A small hiatus.....

...well it's hard to make research on-line interesting to read by other people, so I haven't bored you all with it. A lot of political work is unseen - but that isn't a euphemism for covert! If I am to stand up and argue for my constituents, I have to be very sure of my facts! I am going to Bournemouth for our conference - taking my caravan which will become my "battle bus" next Spring - and will be stocked up for late night chats on each conference evening. I already have our policy documents from LibDem HQ and am looking forward to debating the detailed proposals.

If any reader would like to suggest matters to raise, either formally in debates, over the supper table or in the inevitable bar - do let me know!!

Preparation for Bournemouth

On Saturday morning I joined other Norfolk LibDem colleagues to discuss the policy proposals due to be debated at the Bournemouth Conference. Broad agreement but we wouldn't be LibDems if there weren't divided opinions on some key issues! I look forward to the formal debates.

On a more prosaic note - I'm yet to decide where I'm staying in Bournemouth - if all else fails, there's always the caravan!!

Westminster

I've been doing so much "virtual" stuff on the laptop today that I'll be delighted to travel to London tomorrow - train strikes or not - and meet and talk to real people. I'm meeting a colleague who does extensive translation work for the EU- from her mountain top home near Granada - aren't computers both a boon and a curse? We truly are in danger of becoming hermits!

It's also a working day for me so I will be talking to lots of international students about their study plans in the UK.

I'm also going to Westminster to meet a charity who wish to press the Government to tighten up the control on emissions from supermarket refrigeration. I have worked hard on Climate Change and its' causes for more than a year and can't believe that although domestic freezers have been cleaned up, those used by some major supermarkets have not!

I've pre-booked my train ticket so - fingers crossed!

Next Steps

Well, a busy time is planned now - I want to get myself out and about - meeting as many people in the constituency as I can so, if you have a meeting or an event coming up or you have ideas that you would like to discuss with me - let me know. It doesn't have to be a Liberal Democrat specific matter - I want to hear at first hand the things that South Norfolk people find important - no matter how they have voted in the past. If you send me a message I'll get right back to you

Firming up ideas

It's pretty clear to me that I have to take up the cudgels on behalf of people who are suffering from the decision to privatise home care services. I'm absolutely behind our policies on choice for the consumer - as long as the choice is real and offers all the services even the most demanding and vulnerable people require. I now have details of quiet suffering behind closed doors which is unacceptable in today's society. I will be asking pointed questions of the Conservative administration at County Hall!

End of my day off!

Well, for once I'm managing to both cook and eat a meal at a normal time, without any new e-mails, phone calls or texts! I suppose I should be worried but, hey, it's Saturday and I've been seeing old friends and catching up - wonderful!

It has been fun to build this blog from scratch and, although a professional would have done something slick, it's a family affair as my daughter took my pictures for me. It needs more work though.

Tomorrow begins a new week and lots of contacts to make with South Norfolk people who are full of ideas for campaigns that matter to them.

Lots of good stuff.....

....to report! I'm collecting together the views of people about things that concern them in South Norfolk. I want to pick two really important matters to campaign for and to involve as many local people in those campaigns - come on folks - I'm willing to do a lot of shouting on your behalf!!!

I went to a great garden party in Swardeston which raised money for our campaigns. Wonderful strawberry tea and a tramp around the Common to walk off the calories! Liberal Democrats seem able to raise money and have lots of fun at the same time! A rare skill - any ideas for something you might do - doesn't matter how wacky as long as it's legal

See you tomorrow

So - off we go!!

We have until May - not too bad if you say it quickly! I really believe I can do it and these pages will be my record of whether I'm right or not. All I have to do, Dear Reader, is to carry you along with me - let the fun begin!!