James Wharton MP

Lots of emails today about an article in the Evening Gazette regarding the Labour MP.  Apparently she is going to pay out of her own pocket to have her house repaired, and has written to residents telling them that this is the case!  A number of her neighbours have asked whether the letters and postage were paid for from her allowances, I am afraid I do not know but the whole thing strikes me as very odd.  I cannot help but feel she should be focussing on more important things, such as unemployment in Stockton South which continues to rise at a frightening rate.

Yesterday lunchtime I attended a meeting to discuss schooling in Ingleby Barwick.  Whilst it is early stages I may have found a solution that will suit everyone, as well as addressing a number of other local issues in the South of the Borough.  I need to have a few more meetings and test the waters before we can go public with the detail but the prospects are excellent.

This morning I attended a meeting at ONE NE, the regional development agency, with Peter Jackson (Conservative leader Northumberland CC) and Guy Opperman (PPC for Hexham).  It was a great opportunity to look into the detail of some of the work of ONE NE and we discussed a number of local issues, including DTV Airport and employment and regeneration issues in the Tees Valley.  I have some reservations about aspects of ONE’s work, however I was grateful for the chance to raise my concerns directly and I am confident that a positive working relationship can be developed.

An excellent meeting last night with new volunteers who have joined the campaign.  We have picked up around 30 new helpers over the past month, an unprecedented boost to our efforts.  As the regular intouch newsletter is delivered free of charge we are always looking for help with distribution and it is a great sign that so many people are willing to give up their time to get involved.

Last night I attended the Independence day celebratory BBQ at Ingleby Barwick golf club with friends.  The club is a great venue and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, even if we did miss out on winning the quiz by one question!