I arranged a meeting for the Leader of Wokingham Council to meet the new Minister for Housing. Mr Hopkins, in Westminster yesterday. The aim was to continue the close working between central and local government established by Mr Lee the Leader and Mr Prisk when he was Minister.
Category: Wokingham and West Berkshire Issues
The Great Western Railway
I attended a meeting today with the management of Great Western at the Commons. In a general presentation they said they wished to consult widely and to listen to passengers and taxpayer representatives. They favour “partnership” working with us.
I said they ( and more especially Network Rail) had often in the past ignored good advice and passenger complaints. My constituents want more seating capacity out of Reading in the morning, and more out of Paddington back home in the evening. We want more reliable trains. We want better road crossings over or under the railway to reduce the danger to trains and delays to cars.We want more and cheaper car parkign at stations and better road access to stations.
Taxpayers want to pay less in subsidy. That means selling more seats on the many little used trains. It means running shorter trains to cut the costs in off peak services. It means better signals and braking system and lighter trains so more trains can run per hour at busy times, and to cut the huge energy bills of the present railway.
They know they have a captive customer base for commuting, and successive governments which will subsidise the railway if it carries on losing money. Let’s hope this time they mean it when they say they are listening and wish to improve the service.
Winter carnival
I attended the Wokingham winter carnival today. I talked to the people who had created and were manning the floats, joined the procession around the town, and joined the Mayor for the turning on of the Christmas lights.
I would like to thank the organisers, the dancers, musicians and float entertainers and all involved in putting on a great show. It is the start of the Christmas season for me when we sing carols by the tree, see the lights all round the shops and Town Hall, and enjoy the town full of people out to have a good time.
Visit to Bearwood primary school
John Redwood visited Bearwood Primary on Monday 18th November. He was shown round all the classrooms, library and play areas by two memebrs of the Schools Council, who were most informative about the school.
He then spoke briefly about Parliament, the job of an MP, Big Ben and the Palace buildings, before anwering a good torrent of questions. There was an early pre Christmas flavour to the proceedings, with questions on Christmas presents and how people spend Christmas morning, as well as questions about the life of an MP. John Redwood was able to confirm he did know David Cameron and met him regularly, and explained how an MP was chosen to do the job by the voters.
John said “I am gratteful to the pupils and staff for welcoming me to their school and telling me so much about it. I encourage the pupils to come and visit Westminster when they come to London, as Parliament is a great building which can tell you a lot about our history and our democracy”.
Visit to Berkshire Healthcare Trust
On my visit to the Trust on Friday I asked for their view of the new hospital proposal from Dr Lee MP.
They confirmed that there is no worked up proposal from within the NHS or from a health provider. The NHS locally is continuing to base its future plans around the Royal Berkshire and the other local hospitals.
They said they are going to strengthen Wokingham Hospital as a local control centre and health hub. They work with the four Berkshire Commissioning Groups and Councils to ensure proper NHS provision in Berkshire.
Burghfield Remembrance Sunday
I attended the morning march and service in Burghfield, laying a poppy wreath in memory of all those in our armed services who have given their lives in the service of the Crown.
I was grateful to Major Mark Shaw-Brookman for organising such a large and impressive group of people to march to the Church and attend the service, and to Major John Steeds for his hospitality and support.
The wreath laying around the War Memorial was a moving experience, and the Church service was dignified and well conducted. I would like to thank all involved for their fitting tributes to the dead of the wars and for their sympathy to all those who lost loved ones in conflict.
Wokingham Remembrance Day Parade
I attended the Wokingham parade, Church service at All Saints and wreath laying the own Hall on Sunday 10th November.
Representatives of the military and other uniformed services joined with the Mayors and Councillors to march to All Saints. We heard a heartfelt address about memory and the debt we owe to those who gave their lives, and joined in appropriate prayers and hymns.
The wreath laying in the Town Hall was well attended, and followed by an opportunity to talk to each other. I would like to say a big thank you to all the organisations involved, and for the tributes paid.
Remembrance Sunday 2013
Image courtesy of Kevin Butler. Picture of the Rt Hon John Redwood MP laying a wreath in Burghfield, before attending the morning service at St. Mary’s. In the afternoon, Mr Redwood attended All Saints Church in Wokingham and laid a wreath at the Town Hall War Memorial.
Joint Parliamentarian of the Year Award
Yesterday I was awarded the title Parliamentarian of the Year by the Spectator, along with 14 colleagues. We received this collective award because we were the 15 (all Conservative) who took a different view to the 3 main parties on how to handle press regulation.
Mr Redwood is supporting the ‘Business for Britain’ campaign for an EU Referendum
Image of the Rt Hon John Redwood MP with James Wharton, MP for Stockton South, who is sponsoring the EU Referendum Bill. Mr Redwood is supporting the ‘Business for Britain’ campaign which is calling for an EU referendum to be held before the end of 2017.
Photograph taken at Old Palace Yard, Westminster on 6th November 2013.