Scottish Independence campaign dominated 2014 - my review of 2014 national / Scottish highlighs

Scottish Independence dominated this year as I made repeated trips north of the Border to speak, campaign, cajole, request and argue the case for the Union. My thanks to the many Scottish locals who accommodated me, and came to events in Argyll, Aberdeenshire, Fife, Edinburgh and all across the Borders. I got to know our neighbours very well in many ways north of the Border and in this review of 2014 a few awards must follow:

1. Best voters on both side of the independence debate were found in Hawick, in the Borders, where we argued forcefully but with great politeness with many people with barely 3 weeks to go to polling day.  The same day we also knocked on the door of Alex Salmonds sister high up in the hills surrounding the town of Hawick. They were not in favour of the union! I love the photo of us on the campaign trail - a motley crew of conservatives, and non conservatives, coming together to try and save the Union.http://www.thejournal.co.uk/north-east-analysis/analysis-news/hexham-mp-guy-opperman-heads-7713615

2. Best tea shop award goes to Main Street Books, the amazing bookshop, cook shop and top tea shop in St Boswells, just outside Kelso, in the Borders -http://www.mainstreetbooks.co.uk
It is worth the journey itself and has won countless awards. Amazing cooks, cakes and people. Perfect pit stop for the North bound traveller.

3. Parliamentary highlight of the year for me was our success on the Air Ambulance campaign  - a change that allow more missions and will save lives.http://guyopperman.blogspot.com/2014/12/air-ambulances-including-gnaa-benefit.html

4. Political Visit of the year was my recent visit to South Thanet to campaign against Nigel Farage. Having campaigned there in November and met the candidate and the support team for the conservatives I do not believe Farage will win there in May 2015- and opinion polls agree: http://guyopperman.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/South%20Thanet

5. Best visit as an MP: without a doubt the Syrian refugee camp in Nizip, on the Turkish Syrian Border in early January 2014: it moved me hugely. http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-mp-guy-opperman-calls-6521153
Our campaign to continue to support people there continues.
In April I hosted a debate in the commons on this issue.
http://centrallobby.politicshome.com/latestnews/article-detail/newsarticle/guy-opperman-mp-ensuring-proper-humanitarian-support-and-aid-for-syrian-refugees/

Duke of Cambridge to become an Air Ambulance Helicopter Pilot is great news

Really pleased for the Air Ambulance crews and support staff who will be chuffed by the Prince's decision. The Association of Air Ambulances (AAA) and the All Party Group for Air Ambulances in the House of nCommons has gone from strength to strength these last 2 years but this is the icing on the cake: the news that His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge is to become a helicopter pilot with East Anglian Air ambulance is a massive boost to the Air Ambulances all over the country. His decision to pursue this role following his time as a RAF Search and Rescue pilot is seen as a strong endorsement of the part that air ambulances play in caring for the sick and injured in UK.

East Anglian Air Ambulance is one of nineteen other charities that operate the thirty six air ambulances across the UK, providing advanced pre-hospital care to the most critically ill patients. On average seventy patients per day are treated by the thirty six aircraft.

I work hand in glove with Clive Dickin, the AAA National Director, who on hearing the good news said:
“We are delighted that East Anglian Air Ambulance and the East of England Ambulance Service have such support. The Duke of Cambridge made it clear earlier this year that he was considering this option as part of his public service duties. The announcement will, we hope, help to raise the profile of the work of all air ambulances in the country."

Sunday with Murray, Speeches and Silverstone

Writing speeches on House of Lords for Monday, Community Local Banks /RBS for Tuesday and fine tuning Air Ambulance speech for Wednesday's debate before an afternoon of Murray and Silverstone. Genuinely believe Murray can consign the greatest tennis player of all time into second place today. The man who wins at Silverstone will be the one with the best waterproofs...