Have your Say!

Gary Streeter M.P. — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:09:00 +0000

Isn't it amazing that the scout movement has survived into the twenty first century, not just survived but is flourishing. I attended a packed meeting at Ivybridge Community Centre on Sunday to witness hundreds (it seemed) of scouts beavers and cubs renewing their promises in front of each other and their families. They entered proudly in neat formation behind their flags and paraded out again in slightly less order at the end.

Promising to do a good deed every day and to remember your duty to our Queen and to God, how old-fashioned is that? But how wonderful and these young people were sincere in their commitments.

The scout movement, started by one man's vision over 100 years ago in radically different days, has updated itself; new uniforms, opening its ranks to include girls, embracing some more modern language and rules, but the values and the traditions remain. Respect, duty, kindness, be prepared, the changeless principles roll on.

These young people will always benefit from the truths they learn whilst collecting their badges and singing around the campfire.

In chatting to some of them afterwards, it was obvious how much they enjoyed their involvement. The movement has a robust, healthy innocence about it. We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to the adults who give up their time - stacks of it in many cases - to lead and mould these fine young lives. I gather that there is in some parts of this area a waiting list of young people who wish to join, but not yet enough adult leaders, an opportunity for some of you who know how to light a fire by rubbing your knees together, or whatever they do.

It is easy to lose heart at the state of the world today, all that selfish, superficial, consumer-led stuff that fills our lives. But we need not. I am a great believer in the ability of the human spirit to adapt and overcome. There is still a yearning for traditional values - traditional because they are timeless and they work. And they can still be outworked in a modern context.

We do not need any more law in this country, or more money spent on welfare. How much more would we all benefit from a renewed emphasis at every level of society on the meaningful values that the scout movement embraces.

I was never a scout. On Sunday I began to wish that I had been.

Gary Streeter M.P. — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:41:00 +0000

Pretty soon the Commons will be grappling with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. This will "modernise" the law on what scientists and doctors will be permitted to do in the controversial world of human reproduction.

I currently intend to vote against three measures in particular - but I thought I ought to consult you on this first!

I am nervous about allowing scientists to fuse animal embryos with human ones, the proposal dubbed a Frankenstein measure by some (probably unhelpfully - this debate deserves serious language.) Such hybrid creations would only be permitted to exist for 14 days, and experimentation on them could be helpful in pushing forward the battle against disease. Even so I do not believe we should tamper with nature in such a flagrant way. There has recently been significant progress in using adult stem cells for this important research and I would prefer to see this developed rather than specifically creating life, whether hybrid or not, just for experimentation.

Similarly, I am uneasy about the concept of saviour siblings. This is where a second child is created in a way that means he or she will have bone marrow or other tissue that can be used to help an older brother or sister. This is would be good for the sick child already alive, but I am concerned about the future impact on the specially manufactured child. Many people already struggle with their own identity. How would it be to know that you were born or crafted in a certain way to save a sibling? Would not that person always wonder - who would I be if I had just developed naturally in the womb?

Finally, I do not like the proposal to do away with any need of naming a father in the process of conception. With the obvious exception of human tragedy, I am against any process that brings a child into the world, already fatherless. I appreciate that many children grow up in that state, but we should not be designing children in this way. Law is both about practical impact and setting out our framework of values. We can hardly bring pressure to bear on parents of turbulent teenagers on the one hand and sanction fatherlessness at birth on the other. There are free votes on these issues, although my faith and instincts steer my conscience in this direction in any event. But I am keen to know what you think.

Gary Streeter M.P. — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:27:00 +0000

In May of this year a battle Royal is set to commence. I refer not to local council elections which will come and go, as usual, without interfering in most people's lives, but to a fight of a much higher order. In May, the Post Office will be announcing which of Devon's post offices will be culled in the next instalment of the government's policy of closing 2,500 around the country. It will be unveiled as a consultation exercise, of course, but do not be fooled. Elsewhere in the country very few branches have escaped closure once initially on the hit list.
The criteria used in this massacre of yet more cherished institutions are: customer numbers, proximity to other branches, financial benefits to Post Office Limited of closure and relative size of the branch. In rural areas, the proximity test will be met if the post office in question is more than 3 miles from the nearest other branch. In suburban areas (and I can think of 3 or 4 branches in Plympton and Plymstock) which may well appear on the kill-list, the distance is one mile.
In many areas it will be the vulnerable who will suffer most, having to relocate elsewhere to draw their pension or buy their stamps or licences. The reason for this closure plan is to save money. This is the same reason why the railway branch lines faced Beeching's axe in the 1960's. How short-sighted. What would we give now to have back all of that local railway infrastructure so that we could have small trains chugging from village to town getting carbon heavy cars off the road and keeping our rural areas alive.
What can be done? When the list is announced it is my intention to support every community that organises itself in a campaign to keep its post office open. If you feel yours is under threat, you may want to be thinking about this now. We cannot do much to challenge geography - although we must make sure that the distances are measured in the way humans, not crows, have to travel - but the amount of business conducted over the counter is a crucial factor we can change. If you want to retain your post office as the hub of your community, please use it as often as you can in the next few weeks. Use it or lose it was never a more worrying maxim.

Gary Streeter M.P. — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:06:00 +0000

Amidst all of the media feeding frenzy about MP’s employing family members last week, I was glad to slip into one of the many receptions and events that take place in the mother of Parliaments every day and meet some real people. It was a celebration of the wonderful work done by heroic people all over the country mentoring others, young and old. We heard from those who had been mentored as well as the people, some of them still teenagers themselves, who had been mentoring others.

I met a fifteen year old girl from Plymstock School who was proud to tell me about the impact on her life that her wise mentor, also present, had made. She produced a computer print out of her behavioural record at school. Three years earlier there was a list as long as your arm of incidents of "disruptive behaviour" and detentions. This had shrivelled to three minor incidents in the current year. This bubbly young lady also told me that as a result of being mentored the relationship with her mother had improved dramatically and that she had lifted her horizons about what she might do with her life.

One meeting a week over a three year period with an experienced woman was all it had taken to bring about this change of heart.

What a powerful testimony of how well placed voluntary effort can make all of the difference to a young life. The state can help organise but does not have the resources to field a team of professional mentors. Besides it is important that the confidante is seen as being on the young person's side.

The mentoring scheme at Plymstock School is organised by Jane Brotherton who told me that they have more pupils suitable for this kind of help than volunteers.

Are you a good listener who has something to offer to the next generation? Can you put all of those excruciating years guiding your own teenagers in the vague direction of normality to good use? If you can help, why not offer your services, or find other avenues for mentoring people whose lives might be changed for ever. Jane would love to hear from you. In the end, most mentors tell me that they are the ones who benefit most. The rewards of seeing a young life blossom just by listening and offering the occasional word of advice are very real.

What do you think about this kind of scheme? Should the government be working harder to introduce this kind of help, or is it up to us as a commuinity to support the youth in this way?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Yours,
Gary

Gary Streeter M.P. — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:29:00 +0000

Of the campaigns I have fought and lost, the Langage power station still rankles. I remain convinced that placing a new gas fired power station right alongside 35,000 people, on the gateway to the moor and rolling beauty of the South Hams was a poor decision by the DTI. Given that they have had to move pylons and dig up half of Devon to install a new pipeline, I feel somewhat vindicated.

However, it is now being built and it is time to accept that it will shortly be part of our daily lives in south west Devon. I was shown around the construction site on Friday. Centrica Plc (British Gas to you and me) are spending 400 million GBP on this ultra-modern complex and currently there are over 500 people working on it - most of them British workers - a number that will rise to a massive 850 this summer. I have never seen so many cranes and tractor type vehicles in my life, with steel and concrete thrusting out of the ground at every turn. It is intended to open the station in late 2008/early 2009. The project is currently running to time and on budget.

Through the constant lobbying of many people, the design has been improved and the foundations lowered so that the impact on all of us locally will be diminished. We will see it from the Deep Lane junction, but probably not from the A38. We won't see it in Plympton until we drive through Langage and I am assured we will not hear or smell it. Time will tell.
It is an impressive feat of engineering. Already the firm are starting to employ the 50 or so people who will run it, several of them local people. I never bought into the idea that we will benefit in our power bills locally, and it seem that we will not. The main benefit will be security of supply.

My primary concern remains the energy park alongside the power station that would attract 2,000 new jobs to the region. This has nothing to do with Centrica, but is owned by Carlton Power Limited. Well, there is a posh sign on the entranceway and some swanky landscaping has been done. But there is not a sign of a building in which these new jobs can be created. Carlton Power - please get a move on. As the economy tightens we need those jobs.

Let me know how you you feel about the projects and what you make of the building work so far. Have you noticed any disruptions to your usual routine? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Yours,
Gary

Gary Streeter M.P. — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 09:57:00 +0000

What do you do when you join a club, are not very happy about its direction or some of its rules, but it is the best club in town and you don't fancy being out there on your own? Isn't that precisely where we are with the European Union? (Now that I have mentioned the E word, 70% of you have stopped reading while a trenchant minority have started swivelling your eyes.)
We are between a rock and a hard place. We joined the Common Market 35 years ago and really only wanted the trade advantages, not full blown integration. Most of us have never really agreed with the focus on ever closer union or some of the institution's barking mad rules. But other members of the club have successfully pushed an integrationist agenda which has taken us to a degree of shared decision making that would have horrified the British people in 1975. Of course, our membership of the club has brought many benefits; mainly economic, but also travel freedoms, opportunities as well as underpinning peace and stability in western Europe. So we like being in the club, (apart from a determined handful) even though the committee keeps making decisions that frustrate us!

Starting shortly, the House of Commons will be debating the new Treaty for 20 days. As we cannot amend the treaty, but only accept or reject it, the logic behind allocating so much time to debate it is beyond me, but others have so decided. There is only one vote during this long process that really matters and that is whether or not the people of this country get a say on ratifying this treaty.

I am not the world's greatest believer in referendums, but I do feel strongly that we should have one on this treaty. Every political party promised that the European Constitution would go to the people for formal approval in the run up to the last election. That Constitutional Treaty was stopped dead in its tracks by a vote of the French people, but most commentators privately agree that the revised treaty is substantially the same text as the one that was thrown out.
As this treaty does give more power to European institutions it would seem a good time to test British public opinion. So watch out for a close vote coming up soon in both the Commons and the Lords. It could give you the final say.

Any thoughts?
Gary

Gary Streeter M.P. — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 09:47:00 +0000

I hope you all had a very good Christmas and New Year break and feel refreshed and ready for all that 2008 will throw at us. No predictions, except this: I know that I will make many mistakes this year. How? Because the only way to avoid making mistakes is to avoid making decisions.
One of the first issues on which the wisdom of Solomon is required is MP's pay. Not a great topic for the New Year you may think, but as the story of "snouts in trough politicians" is already running I thought I'd grasp the nettle.
First of all, I think it plain wrong that we should have a vote on our own pay and this must stop. Some years ago our pay was linked to a certain grade in the civil service, but one year the automatic upgrade suggested such a large uplift that the government felt inclined to oppose it. So the link was broken, big mistake.
Now we have an independent body that makes recommendations every three years or so. It always seems to recommend hefty increases which the government of the day tries to oppose, so it still comes back to the House to decide.
We need a major exercise, with full consultation, to decide where your elected representatives should rank in the public sector pecking order. There are few comparable jobs, so this has a measure of creativity about it. In my opinion, not many would complain if we were grouped in the same pool as secondary school head-teachers, General Practitioners and senior local government executives. After all, we are the only law-makers in the country and carry a measure of responsibility. So why not decide where we fit into the hierarchy and then peg us there with inflation only increases thereafter. That way we don't get to vote on our own pay.
The trouble with my analysis is that secondary heads get paid about 90,000 GBP these days, GPs over 100,000 GBP and top local government people well over 100,000 GBP. MPs get 60,000 GBP - still a lot of money for most people - but imagine the outcry if we suddenly jumped to the level of my suggested comparators. It can't be done.
So we are stuck with a system that involves the indignity of us voting on our own pay. There has to be a better way than this. Anybody out there got any wisdom? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Yours,
Gary

Welfare

Gary Streeter M.P. — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:47:00 +0000

2.7 million people in the UK are too ill too work and get incapacity benefit. Many of them are genuine and deserve our support, some of them are taking us for a ride and decisive action to solve this problem is long overdue. The current cost of over £7 billion could be better spent on sending our armed forces into battle properly resourced or pay for more doctors. I may be getting grumpier as I get older, but I have had enough.

Trouble is how do you decide who is genuinely in need and who is not? We know that there are irresponsible people out there or there would be no crime. And what sort of illnesses should we accept – for example the 2,000 people too fat to work who cost us £4.7 million per year, is that OK? Many illnesses like depression and dizziness, real in themselves, are nonetheless very hard to assess objectively.

The number of people claiming incapacity benefit has trebled since 1979. Does that ring true, at a time when healthcare has got better? People over retirement age are not entitled to it, so the figures only relate to people of working age and the alarming rise cannot be explained by the fact that we are living longer. It may have something to do with the fact that you are paid less on job seeker’s allowance and are increasingly pressured to find work. If more Brits found work, we would need fewer economic migrants to take up the slack.

I see plenty of people in my surgeries and try and exercise my own judgement about the voracity of the claim, but how can I judge a medical condition? What I try and weigh up is whether someone is trying their absolute hardest. I no longer have much time for those whose attitude is: the state owes me a living.

Our individual responsibility is to stand on our own two feet if we can. The state’s job is to support those who genuinely cannot.

What we need is a far better system for telling the difference. The current assessment is shallow and arbitrary. As the storm clouds gather over public spending in the next few years, I believe that the vast majority of tax payers do require action on this. Once again I stress – genuine claimants: we are sorry for what you suffer and are happy to support you.

What do you think?

Yours,
Gary

Healthy competition

Gary Streeter M.P. — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:45:00 +0000

How many people do you think Tesco employ at Lee Mill? 100? 300? Wrong – over 700, making them one of the largest local employers in just this one store. Years ago, I sat next to their then Chief Executive at a dinner and asked him to explain the secret of their astonishing rise to dominance from humble beginnings. His answer has lived with me: simple, we asked our customers what they wanted and then we gave it to them.

They, and others, are successful because they offer shoppers what they want, and we flock there in droves. But it does not come without a price. What about the impact on nearby town centres whose shops struggle to compete? Competition is a good thing of course; it keeps us all on our toes. But unfair competition, abuse of market dominance, is unhealthy and illegal. The Office of Fair Trading has recently investigated alleged anti-competitive practices by the big supermarkets. Their market dominance gives these multiples huge leverage over suppliers, which is why prices paid to farmers for many agricultural products has been too low.

I like to listen to people talking about the small local shops of yesteryear, the high quality butchers, grocers and bakers that many of our village and town centres used to have. But times change: we became so much more mobile, working and shopping further afield. The giant out of town supermarkets began to offer a wider range of products for a lower price all under one roof, and the rest was history. There is no turning back.

This all seems gloomy, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel. The supermarkets now are very alive to customer and stakeholder criticism. They are starting to source more and more of their products locally, trying to put something back into their community. They are beginning to pay a fairer price to farmers. They are aware of their impact on town high streets and are looking to be more supportive.

This has come about because of pressure from the public and media.
We cannot blame supermarkets for giving us what we want. But we can keep them on their toes, both nationally and locally, to make sure their shadow does not cause all the other plants in the garden to die. Let your chosen supermarket know your views on these issues and see if they respond positively. If they don’t, shop somewhere else.

Let me know what you think.

Yours,
Gary

New Plymouth New Plan

Gary Streeter M.P. — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:36:00 +0000

Three years into the Mackey Plan, the landscape of Plymouth is changing. Regeneration and new builds are everywhere and the skyline is trading in the boring 1950’s flat roof monotone profile for a thrusting optimistic race to the clouds, high rise, dramatic and modern.

I think it's great- a new dawn for the city and with plans ahead for substantial growth, the creation of new jobs and business opportunities, the future is exciting and bright.

But hang on a second- there's another side to all this that isn't quite so positive. There are daily reports of assaults, drug-induced crime, communities setting fire to schools, binge drinking, and anti-social behaviour. Six of our secondary schools are failing. Old Plymouth limps on, seemingly unaware that the new day is dawning.

It would appear that while we are tacking the physical and structural aspects of Plymouth, we're neglecting the social and community sides. Perhaps we need a second plan- one to tackle to roots of our social issues, our social and spiritual fabric. We could involve the council, government agencies, the private sector, the faith communities and voluntary sector and politicians but most importantly it needs to be locally owned- for the people by the people.

Do you think this is a good idea? What are the most important factors in turning around our social problems and making the city strong in more ways than its appearance?

Yours,
Gary

Safer nation or Police State?

Gary Streeter M.P. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:03:00 +0000

I have recently returned from a trip to America connected with the Home Affairs select committee. We were there investigating how the US authorities conduct surveillance and investigations into suspect terrorists in order to report back to government about what lessens we in Britain can learn.

All this ties in with big decisions about to be taken concerning the amount of time suspected terrorists can be detained without charge. In the past two years this has increased from 48 hours, to 7 days and now stands at 28 days. Some senior police officers have argued the case for increasing the detention period, from anything between 50 and 90 days. They suggest this amount of time id required in order to go through mobile phone records, hard drives and international links. However, we don't yet have evidence to suggest this amount of time is necessary.

The US authorities were shocked at hour long we can already hold suspected terrorists, sometimes without them even knowing why they are being held. Naturally, if the suspect turns out to be the mastermind behind a terrorist plot then who cares how long they've been locked up? But if it's your own son or daughter, mistakenly arrested on their way too work and actually completely Innocent, it's not so ideal. And what about the young, innocent South American not arrested by mistake, but shot dead?

We have to do all we can to prevent terrorism and to keep our nation safe, but there's a fine balance between protecting out communities and living in a police state. These are tricky decisions and I'd love to hear your views.

Yours,
Gary

To be or not to be..

Gary Streeter M.P. — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 05:45:00 +0000

During my time up in Blackpool at Party Conference last week I was surprised about which announcement got the most applause and media coverage. When our Spokesman declared that no-one would pay death duty on amounts less then one million pounds there was a whoosh of excitement- and the commentary that followed in the press suggested that this policy was probably largely responsible for killing off Gordon Brown's 2007 election plans.

The reason I was slightly surprised about the popularity of this policy (although I certainly support it) is that currently only 6% of people pay inheritance tax anyway- so for 94% of us this policy is irrelevant. But I have become increasingly aware of the fact that a growing number of people are feeling that they now pay more than enough in tax, especially as the massive cash investments in health and education have brought modest rather than dramatic improvements. Couple this with a desire to leave something behind for our loved ones when we pass on, it makes perfect sense that policy has been so widely appreciated for the message it is sending.

A lot of my time at Conference was spent gearing up for a general election- most MP's and would-be MP's have sprung into action over the past few weeks, sorting out leafleting campaigns and gathering canvassing teams around them. For now though, it looks like it's all been a waste of time, there will be no election in 2007. Even when the election does come, it means weeks of disruption for the nation and less time to concentrate on local and national issues. It's frustrating that time has to be wasted in this way, but unfortunately that's one of the drawbacks of democracy- as Churchill so wisely said "Democracy is the worst form of government, apart from all of the others."

What do you think? Let me know.
Yours,
Gary

Affordable Housing

Gary Streeter M.P. — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:35:00 +0000

Our young people are facing a crisis in terms of local housing. Even families with two fairly good incomes between them are finding it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder in Plympton, Plymstock and the South Hams. And for those lower income families it's simply impossible due to the lack of affordable housing within the area.

Few of us wanted Sherford to happen- the attitude shared by many of us for a long time has been that new builds are not welcome. But we can not deny that there is a desperate need for housing for local youngsters and, if it is done well, Sherford can help to meet this need. I am meeting more and more people who accept that this is true and I have been turning my thoughts to making sure we get the very best for the local area and people out of Sherford.

There are three rule for Sherford to my mind:

1. The impact on our local environment- especially our roads- must be minimal

2. The focus must be on affordable housing for local people- not outsiders

3. The facilities must be put up at the same time as the housing- not as an added on after-thought.

I have agreed to chair a quarterly meeting between the developers, the planners and local community groups so together we can ensure Sherford is being built in the best possible way to suit local needs.

It is going to be a long battle, but I am hopeful that together we can make it work. Let me know what you think.

Yours,
Gary

Foot and Mouth

Gary Streeter M.P. — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 07:32:00 +0000

Just last week I attended a National Farmer's Union meeting and listened with the deputy-president gave an update on the state of farming in the Britain. For the first time in years things seemed positive- supermarkets are beginning to pay British farmers more for their produce, sustainability is leading to an increase in the amount of produce sourced locally and it seemed better times might have been ahead.

Within 36 hours, the news of the Foot and Mouth cases in Surrey broke and farmers across the country were plunged back into despair. Just when the industry was beginning to get into its stride once again, this massive blow strikes from nowhere. For me it brought images from the early sixties, dipping our shoes in disinfectant at the top of the farm lane on the way home from school.

With a bit of luck, hopefully the outbreak has been contained and the restrictions which were rightly and quickly put in place will be lifted, allowing the exporting and movement of livestock to function as normal. Hopefully the outbreak will be short lived and have only a small impact on the majority of farmers. Hopefully this won't happen again.

But there is something we can all do to help. Although farming only generates 1% of national income, rural life underpins South West Devon and is woven into our everyday lives, our history and future. It is vital for all of us that agriculture prospers. We can continue to use the countryside this year and support the many rural businesses that rely on a very short season. We should continue to buy and eat meat and we should lobby our supermarkets to source and sell local produce from local farms. We should buy from farm shops and butchers whenever we can.

In times of global uncertainty, when all kinds of events could disrupt the fetching and carrying of food supplies around the world, home grown food supplies are vital. It make incredible sense for us to support our local farmers and protect our own supplies of food and other products.

What do you think?

Yours,
Gary

Sherford

Gary Streeter M.P. — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 05:55:00 +0000

The decision has been made- the new town of Sherford will be built on the original proposed site. The independent planning inspector has weighed everything up and this is the conclusion.

There have been many voices speaking out against Sherford- my own included. We have fought a good fight but we must now accept the outcome and turn our energies to ensuring the details of Sherford suit the surrounding areas as much as possible. The South Ham and Plymouth City Councils now have no option to approve the plans at their next full meetings. If they don't the government will intervene and Sherford will still go ahead, with additional costs to the taxpayer.

Instead, let us now focus on what we want out of Sherford- affordable housing for local youngsters who can't get on the property ladder, minimum traffic through places like St Maurice and transport links to suit local people. There may even be a silver lining in this cloud, and we must fight to make this the best new town in Britain.

I'm keen to hear your thoughts and what you want the area to gain from Sherford. All comments welcome. This is not the outcome we wanted but we must strive to make the best of it.

Yours,

Gary

Competition Time!

Gary Streeter M.P. — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:50:00 +0000

It's competition time!

I was really surprised and pleased to see how quickly the smoking ban has been accepted. The vast majority of people are happy with the new law and there have been no riots or protests as some predicted.

Hopefully this is going to be a really positive step towards improving the nation's health.It got me thinking- why didn't we introduce this law years ago? Then I really thought about it and realised that we simply weren't ready then. Attitudes shift over time and so do standards and expectations. As a politician it's crucial to be able to judge public opinion and move with the times.

I've decided to launch a mini competition along this theme. Email or write to me by the end of July and let me know where you think a recent shift in public opinion has occurred- in what area do policy makers need to catch up next? The best letter or email with receive a House of Commons bottle of wine.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Gary

Terror Threat

Gary Streeter M.P. — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 12:24:00 +0000

This isn't the first time I have discussed the terrorist threat to Britain on this site, and I doubt it will be the last.

The events of last weekend have left us feeling shocked, alert and most of all lucky. It could all have been so different.

There are two steps we need to take immediately to address the threat of fundamentalists who wish to blow Britain apart. Firstly we need to look again at the way we use intelligence and the legal system to detain and thwart would-be terrorists and secondly we need to work hard to pull our communities together and reduce the barriers in understanding and empathy. The vast majorities of Muslims in Britain do not support or condone terrorism and it's vital we get the message out.

I have visited Islamic countries where Terror Training camps are up and running and the reality is frightening. We also need to work at an international level to eradicate this kind of tool for fundamentalists set on ripping apart normal life back home in Britain.

Above all we have to carry on with our daily lives and, whilst remaining vigilant and aware, continue to live with the values and opportunities that these enemies of freedom and democracy seek to destroy.

How should we do this? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Gary

Civic Centre Craziness

Gary Streeter M.P. — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 18:13:00 +0000

I could hardly believe it when I heard that English Heritage had awarded Listed Building status to the ugly, ineffective and structurally imperfect Civic Centre in Plymouth. It's estimated it is going to cost £40 million to sort it out- and who will be paying? Local tax payers of course!

I completely agree that buildings of historical importance need protecting and we have a rich and beautiful history which has provided many valid receivers of listed status. But 50 year old buildings which are already complained about and detested? Honestly!

And now that the news the status was awarded on the back of one person's opinion has been revealed, I am even more angry, as I suspect many local people are. I have certainly heard a lot of frustration and disbelief being vented by those I have spoken to about it so far.

The council and MPs are going to fight this decision on behalf of our constituents and I'd be grateful to hear your opinions on the matter.

I'm going to try and calm down now!

Gary

How can we make the A38 safer?

Gary Streeter M.P. — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 07:08:00 +0000

Another tragedy on this road recently when three people lost their lives. Sadly, this is not the first incident of this kind along Devon Expressway and unless urgent action is taken, it won't be the last.

There are three "informal" junctions at Lyneham, Cadleigh and just after Smithaleigh on the Plymouth bound side which are extremely dangerous and totally unsuitable on a road along which most drivers are doing 70 mile an hour.

In addition to this the slipways are badly planned and not up to the required standard, and the Deep Lane junction is a disaster waiting to happen.

We are in serious need of an urgent review of this stretch of road, particularly the part between Marsh Mills and Ivybridge. I asked a question in the House of Commons relating to this matter on Wednesday 20th June and feel duty bound to fight hard for changes.

I am very keen to have your support in this matter- what can be done to improve the safety of this road, and where are the black spots?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Yours,
Gary

Future of schooling

Gary Streeter M.P. — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:00:00 +0000

The debate over grammar schools has once again been raging, both nationally within the Conservative party and locally, as plans for Sherford Town continue.

I am certainly in favour of grammar schools- in my experience they now attract pupils from all backgrounds, and can give a valuable platform for bright youngsters. The three grammar schools in Plymouth do an excellent job. I am not in favour of a return to compulsory examinations and streaming at eleven however, as the sense of unnecessary failure which would be felt by some is both cruel and pointless.

We have fantastic comprehensive schools within SW Devon which are doing a grand job in supporting pupils through their formative years and steering them towards happy futures, filled with achievements in many areas and aspects of life.

Some parts of the local area aren't so fortunate with their choice of schools and we need to work hard to help this improve. Good teachers should be offered more incentives to work in challenging schools, and children whose behaviour shows signs of being destructive need early attention and guidance.

I would leave to hear your thoughts about how we can improve our poorer schools and maintain our good standards within SW Devon.

Yours,

Gary

Modern life melt down

Gary Streeter M.P. — Wed, 30 May 2007 13:40:00 +0000

I have recently been pondering the high-paced way of life most of us now lead. Even our youngsters are propelled into breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and the like as soon as possible so that their parents can work longer hours in the pursuit of a comfortable lifestyle.

While this is clearly commendable, it also raises the concern that family time is becoming less important on the agenda and financial and material matters are taking over.

Our environment continues to suffer as we race to attain our expectations and fulfill our goals. Yes, our children may have the latest gadgets and trainers but they have less interaction with their parents and we continue to do damage to the Earth they will one day inherit. Is this our only legacy to the future generations?

Are we caught in a trap of working harder, fitting in more and owning more possessions? At what long-term cost? And how to we break the cycle?

I'd love to hear your thoughts,

Gary

Gary Streeter M.P. — Tue, 15 May 2007 18:02:00 +0000

Maybe its my age (grumpy old man on the horizon), maybe I've just had a bad run, or maybe I am right: that there is a growing band of people who still, after all the tough medicine of Thatcherism and the tidal wave of consumer-driven "me"-ism, still think that the state owes them a living. I am having to bite my lip more and more often at those who-no matter how irresponsibly they have lived-come to me to demand that the rest of us bail them out. I'm pregnant again, get me a bigger house (partner? don't be daft); I have a twinge in my back, I couldn't possibly work; I'm a budding poet, why should I have to work for my benefits, I need space to create. (No, you just need space.)

When I think of the hard pressed families caring for disabled children 24/7 or those with chronic illness, or those suddenly made redundant or suffering tragedy, and the lack of adequate help they often receive, it makes my blood boil that there is a tiny but growing minority who are perfectly capable of standing on their own two feet, but who choose to come knocking on the door of state provision every five minutes.

The default position for all of us should be: I am responsible. Only if I can't make it, or hit hard times, should I look to my fellow citizens for support.

I am totally committed to helping those in need and I do not mind paying my taxes for that. But it is assessing the "need" from the "want" that we don't do very well. I want to know that anybody we help from the benefit system is trying their hardest. If they are, let them be helped and generously. If they are not, well come back when you are.

Above all, we need a system that knows the difference between the two. We don't have that at the moment and an overhaul is needed.

There has never been so much money showered upon the British people as now. When the next recession hits, as it surely will at some stage, there is going to be a massive squeeze on public expenditure. We need a streamlined system that channels limited resources to those who really deserve it, not those who are having a laugh.

What do you think?

Gary

The future of the Dockyard

Gary Streeter M.P. — Tue, 08 May 2007 07:25:00 +0000

Plymouth and the surrounding areas have done well over the past 15 years or so to diversify and moved away from being entirely dependent on the success or failure of Devonport Dockyard but the fact still remains that it is an essential force in the region.

At the moment fresh uncertainty surrounds its future and we are once again holding our breath to see what the outcome will be. The US owner of DML is selling and 3 contenders have stepped forward. The tricky part is deciding which one is most likely to maintain and maximise Devonport in its current form and not take work to other shipyards. The government is also likely to announce cuts in the Naval Base, with more big decisions to be taken over the next few years.

These issues have been rumbling on for many years and it is easy to dismiss them or become immune to their importance. The three local MPs have joined forces to try and secure the best deal for Devonport and I would love to hear your views.

Yours,
Gary

Media Madness?

Gary Streeter M.P. — Tue, 01 May 2007 10:31:00 +0000

It seems to me that the media in this country is totally out of control. With the exception of community-based local papers, newspapers are generally full of sensational, over-exaggerated nonsense!

It is getting harder and harder to see the wood from the trees and spot the real honest and important issues from those fabricated and manipulated by the media.

Of course, it is vital we have freedom of speech and a free press and I am not suggesting we censor or restrict this. No political party would risk offending editors with attempts to control their paper's content, for fear of the bad press or even worse, a lack of publicity.

But I really believe something needs to be done to curb the damaging affects of fiction-based gossip masquerading as serious journalism. On 23rd May I am introducing a bill in the Commons suggesting that a story contains the vital information over whether the person/ ex-boyfriend/former employee etc spilling the beans to the press has been paid, and if so how much. We live in a time when transparency about such things is an important part of helping us make up our own minds about what we read.

What do you think? Would this measure be useful, or are the other ways we can tackle this problem?

Yours,

Gary

Improving the site

Gary Streeter M.P. — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:03:00 +0000

This part of the website has been running for almost 6 months now and I'm keen to hear any ideas for improvement.

Suggestions received so far include a more traditional blog, giving a better insight into my work at Westminster and around the constituency, and a more in-depth focus into certain areas and events within South West Devon.

The idea of this site is that it can be used by all parts of our local community so any comments will be helpful.

Thanks in advance,

Gary