Unusual silence!

Well - all I can say is that I've been holding a watching brief since the last General election. Watching the man who won the seat I wanted, watching our MP's who have Ministerial positions. Feeling excited, wary, upset, cautious and ambitious - in equal measure. My immediate reaction to coming second was "Never again" - but, heck, I miss the cut and thrust of politics and I'm arrogant enough to think I have experience to offer - so I'm up for it again!!!

Monday 29 March 2010

My response to the budget on YouTube

The Government's budget was a case of too little too late for the thousands of people who have been suffering under Labour's broken promises for the past decade. Vince Cable remains the only politician who predicted the mess we're in now and has created a safe, sensible, affordable plan to put us back on track.

You can view my response to the budget here:

Please support your local market towns

On Saturday I launched my 'Shop Local' campaign in the thriving market town of Harleston to encourage people to make local towns their first port of call for everyday goods and services.

My campaign is supported by Robin Twigge, Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses in South Norfolk, who met me there to discuss ideas to help the district's small businesses thrive.

Harleston is a fantastic market town with lots of independent shops, innovative businesses and new businesses investing here. I'd like other towns and large villages in the district to be able to follow in Harleston's footsteps by encouraging residents to buy local and use the great services that are right on their doorstep.

Some towns in South Norfolk are seeing a decline in trade with empty shop fronts appearing along the High Street. We mustn't let our local centres die but need to offer support now to ensure they are vibrant places that people want to visit.

The Liberal Democrats' key pledges to maintain vibrant local high streets are:

Ensuring a long term future for the Post Office by developing new services such as a PostBank

Direct help for businesses by reforming business rates, reducing employment taxes as soon as possible and cutting red tape

Providing fair access to credit by getting the banks to lend again and creating a more diverse financial infrastructure

Creating a fairer marketplace by ensuring sustainable retail development and taking a more localised approach to competition

Help me support and protect our local goods and services by shopping locally whenever you can.

A family photo

A family photo
Sun shining!

Who am I and what's this all about?

Hi - I am a Liberal Democrat, was a Liberal - will always be in this party, warts and all. Lots of us have staggered since the General Election as some compromises are hard to take but, in the end, my beliefs are exactly those of my Party and therefore --- I'm here for the duration (mine that is!!)