Thursday, 12 May 2011
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Monday, 9 May 2011
A decisive answer from Cornwall on AV
In my opinion, whoever said that people are apathetic and not interested in politics was quite wrong. The fact that more than 40 percent of registered electors in Cornwall participated in the AV Referendum is the latest example. Following a lively debate in Cornwall, I was pleased that more than 40 percent of registered electors actually voted. When the Bill that enabled the referendum to be held was being debated in Parliament I was very concerned that the Government would not accept a threshold of 40 percent of voter participation before accepting the outcome. I lobbied hard for this to happen as I felt that such a significant change to our democratic process demanded a minimum level of participation or the outcome of the ballot would be in question. I am pleased the result was so clear cut.
I was also pleased to join a fellow Cornish Coalition MP, Dan Rogerson (LibDem) in a recent debate in the House of Commons where we both confirmed our confidence that whatever the outcome of the referendum, the Coalition would continue to provide the stable government that the country needs at such a difficult and financially challenging time. Economic stability is vital for everyone in our society and that will continue to be our priority.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the high turn-out at another recent event organised by the St. Mawes and St. Just in Roseland Society. We had a lively discussion about the working of Parliament as I described the impact of the new reforms in this Parliament. In my daily work with constituents of all ages, I find people interested in local and national government as well as the EU. If you would like me to come to a talk to a group you are involved with, in a non-party political way, about our democracy, please just ask.
As well as meetings with young people in both the constituency and in Westminster, I really enjoy my visits to schools and my visit to Richard Lander on Friday was no exception. The teaching of citizenship and social responsibility in schools has clearly helped young people to take an interest in the governance of their community and country. This is something I am always keen to support.
Finally, I was delighted to meet with the Chapter of Truro Cathedral and discuss their work as the Church for Cornwall. As I was confirmed in the cathedral and thoroughly enjoy their excellent choir and music, along with the spiritual sustenance it provides. I look forward to supporting the work of the cathedral during my time as an MP. Of immediate concern is lending my support to the community choirs and music-making that the cathedral enables for the whole of Cornwall.
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Cornwall’s Mining Heritage
I was very disappointed not to be able to join all those congregated in the harbour on HMS Cornwall last Monday evening. I wanted to be able to thank all those who have served their country on this ship. Having to be back in Parliament at 9am on Tuesday morning to sit on the Welfare Reform Bill Committee prevented me from doing so. A bill committee is like a mini parliament that considers new legislation line-by-line, debating each aspect of what the Bill intends to achieve. I believe the Welfare Reform Bill, which aims to simplify the benefits system with the introduction of the Universal Credit, removing poverty traps and ensuring that work always pays, is one of the most important reforms of this Parliament.
On Wednesday I was pleased to join an Opposition Day Debate on Sure Start Children’s Centres. I have visited the Falmouth centre and was impressed with the work undertaken to support families with young children. I was pleased to speak-up for Sure Start and the continued support that both Parliament and Cornwall Council is giving them. Cornwall Council has decided not to close any Sure Start Centres and is currently consulting on ways of reducing administration costs and ensuring that those that would most benefit from the services actually receive them. During the General Election Campaign, the Labour Party really scared a number of my constituents by saying that Conservatives would close Sure Start Centres. It was as untrue then as it is today.
Over the weekend, in addition to my usual weekly advice surgery and meeting with a variety of local people and organisations, I was pleased to join the Open Day of King Edward Mine on Sunday. This mine was until relatively recently the training mine for the Camborne School of Mines that is now part of the University of Exeter and Combined Universities of Cornwall. It is run by a team of dedicated volunteers who have maintained some of the rarest working mining machinery in the world. It was a real treat. I am very much hoping that as the new Local Enterprise Partnership finds its feet, it will look at what more can be done to promote our UNESCO World Heritage Sites and our mining heritage. The world class mining engineers that Cornwall has produced are not a thing of the past, they are very much part of our future. Today, mining engineers come from all over the world to Cornwall to develop new mining techniques. I was delighted to learn that the King Edward Mine will be the location of the 34th International Mining Games. The Games will be hosted by the students of Camborne School of Mines and will take place between 29th March and 1st April 2012.
The competition was started in 1978 in honour of the 91 miners that died in the Sunshine Mine disaster in the USA. The Games are extremely competitive with teams from Australia, America and Canada. This is the first time that the Games are to be held in Europe, and a landmark event for Cornwall.
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