Articles

The Coalition Government has surprised me many times over.

It’s early days for the Coalition Government. Yet I think there’s already been some exciting changes. From restoring the link between pensions and earnings to taking nearly a million low paid workers out of income tax, Liberal Democrat election pledges have played a central role.

Sometimes an emergency brings out the very best in people.

The recent fire in the Madingley tower block on the Cambridge Estate in Norbiton is a classic example.

Kingston’s Magistrates’ Courts are under threat – again.

Eight years ago, we fought a hard campaign to stop closure and, against all the odds, we won.

But can we save Kingston’s courts this time?

On the positive side, we have the same strong arguments:

In my last article, I promised to “update you on my new Ministerial responsibilities working with Vince Cable in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills” – so here goes.

My main responsibilities in the Business Department cover Employment, Trade Policy, Competition Policy, Company Law, Consumer Affairs and Postal Affairs (including Royal Mail and Post Office Limited).

Many residents have contacted me since the election about the new Liberal Democrat-Conservative Coalition Government.

Most are delighted that two parties can set aside differences and work together in the national interest – especially at this time of financial and economic crisis.

Do you have children under the age of 9? Or plan to start a family soon? Then the council’s consultation on expanding primary schools should interest you.

The more parents or parents-to-be get involved, the more likely it is Kingston’s excellent education standards will be secured into the future.

London’s police are set for major cuts, hitting the fight against crime – the reverse of what London’s Mayor promised when elected.

In this year’s budget, the Mayor has cut Met police funding by £16.4 million.

The result? London will lose 455 police officers.

As well as civilian posts, which is likely to pull more officers off front-line duties.

Britain cannot continue borrowing so much.

I think almost everyone agrees on that.

Where there’s disagreement is over how soon, and how quickly Britain must start cutting borrowing and paying off debt.

I have a firm view – not just as a MP, but as someone with a degree and postgraduate in economics.

Kingston Hospital’s Accident and Emergency and Maternity Unit are under threat – as Susan Kramer MP explained last week in The Informer.

I want to repeat her warning, as some are questioning whether our claims are true.

So who are our sources?

Four NHS Chief Executives and one senior clinician.

The Chilcot Inquiry on the Iraq War might, after all, get to the truth.

Seven years on and 3 inquiries later, at least Chilcot has the remit to ask the right questions.

Labour’s spin champion, Alistair Campbell, bludgeoned his way through his interview last week, but he’s in serious trouble over the dodgy dossier.

Chessington and Hook pupils attending Hinchley Wood School should get a new school bus service from mid-February. Even if it’s a smaller scale success, I think it’s worth a cheer.

Top bankers’ bonuses should be cut or taxed.

Huge City bonuses are wrong after the taxpayer has kept London’s financial system afloat - and seen public debt soar as a result. All political parties now accept this – though there’s a debate over how to make the wealthiest pay their fair share.

The tougher question is how to cut huge public borrowing.

With two good news stories this week – one for Kingston Hospital and one for Kingston primary schools – this column is spoilt for choice!

Kingston Hospital deserves a special mention – for doing so well in the Dr. Foster Hospital Guide 2009.

Over ten years ago, my grandmother bought a leasehold flat in a block built for retired people. She was very happy there, as she had less to worry about, help on hand and actually felt far more independent than before. My brother and I looked after her financial affairs and there was never any real problems with either of the firms who managed the block whilst she was a resident.