James Wharton MP

It has been a busy week in Westminster and I spoke in debates on Business Rate Retention, Local radio funding and Trades Unions. Back in Stockton South I held a number of surgeries on Friday, including a “Supermarket Surgery” at Tesco in Ingleby Barwick. I also attended a dicussion, hosted by the Evening Gazette, with representatives from a range of local businesses and organisations.

This week I presented Tescos schools vouchers equipment to local primary schools in Eaglescliffe, followed by a visit to Durham Lane Primary to meet the School Council.

I also spoke in a debate at Durham University opposing the motion “This House has no confidence in Her Majesty’s Government” against Sir Stuart Bell MP, I am pelased to say students rejected the motion!

I also took part in today’s North East Politics Show.

For the first half of this week I was at Conservative Party conference in Manchester, though I did a number of regional events whilst there including interviews for Look North and the North East Politics Show.
On my return I attended a meeting of local party members, held a surgery in Yarm library, met with a number of local journalists to discuss a range of issues and with our Member of the European Parliament, Martin Callanan, for an update on his work.

This week has been varied, with visits to the Meadowings community centre in Yarm to support the charity RSVP, the Tetley factory in Eaglecliffe to present a National Training Award, TAG in Stockton to celebrate the opening of a new offshore turbine factory, a Macmillan Fairtrade coffee morning in Stockton and much besides.

Next week I will be at Conservative Party conference in Manchester.