Labour MPs Lacked Backbone - for The New Blackmore Vale Friday, 28 March, 2025 I appreciate that what I am about to write is easier to do so when in Opposition. However, there are times in a Parliamentary career when you have to ask: how in the name of Heaven did the Whips decide it to be a good idea to vote against an amendment to a Bill. Last week we MPs voted on amendments from the House of Lords to the National Insurance Contributions Bill. These amendments, would have... Articles
Playing a Dangerous Game - for the BV 7th March 2025 Many people will have had a hope that the second Trump administration might have been different from his first. That a greater sense of calmness and ‘grown up’... Articles
Rural Resilience and the Importance of Democracy - for the BV 7th February 2025 In this edition I want to try to cover three topics. The first one was going to concern the recent announcement by Lloyds Bank of the impending closure later... Local News
Reflecting at Christmas - for The Blackmore Vale 20th January 2025 I am writing this prior to Christmas but print timelines mean you will be reading this post the Big Day. I hope you had a very enjoyable, peaceful and safe... Media
Looking ahead to 2025 - for The BV 7th January 2025 Let me begin by wishing you, your families and loved ones, a very happy New Year. I hope you had an enjoyable and peaceful Christmas. For those with family... Media
The importance of our local economy - for The BV 28th October 2024 After the General Election, when I said that, in the interests of North Dorset and the wider country I wished the incoming Government well, I meant it. I am... Local News
Adjournment Debate: The Operation of Postal Voting at the General Election 22nd October 2024 I was delighted to secure an Adjournment Debate yesterday on the Operation of Postal Voting at the General Election. I know that this is an hugely important... Speeches in Parliament
Rights and Responsibilities - for The BV 30th September 2024 During the recent General Election campaign, I suggested that an issue that would need serious consideration over a period of time is the role of the State and... Articles
Speaking up for North Dorset - for The BV 12th July 2024 Well! Quite a lot has happened since the last edition of this fantastic magazine. As the last edition was during the Election campaign the Editor, in her... Local News
Dorset Island Discs - Interview by Laura Hitchcock, Editor, The BV 5th April 2024 ‘I was incredibly shy. I had quite bad speech defects as a child – I couldn’t say my R’s, my W’s, my th’s – that made me even shyer. It’s quite extraordinary... Articles
