Last week I was invited to take part in a TV studio discussion programme, the topic of the discussion ‘How to get younger people involved in politics’. The programme ‘It’s My Life’ was to be filmed in Manchester at the Granada TV studios, hosted by Terry Christian for ITV. I agreed to take part having successfully helped develop and grow a healthy Conservative Future here on Wirral (Conservative Future being the Conservative group for young people www.conservativefuture.com)  

So successful is Wirral Conservative Future that we now have 3 new councillors on Wirral from this group. Cllr Tom Anderson for Upton Ward, Cllr Paul Hayes Wallasey Ward and Cllr James Keeley Liscard Ward – all under 25 years old and all proving to be tremendous councillors; vibrant, energetic and intelligent individuals who add a lot to the area and to the council debating chamber.

The debate centred on getting more people interested in politics. Hazel Blears MP opened the show talking about Labour’s latest initiatives to allow members of the public to shadow councillors and MP’s as well as their new eye catching campaign and website. I agree this is a start, but only a start, the first step in a long journey. To truly engage with as many young people as possible and not just engage with those already interested in politics, you need to begin a real dialogue with younger people, find out what interests them. I say that through personal experience. Back in 2003, I had no CF’s in Wirral West, so as best as I could, on the money I had (ie zero) I wrote a leaflet and hand delivered it to some 20,000 homes asking people if they’d like to get involved in politics – To my horror – I recieved only a handful of replies -  and from that handful of replies one person began working with me and still does. He was interested in his local area and how to make it cleaner and safer.

Now from that one person I managed to build a dynamic group of 30 within a few short months. I did that by reaching out and trying to make contact with people – that was step one. After which I met with these people individually and in groups – listened to what they had to say and then tried to work with them to help them achieve their goals. Each one of them had very different goals – some was to help their local school, others to help members of their family going through a difficult time, others to help the environment, clean up the parks and beaches and others wanted to help children in Africa.  As a group we helped them all.

Now I don’t know if what I had to say made great television – the programme was filmed yesterday to be broadcast later in the year – I wasn’t trying to put down other political parties and their initiatives, they know whether or not their campaigns are working – I didn’t want a huge ‘ding dong’ on television – I genuinely wanted to let people know how, after 5 years of hard work, we managed to grow and continue to grow a thriving Conservative Future here in Wirral. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding, from our young group of people we now have 3 new councillors.

Should you wish to get involved here in Wirral West or anywhere across the country and meet other young, liked minded people then email me directly on esther@wirralwestconservatives.com and I’ll put you in touch with who you need to speak to.

I’ve received lots  of correspondence this summer on dog fouling.

It was for that reason I called a meeting with local councillors Gerry Ellis, Jeff Green and David Elderton as well as Wirral’s Environmental Health Manager Phil Dickson, to discuss what could be done.

It was agreed at our meeting that Wirral would look to deliver a zero style tolerance approach with ‘targeted enforcement for specific areas’ to try to deal with the number of complaints from certain areas. Designated inspectors will be sent to these key areas to watch for irresponsible dog owners – added to that, responsible dog owners will be rewarded with the opportunity of winning £50 from a prize draw, a scheme already running through Wirral Partnership Homes. It would appear this would be the best use of council’s resources and the inspector’s time, making irresponsible dog owners act more responsibly and also rewarding responsible ones. Surely a win win situation. Working with the community and engaging with the wider community.

To nominate your area as a Zero Tolerance Area contact our office on 0151 631 1052

Congratulations once again to the Wirral Food and Drink Show – held over the bank holiday at Claremont Farm.

The event only began 3 years ago but is now well established in the Wirral Calendar. Over 100 producers took part from across the region and thousands of people attended. All home grown,  healthy food  and yet sadly I managed to find the chocolate kebab stall… hence the smile!

Bank Holiday Monday and a team of us were out raising money for the RNLI

Over 40, 000 people flocked to Hoylake and West Kirby Lifeboat day – one of Wirral’s most popular events – The Red Arrows, regulars at the event, did a spectacular show – I don’t know if it was me, but it seemed even more dare-devilish  than ever!

Pictured above -Some of our Team who were out helping over the weekend.

The Conservative Action Team was out in force over the weekend – 25 of us helping in Pensby – then back to mine for bacon butties – both brown and red sauce available – Now who said I was no good in a kitchen?

Fun and Games ….. Cllr Tom Anderson helping raise money…..

Top Sport Tom offered to stand in the stocks whilst, well I won’t say who paid to throw the sponges! Safe to say we rasied a few quid for the Overchurch Residents Association.

What a fantastic day it was, the army was there paint-balling with the local kids as well as teaching them archery, there was a bucking bronco bull, gladiator events, stalls, crafts and gifts and hundreds of residents having fun…… but possibly not as much fun as the Sponge Thrower!

As part of the Conservative Party’s campaign on fairness, George Osborne and Alan Duncan today announce that a Conservative government will reform Post Office Card Accounts to enable families without bank accounts to benefit from the lower energy and water tariffs offered to customers paying by direct debit.

It is estimated that this could cut the energy bills of up to 4 million Post Office Card Account (POCA) holders by up to £100 a year.

There are approximately 8 million people in the UK who do not have a bank account or are effectively unbanked because they withdraw all their cash weekly. Many of these use POCA instead. But because they cannot pay their bills by direct debit, they typically pay much higher rates for gas, electricity and water.

A Conservative government will reform POCA so that they can be used for the first time to pay utility bills using the equivalent of a direct debit. This proposal, which has support from leading utility companies, will generate significant savings for energy companies through lower collection costs, which can be passed onto consumers in the form of lower bills.

In addition, because state benefits are automatically paid into POCA each week, users also benefit from a more convenient and time efficient way of managing their finances and paying their bills.

The Labour Government has rejected this policy because adding functionality to POCA contradicts their plans to shut Post Offices. In fact, this policy could also generate up to £20 million a year in additional revenue for Post Offices, which could help keep some Post Offices from going to the wall as a result of Labour cuts.

Commenting, Shadow Chancellor George Osborne said:

“It is deeply unfair that many of the poorest households end up paying more for their energy and water bills because they don’t have bank accounts and can’t pay by direct debit.

“Our plan, developed with industry, will help people struggling with rising household bills by letting them use their Post Office Card Account to pay their utility bills.

“This fair Conservative plan could cut the energy and gas bills of up to four million people by £100, helping many families at a time when the cost of living is rising fast.”

Commenting, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Alan Duncan said:

“The Conservatives have been working with industry to develop this sensible and fair policy.

“This is a significant weapon for attacking the growing pain of fuel poverty. Price rises have hit the poorest hardest. This is a scheme that would target the most vulnerable in a focused and practical way.”

Theresa Perchard – Director of Policy, Citizens Advice Bureau “At a time when fuel and other household costs are escalating, intensifying the pressures on poorer consumers, this proposal offers to put more money in the pockets of poorer consumers by reducing their outgoings and providing for weekly budgeting to help avoid debt. And the fact that it might cost less if utilities, other creditors and government bodies work together rather than alone must mean it deserves serious consideration.”

Phillip Mills – Director of Water Services, Water UK “Debt and affordability are serious issues for the water industry. The CEOs from our 26 member companies therefore support the this proposal and we aim to be an active partner in developing this initiative.”

Jo Steven – Director, Specialist Marketing, EDF Energy “EDF Energy are keen to assist vulnerable and fuel poor customers in managing their debt and energy usage. This has the potential to provide customers with an effective budgeting mechanism which could provide a secure channel for social tariffs.”

The BCC’s economic forecast does not bode well click on the link below for the latest BBC’s report <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7566792.stm> 
For that reason the Conservatives are putting forward an economic recovery plan that will help businesses and individuals through these difficult times.

Well done team GB at the Olympics. The haul of medals so far really has surpassed expectations.

Later today local super-heavy weight boxer David Price will be attempting to get a medal in boxing and local gymnast and ‘Winning Woman’ Beth Tweddle will be competing in the gymnastics too.

It really is fantastic seeing so many young athletes doing so well and being supported by National Lottery funding – praise indeed must go to John Major and others for introducing this and pursuing with sports funding.

Overchurch Residents Association are holding a FUN DAY on Wednesday 20th August ,10:30am at the Overton Community Centre. The Army and Buzz Radio will also be there and it promises to be an action packed day. With paint-balling, archery, assault course, climbing wall, bouncy castle, gladiator style games and much, much more. There will also be stalls and car boot sale – so an action packed day the whole family can enjoy. Cllr Tom Anderson and I will also be popping along. For more information call 678 4499.