Diary of a PPC
26th May 2009
Harriett Baldwin writes for ConservativeHome.com...
Monday
Andrew Lansley MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health, visits us in Malvern. As soon as I was selected 3 years ago, I joined the campaign for a new Malvern hospital. Andrew Lansley was last here in 2007 as part of that effort. His visit must have made all the difference, as at the end of 2007 it was announced that Malvern would get a new hospital by 2010, on a site that the Primary Care Trust has held for about 30 years. Today he visits the existing hospital to congratulate the Modern Matron, Lyn Ingles and her team, who have opened a Minor Injuries Unit at the hospital this year and kept the hospital clear of infections. He then visits the new hospital building site with the project management team.
I spend the afternoon in Pershore with a team of eight canvassers helping Cllr Ron Davis’s campaign to represent Pershore on the County Council and two of our West Midlands MEP candidates – Anthea Macintyre and Dan Dalton (pictured with me here).
Tuesday
Up to London for a Futurebuilders board meeting. I am Deputy Chairman of this fund which lends money to social enterprises and charities.
Wednesday
The Conservative Women’s Organisation (CWO) has set up a “Women on Wednesdays” initiative. They arrive in Malvern at 10am with a team ready for action. We leaflet in Malvern Link for County Council candidate Nancy Doyle in the morning, then have a pub lunch at the excellent Swan in Newland. We then help Cllr Joe Smith canvas in the Malvern Chase division. Joe is nearly 21 and it will be so good to have a younger voice on the County Council. After the CWO ladies leave, I canvas with Cllr Phil Grove in Trinity division. Expenses do come up on the doorstep, but David Cameron’s tough approach is playing well. I don’t detect any swing away from us for a General Election, although UKIP are picking up some European votes. “We’re so lucky you’re our clean candidate”, says one voter. In the evening I attend the AGM of the Nora Parsons Day Centre for the Elderly in Wichenford, a fantastic community charity serving 21 rural parishes, including ours.
Thursday
In the evening I am back in Malvern to attend the group meeting with Malvern Hills District Councillors. The theme of my remarks is that we need a General Election. South Worcestershire’s Councils are being forced by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government - a woman who has just been described as “unacceptable” by her Prime Minister - to find room for 24,500 new homes. I urge the Councillors to find every legal way to stall and resist this pressure. Conservative policy is to abolish the Regional Spatial Strategy and the legislation has already been drafted.
Friday
Chris Grayling visits and I arrange for him to meet Mr and Mrs Alan Davies at Hanley Swan Post Office. This peaceful and beautiful village was shocked four years ago when two teenagers attacked Mr. Davies, the Postmaster, with a crowbar. Fortunately he lived and he and his wife are now campaigning for better victims’ rights. Chris was formerly a Chairman of his local Victim Support and listens very sympathetically to their request for a Minister for Victims.
In the afternoon I attend a campaign event in Tenbury Wells for the MEPs and Ken Pollock, the County Council candidate.
In the evening, Castlemorton branch hold a packed event in the Village Hall with a talk and slide show about “Madresfield”, the Malvern home of the Beauchamp family. Although it’s a West Worcestershire Conservative Branch event, it’s not political and I confine my remarks to the topic and to thanking Mary Weaver and her team for the fantastic turnout.
Saturday
A family day – in the evening Jim and I go to a great party given by one of his train enthusiast friends. My parents have been staying to help with childcare and they head off to resume their own hectic schedule.
Sunday
Jim and I host a “Strawberry Tea” in aid of Home-Start Malvern Hills. The charity provides an experienced parent to come in on a regular basis to help families who are struggling with a child or children under 5. I have trained as a family visitor and have helped one family so far over a four month period. The Strawberry Tea is very successful and the weather is beautiful.
Link: ConservativeHome
