The Cornish economy has always had to contend with the challenge of its geography. There is no getting away from the fact that we are a peninsula located hundreds of miles away from the main population centres of the UK and this has always been a factor and a cost that businesses will take into account when deciding where to locate.
That is why communication and transport infrastructure is so important to the future success of our economy. It is why the decision last year by Cornwall Council to invest in superfast broadband was right because it gives Cornwall the edge in some of the emerging digital and technology industries for whom distance is less of a barrier.
But we also need to safeguard and upgrade our existing transport infrastructure to help overcome the barriers of distance. Firstly, we need to see the duelling of the A30 completed and representatives from Cornwall Council held a meeting with the Roads Minister last week to discuss plans to implement the much awaited duelling of the A30 around Temple. One plan is that you could “de-trunk” the road with Cornwall Council taking control of it and also being given some additional funding by central government to manage and upgrade it.
Secondly, Cornwall has one of the deepest natural ports in the world at Falmouth and it has great potential for the future but it needs investment and upgrading which would open up the possibility of making it accessible to cruise ships and boost the economy of West Cornwall. Reaching agreement over the environmental impact of any change has been a long, drawn out process but we might just be nearing a final agreement.
Newquay airport is also an important link for the business community and we should continue to work to secure its financial viability. Finally, and by no means least, we need to improve our rail infrastructure. This week, the government published the detailed franchise specification for the Great Western line connecting Cornwall to London. It has been a contentious issue and I, and other MPs, met the Rail Minister late last week to secure some 11th hour amendments to the original proposal.
It is excellent news that the vital sleeper service to London has been secured for another fifteen years but there was some alarm that the government initially appeared to be contemplating reducing the number of guaranteed direct services to London from nine down to six per day without any corresponding improvement in the quality or frequency of the local service. A compromise has left a number of options on the table during the franchise period which can be assessed once the bids are finally in. Such flexibility makes sense. I hope that we will not only be able to safeguard the existing service but improve it.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Friday, 20 July 2012
Dairy Farmers
Last week dairy farmers from across the country came to Westminster to highlight the plight of their industry in the face of a further cut of 2p per litre in the price they receive from processors which will push tens of thousands of farmers into heavy losses for the coming financial year.
One of my roles in parliament is as a member of the Select Committee on Environment and Rural Affairs and we took an emergency evidence session on Tuesday of this week to get to the bottom of the problem.
I grew up on a farm and spent ten years working in the farming industry before going in to politics and have therefore had first-hand experience of the problems that the industry faces. In a nutshell, farmers all too often end up being “price takers”: effectively given whatever price large dominant processors or supermarkets decide to pay them and with far too little clout to demand better. Nowhere is this problem more acute than in the dairy industry.
As a Conservative, I do not have a problem with market forces coming in to play but I do object to the anti-competitive, market fixing behaviour of many large processors in the dairy sector. These companies frequently force farmers into contract arrangements where the farmer is required to supply all of his production to a single firm for often as long as a year at a time, but with no guarantee about the price he will receive or even the basis on which the price he is paid will be calculated. That is wrong and it goes against all the principles of a free and fair market economy.
We need a situation where farmers are free to shop around week to week or, at the very least, month to month to ensure that they are getting the best possible price for their produce. This would force processors to compete for their supply and pay farmers what their production is worth.
The government will shortly bring forward its legislation to introduce a tough new Groceries Adjudicator which will police the behaviour of supermarkets and prevent them from breaking their code of practice and engaging in anti-competitive behaviour which is unfair on their suppliers. This is an important step forward but it will be of little help to dairy farmers because their problem is not so much with the supermarkets but with the middle men who process their milk. That is why I have argued that the Office for Fair Trading should step in to deal with market failure between the producer and the processor, not just between the consumer and retailer. It is time for them to take a look at the way some of these contracts operate.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
One of my roles in parliament is as a member of the Select Committee on Environment and Rural Affairs and we took an emergency evidence session on Tuesday of this week to get to the bottom of the problem.
I grew up on a farm and spent ten years working in the farming industry before going in to politics and have therefore had first-hand experience of the problems that the industry faces. In a nutshell, farmers all too often end up being “price takers”: effectively given whatever price large dominant processors or supermarkets decide to pay them and with far too little clout to demand better. Nowhere is this problem more acute than in the dairy industry.
As a Conservative, I do not have a problem with market forces coming in to play but I do object to the anti-competitive, market fixing behaviour of many large processors in the dairy sector. These companies frequently force farmers into contract arrangements where the farmer is required to supply all of his production to a single firm for often as long as a year at a time, but with no guarantee about the price he will receive or even the basis on which the price he is paid will be calculated. That is wrong and it goes against all the principles of a free and fair market economy.
We need a situation where farmers are free to shop around week to week or, at the very least, month to month to ensure that they are getting the best possible price for their produce. This would force processors to compete for their supply and pay farmers what their production is worth.
The government will shortly bring forward its legislation to introduce a tough new Groceries Adjudicator which will police the behaviour of supermarkets and prevent them from breaking their code of practice and engaging in anti-competitive behaviour which is unfair on their suppliers. This is an important step forward but it will be of little help to dairy farmers because their problem is not so much with the supermarkets but with the middle men who process their milk. That is why I have argued that the Office for Fair Trading should step in to deal with market failure between the producer and the processor, not just between the consumer and retailer. It is time for them to take a look at the way some of these contracts operate.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Thursday, 12 July 2012
Banking Bill
Just when you thought the banks might have learned their lesson, yet another scandal emerges which underlines the need for root and branch reform of the banking industry. The scandal over the fixing of LIBOR interest rates, the rate at which banks lend money to one another and use to calculate interest charges to their business customers, is the latest crisis to rock this beleaguered industry.
Two weeks ago I took part in a debate in parliament which explored another banking scandal - how the banks bounced their business customers into accepting complicated "swap agreements" which were supposed to cap their interest charges but instead cost many businesses hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds because it turned out the product they had been sold was not an insurance policy at all but instead a risky bet on the financial markets.
Later this year the government will set out its proposals for a new Banking Bill which aims to sort out some of these problems and it comes not a moment too soon. For too long, the banks appear to have carried on regardless, awarding themselves big bonuses despite being a loss making, down the pan industry. The big salaries at the top and so called "golden parachute" deals which reward failure have been out of control. They are not driven by market forces but instead by a high pay culture that is fueled by head hunter agencies who are paid commission.
I think we now need to look at breaking up the major banks to increase competition. There are too few banks and the ones we have are seen as too big to fail, so we are expected to bail them out in order to avert catastrophe. We need a system where we can let a bank go bust without there being a major crisis otherwise there is no incentive for them to exercise care and caution.
We should also separate the investment banking arms which speculate on world financial markets from the retail banking operations which manage funds for businesses and individuals because there has clearly been a serious conflict of interest in some cases and we also need a fundamental review of regulation of the banking sector.
Finally we need to look at the way banks behave when businesses experience difficulties and rebalance the law away from money lenders by strengthening the rights of businesses. I have argued that we should require banks to obtain a Possession Order from the courts before being allowed to seize and sell assets and the courts should also have the power to grant a moratorium to protects a business from lenders and give them the space and time they need to restructure or refinance their operations when things go wrong.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Two weeks ago I took part in a debate in parliament which explored another banking scandal - how the banks bounced their business customers into accepting complicated "swap agreements" which were supposed to cap their interest charges but instead cost many businesses hundreds of thousands or even millions of pounds because it turned out the product they had been sold was not an insurance policy at all but instead a risky bet on the financial markets.
Later this year the government will set out its proposals for a new Banking Bill which aims to sort out some of these problems and it comes not a moment too soon. For too long, the banks appear to have carried on regardless, awarding themselves big bonuses despite being a loss making, down the pan industry. The big salaries at the top and so called "golden parachute" deals which reward failure have been out of control. They are not driven by market forces but instead by a high pay culture that is fueled by head hunter agencies who are paid commission.
I think we now need to look at breaking up the major banks to increase competition. There are too few banks and the ones we have are seen as too big to fail, so we are expected to bail them out in order to avert catastrophe. We need a system where we can let a bank go bust without there being a major crisis otherwise there is no incentive for them to exercise care and caution.
We should also separate the investment banking arms which speculate on world financial markets from the retail banking operations which manage funds for businesses and individuals because there has clearly been a serious conflict of interest in some cases and we also need a fundamental review of regulation of the banking sector.
Finally we need to look at the way banks behave when businesses experience difficulties and rebalance the law away from money lenders by strengthening the rights of businesses. I have argued that we should require banks to obtain a Possession Order from the courts before being allowed to seize and sell assets and the courts should also have the power to grant a moratorium to protects a business from lenders and give them the space and time they need to restructure or refinance their operations when things go wrong.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Monday, 9 July 2012
A referendum is on the way
Last week David Cameron sparked a run of speculation about whether and when there might be a referendum on Britain’s relationship with the EU. Critics said that he didn’t actually give a firm commitment to hold one, gave no date and didn’t even suggest what the question might be. Therefore, their theory goes, his comments amounted to very little, right? Wrong.
David Cameron was intentionally moving the position of the Conservative Party. Having worked as his Press Secretary, I know there are times when stories appear in the papers because journalists, collectively, get a bit carried away but there are also times when stories appear because although, on the face of it, nothing very new has been said, the background briefing given to journalists by a spokesman means they understand something significant is happening. Last week’s announcement definitely fell into the latter category.
So why didn’t he just name the date and set the question? There is huge uncertainty about where current events in the EU will end. A partial break up the eurozone is still highly likely. Against that backdrop, it is events that will drive the timetable and events which will determine the final shape of any renegotiation. It would be foolish for any government to be too prescriptive about things at this stage. But they should be preparing the ground for change and last week, David Cameron confirmed that he was. For the first time, he explicitly said that the “status quo” of Britain’s relationship with the EU was no longer acceptable. That is a significant change.
The majority of people in Britain don’t want to leave the EU altogether but they do want a new relationship with many powers returned. At times of crisis, the future belongs to those with both a plan and the political will to drive that plan through. If the eurozone countries do decide to integrate politically and fiscally in order to save the single currency then our membership of the EU will have to be renegotiated because some of the measures we are already signed up to could start to act against our national interest. Alternatively, if the euro collapses or a number of countries leave it, we will be in a totally different situation anyway. Either way, change is on the cards.
Some say that you can’t renegotiate our membership of the EU but no one has really tried yet. I don’t think we should be defeatist about this issue because where there is a will, there is a way. The EU has accumulated too much power and the more competences it takes on, the less competent it becomes. It is time to clip its wings and take powers away from Brussels. Rather than the dogma of “ever closer union” we need to see powers passing back in the opposite direction to national governments.
There are already different tiers in the EU. There are currently 27 member states but only 17 of those are members of the euro. There are countries in the EU but not members of the Schengen agreement on border controls. There are some EU members who are neutral and have never worked with the EU on defence matters. The challenge now is to expand the “pick and mix” principle so that more policies in the EU become optional. We should aim to remain part of the single market which is what we signed up to in the first place but take powers back in many other areas.
It is sometimes argued that now is not the time to talk about re-negotiating Britain’s relationship with the EU because the euro is so feeble that it is not capable of withstanding democratic process or discussion about the EU’s future. But now is not the time to put our heads in the sand and ignore the failure of the euro. So, let’s negotiate.
David Cameron was intentionally moving the position of the Conservative Party. Having worked as his Press Secretary, I know there are times when stories appear in the papers because journalists, collectively, get a bit carried away but there are also times when stories appear because although, on the face of it, nothing very new has been said, the background briefing given to journalists by a spokesman means they understand something significant is happening. Last week’s announcement definitely fell into the latter category.
So why didn’t he just name the date and set the question? There is huge uncertainty about where current events in the EU will end. A partial break up the eurozone is still highly likely. Against that backdrop, it is events that will drive the timetable and events which will determine the final shape of any renegotiation. It would be foolish for any government to be too prescriptive about things at this stage. But they should be preparing the ground for change and last week, David Cameron confirmed that he was. For the first time, he explicitly said that the “status quo” of Britain’s relationship with the EU was no longer acceptable. That is a significant change.
The majority of people in Britain don’t want to leave the EU altogether but they do want a new relationship with many powers returned. At times of crisis, the future belongs to those with both a plan and the political will to drive that plan through. If the eurozone countries do decide to integrate politically and fiscally in order to save the single currency then our membership of the EU will have to be renegotiated because some of the measures we are already signed up to could start to act against our national interest. Alternatively, if the euro collapses or a number of countries leave it, we will be in a totally different situation anyway. Either way, change is on the cards.
Some say that you can’t renegotiate our membership of the EU but no one has really tried yet. I don’t think we should be defeatist about this issue because where there is a will, there is a way. The EU has accumulated too much power and the more competences it takes on, the less competent it becomes. It is time to clip its wings and take powers away from Brussels. Rather than the dogma of “ever closer union” we need to see powers passing back in the opposite direction to national governments.
There are already different tiers in the EU. There are currently 27 member states but only 17 of those are members of the euro. There are countries in the EU but not members of the Schengen agreement on border controls. There are some EU members who are neutral and have never worked with the EU on defence matters. The challenge now is to expand the “pick and mix” principle so that more policies in the EU become optional. We should aim to remain part of the single market which is what we signed up to in the first place but take powers back in many other areas.
It is sometimes argued that now is not the time to talk about re-negotiating Britain’s relationship with the EU because the euro is so feeble that it is not capable of withstanding democratic process or discussion about the EU’s future. But now is not the time to put our heads in the sand and ignore the failure of the euro. So, let’s negotiate.
Thursday, 5 July 2012
The EU...
This week David Cameron edged closer to renegotiating Britain’s membership of the EU and putting the outcome to a referendum which is a positive step in the right direction. At times of crisis, the future belongs to those with both a plan and the political will to drive that plan through and the crisis in the eurozone means that the whole situation in Europe is changing and this is a time for British leadership.
If the eurozone countries do decide to integrate politically and fiscally in order to save the single currency then our membership of the EU will have to be renegotiated because some of the measures we are already signed up to will start to behave differently and against our national interest. Alternatively, if the euro collapses or a number of countries leave it, we will be in a totally different situation anyway. Either way, change is on the cards.
Some say that you can’t renegotiate our membership of the EU but no one has really tried yet. I don’t think we should be defeatist about this issue because where there is a will, there is a way. As the Prime Minister has said, the status quo in Europe is not acceptable. The EU has accumulated too much power and the more competences it takes on, the less competent it becomes. It is time to clip its wings and take powers away from Brussels.
There are already different tiers in the EU. There are currently 27 member states but only 17 of those are members of the euro. There are countries in the EU but not members of the Schengen agreement on border controls. There are some EU members who are neutral and have never worked with the EU on defence matters. The challenge now is to expand the “pick and mix” principle so that more policies in the EU become optional. We should aim to remain part of the single market which is what we signed up to in the first place but take powers back in many other areas.
Some say that now is not the time to talk about re-negotiating Britain’s relationship with the EU because the euro is so feeble and the countries that use it so pathetic, that they are not capable of withstanding democratic process or discussion about the euro’s future. I say that now is not the time to put our heads in the sand and ignore the failure of the euro. The people who want to sweep discussion about the future of the EU under the carpet now are the same sorts of people who told us a decade ago to close our eyes and blindly join the euro. They were wrong then and they are wrong now.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
If the eurozone countries do decide to integrate politically and fiscally in order to save the single currency then our membership of the EU will have to be renegotiated because some of the measures we are already signed up to will start to behave differently and against our national interest. Alternatively, if the euro collapses or a number of countries leave it, we will be in a totally different situation anyway. Either way, change is on the cards.
Some say that you can’t renegotiate our membership of the EU but no one has really tried yet. I don’t think we should be defeatist about this issue because where there is a will, there is a way. As the Prime Minister has said, the status quo in Europe is not acceptable. The EU has accumulated too much power and the more competences it takes on, the less competent it becomes. It is time to clip its wings and take powers away from Brussels.
There are already different tiers in the EU. There are currently 27 member states but only 17 of those are members of the euro. There are countries in the EU but not members of the Schengen agreement on border controls. There are some EU members who are neutral and have never worked with the EU on defence matters. The challenge now is to expand the “pick and mix” principle so that more policies in the EU become optional. We should aim to remain part of the single market which is what we signed up to in the first place but take powers back in many other areas.
Some say that now is not the time to talk about re-negotiating Britain’s relationship with the EU because the euro is so feeble and the countries that use it so pathetic, that they are not capable of withstanding democratic process or discussion about the euro’s future. I say that now is not the time to put our heads in the sand and ignore the failure of the euro. The people who want to sweep discussion about the future of the EU under the carpet now are the same sorts of people who told us a decade ago to close our eyes and blindly join the euro. They were wrong then and they are wrong now.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
Police & Crime Commissioners
Next Friday, 6th July, everyone in Cornwall will have an opportunity to select the candidate who could become the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall as the Conservative Party holds a series of hustings open to the public.
I have always supported the proposal for elected Police and Crime Commissioners. They will replace the old Police Authorities which have been largely invisible and have had little impact. Who can name the current Chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority? An election will lead to more powerful commissioners who represent local communities and will be better placed to hold the Chief Constable to account and stop interference Whitehall.
The Conservatives are the only party to open up their candidate selection process to the whole electorate. Anyone who considers themselves a Conservative voter can choose who they think should be their candidate, whether or not they are a party member. If you are on the electoral roll, all you have to do is pre-register to attend the meeting at Kingsley Village next Friday evening to hear what the candidates have to say and then decide who you want.
There will be three candidates to choose from. Two are from Devon but one, Tony Hogg, is from Helston and in the preliminary selection round he gave a very powerful performance and showed that he had done his homework, understood the challenges in great detail and was ready for the task ahead.
Tony Hogg was a Commodore in the Navy and the Commanding Officer at RNAS Culdrose responsible for 3000 personnel and a budget of £80 million. I first met him shortly after being elected in 2010 when he was the Chief Executive of BF Adventure, an excellent charity which turns around the lives of young people who have lost their way or lost their confidence. I was immediately impressed by his commitment and enthusiasm.
One of Tony Hogg’s strengths is that he has a modest manner despite some incredible achievements during his career. He was decorated for his role as a helicopter pilot in an audacious air sea rescue operation in 1979. He was a veteran of the Falklands war and was one of the pilots in the brave operation to defeat the threat from exocet missiles. He captained five ships in all during his career and led the Royal Navy’s mine sweeping operation during the first Gulf War in the early 1990’s. So he is a tough cookie but his latter career at a youth charity means that he also understands the issues that contribute to the causes of crime. Why not come and see what he and the other candidates have to say?
To register to attend and vote at the Conservative open primary at Kingsley Village in Cornwall next Friday, call 01395 233503 or go to www.policeselection.co.uk
I have always supported the proposal for elected Police and Crime Commissioners. They will replace the old Police Authorities which have been largely invisible and have had little impact. Who can name the current Chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority? An election will lead to more powerful commissioners who represent local communities and will be better placed to hold the Chief Constable to account and stop interference Whitehall.
The Conservatives are the only party to open up their candidate selection process to the whole electorate. Anyone who considers themselves a Conservative voter can choose who they think should be their candidate, whether or not they are a party member. If you are on the electoral roll, all you have to do is pre-register to attend the meeting at Kingsley Village next Friday evening to hear what the candidates have to say and then decide who you want.
There will be three candidates to choose from. Two are from Devon but one, Tony Hogg, is from Helston and in the preliminary selection round he gave a very powerful performance and showed that he had done his homework, understood the challenges in great detail and was ready for the task ahead.
Tony Hogg was a Commodore in the Navy and the Commanding Officer at RNAS Culdrose responsible for 3000 personnel and a budget of £80 million. I first met him shortly after being elected in 2010 when he was the Chief Executive of BF Adventure, an excellent charity which turns around the lives of young people who have lost their way or lost their confidence. I was immediately impressed by his commitment and enthusiasm.
One of Tony Hogg’s strengths is that he has a modest manner despite some incredible achievements during his career. He was decorated for his role as a helicopter pilot in an audacious air sea rescue operation in 1979. He was a veteran of the Falklands war and was one of the pilots in the brave operation to defeat the threat from exocet missiles. He captained five ships in all during his career and led the Royal Navy’s mine sweeping operation during the first Gulf War in the early 1990’s. So he is a tough cookie but his latter career at a youth charity means that he also understands the issues that contribute to the causes of crime. Why not come and see what he and the other candidates have to say?
To register to attend and vote at the Conservative open primary at Kingsley Village in Cornwall next Friday, call 01395 233503 or go to www.policeselection.co.uk
Thursday, 21 June 2012
Murdoch Day
Despite some of the dire warnings, the weather just about held up for Murdoch Day in Redruth last Saturday. It was blustery and threatening to rain for most of the day but it was only towards the very end of the day that the heavy showers finally came in.
As well as the excellent procession in the morning involving many local schools, there were other impressive dance acts and bands performing throughout the day. I was particularly impressed by the a cappella singing of “Raising the Ruth”, in the bandstand outside Murdoch House during the afternoon.
It was also an opportunity to catch up with the team at Murdoch House – the former home of William Murdoch, the inventor and engineer who was one of the pioneers of steam power development in Cornwall and also famously invented the first ever gas light using piped gas. It is great to have such an important heritage asset right in the middle of the town and I have used it as a venue for a couple of events over the last year.
Last Saturday, they had a fascinating exhibition of old photographs and newspaper cuttings on show. It was a reminder of how much this town and the surrounding area gave to the rest of the world. Redruth is not just the industrial heart of Cornwall, it is also the home town for a great many of the seven million people around the world whose ancestors left Cornwall in the late 19th century to build the new world. Around a quarter of all the people who left Cornwall during this period came from the Redruth area and they travelled as far afield as Cape Town, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and Wisconsin in the Unites States. Press cuttings from that time underline the human and social cost of this mass migration across the world in search of work with many instances of families separated for the rest of their lives and with wives and young families often left behind.
Cornwall Council will shortly decide where to locate the new Cornwall Records Office. It is an exciting idea which creates the opportunity to build on the resources which already exist in the county and could become a really important attraction for foreign tourists keen to trace their roots. Redruth is already home to the Cornish Studies Library and the Cornwall Migration project which helps people trace their Cornish ancestry. As the centre of the world-wide Cornish Diaspora, Redruth has a very strong claim to be the home of the new archive and there are currently some detailed proposals to perhaps locate it on the site of the old brewery so that we can transform that end of town and start the process of renewal and regeneration.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032
As well as the excellent procession in the morning involving many local schools, there were other impressive dance acts and bands performing throughout the day. I was particularly impressed by the a cappella singing of “Raising the Ruth”, in the bandstand outside Murdoch House during the afternoon.
It was also an opportunity to catch up with the team at Murdoch House – the former home of William Murdoch, the inventor and engineer who was one of the pioneers of steam power development in Cornwall and also famously invented the first ever gas light using piped gas. It is great to have such an important heritage asset right in the middle of the town and I have used it as a venue for a couple of events over the last year.
Last Saturday, they had a fascinating exhibition of old photographs and newspaper cuttings on show. It was a reminder of how much this town and the surrounding area gave to the rest of the world. Redruth is not just the industrial heart of Cornwall, it is also the home town for a great many of the seven million people around the world whose ancestors left Cornwall in the late 19th century to build the new world. Around a quarter of all the people who left Cornwall during this period came from the Redruth area and they travelled as far afield as Cape Town, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and Wisconsin in the Unites States. Press cuttings from that time underline the human and social cost of this mass migration across the world in search of work with many instances of families separated for the rest of their lives and with wives and young families often left behind.
Cornwall Council will shortly decide where to locate the new Cornwall Records Office. It is an exciting idea which creates the opportunity to build on the resources which already exist in the county and could become a really important attraction for foreign tourists keen to trace their roots. Redruth is already home to the Cornish Studies Library and the Cornwall Migration project which helps people trace their Cornish ancestry. As the centre of the world-wide Cornish Diaspora, Redruth has a very strong claim to be the home of the new archive and there are currently some detailed proposals to perhaps locate it on the site of the old brewery so that we can transform that end of town and start the process of renewal and regeneration.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Leveson
Last week the Leveson Inquiry reached its peak with David Cameron, George Osborne, Gordon Brown and John Major all giving evidence. The inquiry has been uncomfortable for both politicians and the press, but I think it is a once in a generation opportunity to give good journalism the fresh start it needs and, hopefully, to reverse the decline in newspaper circulations.
Journalism has a crucial role in democratic society. At its best, it challenges the powerful, tests prevailing assumptions, gives voice to a plurality of competing views and provides a forum for national discussion on topical and important issues. If the public are to hold politicians to account at the ballot box, it is essential that they have access to reliable and accurate information. The role of the press is to give them that information.
But those who own the national press have not always been good custodians of journalism and have often elevated the commercial interests of papers above the interests of society. In some cases, they have provided the public with inaccurate information in order to promote their own agenda. Meanwhile, politicians from all parties got too close to newspaper proprietors.
When I was David Cameron’s Press Secretary, we pursued a strategy of quietly puncturing the arrogance of both editors and proprietors, and raising the status of what I termed real journalism. We wanted to take some of the swagger out of the press. We would spend less time having editors over for dinner but instead deal with journalists writing the stories and there would be fewer exclusive briefings to favoured papers. We were not going to pick a fight with the press, but we hoped that by behaving differently we could gradually change the culture in a way that would be healthier for all. But when a political party is subjected to a negative media frenzy, it is hard to ignore.
There is not much wrong with the Editors' Code which was used by the former Press Complaints Commission, the problem is that it was not really observed properly by some of the national newspapers. The phone hacking scandal and the widespread use of an illegal market in personal information happened because the definition of what is in the “public interest” has been too elastic and all too often has meant what the papers wanted it to mean, rather than being independently enforced.
I think that local and regional papers, like the Western Morning News, have done better and approached the Editors' Code conscientiously. They take complaints seriously, are much closer to their communities and tend to steer clear of gratuitous personal attacks. While they have clear views on issues, they tend to be more careful about taking sides politically because they need to appeal to the whole community. In contrast, I think that some national newspapers have regarded themselves as being above the Press Complaints Commission which has landed them in this mess.
If journalism is to operate in the public interest, it needs a credible public interest test. This will not only protect society but also journalists by giving them a valid defence in law for crossing boundaries to expose genuine wrongdoing or corruption. While I am sceptical about having a statutory regulator of press content, there is a powerful argument for some statutory underpinning to make self regulation actually work this time. For example, an auditor given powers to ensure that newspapers followed basic internal compliance procedures before invading someone’s privacy would be a step forward. But it is a difficult balance to get right and Lord Leveson has his work cut out.
Journalism has a crucial role in democratic society. At its best, it challenges the powerful, tests prevailing assumptions, gives voice to a plurality of competing views and provides a forum for national discussion on topical and important issues. If the public are to hold politicians to account at the ballot box, it is essential that they have access to reliable and accurate information. The role of the press is to give them that information.
But those who own the national press have not always been good custodians of journalism and have often elevated the commercial interests of papers above the interests of society. In some cases, they have provided the public with inaccurate information in order to promote their own agenda. Meanwhile, politicians from all parties got too close to newspaper proprietors.
When I was David Cameron’s Press Secretary, we pursued a strategy of quietly puncturing the arrogance of both editors and proprietors, and raising the status of what I termed real journalism. We wanted to take some of the swagger out of the press. We would spend less time having editors over for dinner but instead deal with journalists writing the stories and there would be fewer exclusive briefings to favoured papers. We were not going to pick a fight with the press, but we hoped that by behaving differently we could gradually change the culture in a way that would be healthier for all. But when a political party is subjected to a negative media frenzy, it is hard to ignore.
There is not much wrong with the Editors' Code which was used by the former Press Complaints Commission, the problem is that it was not really observed properly by some of the national newspapers. The phone hacking scandal and the widespread use of an illegal market in personal information happened because the definition of what is in the “public interest” has been too elastic and all too often has meant what the papers wanted it to mean, rather than being independently enforced.
I think that local and regional papers, like the Western Morning News, have done better and approached the Editors' Code conscientiously. They take complaints seriously, are much closer to their communities and tend to steer clear of gratuitous personal attacks. While they have clear views on issues, they tend to be more careful about taking sides politically because they need to appeal to the whole community. In contrast, I think that some national newspapers have regarded themselves as being above the Press Complaints Commission which has landed them in this mess.
If journalism is to operate in the public interest, it needs a credible public interest test. This will not only protect society but also journalists by giving them a valid defence in law for crossing boundaries to expose genuine wrongdoing or corruption. While I am sceptical about having a statutory regulator of press content, there is a powerful argument for some statutory underpinning to make self regulation actually work this time. For example, an auditor given powers to ensure that newspapers followed basic internal compliance procedures before invading someone’s privacy would be a step forward. But it is a difficult balance to get right and Lord Leveson has his work cut out.
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Dangerous Dogs
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee of which I am a member recently launched an inquiry into the welfare of dogs. I have been arguing for this for some time. Two years ago I visited the National Animal Welfare Trust just outside Hayle and was shocked to hear about the problem of Staffordshire Bull Terriers being abandoned. I have also been struck by the excellent work done by the Cinnamon Trust, a national charity also based here at Hayle, which organises an army of volunteers to help exercise dogs whose owners are no longer able to and to re-home dogs whose owners have passed away.
There has been an appalling trend in recent years towards people breeding aggressive dogs to become so called “status dogs” which some young men now take with them, frankly, as an alternative to carrying a knife. In many cases, they lack the commitment to care for their dog or find that they cannot cope once the dog matures. As a result, dog kennels have been inundated with abandoned dogs which have often been reared to be aggressive and which, sadly, are usually unsuitable to be re-homed with families. All too often they have to be put down which is a shameful indictment on our society.
In the last year, there has been an increasing trend towards larger breeds, such as mastiffs, also being abandoned because their owners cannot handle them. And there have been a growing number of instances of gentle natured Labrador guide dogs being attacked by aggressive dogs on the street, prompting calls for a change in legislation.
I think we need to look again at the law in this area. The Dangerous Dogs Act was brought in over 20 years ago and sought to ban certain violent breeds of dog but it was always arbitrary and is increasingly out of date. During a recent visit to Battersea Dogs Home I was told the harrowing story of a young (and friendly) Pitbull Terrier which had been neglected and almost starved to death but had been rescued just in time. However, because of its breed, it would have to be put down anyway.
It’s not the dogs we need to target but their owners. I think we should require licensing for the breeding of certain types of dog which are intended to become guard dogs so that you have reputable breeders, not back street puppy farms. I would also be open to the idea of some basic vetting before people are allowed to own a dog to ensure they will provide a loving home. The RSPCA would not re-home a rescue dog without first assessing where it was going, so why do we allow unsuitable people to buy a puppy?
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
There has been an appalling trend in recent years towards people breeding aggressive dogs to become so called “status dogs” which some young men now take with them, frankly, as an alternative to carrying a knife. In many cases, they lack the commitment to care for their dog or find that they cannot cope once the dog matures. As a result, dog kennels have been inundated with abandoned dogs which have often been reared to be aggressive and which, sadly, are usually unsuitable to be re-homed with families. All too often they have to be put down which is a shameful indictment on our society.
In the last year, there has been an increasing trend towards larger breeds, such as mastiffs, also being abandoned because their owners cannot handle them. And there have been a growing number of instances of gentle natured Labrador guide dogs being attacked by aggressive dogs on the street, prompting calls for a change in legislation.
I think we need to look again at the law in this area. The Dangerous Dogs Act was brought in over 20 years ago and sought to ban certain violent breeds of dog but it was always arbitrary and is increasingly out of date. During a recent visit to Battersea Dogs Home I was told the harrowing story of a young (and friendly) Pitbull Terrier which had been neglected and almost starved to death but had been rescued just in time. However, because of its breed, it would have to be put down anyway.
It’s not the dogs we need to target but their owners. I think we should require licensing for the breeding of certain types of dog which are intended to become guard dogs so that you have reputable breeders, not back street puppy farms. I would also be open to the idea of some basic vetting before people are allowed to own a dog to ensure they will provide a loving home. The RSPCA would not re-home a rescue dog without first assessing where it was going, so why do we allow unsuitable people to buy a puppy?
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Monday, 11 June 2012
Jubilee Celebrations
Last weekend’s celebrations to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee demonstrated the affection felt for the Royal Family throughout the country. Travelling around, it has been great to see so many union jack flags on display and so many local communities pulling together to hold a jubilee party.
I can just about remember the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977, or at least remember being given a commemorative mug as a gift. Sixty years makes the Queen one of the longest reigning monarchs ever and she has seen an era of extraordinary change both for our country and the world during that time. She has had no less than twelve different British Prime Ministers leading government’s under her reign, each coming in with big ideas to sort everything out. And she has so far seen eleven of them come unstuck for one reason or another.
But I think that is what is so special and unique about the British constitution. We separate our politics from the Royal Family. Politicians come and go. They take the decisions that they think and believe are right for the country at the time but when things go wrong they are thrown out. But, all the while, the monarchy provides consistency and continuity for the country and none more so than our current Queen. The monarch as head of state symbolises Britain’s staying power and its ability to unite in common endeavour.
Whatever political views people might have, they can still come together to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee. Our politics can be fought out on the issues of the day between rival political parties, but the Queen symbolises our country’s ability to unite. When the Queen delivers her speech to parliament at the start of each parliamentary session, it is the convention that the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition walk side by side from the House of Commons to the House of Lords making friendly conversation along the way and every MP must sign an oath of allegiance to the Queen on taking their seat in parliament.
The British constitution has, famously, evolved over many centuries in a rather unusual way. Cornwall’s special position in the United Kingdom as a Duchy is expressed through the Crown. When many other countries were throwing out their monarchies and introducing new, political presidents, Britain found a better way. The power of the Crown was not destroyed but was effectively loaned to democratically elected governments which meant we retained the best of both worlds. It means that no government can sign a treaty or take a decision which binds its successor and that is what guarantees Britain’s absolute independence as a nation. But it also means that ultimate power rests in a Head of State around whom everyone can unite.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
I can just about remember the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977, or at least remember being given a commemorative mug as a gift. Sixty years makes the Queen one of the longest reigning monarchs ever and she has seen an era of extraordinary change both for our country and the world during that time. She has had no less than twelve different British Prime Ministers leading government’s under her reign, each coming in with big ideas to sort everything out. And she has so far seen eleven of them come unstuck for one reason or another.
But I think that is what is so special and unique about the British constitution. We separate our politics from the Royal Family. Politicians come and go. They take the decisions that they think and believe are right for the country at the time but when things go wrong they are thrown out. But, all the while, the monarchy provides consistency and continuity for the country and none more so than our current Queen. The monarch as head of state symbolises Britain’s staying power and its ability to unite in common endeavour.
Whatever political views people might have, they can still come together to celebrate the Queen’s jubilee. Our politics can be fought out on the issues of the day between rival political parties, but the Queen symbolises our country’s ability to unite. When the Queen delivers her speech to parliament at the start of each parliamentary session, it is the convention that the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition walk side by side from the House of Commons to the House of Lords making friendly conversation along the way and every MP must sign an oath of allegiance to the Queen on taking their seat in parliament.
The British constitution has, famously, evolved over many centuries in a rather unusual way. Cornwall’s special position in the United Kingdom as a Duchy is expressed through the Crown. When many other countries were throwing out their monarchies and introducing new, political presidents, Britain found a better way. The power of the Crown was not destroyed but was effectively loaned to democratically elected governments which meant we retained the best of both worlds. It means that no government can sign a treaty or take a decision which binds its successor and that is what guarantees Britain’s absolute independence as a nation. But it also means that ultimate power rests in a Head of State around whom everyone can unite.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Pasties...
My main focus over the last two months has been working with George Osborne and others in the Treasury to find a solution to the problem of the “pasty tax”. The Cornish pasty has been an incredible success story over the last decade with a huge growth in demand across the country. I wanted to ensure that this success was not compromised.
In his budget in March, the Chancellor announced that we was seeking to close something called “borderline anomalies” to ensure that all hot takeaway food attracted VAT in future. The real target was the supermarkets who have exploited loop holes in the law to sell rotisserie chickens without charging VAT while the local cafe would. The initial proposal was that any food sold above ambient temperature would attract VAT but the Cornish pasty is unique in that it can be eaten hot or cold and is actually best eaten when lukewarm rather than hot. There was a big campaign locally.
As with all such issues, the easy bit is to point at the problem and complain, but the most important thing is to roll up your sleeves and do the serious thinking that might identify a workable solution. I met all of the major pasty producers in Camborne and Redruth to discuss the approach they took and I also studied all of the detailed case law dating back to 1988 to see how the courts had interpreted disputes in the past. My recommendation to the Treasury was that they should apply a simple principle: provided pasties were not kept warm in cabinets after being cooked and were simply freshly baked and being allowed to cool naturally, they should not attract VAT. That would deal with the problem of the supermarkets exploiting a loop hole to sell hot chickens without VAT but allow the Cornish pasty to escape and it would be easier for the HMRC to enforce than the original proposal.
In my discussions with the Treasury, the idea of introducing the further condition of an exemption for hot food that had not been cooked to order emerged. This works well for the Cornish pasty because it takes the best part of an hour to cook a pasty so no one would ever have one cooked to order. It was a neat compromise and I am delighted that the Treasury have finally given this idea the green light.
George Osborne has faced criticism over the last couple of months but I think it is to his credit that he listens to what people have to say and is not afraid of adjusting proposals when mistakes have been made. It makes a refreshing change from the old fashioned politics of ploughing on regardless which we endured under Gordon Brown.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
In his budget in March, the Chancellor announced that we was seeking to close something called “borderline anomalies” to ensure that all hot takeaway food attracted VAT in future. The real target was the supermarkets who have exploited loop holes in the law to sell rotisserie chickens without charging VAT while the local cafe would. The initial proposal was that any food sold above ambient temperature would attract VAT but the Cornish pasty is unique in that it can be eaten hot or cold and is actually best eaten when lukewarm rather than hot. There was a big campaign locally.
As with all such issues, the easy bit is to point at the problem and complain, but the most important thing is to roll up your sleeves and do the serious thinking that might identify a workable solution. I met all of the major pasty producers in Camborne and Redruth to discuss the approach they took and I also studied all of the detailed case law dating back to 1988 to see how the courts had interpreted disputes in the past. My recommendation to the Treasury was that they should apply a simple principle: provided pasties were not kept warm in cabinets after being cooked and were simply freshly baked and being allowed to cool naturally, they should not attract VAT. That would deal with the problem of the supermarkets exploiting a loop hole to sell hot chickens without VAT but allow the Cornish pasty to escape and it would be easier for the HMRC to enforce than the original proposal.
In my discussions with the Treasury, the idea of introducing the further condition of an exemption for hot food that had not been cooked to order emerged. This works well for the Cornish pasty because it takes the best part of an hour to cook a pasty so no one would ever have one cooked to order. It was a neat compromise and I am delighted that the Treasury have finally given this idea the green light.
George Osborne has faced criticism over the last couple of months but I think it is to his credit that he listens to what people have to say and is not afraid of adjusting proposals when mistakes have been made. It makes a refreshing change from the old fashioned politics of ploughing on regardless which we endured under Gordon Brown.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Thursday, 24 May 2012
Olympic Torch comes to Heartlands
The fact that the Olympic Torch relay started in Cornwall was undoubtedly good for our county and helped put Cornwall on the map. The event was well managed and some of those from the Camborne and Redruth area who carried the torch for part of its journey have commended the good work of the organisers in conversation with me.
I know that the torch could not go everywhere but, without wanting to be churlish, I have to confess that it does still annoy me that officials working for the Olympics could decide to exclude Camborne and Redruth from the route. This is the biggest conurbation in Cornwall and at the heart of Cornwall’s history with links across the globe.
To make matters worse, when the Heartlands project initially tried to help and offered to organise a celebration off their own bat, officious Olympic organisers told them that they could not use the word "Olympic" or "torch" in any promotional material. That really wasn’t on.
The thing that grates most with me is the impression that Camborne and Redruth might have been passed over because they were not considered flash enough and that the organisers just wanted picture postcard scenes with beaches and the sea in the background instead. Such a narrow mentality fundamentally misunderstands Cornwall. The thing about Camborne and Redruth is that they are, and have always been, the one bit of Cornwall that can hold its own against any other major urban centre in Britain. This is where you find the companies that make things and the people who get things done. We don’t have second home owners in their yachts and yellow wellies around here but Camborne and Redruth are the towns that stop Cornwall being just another holiday destination. They make Cornwall a serious contender on the national stage and they should be valued for that.
You can't keep a good town down and I would argue that the best Olympic celebration in Cornwall actually took place at Heartlands anyway. The place was packed with children paddling in the red river and in the play area and with thousands visiting the site to take part. The Diaspora play by a local drama group went down particularly well. We showed them how it should be done.
But the star of the day was local girl Amy James, who I had the privilege of meeting at Heartlands. She had carried the torch for a leg of the relay in Rosudgeon. When she had finished she promptly told the organisers she was going straight back to her home towns with her torch because they had been left off the official route and she wanted them to share in the day. Good on her! So Camborne and Redruth got the torch after all.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
I know that the torch could not go everywhere but, without wanting to be churlish, I have to confess that it does still annoy me that officials working for the Olympics could decide to exclude Camborne and Redruth from the route. This is the biggest conurbation in Cornwall and at the heart of Cornwall’s history with links across the globe.
To make matters worse, when the Heartlands project initially tried to help and offered to organise a celebration off their own bat, officious Olympic organisers told them that they could not use the word "Olympic" or "torch" in any promotional material. That really wasn’t on.
The thing that grates most with me is the impression that Camborne and Redruth might have been passed over because they were not considered flash enough and that the organisers just wanted picture postcard scenes with beaches and the sea in the background instead. Such a narrow mentality fundamentally misunderstands Cornwall. The thing about Camborne and Redruth is that they are, and have always been, the one bit of Cornwall that can hold its own against any other major urban centre in Britain. This is where you find the companies that make things and the people who get things done. We don’t have second home owners in their yachts and yellow wellies around here but Camborne and Redruth are the towns that stop Cornwall being just another holiday destination. They make Cornwall a serious contender on the national stage and they should be valued for that.
You can't keep a good town down and I would argue that the best Olympic celebration in Cornwall actually took place at Heartlands anyway. The place was packed with children paddling in the red river and in the play area and with thousands visiting the site to take part. The Diaspora play by a local drama group went down particularly well. We showed them how it should be done.
But the star of the day was local girl Amy James, who I had the privilege of meeting at Heartlands. She had carried the torch for a leg of the relay in Rosudgeon. When she had finished she promptly told the organisers she was going straight back to her home towns with her torch because they had been left off the official route and she wanted them to share in the day. Good on her! So Camborne and Redruth got the torch after all.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
A lot done, a lot more to do...
National headlines about the crisis in the eurozone paint a gloomy picture about the prospects for the economy but, locally, while things are undoubtedly hard, we are putting in place the building blocks for the future.
As you drive through our towns, you see a lot of important work underway. The regeneration of Hayle harbour is progressing well and will transform the town’s prospects over the next two years. The old Holmans site around the train station in Camborne has finally been rebuilt after years of dereliction but many of the original features and buildings have been retained. The first phase of regenerating the other Holmans site opposite Tesco is also complete. Last month the Heartlands project opened in Pool and Cornwall College are about to start the next phase of the face lift for their campus having already transformed the look of the new Tamar tower.
Last week the regeneration of the Tuckingmill and South Crofty areas of Camborne also came a step closer as Camborne Town Council finally removed their objection to the new East-West road link. I think this project has an important role to play in creating new industry and jobs in our area and, for the first eighteen months after I was elected, securing government funding for the project was my number one priority.
The junction at the top of East Hill actually became more difficult to navigate after they introduced the new dual carriageway to join the A30. There is a reason for this. The new road layout will only work properly once the scheme is complete. The East-West link road will offer a faster route to get to the A30 from Pengegon and Troon, reducing congestion in both the town and at East Hill junction.
I have always argued that, when it comes to new housing developments, we should build on brownfield sites before greenfield sites. The new road will provide the infrastructure that makes it possible to build new housing at the proposed Tuckingmill Urban Village. It will also mean that derelict land which was previously not viable to re-develop suddenly becomes attractive on which to build new industrial units. And it has allowed a land swap deal to go ahead so that South Crofty can build a modern, state-of-the-art mine at the bottom of the valley which could create up to 400 jobs over the next few years.
While a lot has been done, there remains much to do. In particular, my main focus is to try to get things moving on some of the derelict sites in Redruth, including the old brewery site, Avers roundabout and the bottom of Penryn Street. In all three cases, there must be a way forward if everyone turned their minds to it.
George Eustice can be contacted on george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or at 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
As you drive through our towns, you see a lot of important work underway. The regeneration of Hayle harbour is progressing well and will transform the town’s prospects over the next two years. The old Holmans site around the train station in Camborne has finally been rebuilt after years of dereliction but many of the original features and buildings have been retained. The first phase of regenerating the other Holmans site opposite Tesco is also complete. Last month the Heartlands project opened in Pool and Cornwall College are about to start the next phase of the face lift for their campus having already transformed the look of the new Tamar tower.
Last week the regeneration of the Tuckingmill and South Crofty areas of Camborne also came a step closer as Camborne Town Council finally removed their objection to the new East-West road link. I think this project has an important role to play in creating new industry and jobs in our area and, for the first eighteen months after I was elected, securing government funding for the project was my number one priority.
The junction at the top of East Hill actually became more difficult to navigate after they introduced the new dual carriageway to join the A30. There is a reason for this. The new road layout will only work properly once the scheme is complete. The East-West link road will offer a faster route to get to the A30 from Pengegon and Troon, reducing congestion in both the town and at East Hill junction.
I have always argued that, when it comes to new housing developments, we should build on brownfield sites before greenfield sites. The new road will provide the infrastructure that makes it possible to build new housing at the proposed Tuckingmill Urban Village. It will also mean that derelict land which was previously not viable to re-develop suddenly becomes attractive on which to build new industrial units. And it has allowed a land swap deal to go ahead so that South Crofty can build a modern, state-of-the-art mine at the bottom of the valley which could create up to 400 jobs over the next few years.
While a lot has been done, there remains much to do. In particular, my main focus is to try to get things moving on some of the derelict sites in Redruth, including the old brewery site, Avers roundabout and the bottom of Penryn Street. In all three cases, there must be a way forward if everyone turned their minds to it.
George Eustice can be contacted on george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or at 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
The Queen's Speech
Parliament has just begun what those in Westminster term a “new session” following the Queen’s Speech yesterday which set out the main legislative priorities for the government over next eighteen months or so. Top of the government’s priorities will be proposals aimed at getting the economy moving again and spur growth by making it easier for people to set up their own business and easier for existing businesses to expand.
But the run up to this year’s Queen’s Speech was dominated by speculation about whether or not there would be a Bill to reform of the House of Lords. It is an issue that is way down the list of priorities for most people across the country. One recent poll of 1000 people showed that the number of people wanting Lords reform was a big fat 0!
I think we need to tread with care when meddling with our constitution. There is actually more to democracy than just politicians and elections. For instance, you need an independent judiciary, an independent police force and the rule of law. When it comes to the House of Lords, it is not there to create policy but just to amend and scrutinise the policy of an elected government in the House of Commons. I think the relationship between the two houses should be a bit like that between a father and son. The House of Lords should be different to the House of Commons with people who have a life time’s experience in their field and who have some wisdom to offer. At a time when most people enter parliament in their 20s or 30’s, we should nurture a place for experience within our constitution.
But if you had an elected House of Lords, you would lose that. The twenty something politicians who failed to get elected as MPs would stand for the House of Lords instead. The election would be decided on a PR system like we have in the European Parliament where political party managers decide who is at the top of their list. Worst of all, the system proposed would not even allow Lords to be thrown out if they failed. They want you to vote them in for a fixed term of 15 years but deny you the chance to vote them out if they failed. What is the point of an election if you can’t even fire them?
The House of Lords is not perfect and I would support some changes. You could reduce its size, limit the duration of their tenure and broaden the nomination criteria with roles reserved for former chiefs of the armed forces, leading surgeons, retired head teachers and senior charity workers. But let’s not reduce it to a joke like the European Parliament.
George Eustice can be contacted on george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or at 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Trevithick Day
We were lucky with the weather at Trevithick Day this year. Despite the forecast and the fact that it appeared to be threatening to rain for most of the afternoon, everyone stayed dry and all the parades went well. I made Richard Trevithick the central theme of my maiden speech to parliament. His achievements were extraordinary and a reminder of what Camborne contributed to the development of modern engineering. The replica of the Puffing Devil is always the star of the show and this year was no exception.
It is worth remembering that events like Trevithick Day are only made possible because of the work of dedicated volunteers from groups like the Trevithick Society. Also helping at Trevithick Day were fifteen members of the Camborne branch of the Police Cadets. I met Ben Davies, one of the cadets, during a visit to Camborne Police station on Friday for a briefing on some of the excellent work that volunteers are doing to support the work of our police locally.
I have been really encouraged to see the renewal and growth of branches of the Police Cadets. The Camborne branch now has some 28 members and has been going from strength to strength in recent years. I have always felt that, if we want to bring policing closer to the community, we should start with the next generation. Wouldn’t it be good if young people left school feeling an affinity towards their local police force because they had actually been involved?
Neighbourhood Watch schemes were established some thirty years ago to ensure a much stronger involvement from local communities in tackling crime but, today, the work of volunteers goes well beyond the activities that people traditionally associate with Neighbourhood Watch schemes. I met three volunteer drivers, John, Ben and John, who give up their own time in retirement to help drive police officers around for meetings and appearances at court. They drive unmarked police cars and their work enables the police to make far more effective use of a smaller fleet of cars. Rather than having one car parked all day and unused, the network of volunteers work on shifts to ferry the police between meetings and court appearances to maximise the use of the unmarked vehicles based in Cornwall.
Then there is the work of the local Neighbourhood Watch coordinators and I met Adam, Pam and June who are all longstanding volunteers who take a lead in bringing together local groups and organising meetings where people can share local concerns. The introduction of community police officers has strengthened ties between local communities and has also enabled Neighbourhood Watch groups to expand and become stronger. Many of those who help have retired but feel they have more to contribute to society.
Why not volunteer to support your local police? To find out more contact Sergeant Steve Parr on 01209 611379 or email steven.parr@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Heartlands
Last Friday I attended the launch of Heartlands at Pool. The weather was a little unsettled for the parade, which was supported by over 800 young people from local schools, but nothing could dampen spirits among those present. This is an extraordinary success story which is a tribute to the perseverance of all those involved over the last ten years.
The contribution that this part of Cornwall made to mining around the world is second to none and is celebrated at Heartlands. There is something for everyone, ranging from the best adventure playground I have ever seen, which was partly designed by students at Pool School, to the Diaspora Botanical Gardens which have a number of themed gardens with plants from around the world to signify the journey that Cornish miners took in the late 19th century to areas as diverse as the United States, South America, New Zealand and South Africa. Then there is a 270 degree film projection which tells the story of Cornish mining and many other attractions, including a modern depiction of the Red River.
But this site is not just a tourist attraction. There is also workspace for small businesses and a plan for a regular farmers’ market. There are also some amazing conferencing facilities and a mixture of housing for local people. Those behind this project always wanted it to be something first and foremost for the local community but which would also become an attraction for those outside our towns and, judging by the local support they enjoyed on Friday and the weekend, they have got the balance just right.
In the speeches on the opening evening, the one thing that stood out was that this project was very much a joint effort and lots of people played a role along the way. Many of the current trustees have been involved from the very start. Malcolm Moyle has been there from the very conception of the idea to its launch and his work is still not done! So he deserves a special mention. Then there was consistent support from Cornwall councillors such as Carolyn Rule and others from the former Kerrier District Council who got the ball rolling. Local schools were also fully engaged and students from Pool School contributed to the design of the adventure play area. Scott James, the project manager from Cornwall Council was also involved from an early stage and took responsibility for delivering the project with the support of what was clearly a very able team.
This project received significant public funding, especially from the National Lottery Heritage Fund but I think it will have enormous value to the local community and is a major confidence boost to the area which I very much hope will spread.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Defending the rights of those who take risks
Those who put their own money on the line to set up a business are the lifeblood of a free market economy and when they give a bank security over their assets, they have a special right to be treated honourably. But most entrepreneurs need to discover how to lose money before they learn how to make money.
Sometimes, the failure of a business will be terminal and liquidation can be the right option. But, very often, a business that hits hard times can emerge from the other side of its troubles stronger than ever. But the value of experiencing failure can only be realised if the business is given the chance to survive. So this week, I published a policy paper that set out proposals to rebalance the law in favour of small businesses.
America has always had a better attitude towards failure than Britain. There, companies can file with a federal bankruptcy court for protection under what is termed “Chapter 11” where the focus is on trying to save the business. The UK law on bankruptcy was reformed in 2002 to borrow some aspects from the US system. Under the new form of “administration”, there is some protection from the court and the emphasis is on trying to hold a company together until it can be restructured or sold as a going concern.
But there remains one giant hole in the UK system: it doesn’t cover smaller businesses. Receivers appointed to small businesses under the Law of Property Act (LPA Receivers) are totally unregulated and, in many ways, behave like the discredited, old style receivers that the government thought it had abolished ten years ago. The banks hold all the cards and frequently exploit their bargaining position to bully their small business customers into accepting higher interest charges or less favourable terms.
The original Law of Property Act 1925 envisaged that receivers would simply receive income from the assets over which they were appointed. It also said that their fees should be limited to 5 percent of the income they received. However, clever lawyers working for banks have constantly undermined the original intention of the law. They use their “standard terms and conditions” to give receivers general powers of sale and to rack up unacceptable charges. They have seized new rights for themselves through their standard terms and conditions and it is totally unacceptable.
To make matters worse, many of the high street banks pay “permanent retainers” to the most able law firms which prevent the best lawyers from acting against the banks. It’s all a bit of a stitch up and I think it’s time to place limits on the powers of the banks and their receivers and to stand up for smaller businesses.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Sometimes, the failure of a business will be terminal and liquidation can be the right option. But, very often, a business that hits hard times can emerge from the other side of its troubles stronger than ever. But the value of experiencing failure can only be realised if the business is given the chance to survive. So this week, I published a policy paper that set out proposals to rebalance the law in favour of small businesses.
America has always had a better attitude towards failure than Britain. There, companies can file with a federal bankruptcy court for protection under what is termed “Chapter 11” where the focus is on trying to save the business. The UK law on bankruptcy was reformed in 2002 to borrow some aspects from the US system. Under the new form of “administration”, there is some protection from the court and the emphasis is on trying to hold a company together until it can be restructured or sold as a going concern.
But there remains one giant hole in the UK system: it doesn’t cover smaller businesses. Receivers appointed to small businesses under the Law of Property Act (LPA Receivers) are totally unregulated and, in many ways, behave like the discredited, old style receivers that the government thought it had abolished ten years ago. The banks hold all the cards and frequently exploit their bargaining position to bully their small business customers into accepting higher interest charges or less favourable terms.
The original Law of Property Act 1925 envisaged that receivers would simply receive income from the assets over which they were appointed. It also said that their fees should be limited to 5 percent of the income they received. However, clever lawyers working for banks have constantly undermined the original intention of the law. They use their “standard terms and conditions” to give receivers general powers of sale and to rack up unacceptable charges. They have seized new rights for themselves through their standard terms and conditions and it is totally unacceptable.
To make matters worse, many of the high street banks pay “permanent retainers” to the most able law firms which prevent the best lawyers from acting against the banks. It’s all a bit of a stitch up and I think it’s time to place limits on the powers of the banks and their receivers and to stand up for smaller businesses.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Hayle set for recovery
My number one priority for this area is economic regeneration. We need to attract new industries to create better paid jobs for the future and we need action to sort out derelict land and get our towns moving again.
There has been some good news regarding Hayle recently. The application to restore the harbour area to its former glory had its share of objectors but has now been given a green light by government. The plans were supported unanimously by Hayle Town Council and also approved by Cornwall Council last autumn but bureaucrats based up at English Heritage attempted to block the scheme for reasons which fell apart under scrutiny.
I came out in support of regenerating Hayle from the start. One of the first things I did as an MP was lobby the government for the £5 million of funding that would enable the development of North Quay and the new bridge to be built. A couple of weeks ago, concrete mixers worked throughout the day to complete the most sensitive phase of the bridge construction and things are really starting to take shape. The new work on North Quay will create light industrial units to support the Wave Hub project along with housing and possibly some retail space.
I also came out over a year ago in support of the ING proposal to restore South Quay. This has been a controversial scheme and there were many supermarkets touting rival bids elsewhere, including one on Hayle Rugby Club. The easy thing for a politician to do with contentious issues is sit on their hands and try not to get involved but the right thing to do is to weigh up all the arguments from all sides and then exercise judgement and help the community reach a final decision.
My view was that, if we are going to have another supermarket in Hayle, then let’s build it right in the centre where it will bring life in to the town rather than drain life away. And let’s also demand that the supermarket pays for the works needed to restore the harbour walls and reintroduce working sluicing gates to help maintain a clear channel out of the harbour without the need for so much dredging. The plans for South Quay will also create other retail space on the quay such as restaurants and coffee shops and the final design was striking but in keeping with the industrial history of the site.
These are exciting times for Hayle. Within two years the town could be transformed and there could be more to come. One idea I have been pushing is the establishment of a new shuttle boat service or possibly even a small hovercraft between St Ives and Hayle so that we can bring more people in to town.
George Eustice can be contacted on george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or at 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
There has been some good news regarding Hayle recently. The application to restore the harbour area to its former glory had its share of objectors but has now been given a green light by government. The plans were supported unanimously by Hayle Town Council and also approved by Cornwall Council last autumn but bureaucrats based up at English Heritage attempted to block the scheme for reasons which fell apart under scrutiny.
I came out in support of regenerating Hayle from the start. One of the first things I did as an MP was lobby the government for the £5 million of funding that would enable the development of North Quay and the new bridge to be built. A couple of weeks ago, concrete mixers worked throughout the day to complete the most sensitive phase of the bridge construction and things are really starting to take shape. The new work on North Quay will create light industrial units to support the Wave Hub project along with housing and possibly some retail space.
I also came out over a year ago in support of the ING proposal to restore South Quay. This has been a controversial scheme and there were many supermarkets touting rival bids elsewhere, including one on Hayle Rugby Club. The easy thing for a politician to do with contentious issues is sit on their hands and try not to get involved but the right thing to do is to weigh up all the arguments from all sides and then exercise judgement and help the community reach a final decision.
My view was that, if we are going to have another supermarket in Hayle, then let’s build it right in the centre where it will bring life in to the town rather than drain life away. And let’s also demand that the supermarket pays for the works needed to restore the harbour walls and reintroduce working sluicing gates to help maintain a clear channel out of the harbour without the need for so much dredging. The plans for South Quay will also create other retail space on the quay such as restaurants and coffee shops and the final design was striking but in keeping with the industrial history of the site.
These are exciting times for Hayle. Within two years the town could be transformed and there could be more to come. One idea I have been pushing is the establishment of a new shuttle boat service or possibly even a small hovercraft between St Ives and Hayle so that we can bring more people in to town.
George Eustice can be contacted on george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or at 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Protecting Pasties
The government has experienced a difficult week to say the least. Media sentiment towards governments is a bit like the weather and can certainly change as quickly. When it rains, it pours and nothing you do goes right.
In Cornwall, the row over VAT on pasties reflects a genuine problem. But it is not enough to just talk about problems, the most important thing is to try to come up with solutions. Once the initial storm dies down, politicians must roll up their sleeves and do the serious thinking required to identify a policy solution to this dilemma and that is why I have spent the last week meeting some of the pasty producers in Camborne and Redruth to try to identify a way forward.
The government was initially trying to close a loop hole being exploited by supermarkets to cook hot, spit roasted chickens but then claim these did not attract VAT. Some cafes and fish and chip outlets complained that if they did a takeaway chicken they would be charged VAT but supermarkets seemed to get away with it. Supermarkets were the intended target of the proposal.
However, the law of unintended consequences means that the Cornish pasty has ended up dragged into the argument and that was a mistake. There is also a difference between the Yorkshire pies and slices sold by companies like Greggs and the Cornish pasty. Greggs pies are sold so hot that they sometimes burn your mouth but Cornish pasties are at their best when they have been allowed to cool and are just gently warmed so that the full flavour comes through. That is how the best bakeries sell them and this needs to be recognised and understood in the VAT system in my view.
The current government proposals contain an exemption for bread. What if we were to simply extend that exemption to cover “bakery products”? That would deal with the supermarkets who have pushed their luck too far with spit roasted chickens but spare the pasty from VAT. We could also bring more clarity to what is meant by “ambient temperature” which is vague. A tweak in that area might allow warm pasties from Cornwall to continue to be sold without VAT.
This part of Cornwall is the home of the Cornish pasty. Its origins date back to the mining industry in the Redruth area and, even today, the best pasties are made here. I want to work with local pasty producers to try to identify a way forward and to develop the strongest possible submission to put to the Treasury during their consultation so that we can get this proposal changed.
George Eustice can be contacted on george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or at 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
In Cornwall, the row over VAT on pasties reflects a genuine problem. But it is not enough to just talk about problems, the most important thing is to try to come up with solutions. Once the initial storm dies down, politicians must roll up their sleeves and do the serious thinking required to identify a policy solution to this dilemma and that is why I have spent the last week meeting some of the pasty producers in Camborne and Redruth to try to identify a way forward.
The government was initially trying to close a loop hole being exploited by supermarkets to cook hot, spit roasted chickens but then claim these did not attract VAT. Some cafes and fish and chip outlets complained that if they did a takeaway chicken they would be charged VAT but supermarkets seemed to get away with it. Supermarkets were the intended target of the proposal.
However, the law of unintended consequences means that the Cornish pasty has ended up dragged into the argument and that was a mistake. There is also a difference between the Yorkshire pies and slices sold by companies like Greggs and the Cornish pasty. Greggs pies are sold so hot that they sometimes burn your mouth but Cornish pasties are at their best when they have been allowed to cool and are just gently warmed so that the full flavour comes through. That is how the best bakeries sell them and this needs to be recognised and understood in the VAT system in my view.
The current government proposals contain an exemption for bread. What if we were to simply extend that exemption to cover “bakery products”? That would deal with the supermarkets who have pushed their luck too far with spit roasted chickens but spare the pasty from VAT. We could also bring more clarity to what is meant by “ambient temperature” which is vague. A tweak in that area might allow warm pasties from Cornwall to continue to be sold without VAT.
This part of Cornwall is the home of the Cornish pasty. Its origins date back to the mining industry in the Redruth area and, even today, the best pasties are made here. I want to work with local pasty producers to try to identify a way forward and to develop the strongest possible submission to put to the Treasury during their consultation so that we can get this proposal changed.
George Eustice can be contacted on george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or at 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall, TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
Friday, 30 March 2012
Budget
Last week’s budget showed the challenge of coalition government. Both parties need to make space for frank discussion without the contents leaking like a sieve. The widespread leaking of budget measures before the day has not been helpful to building trust within the coalition.
But the budget itself had a great deal of good news for Cornwall. The increase in the tax threshold was a huge boost for the local economy lifting everyone earning under £9200 out of tax altogether and slashing the tax take from everyone else. I have always felt that it is ludicrous the way we take tax off people who are working only to return it to them again in benefits with a whole load of strings attached, so this move to simply things and take the lowest earners out of tax altogether was incredibly welcome.
There has been a lot of controversy over the proposed reforms of the VAT regime for hot takeaway food and there is a great deal of concern over the impact this might have on Cornish pasties. It is another of those issues where all MPs in Cornwall, regardless of party, must work together to try to get common sense to prevail and to prevent any damage being done to this vital Cornish industry. There is a consultation underway and we have to ensure that Cornwall’s voice is heard.
The budget also had some good news for local businesses. If we want to get this country out of the hole it is in, we need to support businesses and encourage them to locate in Cornwall and expand their operations here. The reduction in Corporation Tax will attract outside investment and there were also plans to support lending to small businesses. There was also an expansion in support for those businesses which want to export and find new markets overseas which I was especially pleased to see.
Finally, at a more local level, I want to pay tribute to the fantastic work of CPR Regeneration over the last few years. This has been a great success story locally but their project ends this month. The idea was conceived under the last Conservative government in the late 90’s but it has had cross party support ever since. Over the last three years, I have been incredibly impressed by Nigel Tipple and the rest of his team and their achievements. They have really delivered and a lot of important projects are about to come to fruition, such as the Camborne to Redruth new link road. As an MP, you have to get used to wading through treacle to get anything done, but those long suffering individuals who make economic regeneration their passion, have to wade through concrete to make things happen and we should take our hats off to them.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
But the budget itself had a great deal of good news for Cornwall. The increase in the tax threshold was a huge boost for the local economy lifting everyone earning under £9200 out of tax altogether and slashing the tax take from everyone else. I have always felt that it is ludicrous the way we take tax off people who are working only to return it to them again in benefits with a whole load of strings attached, so this move to simply things and take the lowest earners out of tax altogether was incredibly welcome.
There has been a lot of controversy over the proposed reforms of the VAT regime for hot takeaway food and there is a great deal of concern over the impact this might have on Cornish pasties. It is another of those issues where all MPs in Cornwall, regardless of party, must work together to try to get common sense to prevail and to prevent any damage being done to this vital Cornish industry. There is a consultation underway and we have to ensure that Cornwall’s voice is heard.
The budget also had some good news for local businesses. If we want to get this country out of the hole it is in, we need to support businesses and encourage them to locate in Cornwall and expand their operations here. The reduction in Corporation Tax will attract outside investment and there were also plans to support lending to small businesses. There was also an expansion in support for those businesses which want to export and find new markets overseas which I was especially pleased to see.
Finally, at a more local level, I want to pay tribute to the fantastic work of CPR Regeneration over the last few years. This has been a great success story locally but their project ends this month. The idea was conceived under the last Conservative government in the late 90’s but it has had cross party support ever since. Over the last three years, I have been incredibly impressed by Nigel Tipple and the rest of his team and their achievements. They have really delivered and a lot of important projects are about to come to fruition, such as the Camborne to Redruth new link road. As an MP, you have to get used to wading through treacle to get anything done, but those long suffering individuals who make economic regeneration their passion, have to wade through concrete to make things happen and we should take our hats off to them.
George Eustice can be contacted at george.eustice.mp@parliament.uk or 1 Trevenson Street, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8JD or by telephone on 020 72197032.
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