Action needed to stop city centre attacks

Southampton has a vibrant city centre nightlife enjoyed by local people. In addition it has two very popular universities, attracting thousands of young people to the city every year, many of whom will be living away from home for the first time.The city has a duty to ensure that people are safe at night. Reports of attacks in city centre parks require immediate action from the police and the city council. Better lighting in the parks, cctv and the need for a bigger uniformed presence (police or city patrol or both); these are things being talked about but what is needed is urgent action.

Farmers' market comes to Southampton

Hampshire Farmers’ Market will hold the first farmers’ market in Southampton on Saturday (15 October) from 10am until 2pm in Western Esplanade outside the West Quay shopping centre.

The Mayor of Southampton, Edwina Cooke, will be there to open the market.

All the produce at the market comes from Hampshire or within ten miles of the border. The range of produce on offer will include free-range meat and eggs, oven ready game, preserves and relishes, sauces and soups, a huge variety of cheeses, fresh and smoked fish, wines and ales, cider, fruit juice, freshly baked bread and cakes, seasonal fruit, vegetables and salads, lavender products, Hampshire honey, fudge, plants, and a variety of organic produce.

The next Hampshire Farmers’ Market in Southampton will take place on Saturday 17 December 2005.

Bureaucracy gone mad

The panel planning and rights of way panel at the City Council agreed last week to enforce the removal of the ramp outside the local shop in Park Road. The Council has given 6 months for it's removal. The Conservative on the panel spoke and voted against but the decision was reached my majority.

Bureaucracy gone mad.

Conservative Party Conference

I have recently got back from Party Conference in Blackpool. A big team of us from Southampton went up there and had a fantastic time.

We spent a day at Blackpool pleasure beach which was excellent. It has some excellent roller coasters if you like that sort of thing.

The atmosphere at the Conference was really positive and everyone felt that it was the best conference for years.

The backdrop of a leadership campaign for leader of the party made it very interesting as the party members will end up voting on the final two candidates in the next month or so.

All the leadership candidates were good and talked about working together whoever the eventual winner ends up being.

William Hague was brilliant. Michael Howard's final conference speech was very passionate and moving.

It really felt like the party was at a crucial turning point.

I managed to attend an interesting debates on the pensions crisis, the idea of a flat tax and on localism (devolving powers from the centre to local areas).

Went to an fun quiz night (MPs vs. journalists) with Boris Johnson. Saw Derek from big Brother.

I will put some photos on our local party website went I get a chance. www.southamptonconservatives.com