Free trade and high UK standards - for The New Blackmore Vale Monday, 17 July, 2023 I CANNOT be the only one saying, both privately and out loud, ‘where is this year going? My children tell me I say this every year but even they now think the pace of time is quickening. But, as I write, we are approaching the ‘year end’ for schools and indeed for Parliament. So, I wanted to begin by issuing a few end of term thank yous. Thank you to all our North Dorset teachers who have worked... Opinions
Unite with foes: progress together - for the BV Online 22nd May 2023 Regular readers will know of my suspicions of populism in politics. Not to be confused with being popular (what politician doesn’t seek to be that?), more the... Articles
Reflections on the Coronation - for the Blackmore Vale print 16th May 2023 It was an honour to be invited to attend Westminster Abbey for The King’s Coronation. I did not see it as a personal invitation but as a way of representing the... Opinions
Not quite so discontented yet - for the Blackmore Vale online 23rd January 2023 As Gloucester put it in Richard lll, it does feel rather that ‘now is the winter of our discontent’. The spectre and presence of strikes have once again reared... Articles
Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce AGM 8th November 2022 I was really pleased to join the Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce's AGM last week where a number of important topics were discussed, including the importance of... Local News
Access to GP and dental services in North Dorset 4th November 2022 During PMQs this week, I was pleased to be able to ask the Prime Minister about the recruitment and retention of GPs and dentists in rural areas. Over the last... Local News
UK Parliament Week, 14 - 20 November 2022 3rd November 2022 This year, UK Parliament week will run from 14 - 20 November 2022. This is a brilliant opportunity to find out more about what Parliament is and how you can get... Articles
Honouring the life and service, and reflecting on the loss, of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, for the Blackmore Vale. 26th September 2022 We will all be familiar with the words from the hymn Abide With Me: ‘Change and decay in all around I see, O Thou who changest not abide with me’. Well, we are... Articles
A comment on recent events. 7th February 2022 I am sure it will surprise no-one that THE issue dominating my inbox and post bag in recent weeks has been that of the operation of No10, the breaching of Covid... Westminster News
Here's looking to 2022 19th January 2022 May I begin by wishing you a belated, but sincere, Happy New Year and let us hope that it is capable of being a calmer year for all of us. The Opinion Polls are... Local News
