Newsletter May 2012
Posted by Margot James, MP for Stourbridge, at 15:48, Wed 2 May 2012:
Dear Subscriber,
It has been a difficult month for the Government and the Conservative Party. Many things have conspired to change the political weather, but after two years governing in coalition and taking the difficult decisions to restore sense to our public finances we could hardly expect plain sailing.
I supported the budget. If the Chancellor can lift an additional 840,000 out of paying income tax altogether and reduce corporation tax to 22 per cent during such difficult economic times that must be a good thing. We are well on our way now to having the lowest corporate taxes in the G7. I spoke up for the reduction in the top rate of tax in the House because of my firm belief that our country has to have competitive tax rates. If Francois Hollande wins the French election and raises the top rate of tax to 75% it will be very interesting to count the number of high earning French nationals who re-locate to London, bringing their tax revenues with them. I was quite pleased to have been asked by Al Jackson on Bridge Radio whether I stood to benefit personally from this change, I was able to respond clearly that I would not so benefit. It makes the case easier to argue I must say. There is a great need for fairness, so I am pleased that the measures in the Budget mean that the richest will pay five times more than those on lower incomes.
Speaking in the Budget debate 26th March http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120326/debtext/120326-0003.htm#12032630000307
Speaking in the Budget debate 19th April http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120419/debtext/120419-0002.htm#12041924001197
--Additional Parliamentary activity:--
• Elected chair of the new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Trade & Investment.
• Questioned the Salvation Army about their contract with the Home Office to provide support for victims of trafficking as part of my work on the APPG on human trafficking.
• Attended Conservative Women MP’s forum to discuss women in business.
• Attended Backbench group discussions with Michael Gove on education and Mark Harper on reform to the House of Lords.
• As I had to miss his wider briefing I was grateful to Chris Grayling for a one to one briefing on the progress he is making to reduce health and safety zealotry whilst of course maintaining appropriate safety standards.
• Greeted students from Dudley and Stourbridge with Ian Austin MP and discussed their work on plain packaging of cigarettes. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=301508563257841&set=a.299116100163754.67984.286364464772251&type=1&theater
• Took part in a board meeting of the UK – Japan 21st Century group.
• Attended two dinners, one with Stephen Hester, CEO of RBS and I also attended the annual dinner of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=302130539862310&set=a.299116100163754.67984.286364464772251&type=1&theater
--Parliamentary debates and questions:--
• Terrorism: I called on the Government to reform the European Court of Human Rights so that terrorists, such as Abu Qatada, can be swiftly deported. http://www.margotjames.com/17042012_human_rights
• Health: I spoke to raise awareness of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), a rare disease which requires greater research. http://www.margotjames.com/30042012_rare_diseases
• Age-Related Allowances: I made the case for all members of society, including older people, to contribute to deficit reduction. http://www.margotjames.com/19042012_finance_bill
• EU: I spoke in a debate on the Working Time Directive. http://www.margotjames.com/26042012_eu_working_time_directive_nhs
• Unemployment: I urged the Government to continue its robust action to promote growth and reduce unemployment. http://www.margotjames.com/19042012_women_unemployment
• Obesity: I asked Health ministers about treatment for people with chronic obesity. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120423/text/120423w0006.htm#1204246000692
• Foreign Affairs: I drew attention to the worsening human rights situation in Uganda. http://www.margotjames.com/24042012_uganda
• I wrote to the following ministers;
o Paul Burstow, Health Minister, regarding funding for thalidomide research.
o Philip Hammond, Defence Secretary, to raise a constituent’s concerns about the equipment for the new Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
o Nick Gibb, Schools Minister, regarding literacy in schools.
o David Gauke, Treasury minister, on taxation for landlords.
o Ed Davey, Energy Secretary, concerning Feed in Tariffs for businesses.
o Jonathan Djanogly, Justice Minister, to raise the concerns of my constituent regarding fees charged by the Court of Protection.
o Anne Milton, Health minister, regarding egg and sperm donation.
--Media--
• I was interviewed on the Midlands part of the BBC Sunday Politics Show
• I took part in The Agenda on ITV with Tom Bradby alongside my old boss Sir Martin Sorrell, Baroness Joan Bakewell and Ross Kemp. --Out and about in Stourbridge--
• I spoke at and held a discussion with the Pedmore Senior Citizens Club. http://www.margotjames.com/05042012_pedmore_senior_citizens
• I visited the Broadmeadow Extra Care home for older people and was tremendously impressed with Dudley Council’s investment in this and similar homes across the borough. http://www.margotjames.com/17042012_broad_meadow
• Dr Hegarty, Chair of the local Clinical Commissioning Group for Dudley briefed me on latest developments.
• I was delighted to welcome Lord Green, Minister for Trade & Investment to the Black Country for a trade seminar at the Black Country Living Museum, I was grateful to the Chamber of Commerce for organising this meeting for local businesses so well. http://www.margotjames.com/13042012_black_country_exports
• The town got behind the celebrations for St George’s Day and I joined the parade organised by Dudley Council on the Saturday and the annual Scout parade and service at St Thomas’s Church on the Sunday.
• I visited Base Studios and was very impressed with their plans for a business and training hub for young people. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=302162096525821&set=a.299116100163754.67984.286364464772251&type=1&theater
• I met Lynette Cutting, principal of Stourbridge College, to discuss issues in Further Education and the College’s plans for developing their Hagley Road site.
• Dean Overton, MD of Overton’s recycling, invited me to lunch to discuss issues affecting local business and the progress he is making employing hard to place individuals including ex prisoners. Dean is a model employer I must say.
• I met with Stephen Dunster, Head of Redhill School, to discuss plans to raise the aspirations of our young people in Stourbridge.
• The Conservative Association’s annual dinner was a great success and everyone was delighted to meet and hear from Rt Hon Nicholas Soames MP http://www.margotjames.com/23042012_annual_dinner
--It wasn’t all work--
• I took advantage of the Easter recess to catch up with family and friends. I went with my school friend Hillary Box and her family to see the Wizard of Oz, and my nephew Rupert and I went to see War Horse, the tickets for which were a Christmas present from him and his wife.
• Jay and I had a lovely Easter in the Cotswolds and my Aunt and cousins came over for Easter lunch and an Easter egg hunt for the children.
• A big thank you to Kate who has helped me to revamp my face book page, do visit it at http://www.facebook.com/margotjamesmp.
--And finally--
The last month was marred by the very sad deaths of the wonderful Cllr Angus Adams, who was widely liked and admired in our borough and beyond; and of my close friend and colleague, Baroness Shireen Ritchie, who was held in great esteem by all who knew her in local government, the Conservative Party and Parliament. My tributes can be read here:
Cllr Angus Adams http://www.margotjames.com/11042012_cllr_angus_adams
Baroness Shireen Ritchie http://www.margotjames.com/26042012_baroness_ritchie_of_brompton
Best wishes
Margot
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