Welcome to my election bulletin.
Week 1 of the election campaign is now over, and the dominant issue has been Labour's Jobs Tax. Over the weekend even more senior business leaders have come out in support of Conservative plans, leaving Labour and the Lib Dems in a bit of a pickle. British politics hasn't seen a debate like this for some time, and I'm finding it fascinating to witness.
My election report should have started dropping onto your doormats by now - if it hasn't yet, you can click here to read it. It tells you exactly what I'm standing for.
I also wanted to remind you that my office will remain open for business throughout the campaign at 30 Victoria Street, Crewe CW1 2JE.
The telephone number remains 01270 501725 and you can email here.
With best wishes,
Edward Timpson
Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe & Nantwich
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I have recently...
- Opened local charity Greyhound Rescue West England's fundraising open day, in Nantwich
- Attended Cheshire East Council Greenscape Open Day, with Mayor Margaret Simon, in Crewe
- Met with representatives from O2 regarding phone mast planning applications in the constituency
- Met with new Chief Executive of Cheshire & Wirral Partnership NHS Trust, in Crewe
- Been interviewed by BBC Radio Stoke regarding the General Election campaign in Crewe
- Held a Constituency Surgery at my office on Victoria Street, Crewe
- Held a Community Street Stall to meet constituents in Nantwich
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Nantwich MP Timpson's public surgeries during election campaign
Nantwichnews
Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is to continue with his public surgeries this month despite the ongoing General Election campaign.
His constituency office at 30 Victoria Street, Crewe, will remain open leading up to the May 6 polling day.
Staff will be present to deal with constituents’ enquiries, and surgeries with Mr Timpson will be held at the constituency office 10am to 12pm April 10, 10am to 12pm on April 17, and 10am to 12pm on May 1.
Existing constituents’ cases will continue to be progressed, said the MP.
“I’ve been helping people since I first became a candidate in Crewe and Nantwich, and continued that throughout my time as an MP,” Mr Timpson added.
“I’m not about to stop that just because there’s an election on!”
His constituency office can be contacted on 01270 501 725.
© 2010 Nantwichnews
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MP available during campaign
Crewe Blog
Edward Timpson's constituency office at 30 Victoria Street, Crewe, will remain open throughout the general election campaign, and it can be contacted by telephone on 01270-501725. Staff remain on hand to deal with constituents' enquiries, and open surgery dates/times at the Crewe constituency office with Edward Timpson are to be held as follows: (10am to 12pm) on Saturday 10th April, Saturday 17th April and Saturday 1st May. Existing constituents' cases are NOT being put on hold for the election. They are continuing to be progressed.
Edward Timpson commented: "I've been helping people since I first became a candidate in Crewe and Nantwich, and continued that throughout my time as an MP. I'm not about to stop that just because there's an election on!"
© 2010 Crewe Blog
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Nantwich to get fairer parking charges, says MP Timpson
Nantwichnews
Cheshire East Council is to make parking charges fairer across the district, claims Nantwich MP Edward Timpson.
Mr Timpson has held talks with the council and its leader about the charges.
Many traders and residents in Nantwich are angry they have to pay 70p for the first hour of parking in the town compared to 60p and 30p respectively in Macclesfield and Congleton.
Cheshire East Council has agreed a borough-wide Residents’ Parking Scheme Policy and set aside £480,000 to implement this.
However, the anomaly that exists in the rates applied to Crewe and Nantwich will now be scrutinised as a priority.
And results of the review will be implemented from October 1, 2010.
Mr Timpson said: “Waiting years for the charges to be harmonised wasn’t good enough for Crewe and Nantwich.
“I made this very clear to the council, very publicly, and they have now done the right thing by Crewe and Nantwich residents.
“What we will see is charges in Crewe and Nantwich fall from their current level.
“This isn’t a case of instant perfect harmony for the whole borough, but it does mean that Crewe and Nantwich parking charges will be fair, and much faster than previously expected.”
© 2010 Nantwichnews
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Parking charges to be scrutinised
Crewe Blog (extract)
The recent car park demos seem to have made the Cheshire East decision makers think, and it was great to see Sunday charges dropped in Crewe & Nantwich a few weeks back. Then, proving that it sometimes takes cross-party action, local MP Edward Timpson pitched in with a letter to the council calling not only for fair charges but promt action.
This week, the MP received confirmation from Cheshire East Council that the process of harmonisation of parking charges across the borough of Cheshire East is to be sped up. Good. Mr Timpson has had a number of discussions with the Council and its Leader about the charges, both before and after he sent a public letter of concern about their impact upon Crewe and Nantwich (letter seen by the blog).
Cheshire East Council has already agreed a borough-wide Residents' Parking Scheme Policy and set aside £480,000 over three years to implement this where required. However, in the meantime, the anomaly that exists in the rates applied to the Crewe and Nantwich area will be scrutinised as a priority. Results of this review will be implemented from 1 October 2010. So hopefully we'll see charges balanced out across Cheshire East well ahead of the 2011-12 financial year, perhaps dropping in C&N this autumn.
Edward Timpson commented: "It was great that the Council scrapped Sunday charges, but waiting years for the rest to be harmonised wasn't good enough for Crewe and Nantwich. I made this very clear to the Council, very publicly, and they have now done the right thing by Crewe and Nantwich residents. What we will see is charges in Crewe and Nantwich fall from their current level. This isn't a case of instant perfect harmony for the whole borough, but it does mean that Crewe and Nantwich parking charges will be fair, and much faster than previously expected."
© 2010 Crewe Blog
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Home truths on immigration
Edward Timpson, Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Since 1997, Labour’s open-door policy has seen the largest and most sustained rise in immigration in our history.
In 1997 net migration was 48,000. In 2008 it was 163,000.
This has placed a heavy burden on public services, such as schools, housing and hospitals.
It is this issue that many of you have written to me about since I became your MP.
Firstly, let me make clear that a Conservative government would apply transitional controls as a matter of course for all future European Union entrants.
And, overall, a Conservative government will reduce immigration to the levels of the 1990s – tens of thousands a year instead of the hundreds of thousands a year under Labour.
Our immigration policy is based on three principles:
An annual limit on the numbers of non-EU economic migrants allowed to work here, taking into consideration the effects a rising population has on our services and local communities;
Preventing illegal migration, with important new rules to tighten up the student visa system and a dedicated Border Police Force to crack down on illegal immigration and people trafficking; and
Promoting integration, as we believe that everyone coming to this country must be ready to embrace the core values of British society. There will be an English language test for anyone coming here to get married.
Crewe and Nantwich has shown that Britain can benefit from immigration.
Our established post-war Polish community, and our Bangladeshi community, have both shown how migration can have a positive local impact upon the economy.
Conservatives want to continue to attract the brightest and the best people to the UK – only with control on the overall numbers coming here.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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MP praises knitters
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has praised the tireless work of members of Crewe-based knitting charity Ray of Hope.
The lunch was a special ‘Thank You’ to the community volunteers who provide clothing for premature babies at Leighton Hospital’s maternity unit, and was attended by around 65 people.
The charity has been knitting and sewing for the hospital since its formation in 1999 under the guidance of its President, Cllr. Ray Stafford MBE.
The charity’s success has meant that, as well as providing clothing for babies at the hospital, they have been able to set up a stall at the hospital selling children’s clothing, with all profits going to the maternity and neonatal wards.
Mr Timpson said: “My children were all born at Leighton, so I know the great work done by the staff on the maternity wards.
“For over ten years the money raised by Ray of Hope has really helped the hospital maintain its standard of service.”
“It’s been great to see what a group of community-minded volunteers can achieve with a little effort.”
Ray of Hope coordinator Christine Cooper said: “All our volunteers work really hard to provide essential clothing for premature babies at the Hospital who may be smaller than normal.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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MP Timpson and Labour candidate welcome General Election news
Nantwichnews (extract)
The key candidates for the Crewe & Nantwich seat have welcomed today’s announcement that the General Election has been called.
But current Tory MP for the town Edward Timpson said it was very much business as usual.
Mr Timpson won a highly publicised by-election in 2008 after the death of long-serving Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody.
He said today: “For me it’s business as usual: telling my constituents across Crewe and Nantwich what I’m doing for them, and running a busy constituency office, which is remaining open throughout the election.”
Already large hoardings are being erected around Nantwich promoting Mr Timpson, including two at the junction of London Road and Peter Destapleigh Way.
© 2010 Nantwichnews
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MP Timpson questions ID card take-up in Nantwich
Nantwichnews
Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is quizzing Government minsters over the take-up of the ID card trial scheme in the town.
Residents in Cheshire have been able to apply for an ID card since the end of last year, but reports suggest interest has been low.
In January, the Government admitted just 1,300 people in Greater Manchester had applied for a card – just 0.26% of the 500,000 population.
Mr Timpson asked a written question to find out how many people in Crewe and Nantwich had applied, but was told the information was unavailable.
He said: “Why cannot a scheme designed to assist in identifying individuals provide even basic information such as the uptake in my constituency?”
Meg Hillier, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Home Office, said: “It is illegal to interrogate the database to gather such information.”
But Mr Timpson hit back: “What the Minister said in her answer is not the case. They hold the information by postcode.
“The House of Commons Library has verified this with the Home Office for me.
“This makes me suspect that the Government are trying to cover up a lack of public support for a scheme that could end up costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds.”
Mr Timpson has now asked for the information to be provided for every postcode area in Crewe and Nantwich.
© 2010 Nantwichnews
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Local MP defends teachers
Crewe Blog
Local MP Edward Timpson has this week backed plans to scrap the 'licence to teach'. Current Government proposals mean that teachers who fail regular checks will be banned from the classroom. But they have faced strong criticism from teachers' unions. Chris Keates, NASWUT General Secretary, warned: "Teachers feel that it's going to be another stick to beat them with." The Conservative Party has also criticised the plans and has pledged to scrap them if they become the next Government.
Mr Timpson commented: "The last thing our teachers need is more red tape and jumping through hoops, we should trust them to do their job." He also highlighted his party's plans to restore powers and authority to teachers after a survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers found that 1 in 4 teachers had faced violence in the classroom. He added: "We need to give teachers the power to remove disruptive pupils, to search for and ban items of contraband, and put the law back on their side."
© 2010 Crewe Blog
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Desert Island MP
Crewe Blog
Ever wondered what tunes your local MP listens to? Well, Edward Timpson was the celebrity guest last week at a Desert Island Discs supper to raise funds for the charity 'Action Medical Research' at Hough Village Hall. At the event he was interviewed about what his choices would be. The MP's choices included Buddy Holly's 'True Love Ways', which he revealed was the first dance song at his wedding, and 'One Day Like This' by Elbow, which his children enjoy listening to in the bath! He also picked the Grandstand theme tune to remember a young man with Down's syndrome whom his parents helped care for, and who loved the programme.
Mr Timpson was later quizzed about a wide range of topics including his previous career as a family law barrister, his experience of fostering and adoption, and his rebellions against his Party over Bingo Tax and the privatisation of Royal Mail. The event raised £1,190 for the charity, which funds research to help save and change children's lives.Speaking after the event, Peggy Ward, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said: "I think everybody here has had an enjoyable and entertaining evening, and we are all delighted with the amount we've managed to raise. Our thanks go to Mr Timpson and also to Mr Ivan Forster who came from Stone to interview Mr Timpson so professionally."
Mr Timpson said: "I've had a great trip down memory lane tonight, and been asked some pretty searching questions. Congratulations are due to everybody involved with organising this event. It's great to be involved with Action Medical Research, whose work makes such a difference to the lives of children and young people."
© 2010 Crewe Blog
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MP Edward Timpson on charity Desert Island Discs in Hough
Nantwichnews
Nantwich MP Edward Timpson was the celebrity guest at a ‘Desert Island Discs’ supper to raise funds for Action Medical Research at Hough Village Hall.
Mr Timpson was interviewed about what his choices would be, and he picked Buddy Holly’s ‘True Love Ways’, the first dance song at his wedding, and ‘One Day Like This’ by Elbow.
He also picked the Grandstand theme tune to remember a young man with Down’s syndrome whom his parents helped care for, and who loved the programme.
Mr Timpson was later quizzed about a wide range of topics including his previous career as a family law barrister and his experience of fostering and adoption.
The event raised £1,190 for the charity, which funds research to help save and change children’s lives.
Peggy Ward, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said: “Everybody had an enjoyable and entertaining evening, and we are all delighted with the amount we’ve managed to raise.”
Mr Timpson said: “Congratulations are due to everybody involved with organising this event.
“It’s great to be involved with Action Medical Research, whose work makes such a difference to the lives of children and young people.”
© 2010 Nantwichnews
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Crewe And Nantwich MP On Warpath Over ID Cards
Crewe and Nantwich Guardian
LOCAL MP Edward Timpson has quizzed Government minsters over the take-up of the ID card trial scheme in his Crewe and Nantwich constituency.
Residents in Cheshire have been able to apply for an ID card since the end of last year, but reports suggest that interest has been low.
In January the Government admitted that just 1,300 people in Greater Manchester had applied for a card - 0.26% of the 500,000 population.
Mr Timpson recently asked a written question to find out how many people in Crewe and Nantwich had applied, but was told the information was unavailable.
Speaking in the House of Commons Mr Timpson said: "Why cannot a scheme that is designed to assist in identifying individuals provide even basic information such as the uptake in my constituency?"
Meg Hillier, Parliamentary under-secretary at the Home Office, replied saying: "It is illegal to interrogate the database to gather such information."
Speaking afterwards Mr Timpson said: "What the minister said in her answer is not the case. They hold the information by postcode.
"The House of Commons library has verified this with the Home Office for me.
"This makes me suspect that the Government are trying to cover up a lack of public support for a scheme that could end up costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds."
Mr Timpson has since asked for the information to be provided for each and every postcode area in Crewe and Nantwich.
© 2010 Newsquest Media Group
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MP welcomes Tory pledge to pensioners
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has this week welcomed the Conservatives pledge to stand up for pensioners across the country.
The proposals include plans to increase the basic state pension, freeze council tax for two years, and take all homes worth less than £1 million out of inheritance tax.
Leader David Cameron has also made a ‘personal promise’ to protect winter fuel payments, free TV licences and the pension credit.
Mr Timpson said: “There are almost 20,000 pensioners in the constituency who have given so much to our society.
“Under this Government their cost of living has soared, so I am very pleased that my Party has pledged to give them the help they deserve.”
The Conservatives have also pledged not to introduce a ‘Death Tax’ of up to £50,000 to pay for social care for OAPs.
The party claims plans for the tax were hidden in the small print of the Government’s long-awaited White Paper.
The Conservatives say that the social care contributions should be voluntary.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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ID card stats refused
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson has quizzed Government minsters over the take-up of the ID card trial scheme in South Cheshire.
Residents have been able to apply for an ID card since the end of last year, but reports suggest that interest has been very low.
In January the Government admitted that just 1,300 people in Greater Manchester had applied for a card- just 0.26% of the 500,000 population.
Mr Timpson asked for the local statistics but Home Office under-secretary said it would be illegal to agree to his request.
Speaking afterwards an angry Mr Timpson said: “They hold the information by postcode. It makes me suspect that the Government are trying to cover up for a lack of public support for a scheme that could end up costing the taxpayer hundreds of millions.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Staying fit for charity
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Crewe-based Stayfit4life has doubled its £1,000 fundraising target for Help for Heroes.
The Brook Street gym staged a week of fundraising activities for the charity and raised £2,000.
It included collecting donations and selling wristbands.
There was also an auction at the gym and a 10 hour walkathon on treadmills.
That event was attended by Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Steve Phillips.
Angela Howard, of Stayfit4life, said: “The walkathon was an amazing success as again members and non-members took part and again this was the main event in our week.
“We would like to extend a big thank you to Joe O’Leary MBE and Steve Phillips for their support and time spent with us.”
The week finished with a raffle of homemade goods.
Angela said: “The response has been fantastic and overwhelming and we would like to thank everyone who has taken part and donated goods for the auction and raffles – our members, local businesses and the general public.”
The cheque was presented to Help for Heroes charity co-ordinator Steve Pragnall by Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson.
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Royal British Legion visit from Dr Fox
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Shadow Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox has paid a visit to the Crown Hotel in Nantwich to talk to Crewe and Nantwich veterans from both of the constituency’s branches of the Royal British Legion.
Before becoming the Conservatives’ Shadow Defence Secretary in 2005 Dr Fox trained as a GP and has experience as a civilian army medical officer.
He was accompanied on his visit by Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson.
Dr Fox spoke to members of Nantwich British Legion about the Conservatives’ plans for Defence and Veterans policy.
He pledged that a Conservative Government would ensure that veterans and the families of people serving in the armed forces were taken care of.
Speaking at the event Mr Timpson said: “I am delighted to welcome Liam to Nantwich to tell us about Conservative plans for our Armed Forces.
“It has been very interesting to hear him speak and I hope he reassured people that the Conservatives are wholeheartedly committed to protecting both veterans and those currently serving.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Cycleway project rescued from the danger of falling by the wayside
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson is 'delighted' that the Connect 2 Crewe project to build a cycleway between the two towns is finally under way.
Work on the cycleway and pedestrian route, which will run between Queen's Park and Rising Sun pub is expected to start this summer.
A £760,000 grant had been awarded to the former Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council for the project.
But the MP and Cllr John Hammond discovered that the grant was in danger of expiring without work started.
The two alerted Cheshire East Council to urgently inform them that if they did not respond to outstanding issues within 30 days, the grant would be lost.
Mr Timpson commented: "It seems that the scheme slipped between the cracks in the transition from Crewe and Nantwich Bourough Council and Cheshire East, so it's great news that the wheels have been set in motion.
"I'm delighted that we've got another physical link between our two towns. I hope it will encourage people to dig out their old bicycles, or take up cycling for the first time, as it's a great way to get around and keep fit."
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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Celebration for big greyhound rescue operation
Crewe and Nantwich Chronicle
Crewe and Nantwich MP Edward Timpson was a guest speaker at an Easter-themed family charity event held at Reaseheath College this week.
The party was staged by Greyhound Rescue West of England (GRWE), a charity dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of Greyhounds, to mark the first anniversary of their biggest rescue mission to date.
A year ago GRWE worked with Wirral Council to co-ordinate the rescue of 29 mistreated Greyhounds from premises at Hillcroft Poultry Farm, Wirral.
The dogs were found in blood and urine stained rusty cages, and were unused to human contact.
Earlier this year the owner, Mr Ian Street pleaded guilty to 11 eleven separate charges.
The party to commemorate the rescue involved an Easter trail, a parade, raffle and a search and rescue display.
Attendees could also have a go tracking classes, to teach their hounds to track a scent.
Speaking after the event Mr Timpson said: “I think everybody here has had a fantastic day; all the displays have been fun and interesting for children and adults alike.”
He went on: “But there is a serious message here; some Greyhounds are not as lucky as the 29 rescued last year.
“All dog owners, Greyhound trainers included, have a basic duty of care towards their animals.
“We need to send a strong message to crackdown on anyone who mistreats their dogs.”
© 2010 Trinity Mirror North West and North Wales Ltd
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5 ways to contact Edward Timpson
