I know it’s been a while since my last blog – I suppose you can take that as a good sign, it’s been a very busy few weeks. Over the last few months I have received many emails from lots of you about the Daylight Savings Bill. This issue has split people’s opinions right down the middle. The House of Commons voted today on the Bill and it was passed by 92 votes to 10 meaning that it will now progress to the Committee Stage. The bill requires the government to launch an inquiry into the benefits of moving clocks forward by an hour throughout the year, and has received widespread support from road safety, environmental, tourism and sports groups. Even if the bill passes, however, Scottish opposition could scupper it in the long run, as they have done on previous occasions.
We have now truly entered the festive season I having been to turn on the Christmas lights in Lambley which was a great privilege. It was nice to see the enthusiasm of all those who came especially amongst the younger generations. This event took me back to when I was a youngster watching the lights being turned on which made me all the more proud to be doing it myself now!
The snow has been a nightmare for many of you and I’ve been receiving regular snow report updates from the County. The weekend saw a bit of a thaw but I suspect we haven’t seen the last of it! Last week I launched a campaign called “Heart of Hucknall” in order to help support our local shops which have been an important part of the town for generations. Our local shops provide an invaluable service and are a resource we often overlook in favour of the convenience of a supermarket. Hucknall’s high street is under constant pressure from large out of town competitors and I think we need to make a real effort to support them. A good and bustling high street is the heart of a town like ours and if we don’t support local shops, cafes and businesses there is no doubt that in these tough economic times, we will lose them forever.
That’s why I am launching the Heart of Hucknall Campaign to support our local shops. Over the coming weeks I’ll be asking the people of Hucknall to nominate their favourite small shop – hairdressers, takeaways, grocers – anyone you think has contributed an exceptional service to Hucknall. You can nominate by emailing HeartofHucknall@gmail.com.
On Tuesday I attended a session hosted by Energy Fit on helping constituents become more energy efficient, saving energy and money as we approach winter. It is a little known fact that 26% of UK carbon emissions come from the energy we use in our own homes and that we use more energy heating our homes in the UK than in Sweden, even though winter temperatures are much colder there. For those interested I suggest you take a look at the new online tool www.eonenergyfit.com.
I very much enjoyed meeting students at West Notts College where I answered questions from students on a range of subjects from tuition fees to increasing job opportunities across the County. It was great to meet the students, whilst the questions where quite a challenge, it was good to discuss a large range of subjects and exchange views about both their careers and the country’s current predicament.
Most families will all be coming together at Christmas but for some coming home isn’t an option at the moment. For our brave troops I recorded a Christmas message as part of the Faces for the Forces Campaign organised through Winkball. All our service men and women are doing a sterling job around the world and it was great to see so many of my Westminster colleagues coming together to wish them well.
Well I think that will do for one week but if there’s anything you need to discuss or if you need to make an appointment, please do not hesitate to get in touch: 0115 948 1186.
