James Wharton MP

Last night I attended the Blueprint awards in Gateshead.  This event recognises and supports business plans and works closely with the region’s universities to encourage students and others to turn their ideas into reality and set up their own businesses.  There were some excellent ideas in the final, some of which are already successful startup businesses.  Our young people are some of our most imaginative and able entrepreneurs and these sort of events celebrate and encourage their efforts.  It was a pleasure to attend.

It has been a busy weekend; I spent Saturday in Ingleby Barwick and Sunday morning in Yarm, ensuring that all residents receive my regular newsletter “intouch”. 

Things have also been busy at home.  Where I live Yarm fair has a significant impact, with crowds going past the window throughout the day and night when the fair is on.  As usual Yarm Town Council did an excellent job of managing the fair, minimising its impact on local businesses so far as possible and ensuring an orderly few nights.  Some local businesses in Yarm feel the impact of Yarm fair keenly and there are often calls for it to be moved to a different location but for the time being I rather feel it should stay.  It is can be inconvenience sometimes but it only lasts a few days a year and it brings pleasure to a great many local people.

Last night I attended a meeting with Conservative Party representatives from across the Stoctkon South constituency.  It was a good opportunity to discuss the issues in different areas and to get a feel for the health of the party organisation in each ward.  Everyone was concerned about the national economy and there are a great many local issues which still need to be addressed.  It was an extremely productive meeting and we have a number of ideas to be getting on with over the coming months.

This morning I was on the BBC Tees breakfast show with John Foster.  The main topic of discussion was crime and antisocial behaviour, with a number of callers talking about their own unpleasant experiences.  It is worrying how often you hear not only of incidents of extreme antisocial behaviour or crime in our communities, but also of innocent people who intervene being arrested or, worse, getting hurt.  The Human Rights Act is partly to blame for encouraging this “walk on by” culture by seeming to protect criminals beyond all reason.  I always knew it but this morning’s show really brought home the reality – the Human Rights Act 1998 must be scrapped.

Last night I was guest speaker at the Yarm and Thornaby Rotary Club.  After an enjoyable meal at Tall Trees I spoke to members about political history, in particular that of a club called the United & Cecil which supports Conservative Candidates during election campaigns.  There were wide ranging questions afterwards, on everything from political funding to whether United and Cecil members can bring guests to their dinners!

I always enjoy addressing groups like Rotary, which do so much good work in the community.