, Regatta & Garden Parties galore in Northumberland this weekend
Saturday sees both the Charlotte Straker Hospice Fete and the Humshaugh Fete - where I am relieved of the wonderful but difficult task of judging the winner of the best cake competition: last year I tried over 12 cakes - and people wonder why I am not jockey weight anymore. The new judges will discover that the Humshaugh villagers are magnificent cooks! Both fetes are well organised and great fun and in aid of great causes. I know that you will find no finer place to find jam or marmalade than at the Humshaugh Stall - I always stock up there.
They start at 1.30 in Humshaugh and 2 in Corbridge - I will try and go if I can.
If you have not realised how special the Charlotte Straker Trust is and the work they do as respite and other carers then please come along or check out their website: http://www.charlottestraker.org.uk/
There is also the Hexham Regatta most of the day on the river in Hexham - you will see quality rowing.
On Sunday there is another Prudhoe street party from 12-4; this event last year was a blast and I am assured by locals it will be brilliant again. You can pop in to my favourite Prudhoe cafe Il Piccollo on West Street 50 yards short of the police station for a cup of tea, cake of fancy coffee!
Alternatively and also on Sunday at 3pm the local Ponteland Conservatives are laying on a wonderful Afternoon Tea at Eland Green Farm, Ponteland. All our welcome. I will be there - they are easy to find - on North Road just on the outskirts of Ponteland on the right as you leave.
They start at 1.30 in Humshaugh and 2 in Corbridge - I will try and go if I can.
If you have not realised how special the Charlotte Straker Trust is and the work they do as respite and other carers then please come along or check out their website: http://www.charlottestraker.org.uk/
There is also the Hexham Regatta most of the day on the river in Hexham - you will see quality rowing.
On Sunday there is another Prudhoe street party from 12-4; this event last year was a blast and I am assured by locals it will be brilliant again. You can pop in to my favourite Prudhoe cafe Il Piccollo on West Street 50 yards short of the police station for a cup of tea, cake of fancy coffee!
Alternatively and also on Sunday at 3pm the local Ponteland Conservatives are laying on a wonderful Afternoon Tea at Eland Green Farm, Ponteland. All our welcome. I will be there - they are easy to find - on North Road just on the outskirts of Ponteland on the right as you leave.
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Beer Festival Season in Northumberland starts this weekend in Bellingham
This is the first Border Beer Festival. The 3 day festival is run by the North Tyne and Redesdale Community Partnership and takes place in the centre of Bellingham. There is a sponsors and VIP night on Friday and then the event really kicks in over the weekendSaturday 1st June Tickets are £10, with lots of beer and live music during the festival; timings 10.30-10.30pm
Sunday 2nd June Tickets £10,11-5pm
All details available online
The Partnership supports the local community in a number of ways, including running the Drop In centre for local kids. The festival will showcase 30 beers from 12 Breweries in the North East, with a few surprise guests thrown in. The proceeds support local charities and good causes! There will also be a selection of ciders. Support your local events and head along - if time allows I will pop in
A visit to Hexham Library
Yesterday morning I went to the wonderful Hexham Library, and met representatives, past and present, from the Library service, and members of Friends of Libraries in Tynedale. The library has, to the credit of the County Council, been revamped and expanded. This is on the back of new libraries in places like Haltwhistle, and an integrated facility, working with the tourist information centre, in Corbridge. When I look at the unbelievable approach of Newcastle City Council it can be compared to the support that NCC has given our library service. However, as always with civic amenities use it or lose it - there is so much more to the library than a shelf load of books, and I urge locals to make use of the amazing facility. Like many I was surprised to read in last weeks Courant that the new Labour NCC administration have possible plans to move the library to a new spot at the bus station. I will believe such a plan when I see it, and would look at the detail of any proposal, but it is hard to see why one would move the library from its central location in the town, particularly when the library has so much to offer, and could do more. There is no question that future governments and new and future county councils will look to integrate public facilities in co-located public spaces, and rightly so. My apologies to my hosts for being late, but we discussed all matters literary and more for nearly an hour and I left a lot the wiser.
I have not visited the libraries that exist in Kielder and Allendale but would also urge locals to make use of this facility that is a genuine asset on your doorstep. I plan to try and rectify this omission some time this year.
One final point on books: we have some wonderful independent bookshops in Hexham and Corbridge and commercial booksellers as well. Please think long and hard before you buy online. Leave aside the failure of Amazon to pay tax on its place of business ie your UK purchase, as opposed to residence -it is offshore. This flaw in the taxation system the government are trying to address [see previous blog posts]. It is simply this: if you buy online you are failing to support your local shops - which are the self same shops that we all like and admire, and which add so much to the character of our streets in Hexham and the market place in Corbridge. The consumer is king - but the consumer is you. We all must take responsibility for how we shop.
I have not visited the libraries that exist in Kielder and Allendale but would also urge locals to make use of this facility that is a genuine asset on your doorstep. I plan to try and rectify this omission some time this year.
One final point on books: we have some wonderful independent bookshops in Hexham and Corbridge and commercial booksellers as well. Please think long and hard before you buy online. Leave aside the failure of Amazon to pay tax on its place of business ie your UK purchase, as opposed to residence -it is offshore. This flaw in the taxation system the government are trying to address [see previous blog posts]. It is simply this: if you buy online you are failing to support your local shops - which are the self same shops that we all like and admire, and which add so much to the character of our streets in Hexham and the market place in Corbridge. The consumer is king - but the consumer is you. We all must take responsibility for how we shop.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Busy rest of the week in Northumberland
Meetings this week with all 4 Upper School Heads, a visit today to both RAF Spadeadam and Close House, surgeries with those lawyers affected by the proposed reductions in the Ministry of Justice Budget, an evening with Ovington residents, and multiple other surgeries both in the office and on the road.
On wednesday I am visiting both Shepherds Dene and then the NHS facility at Prudhoe, with more meetings that afternoon with NHS providers locally. On Wednesday night I am taking part in a 90 minute debate in Durham with the think tank Demos, and a variety of the regions key health professionals on the state of the NHS and its future.
Friday I have a meeting with the Chief Executive of Northumberland County Council in the afternoon.
Saturday I am now working in Corbridge and seeing constituents.
On wednesday I am visiting both Shepherds Dene and then the NHS facility at Prudhoe, with more meetings that afternoon with NHS providers locally. On Wednesday night I am taking part in a 90 minute debate in Durham with the think tank Demos, and a variety of the regions key health professionals on the state of the NHS and its future.
Friday I have a meeting with the Chief Executive of Northumberland County Council in the afternoon.
Saturday I am now working in Corbridge and seeing constituents.
Sunday, 26 May 2013
My article on local banks in today's mail on Sunday
Click here to read my article in the Mail on Sunday on why we need local banks.
June 7th is the date for our regional banking conference in right here in the north east. This is the first of of its kind and paves the way for local banks to be set up.
June 7th is the date for our regional banking conference in right here in the north east. This is the first of of its kind and paves the way for local banks to be set up.
A busy weekend
Multiple surgeries this Friday, Saturday and Sunday coupled to canvassing and campaigning against the green belt housing proposals in Ovingham. Heading out for further meetings later.
I am judging at the County Show tomorrow and also helping out in the Haydon Hunt Beer tent - that is behind the bar pulling pints not drinking...
I am judging at the County Show tomorrow and also helping out in the Haydon Hunt Beer tent - that is behind the bar pulling pints not drinking...
Saturday, 25 May 2013
No desire for intervention in Syria
William Hague came to the Commons earlier this week to update the House on the deteriorating state of the dreadful Syrian civil war. MPs are united in condemning the brutality of the current regime in Syria. Many of us are also doubtful that the UK could actually do anything.
Many MPs argue that their favourite spending cut has been the decision to remove our troops from front line duties in Afghanistan and to get most of them home altogether. The withdrawal from Afghanistan is proceeding as the Afghan army and police take over the role of the running of their own country, and full credit to those involved in making that withdrawal happen.
I have repeatedly urged caution over Syria.
I receive little postbag urging us to action, and just one person - interestingly a devout Christian - has demanded we intervene to stop the bloodshed. The PM has been to see things for himself and diplomatically we are pressurising the Russians who have taken a bizarre approach. All of us are doing what we can for the refugees. But before acting we need to address a number of key questions:
- Just who are the opposition forces we wish to help?
- How can we distinguish between those opposition forces who believe in liberty and democracy, and those who wish to replace one tyranny with another?
- How could we ensure any arms supply went just to the people we can be sure have the right intentions?
- How do you stop the regime taking the weapons on or after delivery?
- How do you distinguish between the different opponents of the regime?
- How do you ensure that an apparently well intentioned opponent does not come less well intentioned should he receive arms from us?
- How do you get the arms into the country against the wishes of the Syrian government?
The local countries around Syria are trying to resolve this very Middle Eastern of problems but I am clear that I cannot see a reason for British troops to get involved. As always the most important thing is not to make matters worse by getting involved without a plan and the answers to the above questions.
Many MPs argue that their favourite spending cut has been the decision to remove our troops from front line duties in Afghanistan and to get most of them home altogether. The withdrawal from Afghanistan is proceeding as the Afghan army and police take over the role of the running of their own country, and full credit to those involved in making that withdrawal happen.
I have repeatedly urged caution over Syria.
I receive little postbag urging us to action, and just one person - interestingly a devout Christian - has demanded we intervene to stop the bloodshed. The PM has been to see things for himself and diplomatically we are pressurising the Russians who have taken a bizarre approach. All of us are doing what we can for the refugees. But before acting we need to address a number of key questions:
- Just who are the opposition forces we wish to help?
- How can we distinguish between those opposition forces who believe in liberty and democracy, and those who wish to replace one tyranny with another?
- How could we ensure any arms supply went just to the people we can be sure have the right intentions?
- How do you stop the regime taking the weapons on or after delivery?
- How do you distinguish between the different opponents of the regime?
- How do you ensure that an apparently well intentioned opponent does not come less well intentioned should he receive arms from us?
- How do you get the arms into the country against the wishes of the Syrian government?
The local countries around Syria are trying to resolve this very Middle Eastern of problems but I am clear that I cannot see a reason for British troops to get involved. As always the most important thing is not to make matters worse by getting involved without a plan and the answers to the above questions.
Thursday, 23 May 2013
We are not these people. This is a betrayal of Islam and all decency
Like everyone I am in shock at what happened yesterday in Woolwich.
The PM gave a statement this morning: http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2013/05/david-camerons-statement-on-the-woolwich-attack/
It was the arrogance that so shocked many of us yesterday. I am adamant that this mad man did not speak on behalf of all Muslims. He talked vaguely of "our lands" and what "our people" have to go through every day. He was presumably referring to the global Muslim family, but he was completely misguided.
As David Cameron said this morning:
"This was not just an attack on Britain, and on the British way of life, it was also a betrayal of Islam and of the Muslim communities who give so much to this country. There is nothing in Islam that justifies this truly dreadful act."
How can a couple of men so thoroughly convince themselves that they speak for all Muslims, to the extent that they seriously believe their savage and psychotic attack on a man in the street is some kind of glorious act of Islamic resistance? These mad men had no democratic right, no justification, no religious backing.
I welcome the widespread condemnation by the law abiding Muslim community in this great country.
It is a harsh fact that there are some bad and mad people everywhere, in every place, and in every religion, colour and creed. But these mad men do not speak for Islam, the Muslim community, or the multicultural way of life that we enjoy in this country.
We should go about our business. Be as normal as is possible. Do not succumb to extremism.
Although all our hearts are heavy and our thoughts and prayers are with the Army, and the soldier who died, this should not affect how we live our lives.
The PM gave a statement this morning: http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehouse/2013/05/david-camerons-statement-on-the-woolwich-attack/
It was the arrogance that so shocked many of us yesterday. I am adamant that this mad man did not speak on behalf of all Muslims. He talked vaguely of "our lands" and what "our people" have to go through every day. He was presumably referring to the global Muslim family, but he was completely misguided.
As David Cameron said this morning:
"This was not just an attack on Britain, and on the British way of life, it was also a betrayal of Islam and of the Muslim communities who give so much to this country. There is nothing in Islam that justifies this truly dreadful act."
How can a couple of men so thoroughly convince themselves that they speak for all Muslims, to the extent that they seriously believe their savage and psychotic attack on a man in the street is some kind of glorious act of Islamic resistance? These mad men had no democratic right, no justification, no religious backing.
I welcome the widespread condemnation by the law abiding Muslim community in this great country.
It is a harsh fact that there are some bad and mad people everywhere, in every place, and in every religion, colour and creed. But these mad men do not speak for Islam, the Muslim community, or the multicultural way of life that we enjoy in this country.
We should go about our business. Be as normal as is possible. Do not succumb to extremism.
Although all our hearts are heavy and our thoughts and prayers are with the Army, and the soldier who died, this should not affect how we live our lives.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
The High Street - I will be speaking in the House at 2.30 on what govt, local authorities & we all can do 2 help our High Streets
Westminster Hall has a debate entitled "Government support for the High Street" and I will be trying to get called to speak on government action thus far and in the future, the role of the new Local Authority in Northumberland, and what all of us can do to help our High Streets.
However, the ultimate future lies in all of our hands. The adage is use it or lose it, and we are all guilty of buying on the internet, convenience shopping in a supermarket and not doing our bit to help our friends and neighbours.
As JFK would say, if he were alive today, and he was speaking in todays parliamentary debate on the Future of the High Street...
"Ask not what your government can do for your high street, ask what you yourself can do for your high street."
Background to our efforts on behalf of Hexham's retailers are set out here: http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/help-breathe-new-life-back-into-hexham-1.1050035?referrerPath=sport/rugby
However, the ultimate future lies in all of our hands. The adage is use it or lose it, and we are all guilty of buying on the internet, convenience shopping in a supermarket and not doing our bit to help our friends and neighbours.
As JFK would say, if he were alive today, and he was speaking in todays parliamentary debate on the Future of the High Street...
"Ask not what your government can do for your high street, ask what you yourself can do for your high street."
Background to our efforts on behalf of Hexham's retailers are set out here: http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/help-breathe-new-life-back-into-hexham-1.1050035?referrerPath=sport/rugby
Monday, 20 May 2013
7 Days until the Northumberland County Show on Monday's Bank Holiday
I am judging the Outdoor Stands at Bank Holiday Mondays County Show at Bywell- I urge you to come along - there is genuinely something for anyone
http://www.northcountyshow.co.uk/
Doors open 9am and there are hundreds of indoor and outdoor stands, events in the arenas, stock judging, great food and it is easy to get to. This is your local show - please come and support it!
http://www.northcountyshow.co.uk/
Doors open 9am and there are hundreds of indoor and outdoor stands, events in the arenas, stock judging, great food and it is easy to get to. This is your local show - please come and support it!
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Energy Bill - thoughts on a speech?
In 2 weeks parliament is debating the Energy Bill, and I am inviting contributions on the content of my speech on this issue. I can think of few more important Bills going through the parliament on a multitude of levels. It addresses national issues of huge importance, and local issues that matter tremendously to the local people I try to represent in Northumberland.
On the one hand is government's fundamental obligation to keep the lights on.
On the other is our desire to tackle climate change.
Whilst we have to acknowledge that all governments have to address declining oil reserves, the legacy that comes with nuclear power, the carbon impact of coal, the innate difficulties of fracking and the unintended consequences of using all our trees for biomass plants.
Balance that with our upset in rural Northumberland that we have random applications for wind farms that are, at best, inefficient and, at worst, an expensive eye sore.
Talk to the miners and there are the arguments from local Labour MPs that we need a return to more coal mining, whilst the citizens of Whittonstall and Halton Lea Gate would disagree.
Add in the problems of the rising prices of the most important energy of all - the petrol / oil and diesel that runs our vehicles and heats our homes... not to mention the thousands of my constituents who are off grid and relying on unregulated LPG.
Who would be the lead energy minister? In cabinet this is Ed Davey. He is a decent man, doing a very difficult job.
Some of you will have read previous speeches I have given on this issue: a full list of the speeches on fuel poverty, biomass, the actions of the heating oil companies, fracking, my clashes with Caroline Flint, Labour's shadow energy minister, LPG, wind farms, the weakness of the OFT, issues in rural Northumberland, off grid heating, open cast and lots more are set out on They work for you:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?s=%28%28energy%29%29+&pid=24962&p=1
But I have decided to take a different approach to the speech in a couple of weeks time.
I am meeting on Friday 24th with a number of the representatives of the heating oil buying groups in Northumberland to try and get their specific input. Bear in mind that Mike Murray and Lauren Langton have already become the unofficial key advisers to the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and recently Lauren met with the Energy Minister, Michael Fallon.
I have specifically asked them to give me information - both for onward transfer to the Ministers and the OFT, and also for potential inclusion in an energy bill speech.
As always the creation of a 6-10 minute speech is a composite effort of a variety of influences but I welcome the input of constituents one and all. My email, as everyone I hope knows, is guy.opperman.mp@parliament.uk
Details on the Energy Bill can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change/series/energy-bill
On the one hand is government's fundamental obligation to keep the lights on.
On the other is our desire to tackle climate change.
Whilst we have to acknowledge that all governments have to address declining oil reserves, the legacy that comes with nuclear power, the carbon impact of coal, the innate difficulties of fracking and the unintended consequences of using all our trees for biomass plants.
Balance that with our upset in rural Northumberland that we have random applications for wind farms that are, at best, inefficient and, at worst, an expensive eye sore.
Talk to the miners and there are the arguments from local Labour MPs that we need a return to more coal mining, whilst the citizens of Whittonstall and Halton Lea Gate would disagree.
Add in the problems of the rising prices of the most important energy of all - the petrol / oil and diesel that runs our vehicles and heats our homes... not to mention the thousands of my constituents who are off grid and relying on unregulated LPG.
Who would be the lead energy minister? In cabinet this is Ed Davey. He is a decent man, doing a very difficult job.
Some of you will have read previous speeches I have given on this issue: a full list of the speeches on fuel poverty, biomass, the actions of the heating oil companies, fracking, my clashes with Caroline Flint, Labour's shadow energy minister, LPG, wind farms, the weakness of the OFT, issues in rural Northumberland, off grid heating, open cast and lots more are set out on They work for you:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?s=%28%28energy%29%29+&pid=24962&p=1
But I have decided to take a different approach to the speech in a couple of weeks time.
I am meeting on Friday 24th with a number of the representatives of the heating oil buying groups in Northumberland to try and get their specific input. Bear in mind that Mike Murray and Lauren Langton have already become the unofficial key advisers to the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and recently Lauren met with the Energy Minister, Michael Fallon.
I have specifically asked them to give me information - both for onward transfer to the Ministers and the OFT, and also for potential inclusion in an energy bill speech.
As always the creation of a 6-10 minute speech is a composite effort of a variety of influences but I welcome the input of constituents one and all. My email, as everyone I hope knows, is guy.opperman.mp@parliament.uk
Details on the Energy Bill can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change/series/energy-bill
Friday, 17 May 2013
The Birthday weekend begins! Small party tonight, playing cricket at Wormsley on Sunday, and family /friends tomorrow
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.
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.
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.
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...