Popped up yesterday to Suffolk Coastal, met some lovely people and enjoyed lunch at the Crown in Woodbridge and a peaceful night's stay at Ufford Park. Rizzo has never been for a walk alongside a fairway - I think she was surprised that a stray golf ball from the driving range didn't squeak.
Many issues to cover but really impressed by local council initiatives on management and coastal erosion. After a car battery problem (thankyou to our gallant rescuers), finished the evening having supper with friends just outside Saxmundham. Sunday, going around the constituency again and now off to church in Woodbridge.
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Friday, 29 January 2010
Still some MPs don't get it
I was appalled by Harry Cohen's half- apology to the House today - "if I have tarnished Parliament's reputation, then I apologise" - no ifs, no buts, just admit you have done wrong and make the apology sound as if you mean it.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Blue Cross must stay open in Felixstowe Walton
I was saddened to read that the Blue Cross animal rescue centre in Walton may be closed. I adopted Rizzo, a collie, 18 months ago and she has brought a lot of happiness to the Coffey household. I will be writing to Blue Cross HQ to appeal to them to keep open this centre.
Suffolk Coastal
I was thrilled to receive a telephone call from Roger Burgess FCA, Treasurer of Suffolk Coastal Conservatives, inviting me to attend the selection meeting on Saturday, February 6th. I gratefully accepted and I am looking forward to speaking to and meeting members on the day and in advance of the meeting.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Crying out for Justice for the Doncaster children
When I read the full reports of the abuse and violence meted out by those little thugs to the children in Doncaster, I cried. I cried in sympathy for the victims. I cried in despair and anger at how yet again, our nanny state had let them down by not showing tougher love and applying real judgement in dealing with the two tearaways.
I'm not that old and approved schools used to be the place for youngsters who needed more discipline in their lives. So many clear failures yet again and though the two victims are alive, I expect it will take years for them to truly recover, while the perpetrators could be out in 5 years.
Shocking to hear Ed Balls try to stop publication of a more detailed case summary; he was quick (perhaps too quick) to jump in on Baby P - what's stopping him now?
I'm not that old and approved schools used to be the place for youngsters who needed more discipline in their lives. So many clear failures yet again and though the two victims are alive, I expect it will take years for them to truly recover, while the perpetrators could be out in 5 years.
Shocking to hear Ed Balls try to stop publication of a more detailed case summary; he was quick (perhaps too quick) to jump in on Baby P - what's stopping him now?
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Thankyou and goodnight - Hello South Afric
Well, thankyou to the lovely people of Spelthorne and good luck to Kwasi.
The sad news was partly offset by the email confirming that I got my tickets for 3 England games at the World Cup. Better get saving.
The sad news was partly offset by the email confirming that I got my tickets for 3 England games at the World Cup. Better get saving.
Friday, 22 January 2010
D-Day
Well today is the day that the voters of Spelthorne can choose their next Conservative candidate (and I hope MP).
The last few weeks have been very busy - speaking to mums, dads and grandparents outside the school gate, delivering leaflets, meeting councillors, visiting businesses in Ashford, talking to church ministers, answering emails from interested voters and much, much more.
2 final engagements last night at LOSRA's public meeting on London Irish which I had to pop into and give my apologies as I had committed to be at an event in Shepperton, which was very enjoyable.
Well, new outfit is hanging up, Rizzo has had a bit of a bath and focusing in on the event tonight. Regardless of the result, it has been an enjoyable experience - as ever - engaging with the public and above all, it has shown that politics still matters.
Tonight, the Primary is a big step in restoring trust in politics. I hope you come along and enjoy the "show".
The last few weeks have been very busy - speaking to mums, dads and grandparents outside the school gate, delivering leaflets, meeting councillors, visiting businesses in Ashford, talking to church ministers, answering emails from interested voters and much, much more.
2 final engagements last night at LOSRA's public meeting on London Irish which I had to pop into and give my apologies as I had committed to be at an event in Shepperton, which was very enjoyable.
Well, new outfit is hanging up, Rizzo has had a bit of a bath and focusing in on the event tonight. Regardless of the result, it has been an enjoyable experience - as ever - engaging with the public and above all, it has shown that politics still matters.
Tonight, the Primary is a big step in restoring trust in politics. I hope you come along and enjoy the "show".
Monday, 11 January 2010
Ending Garden Grabbing, including London Irish!
The Green Belt is an important issue for Spelthorne and it was great news that the Council managed to keep the protection of the existing Green Belt but there are still plenty of moves to continue the increasing housing density around the constituency, encroaching on the green spaces that provide a natural break between housing.
Probably the big proposed development at the moment is the redevelopment of London Irish and the Hazelwood Golf Course. I think this is certainly development too far for a pleasant part of Sunbury and the loss of amenity of the golf course.
Nearly 200 more homes would be a massive burden on the infrastructure and I understand from local residents that no more development was promised after the Virgin Health Club. This is clearly going against previous commitment made.
The obvious factor counting against the development is that part, if not all, of the site is Protected Urban Open Space, so I hope it will be a straightforward refusal but I will certainly be writing in to voice my concerns.
Losing Hazelwood would also be a great disappointment for the area. Golf is one of those sports can be enjoyed from the ages of 8 (and below!) to 80+. Previous applications were turned down which arguably would have a greater benefit for the wider community and I don't see why this should be different.
I encourage residents to send in their individual letters. LOSRA (www.losra.org) has a helpful link which suggests valid planning reasons.
Probably the big proposed development at the moment is the redevelopment of London Irish and the Hazelwood Golf Course. I think this is certainly development too far for a pleasant part of Sunbury and the loss of amenity of the golf course.
Nearly 200 more homes would be a massive burden on the infrastructure and I understand from local residents that no more development was promised after the Virgin Health Club. This is clearly going against previous commitment made.
The obvious factor counting against the development is that part, if not all, of the site is Protected Urban Open Space, so I hope it will be a straightforward refusal but I will certainly be writing in to voice my concerns.
Losing Hazelwood would also be a great disappointment for the area. Golf is one of those sports can be enjoyed from the ages of 8 (and below!) to 80+. Previous applications were turned down which arguably would have a greater benefit for the wider community and I don't see why this should be different.
I encourage residents to send in their individual letters. LOSRA (www.losra.org) has a helpful link which suggests valid planning reasons.
Flu off!
Glad to report that flu mainly gone so back in action on the campaign trail for the Spelthorne Primary. Will be updating from activities over the weekend and just before Christmas.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)