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Politics – we’re
back in business!
The public gets bored with politics very easily – especially
in the few months after a General Election. That certainly
happened this summer. But ever since the Conservative Leadership
hopefuls strutted the boards at Blackpool in October, interest
has been growing again. Attention turned from the long - running ‘Tony
and Gordon’ farce to the thriller that is David and David.
Democracy, especially the Westminster model, doesn’t
work properly without a strong Leader of Her Majesty’s
Loyal Opposition.
Until about twenty years ago the Leader of the Conservative
Party “emerged” from the membership of the Parliamentary
Party and was crowned with acclaim. Then along came democracy
and the MPs elected one from their number to be their Leader.
It was not until 2001 that the franchise was extended to the
paid-up members of the Party in each constituency. It didn’t
work very well so the Board of the Party (not the MPs) suggested
we should go back to the old system. Although a majority voted
in favour of that, it was not big enough to reach the threshold
required in the rules. So the David v. David show will play
on for six weeks before we get our new Leader. In the interim,
Michael Howard will be the Caretaker.
In David Cameron and David Davis we have two accomplished
politicians. I could happily work with either of them. But
I prefer Cameron. Why? He believes in Britain and the best
of British, he is a great communicator, he is tolerant and
I believe he will reach out beyond Westminster to the millions
of people longing for a change.
Anyone standing for any political office has to appeal beyond
just the ‘tight knit group of politically-motivated men’ who
choose him or her. When I cast my vote in the Commons on your
behalf I always think of the arithmetic. I was selected as
the Conservative Candidate in the May election by about 50
local people representing the 1400 members of the Salisbury
Conservative Association. But some 26,000 people voted Conservative
last May – and now I have to represent the whole community
of about 110,000 people in this Constituency.
Similarly, Conservative Party members across the country will
now have to choose which of the two candidates is most likely
to appeal to and be trusted by all 44 million electors in the
UK – and which lead the toughest Opposition.
Business as usual
Meanwhile, I hit the ground running when Parliament returned.
First off for me was affordable housing. We need much more
locally. But we tend to forget a very valuable sort of social
housing of which we have many fine examples in Salisbury and
the villages and 17,000 examples nationwide. I reminded the
Housing Minster of the contribution of the 17,000 almshouses
which house around a quarter of a million people. Most of them
are small, ancient foundations. But they are ruled by regulations
designed for large, well-staffed organisations like Housing
Associations. Many cannot cope – including one in Salisbury – so
they apply to the Charity Commission to vary their constitutions.
They sell off their houses, evicting their tenants and live
off the proceeds, becoming grant-making charities. What a waste!
We have spent a lot of time this year considering humanitarian
disasters and causes, most recently the consequences of the
tragic earthquakes in South Asia. At Questions to the International
Development Secretary, I reminded him that we are currently
engaged with the long-term problems of Afghanistan, Iraq, Darfur
(Sudan), still coping with the effects of the tsunami and now
of the earthquakes. Who, I asked, prioritises and co-ordinates
Government effort and budgets across Departments. You’ll
be relieved to know that Ministers and officials talk to one
another about these things. Not good enough! There should be
a permanent crisis management and post-crisis unit, probably
in the Cabinet Office, to optimise Britain’s response
and commitment.
In October we reached a historic conclusion on how to cope
with the thousands of miles of ancient and delicate tracks
and green lanes that are being destroyed by some of the drivers
of 4X4 recreational vehicles and trail bikes. The outcry from
our Parish Councils in South Wiltshire has been replicated
across the land. To most people it was always absurd that if
you could prove a horse and cart had once used a track, then
modern powerful motor vehicles should have the right to use
it too, whatever the damage. I listened carefully. I spent
an afternoon with such a club locally. As I told The House,
with regret I concluded there was no meeting of minds so I
supported Conservative amendments to stop the nonsense as soon
as possible – and I’m delighted to say the Minister
agreed. Existing rights will not be extinguished – but
there won’t be many new ones granted.
Trafalgar – Wiltshire Style
Where were you on October 21st to mark the 200th anniversary
of Horatio Nelson’s naval victory over the French and
Spanish fleets? There were many local celebrations to choose
from. But where more appropriate then the Dinner and Opera
at Trafalgar Park near Downton, built by Act of Parliament
to honour Nelson’s heirs and occupied by the family until
1947. Sue and I joined a happy throng, raising money, too,
for four local charities of which we can all be proud – the
Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon, Salisbury Hospice,
The Harnham Water Meadows Trust and the Wiltshire Bobby Van.
Finally, warmest congratulations and good wishes to Downton
School – which chose this auspicious day to transform
itself into The Trafalgar School at Downton. May God bless
her and all who sail in her!
Robert Key MP
23rd October 2005 |
