Page 28 - Phonebox Magazine December 2012

Out and About with Mark Lancaster
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I love this time of the year, the weather might be cold but the air is full of goodwill and people are surprisingly pleased to see me. This Christmas I shall be spending it, as I normally do, with my family and friends and I am looking forward to the break. This parliamentary term has been one full of change and controversy, we have had Nadine Dorries escaping to the Australian Jungle, the Chancellor’s autumn statement, the vote on how much we spend on the EU and an announcement on votes for prisoners. I am sometimes left to wonder whether there is an end to the whirlwind, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Since my appointment as a Government whip I have been watching over some of the interesting and lively votes which have taken place. In particular the EU vote which took place during this last term. I agree that the European project does receive a lot of money from the UK Government, and us as taxpayers. At times it can be difficult, even for me, to justify such a large outgoing when that money could be put to better use in the UK. For this reason I can understand why there were so many rebels during the vote, however, I supported the Government because I thought it was the best realistic outcome and this is why; The EU is a machine that seems to keep just rolling on, whilst in the medium term I like many others would like a fundamental review of our relationship, in the short term we are forced to get the best deal we can within the framework that we find ourselves in after the Lisbon treaty that I voted against last Parliament. It was seen as an incredible feat last
year when the Prime Minister negotiated with the EU to reduce the planned 6% increase in our contributions to just 0.5%. Whilst this was not perfect, the manner of the beast means that this is the best deal we could have had at the time. Do I think we could pull this off again? No. Do I think that the EU will accept a freezing of our contributions? No. The EU is in a financial mess and whilst Athens burns, serious questions are being asked about whether the Euro or even Europe is sustainable. I wish the Prime Minister the best of luck when he goes to Europe to renegotiate our contributions, because as the land lies now, Labour have set him up for a fall.
I couldn’t have got much farther from the EU if I had tried on Remembrance Sunday, whilst I was reluctant to vacate my usual spot in Newport Pagnell, it was an honour to be asked to represent the Government in the Falklands as part of the 30th anniversary of the conflict. Having never been it was an amazing visit with wonderful people who really seemed to be grateful that I went.
When I come back to the constituency on Thursday nights, I like to relax knowing that I have left the rat race behind me and I can look forward to a more moderate pace of life. How wrong could I have been? I went along to the Clifton Reynes ‘Squeaky Bone’ relay race this month to hand out the prizes to the winning teams. Personally, anyone who ran in the dank and dreary conditions that day deserved a prize, whether that was a medal or a well deserved hot bath. I was pleased to hand out the medals for the adults and with the value of hindsight I really should have taken up the kind
Our local MP
offer by Kevin, one of the organisers to join in!
I did give something new a go this month and that was hedge laying. The TVC conservative group have been tidying up our villages and towns for a number of years and following on from my tree planting in February I went along to see the hard work going into hedge laying. I decided to take a back-seat for this one and watched the volunteers as they carefully chopped and laid the trees, its true what they say, it really is an art.
Many will be aware of rumours of a proposed major Business Development East of the M1 by Junction 14, following our success at resisting 4000 new homes in the countryside a few years ago I have been following this with interest and hope to be able to bring news next month following my enquiries with Milton Keynes Council. I am all in favour of Economic Development for Milton Keynes, but not without appropriate protection for our rural way of life.
Just before I go, I would like to remind you all of the great work that the Food Bank does in and around Milton Keynes. I know that at this time of year budgets are squeezed, but if you would like to make somebody’s else’s Christmas special, please visit the website to find out how you can donate food. Visit; http://www.mkfoodbank.org. uk/donate.aspx to see the full list of items which they need desperately.
I hope you all have a happy, healthy and merry Christmas.