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Newsletter September 2011

Posted by Margot James, MP for Stourbridge, at 12:12, Mon 5 September 2011:

Dear Subscriber,

I hope everyone had a good summer. It used to be thought that politics more or less closed down during August. The riots, crisis in the Euro zone, and breakthrough in Libya have nailed that myth once and for all.

The riots filled me and many others with a deep sense of shame. They were certainly a wakeup call, if ever one was needed. We really need to focus our attention on what is wrong in our society. I wrote about it more on my blog with the Huffington Post http://www.margotjames.com/09082011_riots_turning_point. And more recently I answered questions posed by a group of young people organised by the management of Base Studios in Stourbridge. http://www.margotjames.com/02092011_base_studios The economy is clearly cause for great concern also. And those calling for the government to immediately restore spending on the Police to what it was before we came to office, should remember that we face not just a social crisis but an economic one too. The Euro zone teeters on the brink, and with it the market for 50% of all British exports and the US, another big export market for us, is stagnant with massive debt. http://www.margotjames.com/09082011_european_debt_crisis

On a positive note, during the recess I visited three companies in Stourbridge and one in Sandwell. All four were in manufacturing and doing very well. What was salutary though was being told by the MD of High Speed Lasers (HSL) that when they advertised across the Black Country for a technical machine operator they had just three applicants, and two were Polish. He added that whenever they advertise for accounts clerks they are inundated with more than a hundred applicants. We have to change the image of manufacturing in our schools and colleges. And we are changing the benefit system so that people of working age without severe disabilities will not be able to claim out of work benefits whilst companies like HSL cannot fill vacancies.

-Representing Stourbridge in Parliament-

_Questions, debates and letters to Ministers_

Apart from the single day Parliament was recalled it has been in recess so my activity has been limited this month:

* During the debate on the riots I made the following points:

- The PM should stick to the revised budgets for Policing; it is a question of managing resources effectively not throwing more money at the problem.

- The Government should hold firm in its support for Police tactics in potentially violent situations with large crowds. We cannot be firm now and then row back as soon as a demonstration gets out of control and there are the inevitable complaints about heavy handed policing.

- The riots were a symptom of so much criminal activity that is overlooked e.g. there are more than 1000 arson attacks in Dudley borough every year, a figure that I suspect is under reported. http://www.margotjames.com/11082011_public_disorder

* I wrote the following letters to ministers;

- Equitable Life: I wrote to Mark Hoban, treasury minister, asking why so few Equitable policyholders have received compensation from the Treasury.

- Health: I wrote to Andrew Lansley, Health Secretary, setting out my concerns about proposed changes to rules on counselling for women seeking a termination.

- Employment: I called for Iain Duncan Smith to support a proposal to help young people into work.

- Treasury: I wrote to Mark Hoban urging him to support an inquiry into the suspension of CF Arch Cru’s investment funds, causing huge losses to investors.

- Transport: I wrote to Transport Minister Mike Penning to ask about a large disused property near Stourbridge.

- Health: I contacted Health Minister Earl Howe asking him to tackle ongoing drug shortages.

_Media_

I did interviews about the consequences of the riots and policy implications on:

* The Bridge Radio (also interviewed on the phone mast application in Wollaston)

* Radio 4 ‘Beyond Westminster’

* BBC Breakfast time

* Newsnight BBC Newsnight http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14553061

* Channel 4 News

* ITN Midlands Today

-Out and about in Stourbridge-

* The four companies I visited were Boro Foundry, Folkes Group, Robinson Brothers and High Speed Lasers. http://www.margotjames.com/02092011_boro_foundary http://www.margotjames.com/01092011_robinson_brothers http://www.margotjames.com/02092011_high_speed_lasers

* I visited Dudley Zoo. Being an animal lover I am ambivalent about zoos but they do fine work in protecting endangered species, and many of the animals there have been bred in captivity so have never known the wild. The passion of the staff and MD, Peter Suddock, plus the space and facilities for the animals are all very impressive. It is also a major tourist attraction so important to our local economy. http://www.margotjames.com/02082011_dudley_zoo

* Elizabeth House is another excellent establishment of retirement flats operated by Black Country Housing, I was pleased to visit and host a discussion with residents.

* Pedmore Senior Citizen’s Club meet every Wednesday and I was pleased to speak to their last meeting in August. http://www.margotjames.com/01092011_pedmore_senior_citizens_club

* I called in on the thirty young people at the Summer Volunteering Camp run by Amblecote Christian Centre. This centre also runs an excellent youth club that meets every week.

* I stayed out late and accompanied the Street Pastors who provide a social service on the streets of the town centre on the three busy club nights of the week.

* Dudley Social Services arranged an excellent briefing for me to hear about home care services, this is a much needed service in the community and is coping under quite severe financial pressures.

* Congratulations to Stourbridge Cricket Club on winning the Worcestershire League and promotion to the Birmingham League, it was a pleasure to be part of their celebrations and watch my first game of cricket.

* I ran an advice surgery in Quarry Bank.

* Base Studios organised for me to have a discussion with young people about the riots as I mentioned in my introduction. http://www.margotjames.com/02092011_base_studios

-It certainly wasn’t all work last month:-

* Jay and I had a lovely holiday in Greece; you’d never know they were facing such a bleak economic future judging by the strength of their tourist industry.

* We had two birthdays in the family, my own we spent with my wonderful Aunt and cousins near Warwick, and we also celebrated my great niece and godchild Mirabelle’s first birthday which was a great thrill.

* I caught up with lots of friends which I always try to do during recesses.

* We had a good party at my home in Oldswinford and my thanks to everyone who came and brought things.

* Jay and I enjoyed some time at our cottage in the Cotswolds, all the fruit was early this year and so I made some jam and for once it all set as it should so I now have a nice store of plum and damson jam to consume and give away.

* Friends David and Gail Newlove took Peter Field and I to the Proms to see Mahler’s first symphony and some shorter pieces by Mahler and Liszt, I love the Proms and haven’t been for many years so that was a great end to my Summer.

Best wishes

Margot James