House of Lords Reform

I think we can all agree that the Government's number one priority is getting the country's finances back on track. I am the first to admit House of Lords reform isn't the number one topic in the pubs of Hexham, but it is still an important constitutional issue none the less. I had some concenrs with the original proposal but have now been impressed by the compromises that have been reached between elected and peers appointed by an independent commission.

I thought you might be appreciate to know just where I stand on this issue, which seems to divide the House. The idea that in 2012 you can have people making our laws because their ancestors did a cushy land deal with the King, or because they were a mate of Tony Blair’s is just wrong.

I want to see voters, in places like Stocksfield and Haltwhistle, deciding who should makes their laws.

I was elected on a manifesto of reform of the House of Lords. I am in a coalition with my Liberal colleagues, many of who's views I share on this issue. I will vote for a majority of the House of Lords to be elected because in the 21st century the only way that the Houses of Parliament can be legitimate is for them fundamentally to be made up of people elected directly by voters.

People are right to praise the hard work of local peers like Lord Bates and Lord Shipley, but with progressive reform the House of Lords can only improve. The 826 peers will replaced by 360 elected and 90 appointed members, plus12 Bishops, making the Lords a lot more democratic.
I can never understand why some politicians are so afraid of the people; in my view, the people are pretty wise. We have got to break down the status quo and put the people in the driving seat.

To Edinburgh and Beyond

I am travelling to Edinburgh today with Michael Gove MP to help make the case for a United Kingdom. I believe in the Union and believe that we are better off together. I will be at the Scottish parliament briefly, and then at a dinner in Edinburgh at the Signet Library in Parliament Square, where I am looking forward to seeing the inspirational Ruth Davidson MSP - the leader of the Scottish Conservative Group. Both Ruth and Michael are speaking at tonights event. Ruth and I last campaigned together in the Glasgow By Election, which was an experience by anyone's standards.

I will be making the case strongly for the Union to all and sundry and hope to make several visits to Scotland campaigning and arguing the case over the next 24 months. An independent Scotland would never be able to finance itself or its accrued debts of pensions, and public service liabilities. We fought Napoleon and Hitler together, and we are stronger as united partners in a United Kingdom.

Volunteering at Prestwick Carr with Carillion and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust

A couple of Fridays ago I popped in to Prestwick Carr, which is just east of Ponteland to see the work being done by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Carillion, whose staff all gave up a day to help out. Prestwick Carr is a key wildlife and natural site, which forms part of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Living Landscape project. The plan is to crerate a series of dams to the various waterways that exist on the project to help retain carbon, and keep the site in perfect condition.

As can be seen from the pictures the team from Carillion got very wet but were clearly really enthusastic about helping their local environment. For my part, I was really pleased to see companies like Carillion getting involved in their local community. This site matters particularly as the dams that were being put in reduce the potential for flash flooding and improving Prestwick Carr's water storage facility. This is crucial to the people of Ponteland, because the water that drains off Prestwick Carr will affect the levels in the River Pont, and any flood concerns in the town. Rewetting the site also creates a valuable carbon store helping to reduce the level of CO2 in the atmosphere and improves the site for wildlife. My thanks to everyone who got involved, and full credit to the Northumberland Wildlife Trust who are doing a great job.