15/05/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Parliament has not started yet but it has still been a remarkable week following the election. 

Monday mornig at 8.30am I was at Portcullis House, the offices used by MPs, for the start of the various administration requirements for new MPs.  This included collecting my Parliamentary Pass, a short briefing with IPSA the new regulator of MPs, briefings on security, office equipment and a host of other items. 

Monday evening all Conservative MPs were summoned to an urgent meeting of the Conservative Parliamentary Party for an update from David Cameron on the coalition negotiations.  305 MPs crammed into committee room 14 made for a dramtic atmosphere.  After fighting campaigns all over the country, it was also good to see a lot of friends and catch up after the meeting - and chat of course about the coalition discussions.

Tuesday was a strange day as significant negotiations were taking place, but the new MPs were shut away in a committee room for induction seminars. News filtered through during the day of various developments, including the departure of Gordon Brown and then that David Cameron was off to the Palace.  A second meeting of the Parliamentary Party was called for 10pm that evening, where David Cameron, this time as Prime Minister, appeared to applause and cheers.  For those MP in particular who have spent 13 years in opposition in Parliament, it was a poignant moment.

Wednesday was another full day of induction training.  All worthy stuff but most of it is common sense and standard practice in the business world.

Thursday was spent dealing with the massive amount of post that has come in, before heading back in the evening for the Chatteris Music Society who were hosting the Minden Band in aid of Help the Heroes.  Fantastic music for a most important cause, and it was great to see 200 people in church to hear the performance.  Well done to Katherine and the Music Society for arranging such a great event.

Friday was my first time this week back in the association office, and a chance to catch up with my agent Debbie Clark, various items of casework, and the large amounts of post.  I was also delighted to receive a kind visit from John Wilson who presented me with a Gideon Bible.  It meant a great deal that John had taken the trouble to make this gift, and it is something I will take to my office in Westminster.  I am sure in any political career there will be plenty of ups and downs, and it was very thoughful of John to start my Parliamentary career in such a way. 

Posted in Westminster, Parliament, Chatteris | No Comments »

28/04/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Increased business rates across North East Cambs are putting many local independent shops out of business.  So what is going on?

The business rates are based on a valuation of the commercial property.  This valuation is made not by the local council, but by the Valuation Office Agency which is a Government agency.  Every five years they conduct a re-valuation, and they have just done a new five year valuation.  The Government then set the rate for how many pence in the pound firms will pay, known as the nantional non domestic rate.  It is not Fenland Council that has increased the business rate - it is the Labour Government.

The role of the council is simply to send out the bills to collect the business rates for the Government.  Fenland District Council last year collected £20.4 million in business rates which goes to the Government, with the formula returning just £8.4 million back to Fenland as part of an overall council grant settlement of £9.6 million.  So we are collecting twice as much from local firms to give to Government than we get back from the Government.

Many shops locally are on very tight margins as they struggle to survive in the tough economic climate.  There is no scope to absorb the increased cost of these business rates, which is why towns like Chatteris are losing so many shops.  If when you work past empty shops in our towns you feel angry, then go and vote.  Labour’s tax hikes are killing our town centres with higher rates putting shops out of business.  It is a clear sign of why we need change.

Posted in Fenland District Council, Labour Failure, Chatteris | No Comments »

27/04/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Metalcraft is a high value engineering firm with a long pedigree, having been in Chatteris for 120 years.  They are at the cutting edge of engineering, making for example pressure hulls for submarines or MRI scanners for hospitals.  

With 150 staff it is a key local employer and it was great to visit and find out about the issues they face.  Key amongst these is the lack of support for existing firms to expand, as grants tend to go to start ups not existing firms.  Last year they had to turn work away because of a lack of workshop space.  Positive news included 8 new apprenticehips which have been supported by Fenland District Council, and this is the type of initiative that the Conservative Party will back with our 400,000 apprenticeships in the first two years of Government.

Chatting with one of the workers at Metalwork, it is clear why so many people who work are fed up with the current benefits culture.  He is currently paying £415 a year for his teenage son to get the bus to college in Wisbech, and other students in his son’s class get £30 a week whilst his son gets nothing because he works.  There is a strong sense locally that those who do work on modest salaries face more and more bills to pay for people who could work and opt not to do so.  We intend to tackle this.

In the evening we had a hustings debate in March with the Labour and Lib Dem Parliamentary candidates.  It was expertly hosted by Cambs Times editor John Elworthy who kept a brisk pace and added a nice touch of wit to preceedings.  A fun evening was rounded off with both Conservative and Labour activists in the same pub across the road.  The earlier robust debate was followed by an amicable exchange and friendly banter.  It was interupted when we realised the school cartaker was closing the car park gate and there was a mad dash from all those driving to collect cars.

Steve with Martin Johnson, Business Performance
Manager at high value engineering firm Metalcraft
in Chatteris.

Posted in Fenland District Council, Chatteris, Cambs Times | No Comments »

23/04/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Off to Cambridge to the new studios of BBC Radio Cambridgeshire for a debate which was very well hosted by Andie Harper.  It was good to see the other candidates and have a chat, as for all the differences between the parties we are going through a common experience as candidates.

Immigration dominated the discussion.  Whilst there have been benefits to immigration, it is too high and we need to reduce it.  Conservative plans for a cap on immigration are well received on the doorstep.  It is clear that Labour have failed to tackle this issue, with a massive increase in immigration combined with pressure on public services.  Abuses are still continuing, like the student visa scheme and as a result of their weak border controls.  The Lib Dem position of an amnesty for illegal immigrants and allowing more immigration into regions will make matters worse.  How will they stop people moving from one region to another?

Other issues raised by listeners including anti-social behaviour, with criminal damage a problem in March.  Too often offenders just walk away with an £80 caution - far less than the cost of replacing broken windows.  We also discussed the power of supermarkets, and measures to get the rural economy moving.  Stopping the National Insurance rise which is tax on jobs is a key difference between the Conservatives and the other parties.

In Chatteris in the afternoon after the debate, several people remarked that they had just heard me on the radio.  It is always surprising how many people locally listen in, and it certainly means you get quick feedback.

Steve pictured with Andie Harper at the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire studio

The Parliamentary Candidates for North East Cambridgeshire
in the studio at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
a

Posted in Chatteris, BBC | No Comments »

21/02/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Out on Saturday night in Wisbech at a quiz organised by our Conservative Future team, and it has left me feeling really upbeat.  They organised the whole event, with a mix of regular quiz questions, fun ad hoc challenges, and hot two course meal.   It was an excellent night.  There was a real buzz in the room, and a wide mix of ages from late teens to too old to ask.  If young people organising such events and working together is the future of our party locally, then it is brighter than I could have hoped.

After my abject failure at answering questions at the last quiz I attended organised by Wisbech County Councillor Steve Tierney, at least this time I managed to get a few questions right.  Unfortunately my effors at one of the challenges - building a bridge from straws and paper - will take some living down.  The bridge lasted all of one second under the weight test (the worst of the lot!), and was accompanied by a chorus of don’t give up the day job!  Well done to all the CF team on a great job last night.

Friday night was a different type of evening, with a trip out to Chatteris Working Men’s Club for the Mayors Ball.  Cllr Peter and Angela Murphy were perfect hosts, and it was particularly pleasing to see so many other Mayors attending from both within and outside North East Cambridgeshire.  It reminded me of how many charity evenings local mayors support across Cambridgeshire, and what a valued role they play in our civic life.

Posted in Conservative Future, Chatteris, Wisbech | No Comments »

17/02/2010 by Steve Barclay.

The key issue at the forthcoming General Election will be the economy.  So I am fortunate this week to be able to hear from a wide range of figures.

The week started with a breakfast on Monday with the Lord Mayor of London at Mansion House.  Tuesday was the chance to attend a lecture by Irwin Seltzer, the economist and Sunday Times columnist.  This was followed by dinner with Irwin and a number of economic journalists and MPs.  Wednesday was a meeting with rural businesses, and this evening I am off to our Group Council meeting in Fenland to hear from councillors about local businesses within the constituency.  

Tomorrow I have one of my regular coffee clusters, this time in Leverington to listen to the impact of the recession on this area of the constituency, and in the evening the Chatteris Mayor’s Ball.  Saturday will be canvassing in Chatteris during the day to hear from voters, and in the evening meeting up with association members at our quiz, organised by Conservative Future.

Reading papers and surfing the web are all well and good, but speaking with a wide range of people provides a better understanding of the reality on the ground.  It should be an interesting week-end.

Pictured is Irwin Seltzer speaking at the Politea lecture

Posted in Leverington, General Election, Chatteris | No Comments »

12/02/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Three different people have mentioned over the last few days problems with local bus service.  Two waited for a bus which just never turned up, and tell me this is not the first time.  The third is concerned that the service between Chatteris and Huntingdon will no longer change at Warboys but take a longer route.  There are also issues with the lack of service back from Cambridge to Chatteris or Wisbech, with the last bus setting off far too early. 

If you have had any problems with the bus service please let me know and I will follow it up.

Posted in Public Transport, Huntingdon, Chatteris, Wisbech | No Comments »

08/01/2010 by Steve Barclay.

A sad event today, attending the funeral of well known Chatteris councillor Ray German, where I was also representing our MP Malcolm Moss.  Ray was a hugely respected and popular senior councillor, working over the years at town, district and county level.

Ray was born in Sawtry and spent his entire life in the Fens, with the only gap being to serve with distinction in the RAF as a rear gunner during the second world war.  Rear gunner was one of the most dangerous jobs of all, with a life expectancy of just four weeks.  Having left school at 14, Ray did extra study in order to be able to sign up and serve his country as soon as he turned 18.

There was a large attendance in church, reflecting the affection and high esteem in which Ray was held locally.  It was a moving service, especially with the presence of the British Legion.  Ray was a real gentleman, and it was fascinating to hear some early stories of Ray’s life on the family farm in the Fens in the 1920s, when Ray’s love of flying was triggered by a airship flying over and an early bi-plane landing on the family farm. 

Another story told was about how as an 8 year old he would ride the huge farm shire house to the blacksmith, being lifted up on to it at one end by his father and off by the blacksmith at the other - what a contrast with health and safety regulations today and quite a responsbility at such a young age. 

At the reception at the Conservative Club, was amazed to hear that the Lib Dems have already put out election literature before Ray’s funeral has been held.  I hope a lesson is learnt.  This has never happened before in my experience and never should again.

Afterwards pop in to the old bakery in Chatteris with my election agent Debbie Clark, then head back to the association office for the afternoon to catch up on recent constituency issues which have been raised over the festive break.

Posted in Cllr Ray German, Chatteris | No Comments »

30/12/2009 by Steve Barclay.

How can we have legislation that deters shopkeepers and residents from being responsible and clearing their local pavements of ice?  I raised this last February after being told by a shop keeper in Chatteris that they used to clear the pavement in front of their shop, but could no longer risk doing so.  Now the national newspapers are up in arms about it, but it is old news. 

Health and safety legilislation currently means responsible shopkeepers clearing the pavement in front of their shop risk being sued if someone falls.  The sheer folly of this is starkly clear with the current harsh weather.  Pavements are particularly dangerous.  We should have agreements with our local farmers who are well placed with tractors to get out and help on our roads and pavements, and earn some money for doing so at a time when working on the farm tends to be quieter.

Bizarrely, the Health and Safety press spokesman has just said that the legislation is necessary because if someone used water to clear a pavement and it froze, then they would need to be liable and open to being sued.  What planet are they on.  Do they really think shop keepers will go out and put water on the pavement in the middle of winter?

Often people raise issues with me which are not strictly for Parliament, but more for the district or county councils to tackle.  This time an issue people often think is for the county council, clearing roads and pavements, actually needs Parliamentary action.  Whilst county council highways departments are responsible for local roads, Parliament needs to act to set them, local residents and businesses free from health and safety legislation preventing them clearing ice.  They should not have to fight the weather constrained by laws which are counter productive.

On a related note, a thank you to all the staff of the Cambridgeshire Highways Department who have been working extra hours recently.  The gritters are out in very difficult circumstances and with so many Fen roads next to waterways and at high risk of accidents, the extra hours the gritters are putting in is saving lives.

Posted in Health & Safety, Chatteris | No Comments »

02/11/2009 by Steve Barclay.

People sometimes say that they only hear from politicians at election time.  I do not want this said in North East Cambridgeshire.  That is why we have been running our regular programme of coffee meetings across the constituency on Saturdays, chatting with a wide range of residents about the issues that matter to them.  It is why after being selected we put out 30,000 introductory leaflets.  It is also why a wide variety of local issues have been followed up over recent months, whether across the constituency on issues like the Fenland Road Safety Campaign and the lack of access to speech therapy, or on issues impacting specific areas - flooding in  Whittlesey and Coates, paramedic cover in Littleport, tourism in Wisbech, vandalism and anti-social behaviour in March, and leisure in Chatteris to name just a few.

This week I thought it would be helpful to report back on the last 18 months since being selected at the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate.  So we are putting out 48,000 newspapers, in five local editions to reflect the different issues impacting in different towns.  I still have a full time job which pays the bills so politics has to fit around this in my spare time in evenings and week-ends.  Hopefully the newspaper will be of interest to you, and shows that we are working hard all year round in North East Cambridgeshire.

To read the newspaper please click on the link to the relevant edition for you:

Wisbech
March
Chatteris
Whittlesey
East Cambridgeshire

This week-end I will be speaking at the NFU dinner at Chatteris on Friday evening, holding a coffee meeting on Saturday in Wisbech, and laying the remembrance wreath on behalf of Malcolm Moss MP in both Whttlesey and March on Sunday.

I hope the Prime Minister will reflect, as he stands before the cenotaph on Sunday, on the shameful news just from the last 7 days.  His proposed £20 million Territorial Army cuts which even his own backbench MPs described as shameful, the leaked email from Lt Colonel Rupert Throneloe warning that the lack of helicopters was forcing him to take unnecessary road trips risking lives (which tragically included his own and a teenage private after £2.4 billion was cut in the helicopter budget in 2004 by Gordon Brown), the inquest into the 14 deaths in the faulty Nimrod showing a catalogue of errors, and the 7 deaths from ignoring safety warnings behind the fatal helicopter collision in Iraq.  Tony Blair was quick to send the army to war but Gordon Brown has always refused to pay the costs.  Lives have been lost as a result.  I hope he reflects on this on Sunday. Make do and mend is not an adequate strategy for our armed forces.

Posted in March, Chatteris, Whittlesey, Wisbech | No Comments »