Caring for a Broken Society!

I am growing increasingly concerned about the many challenges that directly threaten the quality of life for people across the St Ives constituency.

Some worrying facts:

• There are over 250 young people (16 - 18 yrs) not in employment, education or training. The vast majority of these are concentrated in the South Kerrier part of this constituency.
• Penzance has one of the greatest growing levels of personal debt in the U.K.
• Older people are increasingly isolated due to poor public transport networks, changes in Adult Social Care provision and the rise costs of living.
• Teenage pregnancy is on the increase and exceeds the national average.
• Suicide amongst young people is the third highest cause of premature death in the constituency.
• Drug and alcohol abuse affects significant numbers of families in Penwith.
• The occurance of domestic violence in Penwith is the highest in Cornwall.
• Significant numbers of young people are committed to West Cornwall Hospital due to alcohol abuse and very little 'follow-up' care is currently available to them.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected as the next Member of Parliament for the St Ives Constituency, I have promised to establish a multi-agency panel. This panel will bring forward solutions to respond to these worrying trends and monitor the effectiveness of these solutions.

The way to test my effectiveness as your representative at Westminster will be a reduction in each area of concern.

Monthly report back

I thought I’d try to give you a monthly impression of the work I undertake as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, meeting local people and hearing about their concerns.

I was honoured to attend the local Conservat-ive Party's Annual President's Dinner at the home of Sir John and Lady Nott (above). Sir John was of course our former Member of Parliament and the Defence Secretary during the Falklands crisis in 1981. The evening was very enjoyable and lively, with up to 70 people attending and a good time was had by all.



I welcomed Jim Paice MP, Shadow Minister for
the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs hear the
concerns of local farmers and the agricultural community. Together we visited Wills’ Green Grocer in Helston (picture above) which is still family run and approaching its’ 70th year as an independent small business. We also met with farmers on the Lizard and they were very keen to raise with Jim the promise of the local badger cull in areas where TB is found in cattle. We also discussed Conservative plans to help farmers, and about the help offered to farmers regarding stabilising the cost of fuel and a programme of deregulation. Jim took all our concerns on board and promised to work hard in Westminster to provide help for farmers in West Cornwall.

Later in the month I welcomed a visitor from just over the water; the Conservative MP for South West Devon; Gary Streeter. Gary and I travelled to Helston to meet parents who have disabled children and as a direct outcome of that meeting a Parent/Carers group in Helston is being established. Afterwards, Gary was kind enough to speak at a large gathering in Marazion Community Centre on the subject of faith and politics, which was a very interesting discussion.

On Saturday 1st November my family and I met farmers at the annual ploughing match at Rosevidney, St Erth, and in the evening we attended the Annual Dinner of the Western Agricultural Association at the Queens Hotel, Penzance.

I was delighted to attend the St Just Feast Civic Parade and Church Service with Cllr Bill East on Sunday 2nd November. On Monday 3rd my family and I returned to St Just for the meet of the Western Hunt and the St Just Feast Celebrations.

On Remembrance Sunday I was honoured to attend the Remembrance Day Parade in Penzance and Church Service at Chapel Street. This is always a busy and emotionally powerful occasion as we join tigether to remember those brave servicemen and women who gave their lives for the sake of the United Kingdom. I laid a wreath on behalf of the St. Ives Constituency Conservative Association.

On Monday 10th November the Lizard Conservatives invited me to a reception with pasties and wine at the Wheel Inn in Cury Cross Lanes, where I was asked to speak about rural issues with local members. The event was very well attended and I know that this is only the first of many activities planned for people living on the Lizard.

On November 13th Mark Prisk MP, the Shadow Minister for Cornwall, came to West Cornwall. I arranged a visit to Helston Medical Centre and St. Keverne and Marazion Surgeries. This fact-finding tour demonstrated the commitment of the Conservative Party to surgeries to retain their right to dispense prescriptions, and again highlighted the sustained attack on rural life by the Labour Government. Mark pledged to make representations in the House of Commons on behalf of West Cornwall.

We also visited fishermen in Newlyn to discuss the problems faced by shipping and fishermen over the proposed location of a wave hub off the north coast of Cornwall. Mark concluded his visit by attending a reception for West Penwith farmers at our home.

On Friday 14th November I attended a meeting of the West Cornwall Healthwatch, of which I am a member, and on Saturday 15th I went to Helston for the opening of a Fair-trade Christmas gift shop and then onto Leedstown for the 50th Anniversary of the village hall. I lived in Leedstown for a short time when I was a teenager.

Those of us in West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have a great many needs which are simply not addressed by our current MP and Lib Dem run County Council. I’ve been very busy in the last few months to do what I can to help, but there is still so much to do and this is a challenge I relish!

Being the Conservative candidate is busy and exhilarating, and you can be sure that I will continue to work to raise concerns on behalf of those who have been forgotten by the powerful at County Hall and at Westminster!

Beyond my political duties I’ve had the great privilege of being the guest speaker at the Darby & Joan Club in Helston and the Evergreen Club in Mullion. I’ve been interviewed at an evening service at Helston Baptist Church, and I’ve led school assemblies twice at Bolitho School in Penzance.

Pledge to oppose surgery cuts

Today Mark Prisk MP, the Shadow Minister for Cornwall and I pledged to give our full support to save dispensaries in GP’s surgeries throughout West Cornwall.

Mark and I visited three dispensing surgeries today and we both pledged to fight Government proposals to cut local dispensing surgeries. A proposal in the "Pharmacy in England; Building on Strengths—Delivering the Future" White Paper issued by the Department for Health, could result in many rural practices having to stop dispensing medicines to their patients.

We were both fortunate to hear the concerns of local patients and practitioners at St. Keverne Surgery, Helston Medical Centre and Marazion Surgery (photo above with Practice Manager Jackie Brown and Dr. Walden). We witnessed the depth of local feeling throughout West Cornwall and pledged to campaign to save the dispensaries with local patients. The campaign has so far led to hundreds of local residents writing letters of objection to the Government regarding the possible loss of rural dispensing surgeries.

Mark said that the Conservatives favour keeping the current arrangements within surgeries: “I cannot stress enough the importance of services such as dispensing surgeries and post offices in small rural communities. The Conservatives oppose any change in the provision of dispensaries in local GP’s surgeries.”

We were both appalled that under Government proposals, up to 80,000 of the 140,500 patients in Cornwall who have their medicines directly dispensed by their GP’s surgery could lose this choice. Surgeries would also lose the valuable source of revenue provided by their dispensing capability, which could adversely contribute to the future viability of the surgery.

Mark and I were not able to visit all of the dispensing surgeries that could be affected by the Government’s proposals. However, these surgeries alone dispense to almost 9,000 patients; to lose their dispensing service is unacceptable and unnecessary, particularly when you consider that many of these patients are older of vulnerable people. I invited Mark today to witness our concerns first hand and to make our views clear back at Westminster. The Government White Paper provides limited options, including the status quo. This is the only option that would protect rural dispensing surgeries and ensure patients retain choice when collecting their prescription.

Mark assured me that he will return to Westminster to make representations to the Government on behalf of all of us in West Cornwall.

Shadow Minister pledges to find a solution for West Cornwall fishermen

Mark and I went on to meet representatives of the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation in Newlyn to discuss their concerns over the location of the proposed wave hub, off the coast north of Cornwall. I was delighted that Mark, as Shadow Minister for Cornwall, pledged to investigate concerns regarding the location for a proposed wave hub on Thursday.

It is clear that local fishermen have genuine concerns about the location of the wave hub. It appears that conditions at sea may be too severe for the proposed location. Furthermore, this site sits in prime fishing waters and amidst shipping traffic. There may be a more suitable location for the hub but to date those that have raised concerns, including the Cornish Fish Producers Organisation, have received an unsatisfactory response from the Government. Mark has agreed to investigate the delay and seek a satisfactory solution. Whilst we want to exploit natural and sustainable energy resources, it seems a shame to spend millions of pounds on a wave hub that may fail simply due to its location.

Welcome to my new Blog!

Welcome to my new Blog! Here I hope to keep you up to date on my activities as the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for the St. Ives Constituency.

First, let me introduce myself!
I am local, I live in St Buryan in West Penwith. Before this my home was in Newlyn, Penzance.
My family home was on the outskirts of Helston in the heart of the South Kerrier area of this Constituency.
Having lived in this constituency all this time I know it well and have a good grasp of the issues that face us here in West Cornwall.
My work and voluntary activities have included leading children and youth projects in Porthleven, Helston and Penzance.
In the late 1990s I pioneered a programme for families on Treneere Estate, one of the most deprived rural areas in the UK.

I served as Chairman of Choughs Training Project for adults with severe learning disabilities, and I secured their existing premises within the Wharfside Shopping Centre. I am still working closely with the developers, Charville Estates and negotiated the use of another community space for Light & Life who now run the “Go Penzance” Motorbility Scheme.
I now work in Helston as a Development Manager for Mustard Seed, a busy charitable trust providing a range of community services enabling vulnerable people to increase their independence. Recent new developments include a Community cafe in Porthleven within the St Elvan’s Children’s Centre, a Supported Living Service for people with learning disabilities, a fairtrade shop and a fresh vegetables stall at St Keverne Producers Market stocking locally grown produce. In the new year (2009) we will be opening a third Community Cafe. This will be situated in the Children's Centre on the Nansloe Estate in Helston.

I am very active in my local community. The work my team and I have pioneered has featured regularly in the press in South Kerrier and has won Government recognition for the work we do with young people. The Supported Housing Service stated by Mustard Seed in the Spring of 2008 has recently been featured in a Cabinet Report as a model of best practise. I received recognition by Friends of the Earth for setting up a delivery service providing residents with boxed local fruit and vegetables.

I am a member of South Kerrier Alliance (a working group improving community well-being).

As a Penwith District Councillor for Penzance Central Ward I have worked hard to retain the role and responsibility local councillors currently have for local public services in terms of how they are prioritised and how they are delivered. I am chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Penwith District Council.

I am a member of West Cornwall Healthwatch and have kept active and informed regarding the great challenges facing the delivery of health and social care in the west of our county.
In Penzance I lead a team of residents and business leaders in the bid to become a Fairtrade town.

I am committed to enabling people to have lives full of opportunity and purpose, I enjoy listening to people and bringing about solutions to their difficulties.

I will continue with passion, conviction and enthusiasm the fight to ensure our public services are delivered locally, are cost effective and serve all people in this constituency.

Furthering the Conservative cause is increasingly important to me as the core values of Conservatism sit most comfortably with my personal faith. Many new ideas and new values have been adopted by this nation in recent decades and I believe when traditional values are discarded, our communities decline. The Conservative Party's direction of travel and our core values provide a basis for leading the nation towards stronger, healthier, more caring communities.

I believe that Liberal Democrat County Councillors and Members of Parliament in Cornwall are causing untold damage to our County, and our key public services are at risk of failing. Our District Councils are soon to be abolished, fire stations downgraded, police personnel reduced, adult social care removed, council tax increased and other services compromised.

I believe that the County Council’s shift in the provision of Adult Social Care is causing considerable hardship for many vulnerable people who are not able to wholly participate in our electoral process. To me this is the worst kind of cut, a cut on the those without a voice. Elderly people and people with severe learning disabilities face greater social exclusion and their needs are likely to go unnoticed.

The way in which we care for our elderly reflects on the kind of society we are. If these funding cuts continue Cornwall will be a poorer county in term of social well-being. There is an expectation that the Voluntary Sector will ‘fill the gap’ but this sector is already stretched and under-resourced.

I believe that in key areas Andrew George has failed to represent the people of the St Ives Constituency. He wants Cornwall to be governed centrally and the UK governed by Europe. My approach in the St Ives Constituency is to defend first the interests of this Constituency, secondly, those of Cornwall and thirdly, the interests of the UK. People in our Constituency deserve leaders that offer constructive solutions to local, national and global challenges.

I believe that all people must be enabled to reach their full potential, tax payers' money must be spent wisely, people should be allowed greater ownership of their community, corporate responsibility must be taken regarding the environment and fairer trading locally and globally must be achieved.

I believe this nation needs fresh leaders who are able to demonstrate how we can improve the quality of life for all people simply by maintaining healthy and stable communities that are prosperous at home and generous towards the world's poorest communities.

I will continue to work hard as candidate for the St. Ives Constituency. I will work hard to defend our towns, our rural communities and our County. You can be sure that if elected to Parliament I will be a strong and persistent voice at Westminster for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.