James Wharton MP

Yarm and Eaglescliffe AGM

James Wharton — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:19:44 +0000

Yesterday I was in the constituency office, with a series of surgeries and meetings. In the evening I attended the Annual General Meeting of Yarm and Eaglescliffe Branch of Stockton Conservatives.

Factories and police

James Wharton — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 15:17:14 +0000

Yesterday I met the Chief Exec of Stockton Council to discuss a range of issues, followed by visiting the new Nifco factory in Eaglescliffe. I also met the new Temporary Chief Constable of Cleveland Police.

In the evening I spoke at the Teesside Caledonian Society’s Burns Supper, an excellent and well attended event.

Yarm Parking – Stockton Council gets it wrong

James Wharton — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:46:44 +0000

Tonight at scrutiny committee Stockton Borough Council decided to ignore the views and concerns of residents and traders in Yarm. They are pushing ahead with the introduction of parking charges, with no support from local people and leaving many residents with little confidence in their local authority. Yarm’s Conservative Borough and Town Councillors have been working hard on a campaign to stop the charges, along with Phil Dennis and Eaglescliffe Conservatives, but sadly Stockton has refused to listen. On Tuesday I spoke on this issue in Parliament and a link to that video is below, Stockton Council might think this is the end of the Yarm parking story, I suspect there will be a few developments to come yet…

Constituency Friday and Sunday Politics

James Wharton — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:54:54 +0000

Yesterday I held a number of surgeries and meetings in my constituency office, including with the Seamer Hilton Windfarm Action Group (SHWAG) and local organisation Catalyst.

In the afternoon I went up to Newcastle to record the Sunday Politics, which has replaced the Politics Show.

Yarm Parking

James Wharton — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:10:49 +0000

Last night I attended a packed public meeting at the Fellowship Hall, Yarm to discuss Stockton Council’s proposed new parking charges.

There were around 250 residents and traders present and there was real anger that Stockton wants to push ahead proposals for parking in the town without having undertaken any consultation. The cabinet member responsible appears to confuse a survey with actual consultation and the proposals are being pushed forward without the support of the Town Council, Borough Councillors, residents or traders.

Frank Cook

James Wharton — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:08:52 +0000

I was saddened to learn that last night Frank Cook, MP for Stockton North from 1983 – 2010 passed away. Frank was my local MP when I grew up in Wolviston Village. He always took the time to speak to me and offer advice when I saw him and his long record of service to the people of Stockton will not be forgotten.

Sri Lanka

James Wharton — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:59:55 +0000

Last week I visited Sri Lanka to meet with government representatives, discuss UK – Sri Lanka relations and visit post war reconstruction work in the North and East of the country. It was a fascinating and extremely useful visit and brought home just how important a partner Sri Lanka can and should be as we seek to expand global trade.

Christmas

James Wharton — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:58:43 +0000

Today I arrived back from London to spend Christmas in Stockton with family. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all constituents a very Merry Christmas and the very best for 2012.

Yarm Events

James Wharton — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:32:47 +0000

On Friday I made a number of constituency visits, including Yarm Methodist Church and Yarm school. On Saturday morning I attended the excellent Eaglescliffe Community Centre annual fundraiser in the morning and a wedding at Egglescliffe church in the late morning/afternoon. On Sunday I turned on the Christmas tree lights in Yarm. All in all a hectic but enjoyably festive weekend!

Ian Ramsey, Boundaries, Stockton Baptist Tabernacle and A Way Out

James Wharton — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:36:40 +0000

A busy weekend. On Friday I had the honour of presenting a plaque to Ian Ramsey School in honour of two former pupils who flew in the Battle of Britain. One, Len Davies, was present and it was a real honour to meet him.

I also attended a hearing of the Boundary Commission to put on record my concerns about the proposal to put Newton Aycliffe and Yarm together in one constituency.

On Saturday I attended the Stockton Baptist Tabernacle to see the new Minister, Andrew Waugh, former introduced and then in the evening attended a fundraiser for A Way Out, the excellent local charity.