April 2010

CANDIDATES PUT TO QUESTION

Submitted by Heather on 29 April 2010 - 5:43pm

See video

The panellists and students at Repton Hustings

Questions about social networking websites, crime, Europe and training were among a range answered by us prospective Parliamentary candidates for South Derbyshire at a debate at Repton School on Tuesday April 20.

Organised by the school’s Politics Society, the Question Time debate attracted a capacity audience of 180 consisting of students from The Pingle School in Swadlincote, district residents, Repton School Lower Sixth Form Politics students, staff from both schools and Upper Sixth (U6) students eligible to vote on May 6.

The idea of the debate came entirely from the pupils, with them selecting and liaising with panellists and two of them - President of the Politics Society Calum Setterington and editor of the school magazine Sam Kingston-Jones - chairing it.

Our six-strong panel who faced a quizzing from the audience consisted also of Ben Duckworth, Editor of Total Politics Magazine, Liberal Democrat Alexis Diouf, local government journalist Kirsty Green, Michael Edwards, candidate for the Labour Party and Nick ‘The Flying Brick’ Delves for the Monster Raving Looney Party.

The event was open to anyone interested and the publicity for it invited people to submit questions for consideration too. The organising committee decided a few hours before the debate which would be asked and although us panellists were not informed of the questions we were advised of potential themes.

As well as issues that could have been anticipated such as crime, unemployment and membership of the European Union, we were also asked our views on the use by politicians of communication channels such as Facebook and Twitter, whether or not the others largely urban experience prepared them to serve a rural district like South Derbyshire and what the long term effect of the de-Christianisation of the country will be and if it matters.

The Chairmen closed the event by thanking us panellists and saying they hoped it had helped the audience to decide how they might use their ballot on May 6.

History teacher Anna Parish, who helped the Society members to plan and organise the debate, said: “I’m really pleased with the way it has gone, there has been lively and engaging debate, Calum and Sam handled the questions really well and the audience seemed to enjoy themselves.”

A-level Politics was introduced at Repton School this year and the Politics Society has over 30 pupils as members who debate a range of topics and invite guests to speak to them about their political background. Guests have included Jonathan Oliver, Political Editor of the Sunday Times and Ed Trelinski who spoke about life on the US Presidential campaign trail.

I really enjoyed myself and echo my thanks to Calum and Sam and all the helpers. Yet again it really was a well organized event.

Thanks to all.

We want a Europe of Free Trade not Imposed Laws

Submitted by Heather on 25 April 2010 - 11:21am

In response to yet another round of negative campaigning by my Labour opponent I am delighted to set out my views on Europe.

As a proud South Derbyshire resident my position on Europe is the position of the majority of the people in this Constituency.

I stand for a European Union that is an association of member states. A Europe of Free Trade that can never develop into the Federalist entity that far too many in The Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats rigidly support.

As part of a new Conservative Government we would ensure that the Labour Party could never again be allowed to hand power to Brussels without first being forced constitutionally to hold a referendum by creating a ‘referendum lock’ on issues of Sovereignty.

As the so called ‘apprentice’ to the former Labour MP, the Labour candidate would do well to remember that it was this MP that broke his election pledge and defied the people of South Derbyshire, by denying us the Referendum on the EU Treaty that he and his party promised.

It is only the Conservative Party that is willing to stand up for Britain. We stand firm on bringing back Criminal Justice and Employment laws from the hands of Judges in Brussels, repatriating laws that Labour have illegitimately handed away repatriating laws that Labour have handed away. As part of a Conservative Government I would be proud to support a UK Sovereignty Bill that ensures British Law always comes first.

As a Strong local voice for the people of South Derbyshire I stand with the majority of deceived taxpayers in completely condemning this Government and its Prime Minister for cheating the British people’s rebate out £7,000,000,000 and call on the Labour Candidate not to continue his bombardment of negative campaigning, scaremongering and attacks but on this issue like so many others stand up to his party, stand up to his leader and in doing so stand up for the people of South Derbyshire!

Sensible action on traveller trespass

Submitted by Heather on 25 April 2010 - 11:09am

Rubbish left behind. Photo from Derby Telegraph

Over the last few weeks the regretful problem of traveller trespass has raised its head again. Despite the fact that the Conservative controlled council has continued to successfully fulfil its legal obligation of running two authorised traveller sites the constituency has had to face this frustrating issue once again.

After 13 years of Labour inaction, the local taxpayer is being forced to pay for waste on two fronts. Vastly expensive bills for waste removal and clean up from abandoned illegal traveller sites and Whitehall waste embodied by John Prescott’s ineffective top-down bureaucratic guidelines that have done nothing for the people of South Derbyshire.

We have still had to foot the bill for illegal traveller sites on playing fields, skate parks and private and public land in places like Hilton, Willington, Swadlincote and Castle Gresley despite the fact that the Council runs two separate and efficient traveller sites.

As a strong advocate of social responsibility I believe that different people from different communities should be free to lead their lives in different ways. But this freedom must come with a responsibility to the wider community. The vast majority of travellers some of whom live in our council run traveller sites accept this, but a very small minority do not.

Just like on far too many other issues, South Derbyshire residents have been ignored by this Labour Government and now is the time to elect a Conservative Government that will bring the sensible change we need.

For too long the approach has been that of big government. Instead of encouraging a localised solution which allows Local councils and police to tackle the problem of unauthorised sites, the government has instead continued to give more precedence to the Human Rights Act rather than the people that act supposedly represents. It has made it more difficult and expensive to evict trespassers from private and public property and has overridden planning laws by allowing travellers to go ahead with unauthorised development.

A new Conservative Government would take immediate action by first of all replacing this act with a British Bill of Rights. We would also end Labour’s unrealistic top-down approach by boosting local government powers in respect of enforcement and introduce a new criminal offence giving the Police the power to arrest those who refuse to move having breeched this new Conservative law.

I recently met with local Castle Gresley residents who feel let down by Labour’s inaction especially on the issue of traveller trespass. One frustrated resident stated “I am tired of being ignored by this Government who simply do not listen or care about the concerns and needs of the people of South Derbyshire. Instead of fighting our corner they have allowed illegal trespass by travellers to go unpunished. I look forward to seeing the fresh local approach that a new Conservative Government would provide to tackle traveller trespass effectively and quickly. We have met with Heather on a number of occasions and know that on this issue like so many others she is committed to standing up for us in South Derbyshire”

Council House smears amongst others

Submitted by Heather on 20 April 2010 - 1:47pm

Over the last few weeks the people of South Derbyshire have been subjected to, by the Labour Party, a constant stream of negative campaigning. This was particularly obvious with a visit by their Minister John Healey who continued the spread of Scare stories among the residents of South Derbyshire's council housing.

I stated in the Derby Evening Telegraph:

"I'm afraid John Healey doesn't know the people of South Derbyshire. The only people who will have a vote and a say on the matter of housing are the tenants and nobody else.

"We have got one of the best council housing teams in the country and I am very proud of it. If the tenants want to stay with us, that's fine."

I also clearly stated that the council had no plans to get rid of its housing.

It is the Conservative Party that has the ideas and plans for the future and therefore you can look forward to the continuation of the thoroughly positive and forward thinking campaign from myself and my team.

We will encourage greater social mobility and

opportunity in social housing to help free up homes

for those on the housing waiting list.

We will create a national house-swap programme.

For the first-time ever, every family in social housing

will have the chance to relocate by exchanging their

home for another one – anywhere in the country.

We will reward councils for building more homes

by allowing them to keep more of the proceeds

from council tax and business rates from new

development.

We will help first-time buyers get on the housing

ladder by increasing the Stamp duty threshold for

them to £250,000 – meaning nine out of ten first time

buyers will pay no Stamp duty at all.

We will give responsible social tenants a stake in

their home to restore pride in their neighbourhood.

The full article on the Derby Evening Website can be seen here:

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Bust-council-housing-parties-send-senior-figures-meet-voters/article-2004505-detail/article.html

Heather gives Blood for the NHS

Submitted by Heather on 16 April 2010 - 1:12pm

After receiving my latest appointment I went over to Emmanuel C of E Church, Swadlincote yesterday to donate blood.

Bob, our daughter Harriet and I are frequent blood donors and I was only too pleased to take the time out of my campaign to do my bit to boost the ever low blood stocks.

The Blood Donation Service are one of the many vital organs of the NHS that I strongly support and I would encourage as many people In South Derbyshire as possible to play their role in helping others and improving our NHS by giving blood

For more information call 0300 123 23 23 or go online at www.blood.co.uk

Swadlincote says Save the NHS with Heather

Submitted by Heather on 10 April 2010 - 6:36pm

Great Street Stall in Swadlincote today, getting loads of people to sign our Petition for Cancer drugs to be available for South Derbyshire folk when they need it. Delighted that Bob and Harriet were able to be with me, campaigning on this important issue. (Harriet took the photos!).

So pleased that so many young people came and joined in. The message is clear if you want decent NHS services in South Derbyshire vote Conservative.

Willington welcomes Heather

Submitted by Heather on 8 April 2010 - 8:02am

Yet another time we managed to avoid the showers as we were out knocking on doors, this time in Willington.

People have been so kind, remembering specific times when we have met before, what it was I was helping out with for them etc etc.

I had a really interesting conversation about the new extra trains from Willington into Derby that we have fought so hard for. They really will make a difference for Students and for commuters. I hope that when we can show the support for these services we will be able to build back up to a really decent service again. Anything we can do to get a better service and help cut down CO2 emissions has to be the way to go.

Canvassing on a Sunny Saturday in Newhall and Swadlincote

Submitted by Heather on 3 April 2010 - 8:54pm

A really excellent Easter Saturday out Canvassing in Newhall and Swadlincote. We were so lucky to miss the showers that came later and the reception on the doorstep was as sunny as the weather.

Folk kept repeating how important it was that I am a local, know about the area and most important of all care about South Derbyshire.

Thank you everyone for being so pleased to see us.

Good Friday

Submitted by Heather on 2 April 2010 - 7:36pm

I was invited to join the Walk of Witness in Swadlincote today and was delighted to accept.

This was the largest and best event that I can remember over the years. Last year it absolutely poured down with rain. This year we were pretty lucky.

We met up outside the Royal Mail sorting office and then we marched up through the High Street. Churches Together staged a re-enactment of the Crucifixion of Jesus and there was a great musical accompaniment too by New Chapter. I want to share with you a prayer that was said today by Mrs Tilling of Gresley Mission Room.

Lord Jesus Christ, broken on the cross, tortured there in body, mind and soul, you know what it means to suffer.
So now we pray today for the broken people of our world,
those who have experienced something of your pain.
Reach out in love, and make them whole.
We pray for the broken in body, those injured in accidents, those maimed in war, those disabled by disease.
Reach out in love, and make them whole.
We pray for the broken in mind, those tormented by fears, those wrestling with depression, those who have suffered a mental breakdown.
Reach out in love, and make them whole.
We pray for the broken in spirit, those whose dreams have been destroyed, those whose love has been betrayed, those whose faith has been crushed.
Reach out in love, and make them whole.
Lord Jesus Christ, you came to make us all whole, to mend broken lives, to restore broken people.
Reach out in love, and make them whole, for in your name we ask it. Amen.

It was a great way to start Easter in South Derbyshire.

I hope every one else has a peaceful Easter.

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Welcome to my Parliamentary Website, particularly for those of you visiting for the first time, I hope you drop in regularly in the future. I hope this website allows you to see how I am representing your interests locally and nationally, working to improve South Derbyshire. This would not have been possible without your support and I thank the people of SD for electing me.

April 2010

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