02/08/2009 by Steve Barclay.

Two meetings Saturday morning over coffee with residents in Coates and then Whittlesey, before heading over to Wisbech for lunch followed by a meeting in Littleport on the cuts to paramedic cover.  A few themes came out strongly at the coffee meetings.

Firstly, a sober realisation from most of those attending that the economy is in a real mess and that cuts will happen after the election whichever party wins.  The challenge put forward which is a fair one is for political parties to be more honest before the election about the true scale of the debt we face and what that means. Concern was expressed that the same middle income earners keep being punished with more tax whilst money is being wasted through lax spending.

Secondly, there was a strong desire for more local decision making.  This was reflected at the first meeting in the request to keep our current approach to internal drainage boards (a pledge I am happy to give) and at the second meeting from the desire to ensure local planning decisions are not overruled by an inspector who does not know this area - as has recently happened in Whittlesey.  There was a strong desire to keep the character of Whittlesey and not to see it become an overspill of Peterborough.  Useful to have an opportunity to set out Conservative policy proposals to address this by strengthening local decision making, in contrast to the top down central planning approach of Labour.

Thirdly, concern that money was being spent on translation, housing benefits and NHS care for new migrants who have not paid into the system, when some residents are struggling to get by and keep afloat.  Frustration that fairness is not being observed and that their voice is not being heard.  We need to strengthen our border controls and ensure the benefits system is not abused.  Both are overdue changes.

Overall there was a clear disillusion with politics and politicians.  A number of those attending questioned whether they will vote.  As a Parliamentary Candidate who has never received any expenses from the taxpayer, it is frustrating but understandable to hear how let down people feel, not least as I feel the same way. The current Parliament is clearly discredited and is limping to a slow exit.  But more work still needs to be done to clean up politics if the public are to have faith in the new Parliament after the next General Election. At the moment, it looks like turnout at the election will be significantly down.

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04/06/2008 by Steve Barclay.

Moving between farms today, as I started Sunday morning as the first guest at the Open Farm Sunday - although it is a hive of activity from those setting up when I arrive.

Local farmer and former NFU County Chairman Philip Bradshaw has kindly invited me along and there is much to see.  A host of local suppliers (the meat from Moor Farm looked particularly good), and an opportunity to discuss farming and a number of related businesses (bee keepers are having a particularly tough time at the moment).  There is also a lot to do around the farm, including a drive around the farm and a chance to understand more about the crops and machinery, trying to milk a pretend cow, to educational issues such as the different types of mustard seed or types of potato.  Despite the weather large numbers are soon turning up, and this sort of event is an invaluable way for families to find out more about farming.  There are insights into the various crops, the different types of machinery, and this chance to chat first hand with those producing the food that we eat.  I hope this event will be repeated as there is a real need for more people to understand more about how great food is produced locally.  We need to get across better the message that our quality local produce needs to be supported in the shops.  It proves a really successful event.

Then I head off to another farm, that of our Association Chairman Cllr Pam and Ralph Potts for the annual Coates branch BBQ.  Well over 100 present, with a quite magnificent array of food.  In fact it is a bit of a struggle to find parking given the turn out.  It is pleasing to see the association in such very good heart (being up in the polls clearly helps!), and today is a chance to chat with members and guests about their thoughts and hopes for the year ahead.  Labour Governments always run out of money, and this one is no different (it just took longer to get there after following Conservative spending plans for the first two years) but they have still managed to run out of money and are now intent on borrowing more and more.  After my speech I even manage a win in the raffle! 

At the Coates branch bbq with MP Malcolm Moss, Leader
of Fenland District Council Cllr Geoff Harper and Association
Chair Cllr Pam Potts

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