Blog
Modern Thatcherism
Congratulations to Therese Coffey who was given “a prolonged standing ovation†after becoming the Conservative parliamentary candidate in Suffolk Coastal to replace John Gummer. Her victory was outstanding. Jonathan Isaby, co-editor of ConservativeHome who chaired...
My latest walk
Meldreth circular walk Map your trip with EveryTrail Many thanks to Geoff Jones for sending me this fabulous EveryTrail link for a walk we did yesterday with Sally and the Cambridge Rambling Club. I did try to make my excuses the day before – too many jobs to catch...
My Headway update
We have recruited four excellent new trustees at Headway Cambridgeshire and I look forward to working with them to strengthen the board and take forward our exciting new plans in the pipeline, including opening centres in Peterborough and Fenland. I am strongly...
Eric Pickles and the Contaminated Blood Bill
I was standing yesterday in the central lobby of Westminster under its magnificent gold chandelier, flanked by a statue of former prime minister William Gladstone, and with the heroic St George looking down on me, one of the stunning paintings which grace this unique...
Another day in Westminster
I'm back in Westminster today researching a project I am working on, and look forward to meeting the inspirational Lesley Abdela who I first met at a Conservative Women's conference a couple of years ago. Last year Lesley won the UK Woman Political Journalist of the...
Dinner with three gorgeous Tory PPCs
I hosted a dinner party for three Conservative PPCs last night, North West Durham candidate Michelle Tempest, Liz Truss who is standing in nearby South West Norfolk, and author Louise Bagshawe, who is hoping to turn Corby blue. I bet you would have liked to have been...
Pythons and pyjama shoppers
I’m just back from spending the day in Wisbech with my mother and we did a spot of shopping. I can tell you they are very well dressed shoppers in the Fenland capital; we did not see one slovenly dressed shopper wearing slippers and pyjamas. I was looking out...
Blair and Iraq
I never expected an apology or regrets from Tony Blair when he gave evidence at the Iraq Inquiry. What I have always found surprising is that public fury over the war, the sexed-up dossier of weapons of mass destruction and the tragic death of Dr David Kelly in...
Robert Sturdy supports ivory ban
My MEP Robert Sturdy is urging the UK government to support a ban prohibiting the sale of existing ivory stock by two African countries as he fears it could lead to the slaughter of more elephants and possible extinction. Robert, who sits on both the International...