Monday 22nd March
- Council Meetings
- Meeting residents in Millbrook
Tuesday 23rd March
- Council Meetings
- Meeting residents in Millbrook
Wednesday 24th March
- Meeting residents in Millbrook
Thursday 25th March
- Speaking at the Yacht Club in Ocean Village
- Constituency casework
Friday 26th March
- Launch of the new self service system at Lordshill Library
- Meeting young people at Fairbridge to discuss voting and the election
- Meeting residents in Freemantle and Millbrook
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Labour have run out of ideas and run out of our money
Labour inherited a healthy, growing economy and will leave office with the public finances in tatters. They have more than doubled the national debt and are set to double it again in the next 4 years. We are now spending more on debt interest than on educating our children.
Labour have failed to outline a credible plan to tackle the deficit and by delaying the spending review until beyond the election Labour are deliberately hiding the truth from the public.
The Chancellor promised no new tax rises but is freezing the personal allowance for income tax, a stealth tax on the lowest paid.
There is no fresh thinking and the best ideas are ones pinched from the Conservatives, like plans for a green investment bank and axing stamp duty below £250,000 for first time home buyers.
Labour have run out of ideas and run out of our money.
Labour have failed to outline a credible plan to tackle the deficit and by delaying the spending review until beyond the election Labour are deliberately hiding the truth from the public.
The Chancellor promised no new tax rises but is freezing the personal allowance for income tax, a stealth tax on the lowest paid.
There is no fresh thinking and the best ideas are ones pinched from the Conservatives, like plans for a green investment bank and axing stamp duty below £250,000 for first time home buyers.
Labour have run out of ideas and run out of our money.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Conservative Councillors Run for Sport Relief
Today a team of Conservative Councillors joined thousands of other runners for Southampton's Sport Relief run, round the city centre.Friday, March 19, 2010
Visit to Central Sure Start
On Monday I accompanied Maria Miller MP, Shadow Minister for Familes and the MP for Basingstoke to the Central Sure Start in Clovelly Road. We met with staff and parents to discuss their experience of the service and Conservative plans to help families.
David Cameron has made it clear that he wants Britain to become the most family friendly country in Europe and improving Sure Start is central to that vision. If the Conservatives form the next government we plan to recruit an extra 4,200 health visitors nationwide and have greater emphasis on health outcomes.
Maria commented during the visit that she was impressed by how closely Southampton City Council and the city's Primary Care Trust worked.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Conservatives Will Overhaul Labour's Failed Planning System
Today I met with Shadow Housing Minister, Grant Shapps to discuss the new Conservative Green Paper on planning.
Our broken planning system is in desperate need of an overhaul and local communities need to be put in the driving seat.
I am particularly pleased by two key changes an incoming Conservative Government would make.
Stopping Retrospective Planning Applications
Firstly, we would extend permitted development rights so that simple changes to residential properties would not need planning permission. We would at the same time seriously restrict retrospective planning applications, allowing them only where genuine mistakes are made. This would have two effects. It would mean that simple, non controversial planning matters would not have to go through the rigmarole of the planning process, thereby freeing up money and resources which could be better spent on enforcement. It would mean that rogue developers would no longer be able to bypass local planning authorities, developing properties and then only applying for planning permission when challenged or when threatened with enforcement action. I come across this sort of abuse on a regular basis in my role as a councillor and it is of huge concern to local people.
Reforming the Planning Appeals Process
Secondly, we would reform the planning appeals process, which currently undermines democratic decision making by local council planning panels and which allows developers to run rings around planning officers. We would limit the grounds for planning appeals to where correct procedures were not followed and where decisions contravene local planning rules.
For far too long rogue developers have 'played the system' using a bureaucratic and centrist planning system to run roughshod over local people and to get around local planning decisions.
Our broken planning system is in desperate need of an overhaul and local communities need to be put in the driving seat.
I am particularly pleased by two key changes an incoming Conservative Government would make.
Stopping Retrospective Planning Applications
Firstly, we would extend permitted development rights so that simple changes to residential properties would not need planning permission. We would at the same time seriously restrict retrospective planning applications, allowing them only where genuine mistakes are made. This would have two effects. It would mean that simple, non controversial planning matters would not have to go through the rigmarole of the planning process, thereby freeing up money and resources which could be better spent on enforcement. It would mean that rogue developers would no longer be able to bypass local planning authorities, developing properties and then only applying for planning permission when challenged or when threatened with enforcement action. I come across this sort of abuse on a regular basis in my role as a councillor and it is of huge concern to local people.
Reforming the Planning Appeals Process
Secondly, we would reform the planning appeals process, which currently undermines democratic decision making by local council planning panels and which allows developers to run rings around planning officers. We would limit the grounds for planning appeals to where correct procedures were not followed and where decisions contravene local planning rules.
For far too long rogue developers have 'played the system' using a bureaucratic and centrist planning system to run roughshod over local people and to get around local planning decisions.
Give Us A Vote!
On Wednesday I was delighted to support a motion to the City Council, calling for a public refurendum on whether fluoride should be added to the local water.
The council debate was about fluoride but not about the merit of fluoride or the concerns of those who oppose it. It was instead about Democracy.
It is clear that an overwhelming majority of residents in Southampton do not wish to have fluoride added to their water.The NHS’ initial consultation attracted 10,000 responses, with 72 per cent against. In a separate and later phone poll of 2,000 residents, 38 per cent opposed fluoridation compared to 32 per cent in favour. Whichever way you cut it, to date, local people have made it clear that they don’t want fluoride.
In a democratic, free country we should respect the views of majority. Labour’s unelected quango, the South Central NHS are however pushing ahead with their plans.
I feel that on such an important issue you shouldn’t ride roughshod over residents’ views. On Wednesaday I called for a referendum to determine finally and without doubt the views of local people. I would expect the NHS and the Government to respect the outcome of that referendum.
I was delighted that the motion was carried, albeit without the support of Labour or the Lib Dems.
On Wednesday we voted on the motion and made our views as a council known. However it is important to note that the Conservative Party nationally support local people having their say and a referendum. David Cameron and Andrew Lansley MP have both put this view on the public record when speaking recently in Hampshire.
The council debate was about fluoride but not about the merit of fluoride or the concerns of those who oppose it. It was instead about Democracy.
It is clear that an overwhelming majority of residents in Southampton do not wish to have fluoride added to their water.The NHS’ initial consultation attracted 10,000 responses, with 72 per cent against. In a separate and later phone poll of 2,000 residents, 38 per cent opposed fluoridation compared to 32 per cent in favour. Whichever way you cut it, to date, local people have made it clear that they don’t want fluoride.
In a democratic, free country we should respect the views of majority. Labour’s unelected quango, the South Central NHS are however pushing ahead with their plans.
I feel that on such an important issue you shouldn’t ride roughshod over residents’ views. On Wednesaday I called for a referendum to determine finally and without doubt the views of local people. I would expect the NHS and the Government to respect the outcome of that referendum.
I was delighted that the motion was carried, albeit without the support of Labour or the Lib Dems.
On Wednesday we voted on the motion and made our views as a council known. However it is important to note that the Conservative Party nationally support local people having their say and a referendum. David Cameron and Andrew Lansley MP have both put this view on the public record when speaking recently in Hampshire.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Out and About in the Community
I am having a series of surgeries across the Southampton Test constituency.
This is an opportunity for me and the Conservative candidates for the city council elections to meet people and answer questions about politics or help with their concerns.
In January I met with Newtown residents at the Argyle Centre and in February I met residents at St Denys Community Centre. Today I held a surgery at Highfield Church. Amongst the issues we discussed were Houses of Multiple Occupation and Conservative Party policies on schools and higher education.
Next Saturday I am holding a surgery at the MP3 Mansel Park Pavilion in Evenlode Road, Millbrook. I will be there with local councillor Paul Holmes and Chris Webb the Conservative candidate for Redbridge Ward. Tea and coffee will be served!
This is an opportunity for me and the Conservative candidates for the city council elections to meet people and answer questions about politics or help with their concerns.
In January I met with Newtown residents at the Argyle Centre and in February I met residents at St Denys Community Centre. Today I held a surgery at Highfield Church. Amongst the issues we discussed were Houses of Multiple Occupation and Conservative Party policies on schools and higher education.
Next Saturday I am holding a surgery at the MP3 Mansel Park Pavilion in Evenlode Road, Millbrook. I will be there with local councillor Paul Holmes and Chris Webb the Conservative candidate for Redbridge Ward. Tea and coffee will be served!
My Contract With Southampton Test
I really believe we need to change the way we do politics. I am committed to fighting a positive and honest election campaign, and that’s the way I will conduct myself if elected as a Member of Parliament. I have set out 10 pledges as part of my contract with Southampton Test.
If elected as a Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, I Jeremy Moulton will:
1. Continue to live in Southampton.
2. Represent local people with regular surgeries around the constituency.
3. Publish online details of any personal expenses incurred as your Member of Parliament.
4. Publish online details of any office expenses incurred as your Member of Parliament.
5. Open up my unedited expenses claims to local newspapers at the end of every financial year.
6. Never claim for food.
7. Never claim for furniture or household goods.
8. Meet my own tax liabilities - such as stamp duty - without claiming them from the taxpayer.
9. Not claim the £10,400pa Communications Allowance to produce MP leaflets.
10. Fight for a fairer deal for Southampton.
If elected as a Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, I Jeremy Moulton will:
1. Continue to live in Southampton.
2. Represent local people with regular surgeries around the constituency.
3. Publish online details of any personal expenses incurred as your Member of Parliament.
4. Publish online details of any office expenses incurred as your Member of Parliament.
5. Open up my unedited expenses claims to local newspapers at the end of every financial year.
6. Never claim for food.
7. Never claim for furniture or household goods.
8. Meet my own tax liabilities - such as stamp duty - without claiming them from the taxpayer.
9. Not claim the £10,400pa Communications Allowance to produce MP leaflets.
10. Fight for a fairer deal for Southampton.
Closing the Student Visa Security Loophole
The student visa system has been the biggest hole in our border controls for a decade under this Government. Conservatives would make it a priority to crack down on bogus colleges and illegal working. I recently spoke to Solent University Student, Adam Worthington about the issue.
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