22/05/2010 by Steve Barclay.

A great evening on Friday watching The Anglian Players at the March Community Centre present See how they run.  It was a brilliant performance and their excellent acting and comic timing shows you do not need to head to the West End for a night of quality theatre.  Wendy Hart as Miss Skillon and Theresa Winslow as Penelope Toop were superb, and I really enjoyed their interplay with Steve Tittensor and Alan Hooks, not to mention Nicole Oliver as the maid Ida who all brought this farce to life.  The whole cast were excellent and it is fantastic to see such high quality theate produced locally.  I really enjoyed having the chance to pop backstage afterwards for a chat with them.

Saturday morning was a chance to visit the historic All Saints church in Elm to see the beautiful flower displays.  Each had a theme, and special credit goes to the Alton Towers display of the brownies with their log flume.  There was however a Yorkshire display but no Lancashire one - perhaps it is a challenge for me for next year!  The church looked stunning and it makes me look forward all the more to the Rose Fair in Wisbech. 

In the village shop in Friday Bridge later it was good to see high quality locally produced food being sold, and proving so popular.  The strawberries travel less than 2 miles and tasted so much better than those in the supermarket.

Saturday evening we headed to the March Golf Club for their annual ball and a fun night out.   Plenty of familiar faces and a chance to catch up with people in a lovely relaxed setting.

The photo shows the brownies log flume display at the Elm Flower Show

Posted in Friday Bridge, Elm, March | No Comments »

20/05/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Electing the Speaker on Tuesday

… visiting 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, and signing in as an MP on Thursday - a fascinating first week in Westminster

Tuesday was my first experience of the atmosphere of a full Chamber at the House of Commons, with the House packed for the re-election of the Speaker.  I managed by chance to secure a prime spot two metres from the speakers chair.  It was a special occasion.  The father of the House Sir Peter Tapsell moved proceedings swiftly and robustly and the Speaker was quickly installed.  Later I had an interesting discussion with Peter Kendell at a meeting with the National Farmers Union, which he leads as President of the NFU.

On Wednesday I received a surprise invitation to Number 10 Downing Street, where around 30 to 40 MPs and peers were invited to join the Prime Minister for a reception.  I have never been before so it was fascinating to see behind the famous black door.  Wednesday also saw a meeting of the Parliamentary Party of Conservative MPs to vote on how meetings are organised during the next Parliament, known as the 1922 Committee.  I also met with the Citizen’s Advice Bureau to learn about key issues they are seeing nationally, and I have a further meeting with our CAB in Wisbech very soon.

On Thursday morning I was back in the Chamber to sign in as the new Member of Parliament for North East Cambridgeshire.  Again the business was quickly concluded lasting no more than five minutes.  A short queue whilst you wait your turn, followed by swearing the oath of allegiance and then a few words from Mr Speaker, who showed remarkable patience as he has quite a few hands to shake swearing in all the MPs.

On Thursday afternoon I was fortunate to have the opportunity of attending a session for a half dozen MPs at the Institute of Government, which included Lord Turnbell (ex Cabinet Secretary), Lord Bichard (ex Permanent Secretary and Chief Exec of the Benefits Agency), Peter Riddell (The Times) and other senior civil servants on the subject of making sense of Westminster and Whitehall. Thursday evening I headed back home to March.

Much of the rest of this week has been taken up with further induction training, such as the constituent database used for correspondence, and working through the large amounts of post received.  I am looking forward next week to the business of the Commons getting fully underway and spending more time in the Chamber following HM The Queen’s state opening of Parliament on Tuesday.

I do not have an office yet so we are hot desking in one of the committee rooms.  The windows do not open and it is not air conditioned so given the current weather it is hot desking in both senses of the word.

Posted in Parliament, House Of Commons | No Comments »

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 »

09/05/2010 by Steve Barclay.

The first thing after the announcement at the Hudson Leisure Centre in Wisbech and speeches from each of the main party candidates, was to be given an envelope by the returning officer.  This contained a leaflet for new MPs and an introductory note to take to Parliament on the first day.
 
It was after 4am by the time I got back home to March having been up since 6am the day before, but you do not feel like sleeping with the excitement of the result. Together with my agent and friends we watched some further results coming in from around the country.  Then a couple of hours sleep before getting up at 8am for a radio interview on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.  A chat with Malcolm Moss who kindly telephoned to congratulate me on the result and offer his best wishes, before popping into association office - a constituent had called at 9am to book in their appointment for my first constituency surgery.  Then headed back over to Wisbech for the appointment of the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor at noon. 
 
On Saturday the weather was not great, but I went into the market in March for some shopping and discovered the wonderful sight and sound of the pipes and drums of the Peterborough Highland Band.  They were out playing in the rain and cold to help raise funds for St Mary’s Church, Westry after it was destroyed by fire.  It is one of the many ways our community is coming together to help raise money for this good cause.  Seeing the community working together like this struck me as a great note on which to start my first full day as MP. I did have a photo with the band but unfortunately it did not come out (clearly I need to have a word with Brian Purdy of the Cambs Times for some tips!)

Posted in March, Wisbech | No Comments »

07/05/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Thank you to everyone who helped elect me as the new Member of Parliament for North East Cambridgeshire.  The result was announced at 3.40am this morning.

It is a great honour to become your MP, and to follow Malcolm Moss who served this constituency which such distinction for 23 years.  I am delighted to have more than doubled the majority and secured over 51% of the vote on an increased turnout of 71%.
I would like to pay tribute to Peter, Lorna, Robin, and all the candidates and their campaign teams for the positive way the campaign was fought locally.
We have a fantastic local Conservative team and they all worked hard throughout the campaign.  A big thank you to my agent Debbie Clark, the officers led by President Victor Aveling and Chairman Cllr Pam Potts, members, family, and friends who shared in this journey and helped secure a great win.

Posted in Parliament, General Election | No Comments »

03/05/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Bank Holiday Monday and also my 38th birthday.  Out in Withcham, Mepal, and Sutton today delivering leaflets with Karen and my parents in law.  It builds on our constituency campaign day on Saturday where a team of 30 covered Chatteris and Littleport with our final leaflet.  With my brother joining the team on Saturday, my parents helping all last week, and friends heading over, there is a real sense of monentum to the campaign.  3 days to go.

Our message is clear.  The only way to guarantee a change of Government is to vote Conservative.  A hung Parliament risks delay and dither at a time when the economy needs strong leadership.  It is clear on the doorstep that people are fed up with Gordon Brown.  After 13 years the time is up for Labour. 

As for the Lib Dems, their policy to give an amnesty for illegal immigrants resulting in over a million extra people claiming benefits gets short shift.  So too their desire to scrap the pound and give more power to Brussels, abolish jail sentences of less than six months (for offences like assulting a police office, drink driving or domestic violence), and their opposition to welfare reform for those who can work but choose not to.

David Cameron’s strong performance on Thursday night has firmed up support amongst many undecided voters, although a few are still to make up their mind. Lots of emails and calls in to the office which is positive.

We need to deliver a change of Government on Thursday.  Don’t wake up on Friday morning to five more years of Gordon Brown supported by the Lib Dems.  If you can help on polling day please get in touch - 01354  652295.

Posted in General Election, Liberal Democrats, Conservative Party, My Campaign | No Comments »

29/04/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Do you think 25% of buses are unsafe?  Do you expect 20% to fail their MOT.  That is the assumption being made by this Government, who have given the Vehicle Operating Service Agency a prohibition target of failing 25% of the buses they inspect.  The result is yet more interference for local firms who are already paying the high cost of fuel and a significant hike in business rates.

A visit today to one of our local bus firms who provide buses for schools and short breaks.  One was recently stopped and inspected, but nothing could be found.  So a second inspection was undertaken, and a prohibition applied for a so called side movement of the handbrake, helping the inspectors hit their target. Is it any wonder that local firms feel that this Government is out to hinder rather than help them.  The Government’s stance is also causing problems for our firms in Europe. The high failure rate here has resulted in other countries targeting British coaches.  A coach driving in Belgium which does not have the drivers reflector jacket on display will get an on the spot fine.  We need to get our economy moving and protect local jobs, not hinder firms with interference from top down targets. 

One success story locally is the golf club and holiday homes at Tydd St Giles  where I met up with manager Adrian Hurst.  It shows what can happen when Government gets out of the way and entrepreneurs drive forward business.  The very competitive membership price and high quality facilities mean the car park is constantly busy, and this week was no exception. 

Steve with Adrian Hurst, manager of Tydd St Gyles Golf Club

Posted in Labour Failure, Tydd St. Giles | 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 »

26/04/2010 by Steve Barclay.

Knocking on a door in Mepal today led to a surprise discovery.  The man was busy working in his shed and invited me to take a look.  Not the usual DIY here in North East Cambs, for he is building his own fighter plan.  It will take 2 years to complete, and as he is a pilot and it is a two seater he offered to take me up for a spin.  What a fantastic feat to undertake such a job, although perhaps I should take my skydiving rig on any test flight. 

Posted in Mepal | No Comments »