Oliver Heald's Blog

Strengthening links with China…

oliverheald — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:37:12 +0000

Oliver speaking to a Chinese Delegation

Britain is trying to strengthen links with China at all levels and George Osborne has recently visited China to develop trade and economic contacts. The Chinese are also interested in how our constitution works and our anti-corruption measures.

I was recently invited to speak to a delegation of elected officials from Shanghai about standards in public life. I was able to explain the development of thinking in this country over recent years, leading to the establishment of the Nolan Committee, subsequently the Committee on Standards in Public Life, and the introduction of IPSA and the role of the House of Commons Standards and Privileges Committee. The officials were well-briefed and took a keen interest in Nolan’s seven principles of public life. We had a lively discussion – or as lively as can be had via an interpreter – and it did seem that the highest echelons of local government in Shanghai are looking closely at emulating some of our procedures.

David Cameron taking Questions at the Council of Europe

oliverheald — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:05:10 +0000

David Cameron’s speech has been well received and he is now answering questions.

David Cameron Addresses Council of Europe

oliverheald — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:58:00 +0000

Here is David Cameron making his long awaited speech to the Council of Europe about the European Court, setting out Britain’s love of human rights, but the need to reform the European Court.

Reform of European Court of Human Rights

oliverheald — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:27:39 +0000

The photograph shows Europe Minister David Lidington speaking to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg about Britain’s plans, as this year’s Council Chairman, to reform the European Court of Human Rights. It is good to be here helping to argue for common sense change. The Prime Minister arrives tomorrow.

Daylight Saving Bill

oliverheald — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:37:13 +0000

I was very disappointed that the Daylight Saving Bill ran out of debating time today, when it was so close to going into law. I hope some extra time can be found.

I was pleased that the Live Music Bill succeeded, as this will really help budding musicians and the British music scene.

The proposed Estuary Airport….

oliverheald — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:36:00 +0000

I think that the idea of an Estuary Airport is well worth pursuing. For as long as I can remember there has been debate about the extension of Heathrow airport but popular consensus seems to have moved away from it. About a quarter of all homes affected by aircraft noise in Europe are close to Heathrow. Boris Johnson has taken a bold lead pressing the case for an Estuary solution.

Likewise, the prospect of extending Stansted Airport is not a suitable alternative either. No decisions have yet been taken about this project, but as the Chancellor made clear in his Autumn Statement, the Government will explore all the options for maintaining the UK’s aviation hub status with the exception of a third runway at Heathrow and, if found to be appropriate, an Estuary Airport is a much better solution to address the issue of extra flight traffic. I will certainly continue to fight against Stansted’s expansion.

It will be necessary to take into account the wildlife which currently lives in the estuary area, but as we have seen in Washington DC, wildlife can be successfully relocated.

In the meantime, the Government will consult on a sustainable framework for UK aviation this spring and alongside this it will publish a call for evidence on maintaining an effective UK hub airport. I would also like to see the economics effects of building the Estuary Airport modelled, because I believe it would be a big boost to the economy and jobs.

Update on House of Lords Reform Bill Committee…

oliverheald — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:29:17 +0000

As I’m sure my avid readers are aware I am a member of the Committee which is reviewing the House of Lords Draft Reform Bill. We have been meeting for 6 months now and one of the prominent issues which has arisen is how each region and nation electing senators for the new second chamber will affect the power of the second chamber. The Government is suggesting that the senators to this chamber will be elected for 15 years but they will not able to stand for re-election. This raises the question of whether they will be truly accountable. Equally if both Houses of Parliament are elected, there is much more scope for gridlock with the two Houses disagreeing with each other as we have seen can happen in America –the Committee is therefore looking at ways of avoiding this problem. The committee has two more months of deliberation, by which time these difficult problems will have had to have been fully explored, if not resolved.

Super-Friday

oliverheald — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:27:39 +0000

This Friday is Super-Friday for Private Members’ Bills – probably the last opportunity this session for a Bill brought forward by a Backbencher to make it through to become law.

There are 64 Bills queuing up for debate. They are listed for debate in the order below and a Bill is unlikely to become law without a debate, although it is not impossible. There is a real head of steam behind the first Bill, Rebecca Harris’s brave attempt to change the time. Her Bill would put the clock forward to give an extra hour of daylight in the afternoon. I have had letters from teachers and sports’ coaches welcoming this as encouraging out-of-school clubs and sports’ training. The last time this came up, there was quite some opposition locally and concern about Scotland, but this time there has been a strong postbag in favour. I intend to support Rebecca.

The second Bill, the Live Music Bill seeks to enable unamplified music to be played anywhere between 8am and 11pm without a licence, ending the situation where the playing of a piano in a street could be subject to fines. Where there are up to 200 people present in a pub or restaurant, or in workplaces such as a hospital or school, live music can also be performed between 8am and 11pm without a licence under the Bill.

The Live Music Bill has therefore been prepared as a modest way to tidy up the problems created by Labour’s 2003 Act to provide for a licensing regime that will enable small venues to develop bands, discover new talent and act as beacons for local music scenes. I suspect these two Bills will become law, but Bills further down the list are much less likely.

ORDER
1
DAYLIGHT SAVING BILL: As amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered.

Member in charge: Rebecca Harris

For Amendments, see pages 3975-76 of Supplement to Votes.

2
LIVE MUSIC BILL [LORDS]: As amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered.

Member in charge: Don Foster

3
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMAN (AMENDMENT) BILL (CHANGED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT (REVIEW OF DECISIONS BILL)): As amended in the Public Bill Committee, to be considered.

Member in charge: Mr Christopher Chope

4
TRANSPARENT TAXATION (RECEIPTS) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Mr Peter Bone

5
FIREARMS (AMENDMENT) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Thomas Docherty

6
FACE COVERINGS (REGULATIONS) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Mr Philip Hollobone

7
EPILEPSY AND RELATED CONDITIONS (EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Valerie Vaz

8
SEX EDUCATION (REQUIRED CONTENT) BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Nadine Dorries

9
DOG CONTROL AND WELFARE BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Andrew Rosindell

10
LOCAL REFERENDUMS BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Zac Goldsmith

11
RECALL OF ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES BILL: Second Reading.

Member in charge: Zac Goldsmith

Future of High Streets

oliverheald — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:02:49 +0000

We are having a good debate (Tuesday 17th January) about the future of High Streets and Town Centres, a subject I have long campaigned about. Indeed last week I had two parliamentary questions answered about Mary Portas’s recent report. There is no doubt that retailers acting together with town centre managers and Chambers of Commerce can make a difference and Mary Portas also pointed out the importance of car parking availability and the need to avoid overburdening shoppers with charges and restrictions. This is not a time to make life more difficult and any help would be welcome.

It is also important that there is variety of shops in High Streets and many colleagues have spoken today against a few chains dominating. The challenge of internet shopping is to be considered. It is noticeable that people do like spending time in their towns and many make internet purchases follow research in stores. There is also a more positive picture with cafes, restaurants and takeaway food outlets. Government, NHS and local government can help by keeping and clustering facilities in town centres.

It is encouraging to see so much enthusiasm for our town centres. I will continue to press for action.

Royston in 2012…

oliverheald — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:04:47 +0000

2012 is a big year for Royston. Along with the rest of the country we will be celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics. But Royston has a third reason to celebrate. It is the 850th anniversary of the founding of Royston Priory by Ralph de Rochester and this led to the development of the town. Previously, the centre of population was at Therfield, which is why the Heath is properly Therfield Heath, being in that ancient parish. There was no settlement at Royston, because there was no source of water until the monks dug their well.

I was delighted to attend the Special Dedication Service at the Parish Church and the Royston Olympic Flag Raising Ceremony at the flagpole on 8 January: http://www.royston2012.org/?page_id=797 . When the flag had been raised by Councillor Bill Davidson, I suggested that we all blew so that the flag filled out and as if by magic, it worked, as a gust of wind displayed the flag to perfection.

The Royston Olympic Committee is organising an exciting programme of events during the year, see http://www.royston2012.org/ details of other events which will be taking place in Royston over the next year. A fun filled schedule of events are already organised and it will be a good opportunity for the local community to unite together in the celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee too. Not only is there a “May Fayre” but also a “Party in the Park” this June in the Priory Memorial Gardens. Later on in the month there is the Priory Anniversary Church Fête just before the six week Olympic Games.