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 | Castle Point Conservatives Blog |
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Thoughts and views from Castle Point Conservatives
Friday, 15 January, 2010
 | REBECCA HARRIS |
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 Haiti and UNICEF
The magnitude of the destruction that has hit Haiti is almost indescribable. The catastrophic earthquake has claimed many thousands of lives and left many more without homes, shelter or security.
The whole international community is pulling together to ensure a swift and effective response and to provide the support and aid necessary at this critical time. The UK will play a significant part in this effort and the Conservative Party will continue to engage with the Government to help ensure that a careful and co-ordinated response is provided to the humanitarian effort.
The British people are deeply concerned by this terrible disaster. Like in past crises, they will do all they can to provide support and aid in the weeks and months ahead. The Disasters Emergency Committee, made up of 13 of Britain’s leading NGOs, has launched an appeal. The money raised will support the efforts of the DEC’s members to carry out their vital emergency aid work in Haiti.
If you wish to donate to the appeal, call 0370 60 60 900 or visit www.dec.org.uk.
Furthermore, Castle Point has Britain's only two UNICEF shops (in Benfleet & Hadleigh). The children's charity has had a strong presence in Haiti for many years since almost half of the Country's 10 million population are under 18. Despite heavy damage to its own offices in Port-au-Prince, the charity are geared up for the relief effort and have already dispatched a plane load of emergency supplies to Haiti. So as well as supporting the Disasters Emergency Committee, local residents may like to give extra support to these local charity shops at this time.
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Tuesday, 05 January, 2010
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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On Monday I visited Godden Lodge Care Home in Thundersley with the Conservative Shadow Health Minister Mike Penning MP. I've driven past Godden Lodge umpteen times but until today I didn't appreciate what a large and sophisticated facility it is.
The residential home is run by BUPA, which few people realise is a not-for-profit, mutual organisation which means that without shareholders, they can plough all their proceeds back into their health-care work. As a result, they have been able to spend over a million pounds on improvements and an extension in the last year.
Mike and I talked through the complex problems around care home funding with the managers before visiting the new Appleton Wing, which as an ex-Appleton School pupil Mike took a special interest in. I had a particular interest too because Godden Lodge was where my still much-loved and missed, Conservative predecessor, Sir Bernard Braine MP, lived out his final days.
Nationally, the Conservative Party were launching our draft manifesto for the NHS on Monday and one of the key policy commitments is to tackle the current injustice of forcing older people to sell their homes to pay for their residential care.
We are offering a very sensible, practical solution to give peace of mind to home-owners without increasing tax. In England, all the costs of residential care must be met by the individual if they own just £23,000 or more in assets – including the value of their homes. Most pensioners only have modest savings, so practically anyone who has worked hard all their lives to pay for a home of their own is at risk if they need to go into care. The average amount in fees for entering residential care is over £50,000, but that can be far more if they need to stay for several years.
There are very few insurance products on the market that cover people for care home costs, and they are typically far too expensive for most people. So a Conservative Government will introduce a new, voluntary scheme with a one-off joining fee of £8,000, which you can pay at age 65 in return for a guarantee that absolutely all fees for permanent residential care would be waived – for life.
This scheme would lift a major weight of worry from older people and their families, especially in Castle Point, where more people own their own homes than almost anywhere in the Country. Having heard today how stressful this issue is for families - often at a time when they should just be focusing on their loved ones, not talking to estate agents - this scheme offers a real, affordable alternative to losing the family home if someone needs residential care.
I'd just like to add, that I was immensely impressed by the professionalism, quality of care and the evident kindness of the staff, which I witnessed at Godden Lodge. |
Friday, 11 December, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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 I don't know what I found more shocking or depressing about Labour's Pre-Budget Report. The terrible levels of debt Labour Government has given us; or the lack of any plan to bring it down.
The debt levels we are facing are incredible and now forecast to reach £1,500,000,000,000 – equivalent to £23,000 for every man, woman and child in Britain. And Labour cannot put this down to the banking crisis. Other countries were so much better prepared, and don't have the same deficit which faces us and future generations.
Instead of addressing thir mounting debt we have another National Insurance hike which will hit anyone earning £20,000 or more and make it more expensive for firms to take on and retain staff.
Labour had an opportunity with this PBR. If they were acting in the country's interest, and not their own, they would have presented a plan to get our debt down.
But no. All we had were decisions put off till the next election. Plus a series of political measures intended to trap the Tories, and even they are unravelling. It's cynical, nasty, narrow politics.
We now understand from the BBC where this politics came from. From Gordon Brown and Ed Balls. Treasury Civil Servants were no doubt pressing the Chancellor to come up with a plan, for the sake of the country and its future, but Brown and Balls were more concerned to save their political skins.
We need the General Election sooner rather than later. At such a vital time in our politics, we cannot have this sort of instability at the top of Government. We need a Conservative Government in to do what it has always had to do in our political history - which is clear up Labour's mess.
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Tuesday, 08 December, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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"Last night brought the grim news that a soldier from 1st Batallion, the Royal Anglians, had been shot dead in Afghanistan, and become the 100th person from our forces to die this year.
There are a lot of important political issues being debated at present, from our national debt to climate change. But we must not forget that we are still at war.
All our thoughts will be with the family and friends of the victim"
Tuesday, 01 December, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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 "The run-up to Christmas is already getting very busy and its not yet December. On Saturday morning, I was out canvassing as normal. I was on Canvey with local businessman James Parkin. We were both pleased with the response we were getting - lots of support for the Conservatives.
I am keen that my family and I support as many local events as the day can fit in. It is great to get out and meet people, whether they know who I am or not, and we've picked up a huge amount of books and other goodies from various charity Christmas fundraisers.
On Friday night, we went to the St Peter's Church Christmas market and on Saturday I popped into the Christmas bazar at the beautiful St James the Less Church near my home in Hadleigh. After a short visit to a Nursing Home in Benfleet, I was off to the Christmas lights event on Canvey, where my family and I enjoyed the excellent music and dancing.
In the evening, we popped into the Canvey Conservative Club for a friends birthday party, then on to Gala Night at the Hadleigh Conservative Club, which was packed. There was a great atmosphere at both events, with first-rate music and everyone seemed to be enjoying a dance.
On Sunday, we took our son to the Canvey Conservative Club children's Christmas Party. I'm ashamed to say that my son was probably the worst-behaved child at the event, but we had a great time none the less"
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Saturday, 28 November, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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 “Last night some of our young members and I joined members of Benfleet Rotary by accompanying the popular Santa’s sleigh on a Christmas tour of the Town collecting money for charities.
As the parent of a very excited 3 Year old I can appreciate the complete pandemonium in the house when the Rotary Club’s sleigh arrives in your road. As well as bringing a lot of joy to local children, all of the money raised makes a real difference to the various groups supported by Rotary.” |
Wednesday, 25 November, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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Last night I has the daunting privilege of being a judge. I was invited to Cornelius Vermuyden school to be one of an X Factor-style panel, judging a public speaking competition for primary school pupils on the Island .
I was blown away by the high standard of contributions from the children who had had to write their own short speech and deliver it to a large audience with clarity and personality. It was almost impossible to judge.
The topics covered were really varied. Charlie Cole gave a funny and moving account of the death of his pet lizard! Liam Radley from Leigh Beck was a natural performer and I wouldn't be surprised to see him doing stand-up or starring in a sitcom one day. Jack Duffield also from Leigh Beck gave a great speech about his love of books. Louise Goddard from Lubbins Park was also formidable. I could go on as there were so many superb and memorable speeches.
Eventually, the panel decided to award first prize to a Micaela Tapsell from St Joseph's, who talked passionately and persuasively about the destruction of her home country, Zimbabwe, by Robert Mugabe.
It was a really inspiring evening, and all those who contributed, their teachers, Speakers Bank the great organisation which ran the competition and school authorities who helped organise it should be very pleased.
Saturday, 21 November, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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"I felt a little guilty leaving my husband looking after our son on Saturday morning. Normally, on Saturdays I join my team out canvassing or have a meeting in the Borough or arrange to see someone who has contacted me to raise a concern. However, I don't generally leave before breakfast.
On this occasion, however, I had the treat of a spectacular Full English Breakfast at St Nicholas' on Canvey. The Church holds regular monthly breakfasts for women and another for the men on a different Saturday. It is just a very nice relaxed and informal occasion - this week there were thirty or so women from teenagers to those in the 80's - and no evidence of anyone worrying about calories!
Afterwards we had a sneak, private preview of the Girls Brigade fundraiser that was set up in the church hall for later. St Nicholas' has always had a welcoming, warm atmosphere. It's value to our community goes far wider than purely as a place of worship. Their Christmas Celebratory Breakfast on December 5th is for both sexes and it's so popular that they are having to take bookings"
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Tuesday, 17 November, 2009
| ADRIAN ROPER - ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT |
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This letter was featured in this evening's Echo newspaper.
Dear Sir,
Les Harrington (Echo, 6th November) is entirely wrong to attribute the selection of Rebecca Harris as the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Castle Point to “political correctness”.
One hundred and twenty-seven men and women applied to be the Party’s candidate in Castle Point. The selection process was described by some of those who went through it as one of the most thorough in the country. All candidates were interviewed by senior local activists, the local party members and a panel of local people from outside of the Party. At the end of the process, which lasted three days, Rebecca was selected for one reason and one reason alone – she was the best candidate.
I have worked closely with Rebecca over the last 16 months and have only become more convinced that the local Conservative members chose wisely.
Rebecca Harris will make an excellent, hard working and committed MP for the people of Castle Point.
Yours faithfully
Adrian Roper
President
Castle Point Conservatives
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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"Over the last few months, I've spent quite a lot of time visiting organisations whose functions and operations are extremely important to the Borough and our community in Castle Point.
Last week, I was invited by the Port of London Authority for a tour in one of their launches around Canvey. We were incredibly lucky with the weather after three days of torrential rain and high winds, including the Benfleet tornado. The sky was blue it was sunny and calm.
Starting from the PLA jetty next to Coast Watch at Holehaven Creek, we went right round the Island, up Benfleet Creek towards Pitsea where the barges were bringing landfill from the crossrail digging and back to Holehaven again. We took a short detour into Smallgains Creek where the fear is that silting up, especially as a result of Thames dredging elsewhere may become a major problem.
The tide was well up near Benfleet, and I wondered whether we were going to get under the road bridge at one point. My hosts mentioned the problems caused by uninsured jet skiers and the danger they can pose to other water users especially in the summer in places like Thorney Bay. Apparently, jet skiers who join an organised club are much more responsible.
I raised the concern about a new Thames Crossing idea that has been proposed for Canvey. The PLA could foresee problems from a barrier because of the importance of the shipping lane. We also touched on the current and possible future uses of the Calor and Oikos sites.
The PLA's authority extends right up the Estuary, and the waters among or near us in Castle Point are a small part of their responsibility. We should not underestimate the importance of
Commercial shipping along this busy waterway, and it significance the local, regional and national economy. It is an important body"
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Monday, 16 November, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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 Today, I attended a short but moving Armistice service led by the Reverend David Tudor in the Knightswick Centre on Canvey.
My family and I have attended several Remembrance events in Castle Point over the last week. Last weekend I went to the Salvation Army's Festival of Remembrance at the Hadleigh Temple. On Sunday I had the honour of putting down a wreath at the War memorial in Benfleet. My husband took our son to watch the wreath laying and parade on Canvey.
I have signed up to support the Royal British Legion's "do your bit" campaign. Like so many people who want to "do their bit" to support our forces and remember the fallen, it can never feel enough.
Across the UK this year, the spotlight has inevitably been on Afghanistan. A lot of people are reflecting on the human cost of this war, with the almost unwatchable scenes at Wootten Bassett yesterday, and on previous days. However, it is shocking to also reflect that there has only been a single year since the end of WW2 in which a British soldier has not be lost in conflict somewhere around the world.
This year, of course, there are no WW1 veterans at the Cenotaph. This underlines the importance of remembering previous wars and the fallen, as the veterans of these conflicts grow older and less mobile. We can be proud of our community in Castle Point, that there were so many people, especially children and young people wearing poppies, or collecting for the British Legion, or doing mad charity feats for Help for Heroes.
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Thursday, 12 November, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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 This morning I was invited to visit the Coastwatch station at Holehaven on Canvey.
The Coastwatch stations around the country perform a really valuable function, despite the fact that the organisation which runs them, the National Coastwatch Institution, is a charity and its stations are all manned by volunteers.
When many of the original coastguard lookouts were shut down over a decade ago to save money, people felt that there was still a role for the visual look-out. Volunteers came forward, and the first stations were established. The charity has gone from strength to strength. The station at Holehaven Creek has been running for 10 years now.
I was impressed by the knowledge and dedication of the team I met on Canvey. And it is amazing that they can keep the station fully manned during daylight hours entirely by local volunteers. Mind you, watching the view and all the river activity is quite an enjoyable was of passing a few hours.
The area they are surveying is, of course, a really important stretch of water, with all the industrial and other shipping on this part of the Estuary. And the list of incidents which the station, and others across the country, have helped resolve is testament to the
importance of the work they do.
However, I think there is another less tangible benefit from the work the Canvey station does, which is deterring irresponsible or criminal behaviour around out coast because people know someone is paying attention.
Having visited, I can well see the benefits to the local community of the operation being moved East around the sea-wall to give better sight-lines of the beach. I will do whatever I can in future to help make that happen.
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Monday, 02 November, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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 I was very honoured on Saturday to be invited by the Lowther family to attend a presentation for their son Aaron at the Island Yacht Club. I brought my husband and son along with me.
For the second year running, Aaron has won the national youth championship for RIB Powerboat racing. It is evident that Aaron is not only has an exceptional talent, he has also worked incredibly hard for his achievement. RIB racing requires great discipline and precision. I learnt that Canvey, and the Estuary more generally, is not the easiest place to train for this sort of racing, involving lots of early mornings to manage the challenge posed by the tide and all the cleaning to keep the boats workable.
There was a great atmosphere at the club. His family are justifiably proud of his achievement, as is the rest of the club, and the young cadets, who were there in force. I thought Ray Howard summed it up just right when he said how proud Canvey as a whole was of what Aaron had achieved. Indeed, more than 80 islanders had travelled to Southampton to support Aaron when he won.
By winning the championship, Aaron has won another RIB powerboat for the club. Penny from St.Nicholas' blessed the boat before its launch. And there was a RIB challenge race for some of the members and the cadets. I was given a ride, at high speed, out into the Estuary, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
We've been reading in the press this week lots of depressing stories about the bad behaviour of young people. I'm really glad that there's also been good coverage of Aaron's brilliant achievement. But Aaron himself said that he couldn't have achieved what he'd done without the support of the club and his family.
The club itself is really positive towards young people, and my impression is that this attitude is reflected in the behaviour of the youngsters who were there. The children there immediately took my three year old off to join in their games. The children had perfect manners.
It was a great morning. Thank you to Rhonda, the rest of the Lowther family and the Club officials and members who gave my family such a warm welcome. |
Sunday, 01 November, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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On Saturday night, I was kindly invited by the Salvation Army to be a guest at their Annual Festival of Remembrance at the Hadleigh Temple.
It was brilliantly organised evening, with some wonderful and inspiring music both from the Hadleigh Temple Band and also the Royal Naval HMS Nelson Volunteer Band, which had come up from Portsmouth. I also loved the singing of the Dedicated Divas, plus the Temple songsters and the timbrel players.
It was a remarkable mix of remembrance and contemplation, nostalgia, a celebration of some high quality band playing, an insight into the contribution the Salvation Army makes to the support of our forces, and a wider reflection on what is going on at the moment in Afghanistan and other theatres.
I've written before on the current situation in Afghanistan. The death toll is appalling and tragic. But we also need to consider all the young men who were returning with what is euphemistically called "life-changing injuries", caused by the roadside improvised explosive devices that are proving so difficult for our forces to deal with.
Nor must we forget those who return with psychological wounds and terrible memories which are so difficult to come to terms with. The Salvation Army and its volunteers have done amazing work over the years supporting veterans struggling with some of the problems which affect our troops after conflict, including the shocking number who find themselves homeless.
Thank you to all at the Hadleigh Temple for such an enjoyable and thought-provoking evening.
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Wednesday, 28 October, 2009
| REBECCA HARRIS |
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MPs' expenses are back in the headlines and it is depressing reading for anyone who thinks British democracy is important. As the person hoping to be the new Conservative MP for Castle Point at the General Election I have been as shocked and dismayed as anyone by some of the revelations. The public have never been more cynical about some of the people representing us in Parliament.
You might have thought that the whole expenses issue would have left me thinking I needed my head examined for trying to be an MP. But actually its made me even more determined than ever and really optimistic and excited about politics for the future.
Across the country, and in Castle Point, there is an opportunity for a new, fresh start. A different kind of politics. That’s because whichever political Party wins the next General Election, the House of Commons will look and feel a very different place. We now know there will be a massive clear-out and the whole system will have had a root and branch reform.
So many MPs have decided to stand down or been forced to by their party leaders. Many others are likely to lose their seats. So the next Parliament will have several hundred completely fresh faces. As someone who hopes to be one of them, I see this as something positive. On the Conservative side, there are some exceptionally high calibre new candidates. If we are lucky enough to win the election, even with a modest majority, there will be over 50 Conservative women MPs, all chosen democratically from a wide choice of candidates of both sexes like I was.
And this new generation of MPs will come from a really broad range of experience and employment beyond the confines of Westminster, such as teaching, farming, medicine and the Armed Forces. Many have proper hands on experience in business and industry. Coming from a business background myself, I believe its essential that our MPs understand that its British businesses that create jobs and drive economic prosperity, not ever higher taxes and government spending.
I talked with my fellow Conservative candidates at the recent Conservative Party Conference. I know these potential new Conservative MPs will also be younger, confident, more independent, less likely to follow the Whips on points of principle or local concern, more outspoken and quick to speak their mind. They are all very clear that being an MP must not be about self-promotion or personal gain. It is about serving and working hard for everyone, whatever their politics or circumstances. Crucially, all of them are keen not to make the same mistakes some of the current MPs have.
I am also very optimistic about the future of politics right here in Castle Point. This summer I launched a new Castle Point Conservative youth branch called Conservative Future and they already have over 120 members. These young people are serious about political issues and care passionately about the future of our borough. They also want to give something back. Which is why they are going to make doing local voluntary work their priority - that and holding great parties! They have already held their first party on Canvey Island and will be doing things like helping clean up local parks, collecting for the Royal British Legion and raising money for good local causes like BOPH.
They have also been helping with our shoe-boxes for troops campaign. Using our network of volunteers we have filled large numbers of shoe-boxes with gifts which the troops want. I want to thank the many people from across the political divide who have responded and donated items or whole boxes. With our local regiment, The Royal Anglians being deployed to Helmand, this is a really good way of showing our community's support for them. This also proves that a local political party can do something positive with its organisation and volunteers without being party-political or point-scoring against other parties.
As a Conservative, I believe being an MP is not about slavish obedience to some distant organisation which is trying to impose its will on communities. It is about having some basic principles of how we should do things to make our community and country better, and sticking to them. It is also about working as a team, often quietly behind the scenes, to get real results, rather than rowing and point scoring all the time. Even though I am only a Conservative candidate, so I don’t have the benefit of paid staff (or expenses!), I want to demonstrate my commitment to Castle Point, and a different type of politics even now - starting as I mean to go on.
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