Selected For Southampton Test!

Yesterday afternoon I was selected to be the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Test at the next General Election.

I am honoured by the faith that local party members have put in me by selecting me. I am also thrilled to be selected to represent my home seat.

I grew up in Southampton and went to school, college and university here. My family have lived in the city since 1948. So I really care about the area and I will always campaign positively to make it a better place.

I am looking forward to getting stuck into campaigning and to meeting as many people as I can.

I do believe that the wheels are really starting to come off Gordon Brown’s government and locally our MP seems to be more interested in representing the Government, rather than fighting for the interests of Southampton in Parliament.

I am determined to be a strong, local voice fighting for the interests of the city and I will work hard to represent everyone in Southampton.

Residents' Parking Schemes

Formal public consultation for the proposed Silverdale Road and Cawte Road Residents' Parking Schemes begun last week.

A traffic regulation order was published on 28th November. Notices will go up on lamp posts and an advert in the Echo to advise of the formal consultation period. This ends on 7th January. It’s been slightly extended to take account of the Christmas holiday period.

Assuming all goes well the scheme is set to be implemented by the end of March.

Copies of the plans can we obtained from the Highways and Parking Services Department on 8083 2337.

Cash Boost For Freemantle

Freemantle Community Centre is set to win £50,000 from the Learning and Skills Council later this month.

The money has been awarded following a successful bid to deliver community learning for adults and families in the area.

After consulting with the community it has been suggested that the money be spent on delivering IT training and drama and performance.

The community centre is set to be redeveloped and will close in March for six months while the works are done. Most of the extra money will be spent during this period.

The community centre caters for a range of groups, including Southampton Day Services, youth and church groups, amateur dramatics, yoga and martial arts.

John Denham on Labour Donor Scandal

Gordon Brown's Government going from disaster to disaster.

I listened to John Denham MP's comments on the unfolding Labour funding debacle, on The Politics Show today.

He was peddling the same line as other Labour figures on this matter; that the rules need to be reconsidered and we need a wider debate on party funding.

The problem is not the rules, its that Labour flagrantly broke them!

It doesn't matter what new rules are brought in if Labour are going to ignore them. I certainly don't think we should be forced to pay more tax to fund political parties because Labour can't be trusted to be honest.

Planning and Rights Of Way

Click HERE for a link to Tuesday's (4th December) Planning and Rights of Way agenda.

There is only one Freemantle application being considered. This is 117 - 119 Millbrook Road East.

Click HERE for a link to the Council's planning website.