My mother’s uncles lie buried in a First World War graveyard in France. My father spent the years between 1939 and 1945 in the British Army fighting to defend this country and save the world from appalling tyranny. For centuries the fortunes of this country have been bound up with the continent of Europe. And the vote on EU membership this Thursday is the most important political decision of my lifetime. More important than any General Election and more important…
The shocking death of Jo Cox brings home to us all just what it means to serve communities in the way she did and the way we do. The universal reaction of shock across the political spectrum and society as a whole reflects the fact that something has happened which attacks our core beliefs as a nation. Jo Cox was out and about meeting her constituents as we all do all of the time. The fact that she was shot…
Whatever side one is on in the EU referendum nobody can deny it has generated a great deal of debate and interest among the general public. The hundreds of thousands of people who are, as I write, seeking to register to vote on 23rd June is evidence of a public wanting to make its voice heard on a single issue which they know will affect them. Referendums can be good things for important single issues. Used sparingly they can focus…
In response to any who've said we're not hearing enough positive non-reactive reasons to stay in the EU, let me try and explain the reasons I'll be voting to stay in. In response to any who've said we're not hearing enough positive non-reactive reasons to stay in the EU, let me try and explain the reasons I'll be voting to stay in. We are stronger in, with large common market we can trade. Almost half of everything we sell to…
It was great to welcome the Labour In Battlebus to Swindon last week. The bus visited the Outlet Village on Sunday, and onboard were Chris Bryant MP, Seema Malhotra MP, Clare Moody MEP and Nathaniel Parker, the celebrated actor who has starred in Inspector Lynley and played King Henry VIII in Wolf Hall. After some rousing, impassioned speeches on the importance of voting Remain to the local members who had congregated outside STEAM and the chance for people to take…