From: Conor Burns MP [email protected]: News Bulletin
from Conor Burns MP #132
Date: 14 July 2015 13:20To: [email protected]
In this edition: Conor's Diary Conor in Parliament:Conor raises
Navitus Bay atBusiness Questions Conor in Parliament:Conor speaks
inAdjournment Debate on theNavitus Bay Windfarm Photo news:Conor
opens new premisesfor Crumbs Bournemouth West inParliament:Lord
Eden's ValedictorySpeech Conor in the papers: BBCaccused of
'reheatingtensions' withConservatives overbroadcast broadcast
of'Battle of Orgreave' decision Photo news:Conor visits Age UK
Centre Conor in Parliament:Conor questions PrimeMinister following
statementon Tunisia Photo news:Conor meets with SUBUPresident Conor
in the media:Calls to publish Navitus Bayreport from MP Photo
news:Food Drive Conor in the papers:'Cutting VAT on tourismwould
bring 16m boost toBournemouth' Photo news:Conor presents
KinsonConservative Club SnookerPrize How to contact Conor Burns
MP
Issue 132 - Tuesday 14th July 2015
Since the last edition, Conor has:
Met with Jurassica project staff to receive updates on
theirwork.Attended the opening of the new Student Centre
atBournemouth University.Met with representatives from the Poole
& ChristchurchBays Association to discuss the Navitus Bay
Windfarm.Listened to the valedictory speech of Lord Eden (MP
forBournemouth West 1954-83) as he retired from the House
ofLords.Questioned Business Secretary Chris Grayling on
thetransparency of the Planning Inspectorates decision onNavitus
Bay.Attending the opening of the new premises for the Crumbsproject
at the former Ensbury Park Community Centre, to findout more about
the work they are doing with vulnerable adultsto help them gain the
skills they need for greater independence.Contributed to an
Adjournment Debate on the Navitus Baywindfarm.Questioned the Prime
Minister about recent events in Tunisia.Met with staff and
customers at Bournemouths Age UK centreto learn more about how they
are supporting older members ofthe community.Joined Kinson Food
Bank volunteers at Kinson Tesco to findout more about they work
they are doing within the community.Presented the Snooker Prize at
the Federation Meeting atKinson Conservative Club.
!
Conor in Parliament:Conor raises Navitus Bay at
BusinessQuestions Thursday 11th June 2015
Click on the image above to watch Conor's question to theLeader
of the House of Commons.
The full text of the exchance was as follows: Conor Burns
(Bournemouth West): Today is the deadline for theplanning
inspectorate to make a recommendation to Ministers at theDepartment
of Energy and Climate Change after a long-running andhugely
expensive public inquiry into the proposed Navitus Bayoffshore wind
farm. Will my right hon. Friend find time for a debate onwhether it
is appropriate for this proposal to remain confidential untilthe
Secretary of State publishes her decision on 11 September? In
themeantime, will he note that this proposal is opposed not only by
me,but by my hon. Friends the Members for Christchurch (Mr Chope),
forPoole (Mr Syms), for Mid Dorset and North Poole
(MichaelTomlinson), for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), for North
Dorset(Simon Hoare) and anybody else I have forgotten in Dorset?
Chris Grayling Lord President of the Council and Leader of theHouse
of Commons: I can understand the challenge my hon. Friendfaces in
trying to remember all the Conservative MPs in Dorsetthereare now
so many of them in his part of the world. As always, my hon.Friend
is a powerful advocate for his constituency and for the countyof
Dorset. I know that the Secretary of State for Energy and
ClimateChange will have listened carefully to what he said. It is a
sign of theconcern about this matter that an Adjournment debate has
been callednext Monday by my hon. Friend the Member for South
Dorset(Richard Drax). I know that my hon. Friend the Member
forBournemouth West (Conor Burns) will want to make a point in
thatdebate. I have no doubt that the Secretary of State will have
listenedcarefully to my hon. Friend, but she has to do this job
properly in herrole as assessor of the issues.
Conor in Parliament:Conor speaks in Adjournment Debate onthe
Navitus Bay Windfarm Monday 15th June 2015
Click on the image above to watch Conor's speech. The full text
of Conor's speech was as follows: Conor Burns (Bournemouth West):
It is a pleasure to speak for thefirst time with you in the Chair,
Madam Deputy Speaker. I congratulateyou on your elevation. I also
congratulate my hon. Friend the Memberfor South Dorset (Richard
Drax) on securing the debate. For those Dorset Members who were
here in the previous Parliament,the issue dominated our lives. I
looked this afternoon at the number oftimes I have raised the
issue. I did so first on 12 July 2011, when theformer Member for
Eastleigh, Chris Huhne, was the Secretary of Statefor Energy and
Climate Change. I spoke again on 4 July 2012, 19November 2013 and 5
December 2013. I posed written questions on11 June 2014. I raised
it at the Culture, Media and Sport Committeewith the then Secretary
of State on 19 Januarythis year, andmentioned it as recently as 11
June 2015. It is the biggest issue that confronts our constituents
across Dorset.The point my hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset
made needs tobe emphasised: every single one of us present tonight
made it a majorfeature of our election campaigns. Opposition to
Navitus and fightingits detrimental impact on my constituents in
Bournemouth West wasthe No. 1 promise I made to my electorate in my
personal electionaddress. I am delighted to see new Members joining
the fightmyhon. Friends the Members for North Dorset (Simon Hoare)
and for MidDorset and North Poole (Michael Tomlinson). I place on
record the gratitude we all feel to Bournemouth BoroughCouncil, and
in particular to its leader, John Beesley, who has put thefull
resources of the council and its officers behind the opposition
tothe proposal. My hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset made an
important pointthat is worth emphasising: more people registered as
interestedparties in this proposed development than in any other
offshoredevelopment. I hope the Minister understands, but it should
not bethought that opposition to the proposal is confined to those
who live onthe coastline or adjacent to it. When campaigning in my
constituency, Iwas struck by the opposition of people in the north
of Bournemouthin Kinson and Redhilland by the opposition in
Alderney andBranksome East in the Borough of Poole. I was struck by
theopposition, too, when I campaigned with my hon. Friend the
Memberfor Mid Dorset and North Poole. Right from the beginning of
the proposal, we said to the company andto Mike Unsworth that, if
we could not see the development, and if thevisual impact was
minimal, we would be prepared to work with thecompany to bring it
to fruition, but in the development zone that theCrown Estate
provided to the company, it is strange that the only areait deemed
capable of development was the area that is closest to theshore and
that has the greatest visual impact. I understand that the
Government have listened intently to othercolleagues and their
concerns about onshore wind, and I understandthe Governments
resolve to put the brakes on it, but I hope it is notthe case that
on is off and off is on. I hope the application will bedetermined
on its merits. That is all any of us ask. We believe that
thearguments against the proposal are absolutely compelling. I hope
the Minister also notes that, in everything all of us who
havespoken about the proposal over the last Parliament and in
thebeginning of this one, we have not sought to take issue with
theGovernments energy policy, and we have not sought to discuss
themerits or demerits of renewables. We accept the
Governmentsenergy policy to be exactly that. We contend that the
application ispotentially deeply damaging to our communities. My
hon. Friend the Member for South Dorset quoted from the
advisorybody to UNESCO, which said that, if the development goes
ahead, itwill take the Jurassic coast from being largely in a
natural setting tobeing largely in a man-made setting. We should be
under no illusionabout the fact that UNESCO will revoke the coasts
natural worldheritage designation. It has done it in Germany, and
threatened to do itto Mont Saint Michel. The Minister will rise to
speak in a moment, and I have greatsympathy for her. She will be
able to say almost nothing about thismatter, because the
application is under consideration, and must beconsidered
quasi-judicially. I can see that you want me to wind up myspeech,
Madam Deputy Speaker, but the Minister would probably likeme to
continue a little longer. Our constituents cannot understand that
why the PlanningInspectorates recommendationwhich followed a
lengthy publicinquiry that took place throughout last year and
during the early part ofthis year, and which has now been put to
Ministers in the Departmentis secret. We think that that is quite
wrong. In our view, the mattershould now be out in the open, and
debate on it should be welcomed. Some people will naturally accuse
us of being nimbys, but the backyard of Dorset Members of
Parliament is a world heritage site. I pleadwith the Minister to
implore her colleagues to reject this case on itsmerits. Were the
project to go ahead, that would be the beginning ofthe next phase
of the fight, because we are united in ourdetermination that it
shall not proceed.
Photo news:Conor opens new premises for Crumbs
Conor Burns MP at the ribbon-cutting to open the new premisesfor
Crumbs in the former Ensbury Park Community Centre.
Conor speaking to residents at the opening of the new
centre.
!Bournemouth West in Parliament:Lord Edens Valedictory
Speech!Tuesday 2nd June 2015
Click on the image above to watch Lord Eden's final speech inthe
House of Lords.
The full text of the speech was as follows: Thank you, my Lords.
Towards the end of the last Session, under theterms of the House of
Lords Reform Act 2014, I gave notice of myintention to retire on11
June. I hesitated long before interrupting thisdebate with what is
now called a valedictory since I know that it placesrather
unfortunate constraints on free movement in this House, but Ifelt
that the precedent had already been set. We have had four
marvellous valedictories. The first was made aslong ago as October
2014 by the noble Lord, Lord Grenfell. That wasa truly memorable
speech on his part and it set the pattern, form andtone for other
such speeches to follow. He was well followed by threeother
speeches, from my noble friend Lord Jenkin of Roding, the nobleand
learned Lord, Lord Lloyd of Berwick, and the noble Viscount,
LordTenby. Two other noble Lords whose retirement was announced
onlyyesterday, the noble Baroness, Lady Warnock, and my noble
andlearned friend Lord Mayhew of Twysden, have retired without
makingvaledictory speeches, but I hope that all those who have gone
aheadwill realise how very much they are missed from this House. I
cannot begin to match their record of service, but what I can say
isthat the real reason for my going is that I have spent about
two-thirdsof my life so far in and around the Palace of Westminster
and I thoughtthat it was about time that I tried my hand at doing
something elsewhile I could still count marbles. My decision to
retire, therefore, hasnothing to do with my age. True, if all goes
according to plan, I shall be90 in September. Well, there is
nothing particularly magical about that;it is just another
milestone. Let us consider for a moment those 90year-old stars that
still shine so brightly in our midst. Most brilliant ofallin fact,
a veritable galaxy in his own rightis that great man, mynoble
friend Lord Carrington, whom I was so pleased to see in hisplace
earlier today. None can match his extraordinary career
andoutstanding record of service to this House and the nation. It
will bewell known to noble Lords that my noble friend Lord
Carrington, hasbeen frequently called upon to give the memorial
address at servicesat St Margarets, Westminster, and elsewhere.
After one suchoccasion I congratulated him but said, What really
troubles me is whowe are going to choose to do it for you whenever
that time comes.Dont worry, old boy, he replied with a chuckle, Ive
already writtenit. The point of retirement is that it clearly paves
the way for good peopleto come in ones place. I mention two who
have already made theircontributions as maiden speeches in the
earlier stages of thisresponse to the Queens Speech debatemy noble
friend Lady Helicand the noble Lord, Lord Lisvane. They made
magnificent speechesand will clearly make valuable contributions to
this House. As noble Lords will know, anyone who enters the
political arena andembarks upon a political career will need a
modicum of good luck. Iwas fortunate at the outset in that I was
selected to fight two by-elections within three monthsone I lost,
the other I won. As a result,in February 1954, when Sir Winston
Churchill was still Prime Minister,I became the youngest Member,
for a short time, in the House ofCommons. I should like to take
this opportunity to pay tribute to my constituents,who were
extraordinarily long suffering. They put up with me for a
longtime29 yearsand they were immensely supportive, encouragingand
loyal. Bournemouth was extremely well served by a great
localnewspaper, the Daily Echo, which was most generous in its
coverageof my activities and most skilful in its interpretation of
my speeches. Itis good that the old constituency is now well
represented by the ableand hard-working Conor Burns, a first-class
MP, who was rightly givena resounding vote of confidence at the
last general election. Without doubt the high point of my time in
the Commonsapart fromthe chairmanship of two Select Committees,
which was valuableexperiencewas when I was asked by Ted Heath to be
a member ofhis Government in two Ministries. They were not easy
times, to put itmildly. Sir Edward Heath was a complex and
challenging character butI greatly valued his friendship. At the
end of my time in the Commons,Margaret Thatcher asked me to be her
personal assistant in the 1983general election. Unlike the
caricature so frequently represented ofher, she was a wonderful
person to work forinspiring, considerate,straightforward and
sensitive. Having served both Edward Heath andMargaret Thatcher, I
saw and came to understand both sides. I turn briefly to the
subject area of todays debate. I am encouraged bythe wonderful
maiden speech we have just heard from the rightreverend Prelate the
Bishop of Salisbury to say a word about theworld environment.
However, as I introduced a debate on this subjectin March this
year, I shall content myself with only one sentence: Ideplore the
continued destruction of rainforests across the globe.Insufficient
recognition is given to how serious the situation is. There
islittle comprehension of the fact that trees are absolutely vital
to sustainlife on earth. I shall touch on one other issue in the
gracious Speech. It states:Measures will also be brought forward to
promote social cohesionand protect people by tackling extremism. I
hope that the Government will turn their spotlight on the harsh
andhard-hearted treatment of so many Muslim women in this
country.They are often dealt with severely, and the actions in
doing so arejustified according to the doctrine of sharia law. But
it is UK law whichshould guide and control these matters and
dictate what is right in thiscountry, not sharia law. The cause of
these women has for some yearsbeen championed by the noble
Baroness, Lady Cox, a mostcourageous campaigner. She has tabled
Questions for Written Answerand yesterday she presented a Bill to
the House which I hope will givethe Government an opportunity to
listen more closely to what she hasbeen saying and to follow the
actions that she has suggested. Before I conclude, I must
acknowledge how much is contributed to ourlife here by all those
who serve us at every level over such a widerange of functions. By
way of illustration, I will mention threeindividuals who are well
known to many of your Lordships. In theBishops Bar, fun, laughter
and merriment are rarely absent, and thatis largely thanks to the
magnificent Marva James and Angela Dell. Inthe Peers Dining Room,
there is the incomparable Mary RoseCormack, who is a seemingly
unstoppable whirlwind of energy andefficiency. I thank them, and in
fact I thank all the officers and staffwherever they work and
whoever they are, because they all matter tous here. I thank them
for their constant cheerfulness and unfailingcourtesy. And now, as
my noble friend Lord Tebbit might say, it is time for me toget on
my bike. Since 1923, when my uncle was elected to theCommons, there
has always been an Eden in Parliament. Before him,from the 17th
century onwards, the family has produced generationsof Members of
Parliament, mostly for the county of Durham. Thetradition of public
service in the Armed Forces, in diplomacy, in thechurch, in
politics and in social work is deeply embedded in our familygenes.
I am glad to say that our banner will still be borne aloft in
theimmensely capable hands of my noble kinsman Lord Henley. My
purpose for interrupting this debate was really just to thank
allnoble Lords wherever they sit in the House for so
generouslyaccepting me here throughout the 32 years that I have
been aroundthe place. From now on I shall be watching from the
sidelines thecontinuing good work and careful scrutiny that noble
Lords give tolegislation and the excellent debates in which they
take part. Ittherefore remains for me to say only this: good luck
for the futurewhatever it may be, and goodbye.!
Conor with Lord Eden during the 2015 General Election
campaign.
Conor in the papers:BBC accused of 'reheating tensions'
withConservatives over broadcast broadcast of'Battle of Orgreave'
decision Christopher Hope, Chief Political Correspondent, Daily
TelegraphFriday 12th June 2015 The BBC has been accused oftrying to
reheat tensions inmining communities against theConservatives and
the memory of Margaret Thatcher by givingprominence to a decision
not to investigate alleged misconduct bypolice during the miners'
strike three decades ago. South Yorkshire Police - which is already
under intense scrutiny overits role in the Hillsborough disaster -
faced claims that officers used"excessive force" against picketing
miners, manipulated statementsand gave false evidence in court
after clashes outside Orgreavecoking plant 31 years ago. But
following a two-year analysis of thousands of pages of
documentsrelated to the case, the Independence Police Complaints
Commissionannounced it had decided not to launch an investigation,
promptingone group to brand the watchdog not fit for purpose. The
IPCCs decision about the so-called "Battle of Orgreave"
ranprominently BBC news bulletins for much of Friday, attracting
angerfrom some Conservative MPs. Conor Burns MP, a close friend of
Baroness Thatcher in the yearsbefore her death in 2013 and a
Conservative member of theCommons Culture, Media and Sport
committee in the last Parliament,said he was bemused by the BBCs
prominent coverage. He said the BBC had given voice to opinions
against Mrs Thatcher,adding: "It just seemed to me to be an attempt
to reheat tensions anddivisions that had long passed into study by
historians. The simmering hatred against Mrs Thatcher and the
Tories still had tobe debated all these years later. Of course
there were therefore going to be clashes between thoseupholding the
rule of law and those supporting rule by the mob.Fortunately the
rule of law won. Andrew Bridgen, Conservative MP for North West
Leicestershire,added: As an MP representing a former mining area we
want to putthe miners strike behind us and we would like the BBC to
let us. South Yorkshire Police voluntarily referred itself to the
IPCC followingmedia reports about its handling of proceedings at
the Rotherhamplant during the 1984 miners' strike. A BBC
documentary broadcast in 2012 featured allegations that somepolice
who were involved in prosecutions colluded when they wrotetheir
statements. The Inside Out programme investigated the events
following the arrestof more than 90 people at Orgreave, which saw
some of the mostshocking and memorable scenes of the year-long
dispute. Those charged with riot were later cleared after doubts
were raisedabout police evidence. Campaigners are calling for a
Hillsborough-style inquiry into SouthYorkshire Police's handling of
the violence. The IPCC said it had not found any direct evidence
that seniorofficers within South Yorkshire Police conspired to
instruct colleaguesto commit perjury. The Home Office said Theresa
May, the Home Secretary, will carefullyconsider the findings of the
IPCC's review and respond in duecourse.A BBC spokesman said: "The
IPCC announcement today is anationally significant story which
others news outlets, including theTelegraph, Daily Mail and Sky
News are also reporting and thereforeshare the view it is
newsworthy. "We covered Orgreave proportionately, following other
key storiesincluding the sentencing of Eleanor Hawkins and mental
healthfailings.
Photo news:Conor visits Age UK Centre
Conor speaking with residents at his visit to the Age UK
centre.
Conor in Parliament:Conor questions Prime Minister
followingstatement on Tunisia Monday 29th June 2015
Click on the image above to watch Conor's question to the
PrimeMinister.
!The full text of the exchance was as follows: Conor Burns
(Bournemouth West): The right hon. and learnedMember for Camberwell
and Peckham (Ms Harman) rightlyhighlighted the appalling treatment
of gay people and women by thosewho subscribe to this evil belief.
Is there not something powerfullysymbolic, particularly to young
Muslim women, in the fact that it is afemale Home Secretary who, in
the aftermath of this attack, isstanding in solidarity with them in
Tunisia today? David Cameron, The Prime Minister, Leader of the
ConservativeParty: My hon. Friend makes an important point. Indeed,
the role ofwomen was an important one in Tunisian democracy, moving
thecountry towards the democratic future that we hope it will
continue.
Photo news:Conor meets with SUBU President
Conor Burns with SUBU President Chloe Schendel-Wilson.
Conor in the media:Calls to publish Navitus Bay report from MP
BBC NewsFriday 12th June 2015 A government examination of plans for
a 3.5bnoffshore wind farm should be published, an MPhas said. The
Planning Inspectorate has now made its recommendation on theNavitus
Bay project off Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to
thegovernment. However, the details given to Energy Secretary Amber
Rudd do nothave to be revealed for up to three months. Conor Burns,
the Conservative MP for Bournemouth West has calledfor greater
transparency. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Burns called for
time to bemade for a debate on the appropriateness of the decision
beingwithheld until publication by government in September. Last
month, the firm behind the planned project revealed it haddecided
to use fewer, higher more powerful turbines. Its Navitus Bay plan
A, costing 3.5bn, would see 121 8MW turbineseach 200m (656ft) high,
instead of a maximum of 194 less powerfuloptions. All local
councils, except the Isle of Wight Council, are against thescheme
which campaigners fear will hit tourism. Navitus Bay said the
project would boost the area's economy by1.6bn and would create
about 1,700 jobs during the four years ittakes to build and 140
local permanent jobs. If it goes ahead, the farm could generate
enough power for up to700,000 homes, the firm said.
Photo news:Food Drive
Conor with volunteers at Kinson Tesco collecting donated itemsas
part of the Food Drive initiative.
Conor in the papers:'Cutting VAT on tourism would bring 16mboost
to Bournemouth' Darren Slade, Bournemouth EchoFriday 26th June 2015
Cutting VAT on the tourismindustry to five per cent wouldboost
Bournemouth's economy by 16m a year, it is claimed. Campaigners say
the cut, from the current 20 per cent, would create542 jobs in the
town. The Campaign to Cut Tourism VAT also claims the reform
wouldimprove the UKs balance of trade by more than 20bn over 10
years.But one of the town's MPs said the time is not right for the
reformwhile the government is still running a large deficit. Graham
Wason, chief executive of the Campaign to Cut Tourism VAT,said:
There is a clear and compelling economic argument forreducing the
VAT on tourist attractions and accommodation. It will haltthe long
term decline in UKs tourism balance of payments andimprove the UK
trade balance by 20bn over 10 years. As the thirdlargest services
export earner, tourism deserves much greaterrecognition for its
contribution in lowering the UK trade deficit. The UK is currently
ranked 140 out of 141 countries for pricecompetitiveness in tourism
and its about time that tourists weregiven a better deal when
holidaying in the UK. The campaign welcomed the Cole Commission
report highlighting theimportance of export-led growth. It pointed
to analysis by NevinAssociates that said the VAT reduction would
reduce the UKs balanceof trade deficit by 632m in year one, 1.1bn
in year two and by20.1bn over 10 years, at 2015 prices. But
Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns, who sits on the culture,media and
sport select committee, which has considered the issue,suggested
the reform would have to wait. It carries an up-front cost and it
would be several years before therevenue benefit would outweigh the
revenue decrease, he said. With the government still spending some
90bn more than werebringing in each year in tax revenue, I think
its an idea whose time willcome when the government books are in
balance again. Whilst I continue to advocate it and support it, I
wouldnt want toartificially get peoples hopes up. The campaign
argues that tourism is price-sensitive and a reduction inVAT would
dramatically increase the countrys foreign exchangespending from
overseas visitors, who account for around 40 per centof spending on
accommodation and attractions. It also says there would be less
spending by UK residents onholidaying abroad.
Photo news:Conor presents Kinson Conservative ClubSnooker
Prize
Conor presenting the Kinson Conservative Club Snooker Prize
atthe Federation Meeting.
!
Three ways to contact Conor Burns MP:
By Phone: 01202 534 888By email: [email protected] By post:
Conor Burns MP
House of CommonsLondon SW1A 0AA
www.conorburns.com
More news from Conor Burns MP, Conservative Member of
Parliamentfor Bournemouth West, coming soon Please forward this
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Promoted by Anthea Bailey on behalf of Conor Burns, both of 135
Hankinson Road, Bournemouth, BH9 1HR
!!!
