Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

THE NEXT FOUR YEARS

Thank you to everyone who voted me in again on 5th May as your MP. It is still a privilege to be elected to Parliament, and of course I will do my best to represent and help everyone, irrespective of how they voted.

So what will the next 4 or 5 years hold? It promises to be action packed. A smaller majority will make the House of Commons much more meaningful – good news for democracy.

I have decided not to go back onto the front bench for the time being. I want to dig down deep into some of the real problems facing our society and try and find solutions in a way that the cut and thrust of front bench work simply does not permit.

It seems to me that anti-social behaviour is one of the greatest challenges facing us all. From 3 and 4 year olds arriving at school already out of control, to pupils disrupting lessons at school, to teenage delinquency, binge drinking and general disorder, the patchy police response – we have a growing problem.

So I have asked to serve on the Home Affairs select committee in the hope that we can examine these issues in depth and produce new thinking on the way forward.
I also want to play my full part in the debate now raging about the future of the Conservative party. We have been marooned on an island of 32% support since 1992, so more of the same simply will not do. I believe it important that this nation has a strong centre-right party as part of the political landscape and will do my bit to make sure we are in a fit state to take office again.

There are huge local issues that we all face: our own problems of marauding youngsters; the impact of the proposed new town at Sherford on existing communities; fighting for a fair deal for Devonport Dockyard and continuing to try and get some NHS dentists back in this part of the world.

Unless the French or Dutch kill off the EU Constitution shortly there is also the small matter of a referendum next spring. I see this as make or break for the future of Europe and I will be campaigning hard for a “no” vote.

One way or another the weeks ahead will be busy and fascinating. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to play my small part in shaping events.

posted by Nigel on Tuesday, May 24, 2005