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Newsletter February 2015

Posted by Margot James, MP for Stourbridge, at 20:59, Monday 2 March:

Dear Subscriber,

With only sixteen more sitting days, as they are known, until the dissolution of Parliament at the end of this month all of us in Westminster are trying to clear our desks before the last day. At midnight on March 30th we cease to be MPs. I will be the Conservative candidate for Stourbridge once again. The government continues until the Queen invites whichever party leader is able to form a new government, after the election on May 7th, to become Prime Minister.

There is a great deal of speculation about this election. The country faces a crucial choice on several levels. The economy is in the process of a major turnaround. Although “there is a great deal more work to be done” has become a bit of a cliché, it is absolutely true. True on the economy, true on welfare reform, and true on the continuing need to raise standards in our schools.

And then there are the choices about Britain’s place in the world. Do we want to be an outwardly facing, global power, with the responsibilities and opportunities that role entails? Or do we want to batten down the hatches and get on as best as we can, minimising the impact of global forces on the UK economy and our daily lives?

Although the polls go up, down, and roundabout, there has been a consistency to them over the last twelve months. The country would appear to be divided in to thirds. A third each supports the one of the two main parties; the other third supports a combination of the Liberal Democrats, UKIP or the Green Party. In Scotland that is very different of course, as it is in Northern Ireland and to a lesser extent Wales.

Was the lack of an overall majority for the first time since before the war in 2010 a sign of things to come? I hope not. I think the stability enjoyed by this coalition government would be hard to repeat a second time. Parties are more coalition savvy now. There would be more horse trading over conflicting manifesto commitments; and much disappointment among some of the electorate as a result.

There is also the possibility of the party with most seats governing alone; with some agreement on the budget for supply of money purposes. Neither a minority government, nor another coalition will give the country the continued stability needed for the sound management of public finances, the infrastructure investment decisions and the re-negotiation of Britain’s relationship with the EU. To say nothing of the crucial issue of national security and our defence capabilities.

These are some of the many reasons why I will be fighting hard for a Conservative majority on May 7th. If you would like to help my campaign for re-election please do get in touch. Whether it is by way of making a donation to the campaign, displaying a poster, canvassing or delivering leaflets, your support would be much appreciated. Please e mail me at margot@stourbridgeconservatives.com (mailto:margot@stourbridgeconservatives.com) .

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---Parliamentary work

I asked questions and spoke in debates about:

I wrote to Ministers about the following issues:

  • Lord Astor, Defence Minister, regarding the memorial service at St Paul’s Cathedral for soldiers who lost their lives serving in Afghanistan and asking whether more spaces can be provided for family members.

  • David Gauke, Treasury Minister, urging him to consider the Pensions Ombudsman’s report into the Government Actuary's Department’s dealing with police and firefighter’s pensions as soon as it is released.

  • Lord de Mauley, Environment Minister, regarding backstreet dog breeding, asking him to take more action to tackle unlicensed breeding and ensure that existing legislation in this area is properly enforced.

  • James Brokenshire, Home Office Minister, about a constituent’s passport application, which has been delayed for a number of months.

I attended various events and had meetings in and around Parliament:

  • A meeting of MPs and MEPs from the West Midlands to discuss how best we can work together.

  • A dinner with the BBC’s News and Current Affairs team to discuss current political issues and the BBC’s coverage of the election.

  • Hosting a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Trade and Investment, which I Chair, to discuss how the Government can best support access to high growth markets.

  • Hosting Public Services students from Stourbridge College for a Q&A in Parliament. I was very interested to hear their views on healthcare policy and the NHS.

  • Hosting Public Services students from Stourbridge College for a Q&A in Parliament. I was very interested to hear their views on healthcare policy and the NHS.

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---Out and about in Stourbridge

I took advantage if Parliament’s spring break this month to enjoy more time in Stourbridge. I learned a great deal from a wide variety of visits:

  • Joining local small business owner Donna Hunt at her well-known Caravan snack van on Stourbridge ring road to discuss her business and its regeneration. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-visits-%E2%80%98-caravan%E2%80%99-snack-van)

  • Visiting Greenfield Primary School and enjoyed talking politics with the school Council and meeting the winner of the national Design a Flag competition. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/mp-congratulates-student-chosen-design-stourbridge-flag)

  • Dropping in on a coffee morning at Oriel Care Home to mark Dignity in Care week. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-visits-care-home-mark-dignity-care-week)

  • Meeting staff at the West Midlands Air Ambulance Trust in order to discuss their excellent fundraising efforts for the charity. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-james-mp-praises-air-ambulance-fundraising-team)

  • Visiting Stourbridge Library, who have designed a dynamic programme to boost children’s interest in reading, to mark National Libraries Day. Read more (http://www.margotjames.com/content/margot-visits-stourbridge-library-national-libraries-day)

  • Meeting the Cradley Action Group to discuss progress on the rejuvenation of Colley Gate.

  • Discussing community access to Homer Hill Park during a tour of the park site with local campaigners.

  • Opening the new premises of Acorn Adventure and School Trips, a thriving business working in the UK and abroad.

  • Visiting The Gourmet, a meals on wheels enterprise run by Sarah Freeman, I was very impressed with the lovely meals she provides to older people in the area, and enjoyed helping her with the first visit of the day.

  • Holding a meeting with Dr David Hegarty, Chair of Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group, to discuss health provision in the local area.

  • Discussing ideas for the future of the town centre with local estate agent Peter Davenport.

  • Touring the new Premier Inn near Stourbridge town centre, which was opened in December.

  • Joining local officers from Stourbridge Police station on the beat in Stourbridge. I was able to talk to officers about crime prevention in the area.

  • Visiting Revival Trailers, a local business which has been recognised by UK Trade and Investment as an important exporter.

  • Meeting the Finance Director of Russells Hall Hospital with Halesowen MP James Morris and Dudley South Conservative candidate Mike Wood.

  • Attending the monthly community coffee morning at Christ Church in Quarry Bank.

  • Visiting Stourbridge Fairtrade Group’s exhibition at Stourbridge Library, marking Fairtrade Fortnight.

As ever thanks very much for your interest in my newsletter, and if you would like to contact me or raise an issue then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can call the office on 01384 370574, email me at margot.james.mp@parliament.uk (mailto:margot.james.mp@parliament.uk) , or write to me at The Old Library, Hagley Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1QH.

Margot

http://www.margotjames.com

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