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- Swanage Art Trail
 I was delighted to be asked to open the Swanage Art’s trail today. The project is the product of several years’ hard work on behalf of a small group of Swanage residents and is a great cultural addition to the town. I’m proud to have had the chance to be a part of it. Swanage has a rich cultural heritage and the work of Carlotta Barrow and the ‘Swanage seen’ group is fantastic in promoting the work of artists who have been drawn to paint here.
Take a look at the project here: http://www.swanageseen.co.uk/...
- Around South Dorset
Locally, there is lots happening at the moment. I was pleased to join Kate Wheller in Wyke Regis to support a local road safety campaign. Kate and the local PACT group have launched a petition to investigate the possibility of traffic calming in Camp Road and advisory 20 miles per hour signs throughout the area of the Downclose Estate.
We have made some good progress on our campaign to save the refuge in Weymouth . More meetings are being held in the next couple of weeks and there are still a few challenges ahead but I am hopeful that by working...
- Taking it to the people
I hope you have had an enjoyable summer. The last few weeks have seen me involved in a number of interesting public events in my roles as MP for South Dorset and Minister for the South West region. Although they were different in terms of format, each provided an excellent opportunity to discuss a range of important issues from broadband in Dorset, to developing the regional economy and our transport infrastructure. The first event was in Weymouth for around 50 members of my email consultation panel. It was a really interesting night and I enjoyed hearing what everyone had to...
- Red Arrows over Swanage
It was a busy week of activity in the constituency. I was delighted to be able to help the organisers of the Swanage Carnival who contacted me after being told the Red Arrows would no longer be able to display over the town. After getting in touch the Ministry of Defence, the decision was reversed and it was great to see the Red Arrows in all their glory over Swanage on Saturday....
- Clocking up the miles
In between dealing with a number of constituency issues, the last few days of Parliamentary activity before the summer recess saw me on a mini tour of Britain. The start of the week saw a visit to Exeter to meet with the South West Regional Economic Task Group on the recession and discuss how important it is that the various councils and agencies across the region - including in Dorset - work together to tackle the recession. On Wednesday I went up to Norwich, as Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform, to see the work that is going on there...
- Westminster, Portland and Tolpuddle
It has been a frantically busy week for me but one dominated in Westminster by Afghanistan, swine flu and the latest unemployment statistics.
There is not much too add to what I said last week on Afghanistan beyond saying how moving the pictures from Wootton Bassett were. I know the town well, having worked around there before becoming an MP, but I am nevertheless surprised and hugely impressed at how it has become an icon of the respect and concern we show for our armed forces and their families.
The spread of swine flu is now becoming a dominant issue. Most of...
- That was the week that was
This week in Westminster has been dominated by two stories, and along the way two significant Government White Papers were published. Afghanistan It has been a dreadful week in Afghanistan. The deaths of our armed forces are strongly felt in Parliament, partly because the vast majority of us supported the decision to remove the Taliban back in 2001. We knew it would be a very difficult job, that our armed forces were the best in the world, and that despite that there would be losses. I was on the Defence Committee at the time and spoke to many...
- Reform of Parliament
The week in Westminster
The week began with the election of a new Speaker. I supported John Bercow throughout the contest and so I very much welcome his appointment. John was elected on a manifesto pledge to continue with reform of Parliament including the issue of MPs expenses. I am confident that he will pursue these reforms with energy and enthusiasm, and I look forward to an improved Commons shortly.
From the last week’s activity in Parliament, it clear we are taking the necessary steps to reform the political system and regain the public’s trust. The recently-published Parliamentary Standards...
- Weymouth Seafront
Once back in the area on Thursday and Friday I spent some time looking at what we are doing locally to tackle unemployment. Then I had a couple of constructive meetings regarding both the Weymouth seafront and Portland Academy proposals.
I was disappointed at the decision not to fund the seafront improvements and so was keen to meet local traders on a way forward. I was very encouraged that there is a desire to move forward with private investment, with the right co-operation from the Council. I will try to help make this happen so we can get a...
- Week in Westminster
THE WEEK IN WESTMINSTER After a Monday in Belfast trying to persuade the Northern Ireland politicians to go down the same road as us on welfare reform, I was back in Westminster for my third Cabinet on Tuesday morning. A lot of our focus is on a wide-ranging policy document we are publishing this week, but we also heard from Lord Carter and his Digital Britain report. I missed the PMs statement on the Iraq inquiry but I think a mix of public and private is appropriate - the most important thing is to get at the truth, but then...
- Swanage Railway
 One of the issues many people in Swanage have said to me they are keen to progress is the long-awaited rail 'link' between Swanage and Wareham. I have worked closely with the excellent volunteers at the Swanage Railway over a number of years and I am pleased that progress is being made. In an attempt to keep things moving, I invited the Rail Minister, Lord Andrew Adonis, to Swanage to meet with representatives of the railway and other local agencies. I was delighted he took up my offer as part of his Easter tour of Britain by rail. We...
- Made in Dorset
 Lots happening around the constituency in the past couple of weeks. One of the highlights was being asked to speak at the Made in Dorset event at Portland Spa. I always enjoy talking with students and young people. The video below explains the day really well. Various catch-up meetings around the constituency have also been taking place and it was particularly good to spend some more time with Sue Moore at Weymouth College discussing the college's future plans. The last few weeks have also been a busy time for my team in the office, helping constituents with problems, and...
- In the pool, on the buses and in the garden..
 The campaign for free swimming for over 60s and under 16s in Weymouth is gathering pace. The campaign is in response to the Tories at Weymouth and Portland Borough Council rejecting a Government scheme to give over-60s and under-16s free access to public pools. Age Concern Trustee and volunteer Norah Riley-Smith has been among those busily gathering signatures and I met with both Andy Burnham (pictured above), the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport, and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell to discuss the campaign. More on this in the coming days including how you can join our Swim for...
- Purbeck and Portland...
 Another busy couple of weeks around the constituency. In addition to a number of local surgeries in Weymouth, Portland and Swanage, there have been plenty of other things going on. One of the big issues remains Dorset County Council's Review of School Arrangements in Purbeck. This is covered elsewhere on the site. I am continuing to visit the schools that request to see me. As I have said before, ultimately the decisions over the review will be taken by Dorset County Council but I am trying to offer...
- A New Year...
 It has been a busy start to the New Year around South Dorset. My blog contains more details on some of the recent events that have happened locally. Elsewhere, there have been a number of issues in the diary… One of those was presenting awards at the annual Weymouth College presentation evening. I was delighted to be asked to present the awards by the College Principal, Sue Moore. In South Dorset we have some really talented students and there is no doubt that those honoured have a bright future ahead of them. I also officially opened...
- "Relief" Road, Paralympics & Conference
 A Day for celebration in Weymouth. The news that the Government has approved the Compulsory Purchase Orders for the Weymouth Relief Road means that work will now start on construction of the long awaited road. This is thanks to work by many campaigners of all parties across decades - like local councillor Harry Burden. It also follows 13 years of work by me personally to persuade and cajole the Government to do the right thing. The clincher may well have been the Olympics in forcing through some impetus into officials. Officers at Dorset County Council, led by Miles Butler and...
- The Heroes Return
 August was wet, saw me on duty talking about exam results but ended with a week in Normandy. September got off to a great start with the return to Weymouth and Portland of our local Olympic heroes, led by Sarah Ayton with her second consecutive gold. Their open top bus through the Borough, with police escort, was wonderfully received and talking to them afterwards they were all bowled over by the reception. Given the winds blowing at the Academy they were also dead keen to get back out on the water! I was especially pleased to see Sarah's fiancee Nick...
- visit to Wyke Regis Infant School
 The highlight of the day in Weymouth was my visit to Wyke Regis Infant school. The school has a nursery and then over 200 pupils at key stage one, through to age 7. The school is an unusual design occupying loads of space but giving each class their own garden area, class rooms, toilets and IT area. The staff were great and very welcoming. The best sign that they are doing a great job was the behaviour and confidence of the children - always the best for me that the school is doing well. I had been due to...
- Who Do We Think We Are Week
 The week began in Bradford with paralympic legend Tanni Grey-Thompson and ended at Corfe Castle First School opening the new playground. Most of the week was dominated by Who Do We Think We Are Week in schools. This was part of my work on improving community cohesion in schools and involved pupils thinking about their own history, their family, their school and their country. It proved a great way of getting young people to realise how much there is to enjoy about being in a multicultural community. Monday at Tong High School was a great example. The pupils at this...
- Veterans, prisons and schools
 Last weekend's highlights were an official visit to Wey Valley School with some Olympians and attending the Veterans Festival in Weymouth. This weekend it has been visting the Verne, more meetings to progress Portland Academy, discussions on the buses of Purbeck and finally taking part in yesterday's celebration of the life of Steve Sinnott. Wey Valley were feeling a bit bruised after the local paper front page in the week so I was delighted to go there with an Olympic rower and the most successful Paralympic swimmer ever. The announcement of the Government's National Challenge to get every school achieving...
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