Not just one of the best tracks ever released by New Order, but what a Monday this could turn out to be. I nearly fell off my chair when I heard that John Marek, former Labour MP for Wrexham, had joined our party - welcome Dr Marek!
More importantly, tonight, the C4 debate between the potential Chancellors - I think George Osborne will come into his own and be seen as a serious Chancellor for our times. He may not have the eyebrows of one or the tip-toe feet of another but he has got the ideas and the guts to tackle the difficult days ahead.
Expenses info just out - surprised by some of the recommendations but I will let others comment about that. Plenty more electors to get round and see before Election Day. Off to meet the FSB later and will be in Woodbridge tomorrow.
Monday, 29 March 2010
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Busy Saturday in Suffolk Coastal
It's been a busy day and it isn't over yet. This morning, I met people at Felixstowe Conservative Club then we were off on a walkabout into the town centre. It was good to meet constituents and also visitors from Ipswich and further afield spending their money in the town.
The Felixstowe 8th Scout Troop were hosting a fair in Trinity Rd Church Hall and provided a much welcomed cup of tea and hot cross bun. I was very impressed by the courtesy shown by the scouts and the willing volunteers giving up some of their time for the boys.
After a lovely lunch in Ruby's Kitchen and buying food from local shops, we went up to Halesworth Rifle Hall to see the Town Plan display. Another thriving example of community action in force. Final stop was at the Open Day in the Long Shop Museum in Leiston. I cannot wait for my little cousin to visit so he can ride on the Serapite.
Looking forward to having supper with friends and then off to Felixstowe and Ipswich tomorrow for church, Easter Egg hunt and, of course, Bark in the Park. Rizzo cannot wait!
The Felixstowe 8th Scout Troop were hosting a fair in Trinity Rd Church Hall and provided a much welcomed cup of tea and hot cross bun. I was very impressed by the courtesy shown by the scouts and the willing volunteers giving up some of their time for the boys.
After a lovely lunch in Ruby's Kitchen and buying food from local shops, we went up to Halesworth Rifle Hall to see the Town Plan display. Another thriving example of community action in force. Final stop was at the Open Day in the Long Shop Museum in Leiston. I cannot wait for my little cousin to visit so he can ride on the Serapite.
Looking forward to having supper with friends and then off to Felixstowe and Ipswich tomorrow for church, Easter Egg hunt and, of course, Bark in the Park. Rizzo cannot wait!
Friday, 26 March 2010
Meeting and Greeting
Have enjoyed getting to meet people in different parts of the constituency - was in Halesworth this morning and will be in Blaxhall later. Getting internet connection sorted out very soon I hope so will be online more.
Will be out in Felixstowe tomorrow morning and again on Sunday at the Easter Egg hunt followed by Bark in the Park.
Will be out in Felixstowe tomorrow morning and again on Sunday at the Easter Egg hunt followed by Bark in the Park.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Budget predictions..
I don't think we will see a lot that is new from Alistair Darling, in fact a lot will be a carbon copy of Conservative policies already announced - e.g. the Green Investment Bank, green measures to be paid for by your bills over the longer term and so on. I don't foresee Labour getting to grips with some of the real challenges that we need to tackle but will be looking for good headlines in the evening.
Lobbying
There has been a lot said about this latest appalling episode. I don't need to add any more.
I am sticking to my commitment to detail lobbyist meetings online; I have done so and will continue to do so.
I turned down a dinner with Tesco but am attending a dinner next week with the Ambassador of Jordan. I don't know a lot in detail about the Middle East and am keen to learn about one of the most important areas and situtations in world politics.
I am sticking to my commitment to detail lobbyist meetings online; I have done so and will continue to do so.
I turned down a dinner with Tesco but am attending a dinner next week with the Ambassador of Jordan. I don't know a lot in detail about the Middle East and am keen to learn about one of the most important areas and situtations in world politics.
Question Time(s)
I kicked off the public meetings on Saturday night in Aldeburgh. About 60-70 people came to the Jubilee Hall to put their questions across to me. The unusual feature of the night was no speech from me but I used the first question to add a bit more flesh to the bone, so to speak. Some good issues came up which I hope to follow up on. Well done to my local Conservative branch for organising it - just showing that the day of the public meeting is alive and kicking.
I had earlier been at a coffee morning and in the afternoon was shopping in Leiston for items for my new home. After the public meeting, I hared cross country to attend a charity dinner for the Isabella Gardener Trust.
Monday morning, I was in Trimley St Mary Church for a public coffee morning. After a delicious lunch in the Mariners opposite, I headed down to Felixstowe Radio (107.5FM) to be interrogated by Trevor Lockwood. What a great set-up the radio station is - giving opportunities to a wide range of people and drawing on the many talents resident within Felixstowe.
Finally, for Monday night, I headed up to St Felix School which hosted a public hustings via its debating union, The Booth Society. All five candidates were there. Speeches were allowed and questions taken. Not too much controversy there but a good test for each of us in front of students and the general public. p.s. I declare receiving a bottle of wine and supper beforehand.
I had earlier been at a coffee morning and in the afternoon was shopping in Leiston for items for my new home. After the public meeting, I hared cross country to attend a charity dinner for the Isabella Gardener Trust.
Monday morning, I was in Trimley St Mary Church for a public coffee morning. After a delicious lunch in the Mariners opposite, I headed down to Felixstowe Radio (107.5FM) to be interrogated by Trevor Lockwood. What a great set-up the radio station is - giving opportunities to a wide range of people and drawing on the many talents resident within Felixstowe.
Finally, for Monday night, I headed up to St Felix School which hosted a public hustings via its debating union, The Booth Society. All five candidates were there. Speeches were allowed and questions taken. Not too much controversy there but a good test for each of us in front of students and the general public. p.s. I declare receiving a bottle of wine and supper beforehand.
Friday, 19 March 2010
LDF and Democracy
Democracy was in action last night as councillors exercised their judgement and vote to adopt the LDF. This is what politics is about - using your judgement within a context and constraints (in this case imposed by our Labour government) to do what you think is the right thing.
One thing I know is that all the councillors present would have invested considerable time in reaching their decision and will not have made it lightly.
If I am fortunate enough to be elected to Parliament, I expect to face similar challenges.
Not everyone goes into politics simply to win a popularity contest but they become councillors or MPs to use their skills and judgement to make a positive impact.
It can be easy to stand at the side and comment, but I applaud our councillors as people who are prepared to stand and do the job. They don't deserve the brickbats being thrown. You will not see me throwing any. Instead, I will be using my energy to be elected and be working hard for the people of Suffolk Coastal, alongside our hard-working councillors.
Thursday, 18 March 2010
House of Commons visit / LDF
Further to the LDF post, I am going to the House of Commons to try to meet the Shadow Planning Minister to discuss the practicalities of introducing new planning guidance after the election, if the Conservatives are elected. The timing of this is an important factor in the LDF and Planning policy for local councils as otherwise, there may be a risk of many speculative applications in an atmosphere of no defined local policy.
LDF
Suffolk Coastal DC is tonight considering its LDF. The council has been told it has to build over 4000 houses and that it is obliged to plan for that. This target has not been set locally but has been imposed by Whitehall, by the Labour government, and allocated through the Regional Spatial Strategy.
This top-down approach then pitches councils against communities, obliged to plan for housing that may not be needed. Contrast that to the Conservative approach, which will throw out the top-down housing targets and will seek to have a bottoms-up, needs-based or aspiration-based approach with genuine partnership between the council and communities.
The link to the Conservative Policy is here - http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Where_we_stand/Housing.aspx - and look to the downloadable documents on the right called Green Paper - Open Source Planning.
I have publicly stated that I support the bottom-up approach, that it should be a matter for local councils and communities to decide (localism in action) and that I personally oppose development on greenfields.
This is in line with the Conservative planning guidance that will be introduced - In particular, we will maintain national Green Belt protection, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other environmental designations which protect the character of our country’s landscape, stop unsustainable urban sprawl and preserve wildlife.
I have fought against similar developments in Hampshire because although I understand that concentrated development is one approach for me, going into greenfield should be the last approach available, and that putting in new beacon towns or super-villages provide the opportunity to increase sprawl, rather than limit it.
I have received a number of representations from residents and pressure groups on this matter. As I have said, I believe in localism and that candidates and MPs should not interfere, but I do believe the strategic nature of this LDF merits my representation to councillors.
I may be off the Christmas card list of some of them as a consequence but this is not an easy issue for councilors and I do this in the spirit of ensuring that they have considered the representations, the submissions, the views of their constituents. I have not asked councillors to vote one way or the other. I would not want councillors telling me how to vote if I were in Parliament but I would expect them to share their views with me on different topics that affect them.
The text of my letter is below...
Dear Councillor,
On Thursday, you will be voting on the LDF. I firmly believe in localism and that councillors representing their local communities should decide on these matters. I reflected for some time on deciding whether or not to write to you but I felt it was merited as the LDF is of such strategic impact for Suffolk Coastal.
I appreciate that you have been considering this for some time and that I have only been a candidate a few weeks. I will immediately say that I am not going to ask you to vote one way or the other. My general views on development are in the public domain though I will add this letter to my blog, in the interests of transparency.
Other constituents and groups will have sent you detailed thoughts on the interpretation of data, their concern about adjacencies to AONB and SSSI sites, the capacity of the Orwell Bridge and the process. I wish to articulate some of the concerns of those constituents that have approached me and ask you to consider five particular points when deciding on the LDF.
i) I believe that the Regional Spatial Strategy is fundamentally flawed with targets imposed top down from a Labour government in Whitehall that are out of kilter with local needs.
ii) If Conservatives form the next government, and we will know that within the next 7 weeks, the RSS will be declared null and void – the housing targets will disappear and councils will be invited to do a bottom-up needs assessment, in conjunction with parish councils and communities. The Conservative policy (open source planning) is now online. It is not a NIMBY, anti-developers’ charter, in fact, a locally-sourced policy with little or no housing growth may well be rejected by the Secretary of State. However, it encourages sustainable development and it also makes the statement - In particular, we will maintain national Green Belt protection, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other environmental designations which protect the character of our country’s landscape, stop unsustainable urban sprawl and preserve wildlife.
iii) I recognise the concerns expressed about the risk of speculative planning applications in the absence of a defined plan. I have been led to believe that the planning changes will move quickly and that the invoking of executive powers to revoke the RSS is being considered. Combined with the draft policy being published and considered as emerging policy, then would it be worth delaying the LDF till after the Election? I am trying to secure a meeting with the Shadow Planning Minister to have a more certain view, though this may not happen before your special council meeting.
iv) I hear genuine concern principally on the coalescence of the Trimleys around Felixstowe and the site at Martlesham which seems to have grown from 1000 houses to 2000 and 3000 is anecdotally floated at regional level. This creep and sprawl has sent shockwaves into neighbouring communities, really concerned about the urban strip emerging from Ipswich to Felixstowe, who consider that the consultation process has been mainly a tick box exercise rather than a genuine engagement on the next steps for the district. I have also received representation about a lack of natural development or restricted use of redundant buildings in the rural areas.
v) I recognise there is a valid choice between concentrated and dispersed development, each with its own merits. I do understand that a new town will have facilities on hand whereas spreading out development will not automatically bring infrastructure funding but can provide a route for smaller villages to evolve organically. Just reflect then on the impact the two approaches could have in 5, 10 years’ time on the shape and feel of SC? Who will that housing be for? For local people? Will they want to leave their villages? Will it be for people moving out of Ipswich? Or for those new to Suffolk? What is it that draws new people into Suffolk? Will the villages survive if the younger generations feel they have to move out? Will the local pubs and shops be viable with their existing population?
These are not easy issues to consider and as said above, I recognise that you have been considering this for some time and that this is your democratic decision. Rest assured, if I am elected to Parliament, I will be eager to vote in the new legislation that will see more power devolved to local councils and communities, especially on planning matters. I also hope that we will be working together to continue to make Suffolk Coastal a great place to live, work and play.
I wish you well at the meeting on Thursday.
Yours faithfully,
Therese Coffey
Conservative PPC for Suffolk Coastal
This top-down approach then pitches councils against communities, obliged to plan for housing that may not be needed. Contrast that to the Conservative approach, which will throw out the top-down housing targets and will seek to have a bottoms-up, needs-based or aspiration-based approach with genuine partnership between the council and communities.
The link to the Conservative Policy is here - http://www.conservatives.com/Policy/Where_we_stand/Housing.aspx - and look to the downloadable documents on the right called Green Paper - Open Source Planning.
I have publicly stated that I support the bottom-up approach, that it should be a matter for local councils and communities to decide (localism in action) and that I personally oppose development on greenfields.
This is in line with the Conservative planning guidance that will be introduced - In particular, we will maintain national Green Belt protection, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other environmental designations which protect the character of our country’s landscape, stop unsustainable urban sprawl and preserve wildlife.
I have fought against similar developments in Hampshire because although I understand that concentrated development is one approach for me, going into greenfield should be the last approach available, and that putting in new beacon towns or super-villages provide the opportunity to increase sprawl, rather than limit it.
I have received a number of representations from residents and pressure groups on this matter. As I have said, I believe in localism and that candidates and MPs should not interfere, but I do believe the strategic nature of this LDF merits my representation to councillors.
I may be off the Christmas card list of some of them as a consequence but this is not an easy issue for councilors and I do this in the spirit of ensuring that they have considered the representations, the submissions, the views of their constituents. I have not asked councillors to vote one way or the other. I would not want councillors telling me how to vote if I were in Parliament but I would expect them to share their views with me on different topics that affect them.
The text of my letter is below...
Dear Councillor,
On Thursday, you will be voting on the LDF. I firmly believe in localism and that councillors representing their local communities should decide on these matters. I reflected for some time on deciding whether or not to write to you but I felt it was merited as the LDF is of such strategic impact for Suffolk Coastal.
I appreciate that you have been considering this for some time and that I have only been a candidate a few weeks. I will immediately say that I am not going to ask you to vote one way or the other. My general views on development are in the public domain though I will add this letter to my blog, in the interests of transparency.
Other constituents and groups will have sent you detailed thoughts on the interpretation of data, their concern about adjacencies to AONB and SSSI sites, the capacity of the Orwell Bridge and the process. I wish to articulate some of the concerns of those constituents that have approached me and ask you to consider five particular points when deciding on the LDF.
i) I believe that the Regional Spatial Strategy is fundamentally flawed with targets imposed top down from a Labour government in Whitehall that are out of kilter with local needs.
ii) If Conservatives form the next government, and we will know that within the next 7 weeks, the RSS will be declared null and void – the housing targets will disappear and councils will be invited to do a bottom-up needs assessment, in conjunction with parish councils and communities. The Conservative policy (open source planning) is now online. It is not a NIMBY, anti-developers’ charter, in fact, a locally-sourced policy with little or no housing growth may well be rejected by the Secretary of State. However, it encourages sustainable development and it also makes the statement - In particular, we will maintain national Green Belt protection, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other environmental designations which protect the character of our country’s landscape, stop unsustainable urban sprawl and preserve wildlife.
iii) I recognise the concerns expressed about the risk of speculative planning applications in the absence of a defined plan. I have been led to believe that the planning changes will move quickly and that the invoking of executive powers to revoke the RSS is being considered. Combined with the draft policy being published and considered as emerging policy, then would it be worth delaying the LDF till after the Election? I am trying to secure a meeting with the Shadow Planning Minister to have a more certain view, though this may not happen before your special council meeting.
iv) I hear genuine concern principally on the coalescence of the Trimleys around Felixstowe and the site at Martlesham which seems to have grown from 1000 houses to 2000 and 3000 is anecdotally floated at regional level. This creep and sprawl has sent shockwaves into neighbouring communities, really concerned about the urban strip emerging from Ipswich to Felixstowe, who consider that the consultation process has been mainly a tick box exercise rather than a genuine engagement on the next steps for the district. I have also received representation about a lack of natural development or restricted use of redundant buildings in the rural areas.
v) I recognise there is a valid choice between concentrated and dispersed development, each with its own merits. I do understand that a new town will have facilities on hand whereas spreading out development will not automatically bring infrastructure funding but can provide a route for smaller villages to evolve organically. Just reflect then on the impact the two approaches could have in 5, 10 years’ time on the shape and feel of SC? Who will that housing be for? For local people? Will they want to leave their villages? Will it be for people moving out of Ipswich? Or for those new to Suffolk? What is it that draws new people into Suffolk? Will the villages survive if the younger generations feel they have to move out? Will the local pubs and shops be viable with their existing population?
These are not easy issues to consider and as said above, I recognise that you have been considering this for some time and that this is your democratic decision. Rest assured, if I am elected to Parliament, I will be eager to vote in the new legislation that will see more power devolved to local councils and communities, especially on planning matters. I also hope that we will be working together to continue to make Suffolk Coastal a great place to live, work and play.
I wish you well at the meeting on Thursday.
Yours faithfully,
Therese Coffey
Conservative PPC for Suffolk Coastal
Friday, 12 March 2010
Southwold Harbour
Very good meeting this morning at Southwold Harbour with visiting MEP Vicky Ford, local councillors and council and EA representatives plus Peter Aldous PPC for Waveney and me. Covered a lot of issues on trying to secure more funding.
Will update on this matter again.
Will update on this matter again.
Surveys and Pledges
At this time of year, just before an Election, candidates are called upon to do all sorts of surveys and make pledges. Rarely can I sign up to the pledges as most, if not all, have some spending commitment that I just cannot agree to, especially when we don't know the true state of the economy that we will be dealing with. Many of the aspirations are very good but there we go.
One survey yesterday ended up focusing on Natural England.. I stated that I only had two words to say ... "Sea Eagles". The researcher was perplexed and asked if that was it. I told the young lady that NE would know exactly what that meant. Anyway, a long survey earned £60 for RNLI in Aldeburgh - they should get a cheque soon.
As offered before, any other good causes - please let me know in case of future surveys offering some cash to complete them. I haven't heard from anyone direct but next on my list will be the Treehouse Appeal for EACH and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
One survey yesterday ended up focusing on Natural England.. I stated that I only had two words to say ... "Sea Eagles". The researcher was perplexed and asked if that was it. I told the young lady that NE would know exactly what that meant. Anyway, a long survey earned £60 for RNLI in Aldeburgh - they should get a cheque soon.
As offered before, any other good causes - please let me know in case of future surveys offering some cash to complete them. I haven't heard from anyone direct but next on my list will be the Treehouse Appeal for EACH and the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Get Connected - come on BT
I attended a meeting on Rural Broadband this evening at Bawdsey Manor which was very informative. Before being selected, I had already discerned that this was one of the top issues in Suffolk Coastal, particularly affecting businesses. I find it incredible that almost in the shadow of Martlesham Heath that BT customers get either no signal or very low speeds. I am meeting BT next week and will be raising this important issue wtih them.
Thanks to the Toettchers for hosting and to the organisers/speakers Bruce and Anne Page, Prof Fred Stentiford and Cllr Caroline Block, as well as Bill Parker from SCDC.
Thanks to the Toettchers for hosting and to the organisers/speakers Bruce and Anne Page, Prof Fred Stentiford and Cllr Caroline Block, as well as Bill Parker from SCDC.
Get Knitting
Today I visited the fabulous new library in Woodbridge - a really inviting learning and creative space with plenty of books on offer. There I met the local police and PCSO, but the first thing that caught my eye was the knitting circle.I have never learned to knit but I went in to find out more. These ladies (though men are welcome) get together every fortnight on a Friday afternoon from 2-4pm and knit. I think they teach others to knit, help each other out with difficult bits and have a good chat. Apart from making lovely baby clothes and other cute items, they also have knitted hats and scarves for the Seafarers' Centre at Felixstowe. Fantastic.
So, stuck for something to do? Get knitting!
Local Govt Review debate
Tuesday night, I popped to Parliament for 3 things - a Hansard Society lecture by Jack Straw, a reception by the ABPI launching its manifesto and also the chance to look in on the Local Govt Review debate affecting Suffolk, Norfolk and Devon.
Jack Straw talked at ease but I was surprised that on one hand, the Conservatives reducing the number of MPs (and reducing the costs) was seen as gerrymandering while Labour wanting to introduce the AV system, after 13 years of government was not.
The pharmaceutical industry is really important for our country but the ABPI reception, if I am honest, went on too long with 5 speeches and a play. It didn't leave a lot of time to talk to people in the industry, which is the useful benefit of these sessions for candidates, but never mind.
Finally, I went into the Visitors' Gallery (it may still be called Strangers' Gallery) to catch some of the debate. There were more civil servants on hand to brief the minister than there were Labour MPs in the chamber. Conservatives had quite a few MPs wanting to speak, though only one from Suffolk because the Govt kicked the issue effectively into touch for our county. Norfolk was being debated when I was there and I heard contributions from all 3 parties before it moved on to Devon.
LGR is both costly, unnecessary and would prove to be ineffective for a rural county in my view. I have lived under both systems and in a highly densely populated area, I can see it makes sense - but I think other counties that have moved recently have actually found costs going up and residents feeling even more remote from the decision-making process.
Jack Straw talked at ease but I was surprised that on one hand, the Conservatives reducing the number of MPs (and reducing the costs) was seen as gerrymandering while Labour wanting to introduce the AV system, after 13 years of government was not.
The pharmaceutical industry is really important for our country but the ABPI reception, if I am honest, went on too long with 5 speeches and a play. It didn't leave a lot of time to talk to people in the industry, which is the useful benefit of these sessions for candidates, but never mind.
Finally, I went into the Visitors' Gallery (it may still be called Strangers' Gallery) to catch some of the debate. There were more civil servants on hand to brief the minister than there were Labour MPs in the chamber. Conservatives had quite a few MPs wanting to speak, though only one from Suffolk because the Govt kicked the issue effectively into touch for our county. Norfolk was being debated when I was there and I heard contributions from all 3 parties before it moved on to Devon.
LGR is both costly, unnecessary and would prove to be ineffective for a rural county in my view. I have lived under both systems and in a highly densely populated area, I can see it makes sense - but I think other counties that have moved recently have actually found costs going up and residents feeling even more remote from the decision-making process.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
John Major dinner in Ipswich supporting Ben Gummer
Sir John Major came to give Ben Gummer's campaign a helping ha
nd and to raise money for Ben's campaign. His remarks were widely reported about Afghanistan and the PM. Ipswich Town Hall was full - I think about 300? - enjoying a good dinner and also a really nice speech from Ben afterwards.
nd and to raise money for Ben's campaign. His remarks were widely reported about Afghanistan and the PM. Ipswich Town Hall was full - I think about 300? - enjoying a good dinner and also a really nice speech from Ben afterwards.I really hope Ben is elected.
He's done a great job on the hospital 
campaign and will be able to do so much more if he is Ipswich's MP.
campaign and will be able to do so much more if he is Ipswich's MP. A few snaps to remember from the evening...
SCAR
Suffolk Coast Against Erosion [SCAR] held their AGM at the Riverside Centre in Stratford St Andrew on Saturday March 6th. John Gummer MP was re-elected as President. I am delighted that John is so keen to stay involved .. he has been a good champion on this vital issue that affects Suffolk Coastal.
There were many contributions from the different groups and individuals that collaborate through SCAR to be a powerful voice. This issue is not going to go away and, if elected, my first priority on coastal erosion is to get the DEFRA equation changed that will only consider solutions that can effectively last over a hundred years.
Daft. Each generation has to do what it can and hand on this tremendous part of the county, of the country to the next having done its bit to hold the coastline together.
Thanks and well done to the different people across SC who are so committed to preserve our coast and our estuaries.
There were many contributions from the different groups and individuals that collaborate through SCAR to be a powerful voice. This issue is not going to go away and, if elected, my first priority on coastal erosion is to get the DEFRA equation changed that will only consider solutions that can effectively last over a hundred years.
Daft. Each generation has to do what it can and hand on this tremendous part of the county, of the country to the next having done its bit to hold the coastline together.
Thanks and well done to the different people across SC who are so committed to preserve our coast and our estuaries.
Coffey time in Leiston
I visited the Leiston Community Centre on Saturday for an open coffee morning. There I had the opportunity to meet several people from Leiston and Knodishall, discussing some local issues, including the different transport options for the area.
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