Esther McVey

Wishing you a Happy New Year

And may it be a good one for us all.

I had to laugh. I met up with Tony Hadley and the whole of the Spandau Ballet gang the other week. They were performing at the O2 Arena as part of their come back tour. I see Tony regulalry but I hadn’t seen John Keeble for a couple of years and the rest for some time longer. We had all met over 20 years ago. A life time ago. I’d been working on TV and radio and we’d become friends so I joined them in LA as they were recording one of their albums. John had a beautiful baby girl. We’d all play by the pool of a day and hang out together of a night – all very ‘rock and roll’. At the time I wondered what the kids of rock stars would become. How riotous would their world be and how rebellious would they turn out to be. So I have to say I laughed out loud when speaking with John to find out his daughter was sensibly at University studying…. you’ll never guess what … politics and she wasn’t the only one Gary’s son was studying politics too.  So how do you rebel against rebels …. you conform! It just goes to show Politics is the rock and roll  for the 21 century.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and spent it with your nearest and dearest and didn’t indulge too much in the mulled wine and mince pies. I just about managed to get everything done before Christmas including getting my office block painted and new internal walls built! …. Dont ask…

After which I scooted round to deliver Christmas cards and presents even delivering a living Christmas tree to a friend full of lights and decorations.

Now though I’m sat tight, indulging myself by reading a collection of books I picked up from a jumble sale. The one I’m part way through is Denis Healy’s ‘The Time of My Life’. His giant eyebrows as dominant as ever on the front cover. Funny enough as a child I used to watch Denis  giving interviews on TV, listening to what he had to say and even then I knew I was a Tory. Strange isn’t it how at the tender age of 10 and growing up in Liverpool through the tough 70′s I had such strong Conservative instincts.

I’ve tried to analyse why and how a political view point can become embedded in someone so young and feel the simplest explanation probably rests on the date at which the individual reaches their age of political awareness (mine being the late 70′s) the place you were living and the dominant images and immediate impressions of those around you.

You see for me I became aware at a time when the UK was in a terrible financial mess. It was at a time of strikes, shortages and unemployment. My dad coming from a tough part of the city and never having had too much when he was growing up had been at pains to explain you need to cover your bills, you can’t spend out more than you have coming in. My weekly pocket money would bring about much debate. No more was on it’s way until next week, no subs were allowed from next week’s and the money had to last until next week, possibly with some left over to save. So I’d see snatched bits of the news and relate it to my 10 year old life. I truly remember the news having an over night impact on my life. One minute paying no notice to it, whilst the next minute it was of invaluable importance – and if I was being honest I was alarmed to the point of being scared at the images I saw on the box.

I remember sitting on my dad’s knee shocked at what ‘adults’ were doing to the world. He’d calm me down and explain it wasn’t all that bad but we needed people with ideas and great dedication to help our country out of the mess. Such people were needed to guide our country as well as work with the rest of the world. It was then aged 10 in West Derby Liverpool I thought ‘that’s me that is’. Of course life goes off in different directions and you do different things but ultimately, a decade ago, I came back round to that same conclusion.  Reading Denis’s book right now has opened the floodgate of childhood memories – many I had totally forgotten. Cheers Denis!

Pictured above with Mr Neil Dyment the Headteacher and Jane Owen the Chair of Governors

Last night I was the guest of honour at Weatherhead High School’s Award Evening. It was a terrific occasion with a dance performance by year 12 and 13, Briony, Kelly- Marie and Amanda  as well musical performances by Jack Clarke and the school Jazz band. A sparkling array of  prizes were awarded for such diverse achievements as : Young Film maker, Service to the community, the John Moores University  Citizenship Award, the Head Girls Cup as well as the Unilever Prize for Academic Achievement. Added to which the pupils and their parents told me it was a happy school as well as a great supportive environment. Funny too, I bumped into some parents who were friends of mine from over 20 year ago , who I hadn’t seen for nearly as long, in fact I’d dated one of them when I was 17!  Small world and a wonderful evening that was capped off by the Deputy Head Girl, Eleanor, giving me a wonderful framed piece of textile art she’d made as a thank you for being guest speaker.  Eleanor – it’s wonderful and it’s now happily hanging on my living room wall at home.

At the weekend I organised a traditional Christmas Fayre in Hoylake.  Matt, owner of the Portrait House, kindly provided the entire restaurant and bar as the venue. We had over 15 stalls from local art and craft businesses taking part, from amazing lamps, lights and mirrors made from drift wood found in Hoylake and West Kirby, to antiques, home made Christmas decorations, Christmas cup cakes, handbags,  wonderful crafted felt designs, children’s clothing, local artists painting and jewellery. It really was a tremendous success  and show case for local artists and something I plan to do again early in the new year. If you’d like to take part please call the office on 0151 632 1052