Thursday, 8 April 2010
Next stop Long Stratton
My 'Ask Howe' Roadshow will be in Long Stratton this Saturday (10 April) from 9.30am until 1pm. I would really love to meet you and listen to your views so if you spot me, please stop for a chat! We're hoping to set up near The Swan on the main road - look for the green gazebo!
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:
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.
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.
Monday, 22 February 2010
Norwich's Unitary Status is a mistake - press release
South Norfolk parliamentary candidate, Jacky Howe, has blasted the decision to make Norwich a Unitary Authority as ‘leaving the people of South Norfolk with no say in their city’s affairs’.
Jacky, who is hoping to be elected as MP for South Norfolk in the next General Election, fears that people in South Norfolk, many of whom have close connections with the county’s capital through work and leisure activities, will be prevented from having any say in its future.
Jacky comments, “The news of this decision is breathtaking in its arrogance and cynicism. While I do support the idea of Unitary Authorities for counties, my opinion on the decision for Norwich is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This decision has cut off the county’s epicenter and has wasted huge amounts of public money.”
Jacky was the County Council Member for Melton Constable in May 2008 when she formed part of a cross-party group to lobby the Minister Phil Woolas MP against the proposals for Norwich at Westminster.
She comments, “In discussions at County Hall, most of the group wanted to keep the status quo. The alternative is to make the whole county a Unitary Authority, thereby sensibly getting rid of a tier of local government, making it easier for people to understand who is accountable for the provision of their services.”
She continues, “I would love to know how other people in South Norfolk feel about this decision.”
Jacky, who is hoping to be elected as MP for South Norfolk in the next General Election, fears that people in South Norfolk, many of whom have close connections with the county’s capital through work and leisure activities, will be prevented from having any say in its future.
Jacky comments, “The news of this decision is breathtaking in its arrogance and cynicism. While I do support the idea of Unitary Authorities for counties, my opinion on the decision for Norwich is if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This decision has cut off the county’s epicenter and has wasted huge amounts of public money.”
Jacky was the County Council Member for Melton Constable in May 2008 when she formed part of a cross-party group to lobby the Minister Phil Woolas MP against the proposals for Norwich at Westminster.
She comments, “In discussions at County Hall, most of the group wanted to keep the status quo. The alternative is to make the whole county a Unitary Authority, thereby sensibly getting rid of a tier of local government, making it easier for people to understand who is accountable for the provision of their services.”
She continues, “I would love to know how other people in South Norfolk feel about this decision.”
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Full of enthusiasm!
There's something about the start of a new year isn't there? I don't mean the inevitable resolutions, which come from eating and drinking too much usually, or the more general "will be nicer" one's which come from the guilt enduced by cards from people you have forgotten - I mean a sense of opportunities to come - this year more then ever!
As a Parliamentary Candidate, I am now receiving e-mails asking about my specific views on an enormous range of issues. People want to know what makes me different from other candidates in this constituency and, if elected, how I would vote. It's interesting, as a person with experience of campaigning at Westminster on a limited range of issues - green energy and electoral reform mainly - how different styles of campaigning affect one's response. There is the bullying approach - blitzing with hundreds of identical e-mails - the personal story/issue which brings tears to the eyes - the commercial approach.....the list goes on!
Although there are some matters on which I am very clear - my party's policies for example, there are some answers which require mature reflection and political debate. The UK's debating style of Government, while not flawless, does at least allow for all views to be heard (eventually!) and I look forward to hearing those views before making my mind up about how to best represent the view of South Norfolk's inhabitants, should I be elected.
Over the next weeks I will be discussing, through this medium and on doorsteps, the burning issues for the constituency and really look forward to hearing what people have to say!
Times are hard for a lot of us but, all the same..
A Very Happy 2010 to everyone - whatever your political colour!!!
Jacky
As a Parliamentary Candidate, I am now receiving e-mails asking about my specific views on an enormous range of issues. People want to know what makes me different from other candidates in this constituency and, if elected, how I would vote. It's interesting, as a person with experience of campaigning at Westminster on a limited range of issues - green energy and electoral reform mainly - how different styles of campaigning affect one's response. There is the bullying approach - blitzing with hundreds of identical e-mails - the personal story/issue which brings tears to the eyes - the commercial approach.....the list goes on!
Although there are some matters on which I am very clear - my party's policies for example, there are some answers which require mature reflection and political debate. The UK's debating style of Government, while not flawless, does at least allow for all views to be heard (eventually!) and I look forward to hearing those views before making my mind up about how to best represent the view of South Norfolk's inhabitants, should I be elected.
Over the next weeks I will be discussing, through this medium and on doorsteps, the burning issues for the constituency and really look forward to hearing what people have to say!
Times are hard for a lot of us but, all the same..
A Very Happy 2010 to everyone - whatever your political colour!!!
Jacky
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A family photo
Sun shining!