Tony Parsons article as to why he, a Labour voter, has turned against his old party

"I grew up in a working-class Labour household, had the traditional loud left leanings in my young manhood, but that Labour party is receding into the mists of history, as relevant to our own time as the Whigs or the Monster Raving Loony Party. There is no Old Labour or New Labour any more; there is only Dead Labour - a 20th-century party who find themselves as pertinent as banana rationing. "
The full article is here: 
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/comment/articles/2015-09/12/tony-parsons-voting-conservative

Local butchers describe Labour Party appointment of a militant vegan anti farming minister as bizarre

My local farmers and butchers consider that the appointment of Kerry McCarthy, the militant vegan who wants meat eaters treated like smokers as bizarre, outrageous and a slap in the face for local businesses, butchers and farmers. The Labour Party should reconsider. The comments of some of my farmers are unprintable.
More details of one local butchers comments here:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/gateshead-butcher-hits-out-labours-10142266?

The Weekend Read: Options on Syria - setting out the possible permutations for constituents to assess

The Syria conflict, and its overspill through the ISIL campaign into Iran are the defining conflicts of our modern era.
There are 3 key areas for resolution or decisions by the UK and the west in general. These are:
1.Addressing the Migrant crisis
2. Middle East foreign policy and opposition to ISIL
3. Finding a resolution to the Syrian civil war

- on the migrant crisis on Wednesday of last week the EU leaders met and set out the following deal to try and address the biggest movement of people that mainland Europe has seen for a very long time. This in a context where the Schengen and Dublin agreements on refugees, and where they should claim asylum are fragmenting, and the goodwill of some countries like Hungary, Greece and Croatia is being stretched to the limit and beyond:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34344346

I have already blogged at length on my travels to the region and visits to the refugee camps on the Syria Turkish border: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/the-weekend-read-syria-and-difference.html

And my approach to the migrant crisis and the specific way in which local people can help here in Northumberland.
http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/syrian-refugees-here-is-how-you-can.html

But what is going to be our foreign policy, if any, on the Middle East / opposing ISIL?
4 years ago when the ‘Arab Spring’ was beginning there was great hope for democracy and the future for the Middle East.
At that time there were relatively peaceful revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt’s dictator had just fallen and the first protests were beginning in Syria. But, since then almost no Arab country has yet produced a settled and lasting democracy. At the same time ISIL has taken the fight to all things local, western and christian. We already are involved via the RAF outside of Syria as we support the fight against ISIL. We do not have any part in the sorties in Syria that other nations like the USA and France are flying. Some people are calling for positve action against ISIL, given their approach to christians and their disregard for boundaries and any rules of war: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11846683/Britain-should-help-crush-Isil-in-Syria-former-Archbishop-of-Canterbury-warns.html

The harsh reality is that ISIL are coming for us in the UK whether we like it or not, and are an organisation commited solely to destruction. There is no negotiating to be done here, and where the PM has had to act he has done so: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11848600/David-Cameron-Britain-mounted-fatal-air-strike-in-Syria-live.html

I have no doubt that at some stage parliament is going to have to debate and decide what it is going to do, in conjuction with international partners.

The possibility of resolution of the civil war in Syria and any safe havens in Syria:

The map of Syria is now a patchwork quilt of competing interests and organisations, one of which is ISIL.

As to safe havens and humanitarian corridors I have raised this in parliament as long ago as 2014, after I journeyed back from the Syria / Turkey border. I held a specific debate in parliament on the plight of Syrian Refugees and UN Resolution 2139 relating to the provision of aid in Syria itself, and the reluctance of the UN to do more, and the need for greater support in country:
www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2014-04-29b.237.0

Aside from being the right thing to do, this policy has the added benefit of stabilising the country, stemming the flow of migrants that is both overwhelming Europe, and denying the home country of their brightest, fittest and best, who will be needed to rebuild their country after the war is over; and this was argued for by Boris in detail in the Telegraph last week:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11878539/Our-moral-duty-to-the-migrants-is-to-make-Syria-safe-to-live-in-again.html

The essence of his argument is as follows:

"We have tried inaction. We have tried inertia and passivity. It isn’t going well. In the absence of any better ideas, and in the hope of protecting the innocent civilians of Syria, we should at least now try the safe havens. You create an area of Syria that is safe from both sides of this horrific civil war: an enclave where kids can go to school, and where people can go about peaceful economic activity. You use overwhelming military force to protect the zone – funded and administered through the UN – and you ensure that it cannot be overflown by Assad or anyone else. The beauty of the proposal is that it gives displaced Syrians a place of refuge that is not some miserable foreign camp, but part of their own country; a place they can stay, and work, until peace eventually returns.

Two such zones have been identified, one in the north, near the border with Turkey, and one in the south, nearer Jordan. The difficulties, needless to say, are immense. First, you have to create such zones – and that cannot be done by air power alone. You need to invest each area with ground troops, and then you need to hold that ground;"

However, there are two big buts to this approach - however laudable: Russia, and the need for boots on the ground, and great cost in men, money and a lot more.
This weekend the Russian President Putin has decided to fortify the region and continue his support for Assad thereby making such a policy very difficult, and potentially a trigger for an even wider conflict. How we enforce a humanitarian corridor / safe haven will now be linked to a resolution and a deal on the partition of Syria I suspect.
But in the short term we will need to make as decision as to whether we take the fight to Isis.
The defence secretary has set out the position previously here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33358267

This blog is a deliberate attempt to set out the options for my constituents and invite comment. What I am clear upon is that the do nothing option is no longer available to us, as events are coming our way whether we like it or not. Isis is attempting to take the UK on and the migrant crisis is partially as a result of a failure to provide a safe haven and resolution in Syria and beyond.

Democracy Week (4th event) Ponteland Students Question Time debate

Votes at 16, the cost of further education, apprenticeships and the ability of young people to be heard and involved in a community were the issues of the day in brilliant public debate on Wednesday. The event was organised by the groundbreaking Ponteland Community Partnership, with help from some great local sponsors and Dan Brown from my Westminster office  
Three issues were debated at length with the 6 person panel:
- Should we lower the voting age to 16: the room was split almost 50/50 with a small majority in favour to my eye on a show of hands.
- Has University or further education become too expensive?
- Does the gap between the young and old prevent the young having a voice in Ponteland?
The stars of the show unquestionably were the 3 local students from Ponteland High School who spoke really well. Dan is a former Ponteland High School head boy and he chaired the event superbly. Most of all my thanks to everyone who came along, and the Ponteland Community Partnership,who are leading the way across Northumberland

Democracy Week [3 of 4 events] Visit to Heddon on the Wall First School

Heddon First School is going from strength to strength - with numbers up, including many of the children from the new regiment 3RHA at Albemarle Barracks, and a really positive atmosphere around the school. On Wednesday I got the chance to be grilled by the children for nearly an hour, after having caught up with the headteacher, Mr Wheatley, and 1 of the Governors. Later I was also able to be part of the presentation of the school defibrillator, of which I will blog more in due course.

The children asked great questions including some really tough ones like:
- Does the Queen always agree with the government? This was a tough one both to explain and demonstrate to a First School. I hope I did her Majesty proud in my explanation of how she rubber stamps legislation, but cannot block it.
- Do you have your own seat in parliament? No - but the whip always sits between the Speaker and the Prime or other Minister on the front bench
- Do you get on with other MPs in parliament? Yes - some Labour ones are open and normal and I am close to, and I have genuine mates on the Conservative side. We are all taking a while to get to know the new SNP team, and there are not many Liberals left.

One final point to add about Heddon First School: it is one of the schools that is leading the way, amongst the many schools in my patch, in the ways in which they use the internet and social media to interact with parents, pupils, and the wider public. They have an active Twitter site, and very good website that is a mine of information: http://www.heddon-school.co.uk/ 
This is, in my view, the way ahead for any school in the 21st Century. Parents and pupils like it and it is a great way to reach out to and be integrated into the community.

Democracy Week [2 of 4 events] - Bellingham Middle School Council

On Monday I was able to spend some time at Bellingham Middle School, where I met with the School Council, who had just been elected literally that morning! They were bright, interested and full of questions on representation, by an MP, and a school council; we talked for nearly an hour and I listened to them debate how they would like to improve their school. On top of that I also got to listen to their award winning Year 8 Northumbrian Piper. Democracy Week provides an opportunity to focus on citizenship, representation, the British parliament and our values, what MPs do and so much more. Bellingham is a school I have visited many times and know well; it is a really good example of the 3 tier system working well in a rural context. The complexities of providing good schooling in a significant rural area, are not easy, but Mr Jones and his team of teachers, the governors led by Trish Taylor, and a lot of very involved parents, do a great job. 

 

Democracy week - 1 of 4 local events: discussion with Corbridge Middle School school council

Good discussion on friday about representation, politics, climate change, why parties exist and the fact that "there is no I in Team" with Corbridge School Council, Councillor Jean Fearon and 5 members of the Peacekeepers Party who won their May election. Hope to welcome some of them to Westminster in the spring.

Busy day in Tynedale - Democracy events, welcoming Col Bob Stewart MP + surgeries

Corbridge Middle School starts my day with my 4th Democracy Week event of the week, followed by a surgery, a Hexham VCS meeting, a Macmillan Coffee Morning and then a visit to Albemarle Barracks with Colonel Bob Stewart, MP, who is also on the defence select committee. I then have further surgeries and then Bob and I are then attending a function later in the evening in Hexham

Meeting local farmers to discuss RPA, Bovine TB and a Labour vegan farming spokeswoman

On Wednesday I met the NFU and farmers in the region. We discussed everything from how we can help dairy farmers with exports and getting the public to buy British not imported lamb, and concerns about the RPA, increased efforts to combat red tape and a lot more. I came away considerably more informed, and promising to take their concerns to the Secretary of State and DEFRA.
Three things dominated the discussion:
- Bovine TB caused by badgers: I am strongly in favour of DEFRAs action which copies the approach in Ireland and New Zealand - without a stop to the spread of bovine TB there will be no cattle industry in this country in 10 years. The evidence is overwhelming. All the farmers were strongly behind the action being taken.
- Strong efforts locally and nationally to combat cheap foreign imports and support for the British Lamb business. Every constituent must think before they buy.
- Better efforts to combat the massive red tape, some of it European, some of it UK gold plating, some of it simply British. Efforts are being made but it is clear more needs to be done.

Finally I would make two comments:
1. The consumer is king - we are in charge of what we buy - and if we don't buy British and support our local farmers we, and more importantly, they will struggle. Use it or lose it.

2. Appointing a vegan as Labour’s farming spokesman was always going to ruffle feathers. But even Kerry McCarthy’s critics must have been surprised by her pronouncement that meat should be treated like tobacco, with public campaigns to stop people eating it… Last night, her ideas were attacked as ‘bordering on the cranky’ by the chief executive of the Countryside Alliance. To be fair that is a charitable interpretation of her. The fuller story and reaction is here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/agriculture/food/11887317/Treat-meat-eaters-like-smokers-warns-Jeremy-Corbyns-new-vegan-farming-minister-Kerry-McCarthy.html
I will be looking forward to welcoming the NFU reps to Westminster where I hope to introduce them to some of the other North East MPs

Busy day - democracy events, school visits x 2, NFU meeting, surgery and more

Strating today with a Democracy Week event at Heddon on the Wall School, then a visit to the Riding with the Disabled Charity at their base in Tranwell, and a visit to Whalton First School. In the afternoon I have a sit down with the NFU and and a visit to the Kirkley Hall business hub, plus further surgeries in Ponteland. In the evening I am taking part in the Democracy Question Time event in Ponteland - please come along. It will be a good debate.

Still time to get involved with the Haltwhistle Walking Festival October 3-11

Every year the Haltwhsitle spring and autumn walking festivals get better and better and this years agenda for October is even better than ever before. You can also use the walk to help or get involved in the Countryfile Ramble for Children in Need which takes place over the 10-11 October. Full details of the festival here:
http://www.haltwhistlewalkingfestival.org

Question Time comes to Ponteland as part of Democracy Week next Wednesday

Come along and get involved in a public debate . I am really looking forward to this weeks many Democracy Week events, one of which will feature a students debate And public question time at the Ponteland Memorial Hall on Wednesday evening: 

Programme

18.00 - Arrivals

18.35 - Topic 1 - Should we lower the voting age to 16?

18.55 - Topic 2 - Has University and Further Education become too expensive?

19.15 - Break

19.30 - Topic 3 – Does the gap between the young and old prevent the young     having a voice in Ponteland?

PM confirms Fairer Funding for schools going forward

PMQs this week saw the following exchange, which impacts on our campaign for fairer the school funding in Northumberland and our fight for enhanced and changed funding to schools:

Michael Tomlinson MP:                                          

Schools in Poole are in the bottom five and schools in Dorset are in the bottom 11 when it comes to local education authorities and funding per pupil. I welcome this Government’s commitment to a fairer funding formula. Does the PM recognise the importance of fairer funding for our schools in Poole and Dorset, and the need for that to be implemented as quickly as possible to ensure a world-class education for our children, including respect for our traditions, and perhaps even learning the importance of our national anthem?        

David Cameron The Prime Minister,                                          

My hon. Friend makes a very important point. There are very strong calls on all sides to ensure that we address fairness in funding. In the last Parliament we allocated £390 million extra for fairer funding, and his own authorities, Dorset and Poole, benefited from that, receiving £3.1 million and £3.2 million respectively. I can tell him that that money is included in the baseline for schools funding in 2016 and 2017. But I know that there is unfairness in the current system and I want us to do everything we can to make the funding formula fairer.

Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 16 September 2015, c1045)

The Greek election is over but their economic crisis will continue

2015 must seem a long year to Syriza and the Greek government they are going to try and form after today's election. Their credibility is limited by a disastrous record in Government, a referendum against a bailout that they won, then a u turn to take even worse terms than the previous bailout offer, and now an economy that they have so mismanaged that it has dropped like a stone.
Today's Guardian analysis does not make good reading. One thing is for sure. This Greek meltdown has a long way to run. They are the European equivalent of the 1930 mid west of America; there will be no recovery without an acceptance of the realities of economics, reforms to Neolithic public services, and a government that needs to face facts. I am not holding my breath on that issue.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/20/greece-the-election-is-over-the-economic-crisis-is-not

Macmillan Coffee Morning later this week - what are you going to do?

Biggest Coffee Morning in the World! This Thursday and Friday 24 &25 September!
Are you going to help, get involved, or host an event - or simply go along, meet your friends and neighbours and raise money for a great cause? They are taking place in multiple village halls and churches locally later this week.
Full details are here: http://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/Home.aspx

One year on the SNP seek what they said they would not - a "Neverendum"

The SNP must stop issuing threats that a second independence referendum could be triggered by policy decisions made at Westminster.

The SNP has hinted that disagreements with the UK Government over defence policy, economic approach and the Scotland Bill would be enough to force people to vote on independence again.
Nicola Sturgeon even said the inability of new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to become Prime Minister would be a sufficient change in circumstances.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
“Nicola Sturgeon has to realise that last year the people of Scotland were promised that the referendum was a once-in-a-generation event. But just this week we’ve been told that triggers could include a defence policy she doesn’t like, an economic plan she’s opposed to, a devolution settlement she disagrees with, or even a new Labour leader she doesn’t think can win.
In short, the trigger for another referendum for this Scottish Government is any day that ends in a ‘Y’. The fact is the SNP is just scratching around trying to find any excuse to get the referendum rematch it so desperately wants.”


The SNP in my view do not equal Scotland. They equal a single political party, with a significant public support. There are a wealth of views different to the SNP in Scotland, and the majority of  Scots support the Union.


This from the PM at Prime Ministers Questions this Wednesday in a lively exchange with the SNP:
"We said that we would introduce a Scotland Bill, and we introduced a Scotland Bill. We said that there would be unprecedented devolution on taxes, and there has been unprecedented devolution on taxes. We said that we would provide those welfare powers, and we have given those welfare powers. The question now for the SNP is this: when are you going to stop talking about processes and start telling us what taxes you are going to put up? What welfare changes are you going to make? Or, when it comes to talking about the issues, are you frit?"

Progress on the campaign to dual the A69

A £500,000 study is to be carried out to look into ways of dealing with notorious traffic blackspots in the North East as part of the Government’s Northern Powerhouse initiative.

It will examine the case for turning the A66 or A69, or both roads, into dual carriageways to improve Northern east-west links.

The move has been welcomed by business leaders who said if the report does lead to an upgrade of these roads it will provide a massive boost to the region.

The A66 runs from Scotch Corner to Penrith and the A69 from Newcastle to Carlisle.

Jonathan Walker, North East Chamber of Commerce head of policy and campaigns, said: “If the North East is to play a meaningful role in the Northern Powerhouse then improving our connectivity to the North West is vital. This announcement is therefore hugely welcome.

“Dualling these routes would be a major boost to huge number of businesses who rely on moving goods across the Pennines as well as the region’s Port operations.

“Alongside assessing the technical requirements of these projects, the Government must recognise the enormous business benefits they would bring.”

Highways England has awarded the study contract to international engineering consultancy firm WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff. Full details here: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/northern-powerhouse-study-look-dualling-10059029

Hexham Abbey Festival of music and arts begins next weekend - some tickets still left

There are few finer places to listen to amazing music than the wonderful Hexham Abbey.
Details and the brochure are below:http://hexham-abbey.org.uk/whats-on/festival/
It is well worth it:
http://hexham-abbey.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Hexham-Abbey-Festival-Brochure-2015.pdf

Syrian refugees - here is how you can help: contact details re homes, help, support, clothing

Several constituents have got in touch offering help, their homes and general support to the refugees. I set out in  detail below the ways in which you can help.
Since the Syrian crisis began in 2011, the UK has granted asylum or other forms of leave to almost 5,000 Syrian nationals and their dependants. We also operate three resettlement routes, which bring people who have fled their home country to the UK. One of these, the Gateway programme, has run for 10 years and has resettled almost 6,400 people in that time, aiming to resettle around 750 people a year.
Britain can be proud that we’re one of the only major countries in the world to deliver our commitment to spend 0.7% of our GDP on aid. We’re already the second largest bilateral donor of aid in the world in response to the Syrian conflict. Our help has included providing over 18 million food rations and giving 1.6 million people access to clean water.
On 7 September the Prime Minister announced an expansion of our existing Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme. Through this expansion, we expect to resettle 20,000 Syrians in need of protection during this Parliament. This is in addition to those we resettle under our Gateway and Mandate programmes, and the thousands of people who receive protection in the UK under normal asylum procedures.
We are working closely with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to identify some of the most vulnerable displaced Syrians and bring them to the UK. This scheme is helping those in the greatest need who cannot be supported effectively in the region by giving them protection and support in the UK. The criteria for acceptance under the scheme will be expanded to ensure more of those in need are resettled.
We have received many generous offers of support from the general public, local authorities, businesses and other organisations. Below is some guidance on how you can help.

General public

I have a free room in my house

Many organisations in the UK operate accommodation hosting projects to help vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees.
NACCOM is an informal network of agencies providing accommodation to migrants.

I have a property that could be used to house refugees

Please contact your local authority. If you are a Northumberland resident then this is the website:
http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/ You will probably be redirected to their private sector housing team.


I want to volunteer to help refugees

Several charities and organisations are working with refugees across the UK. To find out more about volunteering opportunities in your area visit:

• the National Council for Voluntary Organisations

You could also contact the Refugee Council.

I’m a professional who could help refugees integrate on arrival in the UK

Contact the Refugee Council.

I just want to do something to help

There are a number of charities and organisations across the UK that are raising awareness and donations to help refugees who have recently arrived and those who are already in the UK. Please contact these charities and organisations directly. We have several in Northumberland.

I have clothes / books / toys etc that I want to donate

Many charities have been inundated with generous offers of donated goods from members of the public. Because of the logistical challenges in storing and transporting donated items, some can’t accept any donations currently. Check with your local refugee organisations to see what they need.
You can also donate items to Save the Children charity shops. The items won’t go directly to child refugees but the money raised helps us to support them.

I have a business and have an idea that could help

There are a number of charities and organisations across the UK that are raising awareness and donations to help refugees who have recently arrived and those who are already in the UK. Please contact these charities and organisations directly.

I want to help refugees overseas

You can support Save the Children’s Child Refugee Crisis Appeal. Their teams are working across Europe and in the countries refugees are fleeing from to provide aid and support.
You can support UNHCR’s emergency appeal for the refugee crisis in Europe. UNHCR is on the ground providing life-saving support to refugees arriving in Europe.

I want to foster a child

You can apply to foster a child through your council if you live in England and Wales.
You could also contact one of these national organisations that help with fostering in the UK:

• Fosterline
• Home for Good

If you’re interested in fostering in general, contact your local authority to find out more about the process.

I’m a foster carer and would like further training to help meet the specific needs of children in my care

Save the Children may have training opportunities that you’d be interested in.
You can also contact your local authority for information and support.

Local authorities

I’m a local authority and I want to get more information on the scheme and how to participate

Please contact your regional strategic migration partnership via the Local Government Association’s website.

Education providers: I’m a local authority or school looking for additional training to help build the emotional resilience of children in our care

Save the Children may have training opportunities that you’d be interested in.

Religious organisations: I have religious premises available

Email the Local Government Association, stating which area of the UK you are in.

You can call the Red Cross’s dedicated phone line on 0800 107 8727 from 9am on Saturday 12 September for more information.

Westminster this week

PMQs at noon on Wednesday will dominate I suspect given the events on the weekend. I will be on the bench until past 11pm tonight in the commons as I have the graveyard slot of 9-11 on a Monday night. We have multiple debates this week, on everything from adoption and education law changes to trade unions; plus I have several key meetings with local stakeholders and visiting constituents.
Tuesday I am hoping to go to a briefing with the foreign office officials on Iran and the consequences of the recent nuclear deal.
My views on Iran are fully set out here:http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/iran-debatemy-speech-powerful-speeches.html
The house is not sitting Friday so I will be back in Tynedale either Friday or Saturday latest.

Gilsland Station Update - Northumberland CC gets behind the campaign to reopen the station

I was delighted to read the notes to the recent NCC Committee meeting - see below - which details their financial support for the Campaign to Open Gilsland Station.
This project is slowly moving forward, with assistance from Northumberland County Council, as we get to GRIP Stage 3 of the Network Rail process for Station Rebuilds. There is a large amount of support locally, and in the 2 local authorities, and I cannot praise the team at COGS enough - they are doing a great job The Committee notes re Gilsland are here:
http://committeedocs.northumberland.gov.uk/MeetingDocs/13829_M4090.pdf

The reopening of Gilsland Station also featured when we met with Rory Stewart, MP, my friend, Cumbrian neighbour and the Rural Economy Minister last month.
This project would clearly transform the tourist, travel, business and other prospects of the very western area of the County.  There is a case to be made not least because there have been persistent problems with buses in the area, and the tourism busineses which I know well would be very pleased. Anyone who walks the Hadrians Wall or Pennine Way would also be delighted. The reality is that this will have a significant wider economic impact. I am meeting Network Rail soon and will continue to do everything I can to push the project forward.

Liverpool Labour Mayor and a Conservative Cabinet Minister working together + selling Mayors / Northern Powerhouse

Much for the North East to admire here. I would love to co-write such an article with any Mayor or council leader from the North East. I particularly like this section:

"The real split now isn’t between left and right but between centralisers and localists, between those who believe you can run a modern post-industrial economy from Whitehall and those who recognise there is an urgent need to devolve power. We believe that the centralisers have had their day. The North-South gap is a testament to their failure and the need for a new way....The Chancellor’s vision of a “Northern Powerhouse” – a network of growth stretching across the north of England – is an idea whose time has come."

The full article is below:

Why old political rivals are now working together

Joe Anderson and Greg Clark 11 September 2015 16:58

Previous decades of regional policy have failed to close the North-South gap in economic productivity and prosperity. We’ve decided to do something about that, and are moving beyond old political rivalries. So a Labour Mayor of Liverpool and a Conservative Secretary of State might not be likely allies – but we both believe in the same thing: a Northern Powerhouse.

The real split now isn’t between left and right but between centralisers and localists, between those who believe you can run a modern post-industrial economy from Whitehall and those who recognise there is an urgent need to devolve power. We believe that the centralisers have had their day. The North-South gap is a testament to their failure and the need for a new way.

There is now a growing consensus around a new model of decentralised decision-making that all parties should support. At a local level, this is exactly what is happening. The progress we’ve made so far in transferring budgetary control and political power is a genuine joint effort; ministers and city leaders from different parties have worked together to make it happen.

The Chancellor’s vision of a “Northern Powerhouse” – a network of growth stretching across the north of England – is an idea whose time has come. It has a combined population of 15 million. By investing in the right connections between cities, we can make the most of the Powerhouse’s potential.

This isn’t a threat to London. The Northern Powerhouse will complement the Greater London Powerhouse, helping rebalance the country, strengthen our economic resilience, and ease pressures on land supply, housing and infrastructure in the South East.

A balanced economy brings the country together in One Nation, with wealth and opportunity spread more widely than they have been for decades. Our cities will become places where social problems are solved, not created.

All this ambition needs good leadership, and that’s why mayors should take over powers currently held by ministers. In the past, the fragmentation of local government has frustrated attempts to take a strategic view of local economic needs. By default, big picture decisions were made by distant bureaucracies without the benefit of local knowledge. Dynamic local leadership we can overcome the old divisions, allowing transport, regeneration, planning and other crucial economic functions to be co-ordinated across and between cities. It’s also vital that each city – and the Powerhouse as a whole – has the best possible representation on the national and international stage.

As Britain recovers from the deepest recession since the war – and we look across a landscape of uncertainty in the Eurozone and massive structural change beyond it – we must draw upon the full strength of every part of this country – from North to South.

Corbyn will win today - what can we expect?

Fragmentation of the traditional Labour Party will follow - and a power struggle between the centre left and the far far left that Corbyn embodies.
Several of Corbyn’s proposals have been tried over the decades and left a trail of political destruction. Ask low-paid workers in Stockholm or Manhattan if his proposed rent controls are a good idea. Ask Zimbabweans how “People’s Quantitative Easing” worked out for them.

Under the present Chancellor two things have happened on tax. The 45 pence rate is higher than at any stage [bar the last 14 days] of the Blair Brown governments 1997-2010.  The present Chancellor has also made sure that the best-paid have been shouldering a greater share of the burden than at any time in history. Why? Because he cut the top rate of tax from 50%. Lower tax rates lead to higher tax revenues; this is what John F Kennedy referred to as the “paradoxical truth” of taxation. But it’s one that Corbyn is ideologically unable to grasp. A student of tax could also look at France who tried to raise taxes to 75% with disastrous results for the tax take which fell dramatically, as did job creation, entrepreneurship etc.

There is also a significant number of former Labour voters who think that the PM is doing the right thing by the economy, by stopping benefits for those who refuse to work or reducing the benefit cap below £26,000. Fuller details in Fraser's article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/11857159/With-Jeremy-Corbyn-elected-the-Tories-must-turn-Left.html

Labour MPs surprised by ballots outstanding and Yvette seen as labour second choice

I have plenty of labour MPs in the commons who I get on with. A few views they have expressed over the last five days, from their leadership selection, have surprised me:
- how many ballots have not been filled in and returned. Apparently the numbers not returned is still huge.
- how many people have Yvette as their second choice, meaning they believe that Cooper wins if Corbyn does not get a majority straight up.
- Burnham is now seen by many as a busted flush, and the king of flip flops, having started this process as the strong favourite.
- Kendall is seen as a poor relation to stronger Blairite figures like Chuka, Hunt and Jarvis, and just lacks cut through, although all admire her tenacity.

Thoughts on todays parliamentary debate on Assisted Dying

Saddened by today's result, but also angry that people are being denied choice and the freedom to die in a manner of their choosing. Parliament has spoken but this campaign of Dignity in Dying continues. The final result was 118 in favour of changing the law, 330 against, and several hundred absentees or positive abstentions.

The full debate is here:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/hansard/commons/todays-commons-debates/read/unknown/12/

The quality of the speeches were good and a tricky debate was well done. I was impressed by the speeches of Jim Fitzpatrick, the veteran Labour MP, the former Liberal Care Minister Norman Lamb, MP, new member Lucy Allen and the former DPP Kier Starmer MP.

The vast majority of my constituents, along with a surprising number of my churchgoers wanted this change. Like Archbishop George Carey they can be both very Christian and want control of their final days.

His article is here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2689295/Carey-Ive-changed-mind-right-die-On-eve-Lords-debate-ex-Archbishop-dramatically-backs-assisted-death-law.html

The first phase of the economic recovery is over but we must still hold our nerve and balance the books

Interesting article this week from one of the top journals - see below - on economic prospects as the markets experienced an August wobble. The doomsayers between 2010-2015 definitely got it wrong. I have listened to some in the house of commons argue that trying to live within your means, create jobs, support small businesses and tackle our debts and overspending is the wrong thing to do [what others have called austerity]. Do you Remember my late parliamentary opponent Ed Balls arguing it was all "too far too fast"? Well my nemesis got it spectacularly wrong, and then lost his job. I remain convinced that the slow but steady path to balancing the books and ensuring that we do not spend what we do not have is the right path. There will be further reductions in public spending to come and I want my generation to deal with these problems, not pass them on to our children.

Growth has been strong, and far more jobs were created in 2010-2015 than the chancellor could possibly have hoped for and the public finances have improved significantly, thanks to spending cuts combined with an expansion in the tax base. When we compare ourselves with every other country in Europe we are clearly heading in the right direction.
And yet? Should we be concerned that China is having a currency and growth crisis, Greece has another election, conflicts rage in the Middle East and the oil exploration in the North Sea is faltering due to price competition? These are a concern but the economy is growing. Wages are now growing quickly; inflation is at zero, and the living standards of the British people could rise by more in 2015 than in any year since before the banking crash. I do not say governments get everything right but I am certain that we are heading on the right track.
Fuller appraisal can be found here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11799808/Fasten-your-seatbelts-theres-a-little-economic-turbulence-ahead.html

The UKs Syrian and Middle East support and aid allocation tops £1Billion

PM gives wonderful celebration speech to the Queen

Mr Speaker, today Her Majesty the Queen becomes our country’s longest reigning Monarch.

It is of course typical of her selfless sense of service that she would have us treat this day just like any other. But Mr Speaker, while I rarely advocate disobeying Her Majesty – least of all in her own Parliament, I do think it is right that today we should stop and take a moment as a nation to mark this historic milestone and to thank Her Majesty for the extraordinary service that she has given to our country over more than six decades. Mr Speaker, Her Majesty the Queen inspires us all with her incredible service, her dignified leadership, and the extraordinary grace with which she carries out her duties and I would like to say a word about each.

Mr Speaker, on her 21st birthday, in a radio broadcast from Cape Town, over four years before she would accede to the throne, the then Princess dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth saying and I quote: “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service...” It is one thing for a 21 year old to utter those inspiring words. It is another to live by them for more than 60 years. For all of us in this Chamber who seek to play our part in public service it is truly humbling to comprehend the scale of
service that Her Majesty the Queen has given to this country.

Mr Speaker, the reign of Queen Elizabeth II has been a golden thread running through three post-war generations, and she has presided over more than two thirds of our history as a full democracy with everyone being able to vote. When I was born, Her Majesty had already been reigning for fourteen years. When the Father of this House, our longest-serving Member was first elected to this Chamber, Her Majesty had already been Queen for eighteen years. In 63 years and 216 days she has worked with 12 Prime Ministers, 6 Archbishops of Canterbury and 9 Cabinet Secretaries. She has answered 3.5 million pieces of correspondence, sent over 100,000 telegrams to Centenarians across the Commonwealth and met more people than any other Monarch in history.

And yet Mr Speaker, whether it is something we suspect she enjoys, such as the Highland Games, or something we suspect she might be less keen on, such as spending New Year’s Eve in the Millennium Dome, she never, ever falters. Her selfless sense of service and duty have earned her unparalleled respect and admiration, not only in Britain, but all around the world.

Turning to her leadership, Her Majesty exemplifies the unique combination of tradition and progress that has come to define us as a nation. She has been a rock of stability in an era in which our country has changed so much, providing an enduring focal point for all her people. But she has also recognised the need to embrace change. As she said in an address to both Houses of Parliament back on her Golden Jubilee in 2002: “For if a Jubilee becomes a moment to define an age, then for me we must speak of change. Change has become a constant; managing it has become an expanding discipline. The way we embrace it defines our future.”

Her Majesty’s contribution to shaping the future of the Commonwealth has been particularly extraordinary. Some doubted whether this organisation would succeed, but she has assiduously supported it, growing it from just 7 members in 1952 to 53 today. She has played a leading role in building a unique family of nations that spans every continent, all the main religions and nearly a third of the world’s population.As a diplomat and an ambassador for Britain, it is hard to overstate what she has done for our country; representing us on 265 official visits to 116 different countries, including making 22 visits to Canada alone.

And from her post-Apartheid visit to South Africa, to her State visit to Ireland, we have seen time and again how the presence and judicious words of Her Majesty can build partnership and progress like no other. She is held in deep affection by leaders around the world, even ardent Republicans fall under her spell. Mr Speaker, as we commemorate this historic milestone, I know that Her Majesty would want us to pay a particular tribute to the service and support of her whole family, not least the Duke of Edinburgh who has stood by her side every day of her reign.

Mr Speaker, throughout her long service, the Queen has carried herself with an extraordinary grace and presence. She has led a gentle evolution of our monarchy, bringing it closer to the people while maintaining its dignity.  She pioneered the first televised Christmas Day Message, over thirty years before we allowed cameras into this House. She opened up the Royal Collection and Palaces.And she invented the Royal Walkabout, so that she could meet more people on her visits. People who meet the Queen often talk about it for the rest of their lives. And I am sure that I speak for all of my eleven predecessors when I say that that going to see the Queen to form a government and then meeting her once a week is one of the most enjoyable, inspiring and humbling honours of this office.

Mr Speaker, when I joined Her Majesty for her State visit to Germany earlier this year I learnt that there are many female sovereigns that the Germans call “die Königin”, but there is only one they call “die Queen”. In fact the German dictionary – the Duden - provides as its example sentence “the Queen is coming on a State Visit to Berlin” and then offers one key grammatical prescript: There is no plural. Mr Speaker, the Queen is our Queen. And we could not be more proud of her. She has served this country with unerring grace, dignity and decency, and long may she continue to do so.

Cycling tour of Britain in Tynedale on Thursday -what are you doing to celebrate?

Excitement is building with the arrival tomorrow of the worlds top cyclists coming through Prudhoe, Hexham, Haydon Bridge, and going along the Military Road under the lip of Hadrian's Wall, before heading off into the Cumbrian hills. What are you going to do to celebrate and welcome the riders to your village or your community? I know Haydon Bridge is doing a lot and there will be many more keen to welcome the top riders. As a keen cyclist I am gutted I cannot make it but Commons duties keep me in London. I shall be glued to the TV highlights, however.

PM Statement to the Commons on Syria, refugees, the EU and Counter Terrorism

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/syria-refugees-and-counter-terrorism-prime-ministers-statement

Westminster this week:

The first week back of the autumn term is genuinely packed. I will blog more on specific aspects but we start this afternoon with a statement by the PM, and the remaining stages of the European Referendum Bill, which will be debated until 10; the rest of the week sees the implementation of the various budget measures in the Finance Bill and the start of the committee on the welfare reform bill. Wednesday sees PMQs and a SNP opposition day debate, whilst Thursday I have a morning interview on itv tyne tees, church commissioners questions to help with and a plethora of further events and meetings in the commons. I am gutted that I am not able to make the tour of Britain cycle race in Northumberland. Friday I will be in the commons for the assisted dying debate as part of the consideration of the private members bills. I shall be voting in favour of the assisted dying bill, albeit it is a free vote.
I have also got a large number of meetings with constituents, and am meeting several North East organisations who are attending the commons to meet with me. It is a very busy week.

Congratulations to the Feathers Inn - County dining pub of the year

The Feathers Inn Hedley on the Hill Northumberland are celebrating after the announcement that they have been named County Dining Pub of the Year in The Good Pub Guide 2016 edition. 

Every year the editors of the Good Pub Guide take the opportunity to rate the very finest Dining Pubs across Great Britain. 
This Feathers Inn team have won this prestigious award eight times and they are extremely proud. The team, led by husband and wife Rhian and Helen Cradock, have thanked their staff whole heartedly for the effort they put in. Rhian Cradock " They are so incredible and so passionate about quality it is a pleasure to work with them. The locals in the village are also a great support and we thank them very much for their dedication too. We are a food led business but our community is at the heart of what we do".

If you have not been I strongly recommend the pub, it's food and its fiendishly difficult quiz - which I have failed to win on several occasions! 

Walking with the Wounded team walking to Hexham today- arriving around 4.30

The charity Walking with the Wounded raises awareness and funds to retrain and reskill men and women wounded during Military service.

This year they are having a Walk of Britain expedition which will start in Scotland on 22nd August and finish at Buckingham Palace on 1st November. A Team of four British and two United States wounded war veterans will walk 1000 miles across Britain and will climb 24 peaks (including Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon), burn 1,440,000 calories between them, use 10 litres of sun-cream (they hope!) and pass through 150 villages, towns and cities.
On Friday 4th September the Team will reach Hexham at approximately 4.30pm and the Mayor of Hexham, Councillor Trevor Cessford, will be joining the Team as it arrives and crosses the River Tyne. Councillor Cessford will be walking with the Team through Hexham to the stage finish next to Benson's Monument at Beaumont Street.
Please look out for the Team as they walk through town and give them a cheer or why not be at the stage finish and give the Team a really warm welcome to Hexham.
See www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/walkofbritain2015/ for further information.

It's #BritishLambWeek - make sure you support our local farmers and butchers by buying local

Our farmers are struggling to sell their top quality British Lamb so now is a good time to support them in British Lamb Week. Ideas for recipes were helpfully set out by local chefs in the Courant last week: http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/Food-for-thought-in-British-Lamb-Week-6fb86a0a-67e2-4545-a437-4383153fe3ab-ds


Farmers are faced with
- reduced European demand due to the severe recession in Europe [traditionally we export 40% of UK sheep]
- and a high pound,
- a ban on British and other European meat by the Russian market, as a result of a sanctions war
- plus foreign imports being bought by the likes of Tesco, which further squeezes the domestic suppliers.
Lamb is as a result £20 per head cheaper this year, which is good news for the customer, but tough for farmers.
I am a supporter of our local farmers so I will be buying British lamb from a local butcher, and would urge you to do the same. When you do so you buy the best from a locally sourced and expertly looked after herd. As always with everything from Post Offices to local bookshops, butchers and even farmers ... use it or lose it! They derserve and need our support and each of us genuinely can make a difference with our purchases.
More details here of the wider campaign: http://www.nationalsheep.org.uk/news-detail.php?NewsID=330

Delighted the Queen has approved the venerable Christine Hardman as new Bishop of Newcastle

I have looked at Christine Hardmans background and experience and she will be a great asset to the region. Women are playing a wonderful role in the faith of the region - with a female Canon of Hexham Abbey only recently having taken office. I have long supported and voted in the Commons for Women Bishops and I am certain that Christine will do a great job.


The endorsement from Riding Mill's acting Bishop the Right Reverend Frank White is clear:“This is such a good moment to welcome Christine Hardman to be our new Bishop and I look forward with eager anticipation to serving alongside her. Her wide interests and experience and her desire to encounter and learn from the spirituality of this region offer us all real opportunities for growth."
Full details of the appointment here:
http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/news-and-events/news-article.aspx?id=3983

Westminster this week

I am back in the Commons preparing for the autumn parliamentary term and catching up on outstanding and tricky casework. I have a variety of meetings this week but call either office if you need my help.

William Hague returns to the fray with accuracy on Labour's slow drift to irrelevance

"Like a tribe lost in the desert, without a coherent vision for the 21st century, Labour is now stumbling towards a mirage. Corbyns rise is a symptom of the left's slow drift into irrelevance."

Full article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/Jeremy_Corbyn/11837521/Tony-Blair-was-a-Tory-leaders-worst-nightmare.-I-wish-Id-had-Jeremy-Corbyn-instead.html