Esther McVey

Whenever Labour leave office they leave more people out of work than when they entered office and they also leave the country’s coffers empty. 2010 is no different only this time the debt is at an all time high.

They left every man, woman and child owing £22,400
- They gave us one of the worst budget deficits in Europe
- They left 2.47 million people out of work
- And they sold off Britain’s gold at a 20-year low in the market.

Unless we act now to deal with this crisis, interest payments in five years’ time could end up being higher than the amount we spend on schools, climate change and transport.

Labour have left office and have left the country (yet again) in a financial mess.

We the Conservatives and you the public  (yet again) will have to clear that mess up.

I was delighted to be able to ask my first question in the House about victims of crime, in particular a question concerning Families Fighting For Justice, a group set up by Jean Taylor who lives in Greasby.  I said before the election, and the night I won the election I wanted to raise these issues on behalf of my constituents as soon as I could – so wasted no time at all,  I asked these questions in the first Justice debate.

Question : What steps he is taking to ensure that the interests of victims of crime are effectively represented in the criminal justice system; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Herbert – Secretary of State for Justice:

The coalition Government’s aim is to establish a criminal justice system that rebuilds public confidence in the system and ensures that our streets are safe. The rights and welfare of the victim are vital to this. The Government are dedicated to ensuring support for victims and witnesses. We want to involve voluntary sector victims groups more and harness their ideas and innovation to help us to improve support.

Question : A constituent of mine, Jean Taylor, set up the charity, Families Fighting for Justice, after the murder of her son and daughter. Can the Minister assure her, and many others in similar situations, that these charities, which are filling the gaps in the justice system to provide support for victims of crime, will have sufficient transparency and lines of communication open to his Department in order to carry out their work?

Nick Herbert – Secretary of State for Justice:

I am happy to assure my hon. Friend of that. Charities and voluntary groups set up to promote the interests of victims are immensely important, and I would be delighted to meet the group concerned. Consistent with the proposals for a big society that we have been setting out for some time, we want to find ways to ensure that such groups have a voice, and give victims a voice, in the criminal justice system.

I am now arranging a visit for FFFJ to meet with Nick Herbert and the Justice team.

The last three weeks have been monumental to say the least. From becoming the MP for Wirral West to the negotiations of the Conservative Lib Dem coalition,  to the selection of  1922 Backbencher committee as well as the various induction courses for new MP’s. Added to that the practicalities of setting up 2 offices, one in Wirral West and one in Westminster, arranging surgeries right across the constituency and meeting with groups across the area.

Surgeries began last week in Hoylake Library and  from now on they will take place there on the 3rd  Sat in every month 10am – 11.30.

The First Friday in every month there will be a surgery in Upton Sainsburys in the coffee bar 6pm-7pm

The First Sat in every month there will be a surgery at the Hope Centre, Pensby 10am – 11.15am followed by a surgery in Greasby Library 11.30 – 12.30

Please call the office if you’d like an appointment on 0151 632 1052

Saturday night I went to see the West Kirby Light Opera at the Floral Pavillion. The award winning group didn’t let me down. They produced yet another sensational production, receiving a  standing ovation from the audience.

Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi follows 2 stories; in the present day, Alice works at the world famous Liverpool Adelphi Hotel dealing with difficult customers and all the demands of a large fast paced hotel, intertwined with this, is the epic story of the Adelphi in its 1930′s hey day when Hollywood actors stayed there en route to the UK and European destinations.

The musical was visually spectacular, funny, poignant and contained some memorable songs, a truly terrific night. And how Roy Roger’s got his horse on the roof of the Adelphi one will never know! Those who went to see it will know what I mean.

Well done WKLO for another terrific performance and well done to Robert Bowness, the musical director, Mark Gardiner, Sarah Harman-Gardiner and Paul Kirkbright whose individual performances in last year’s production of Chess have earned them nominations for the National Operatic and Drama Association Awards.

Congratulations must go to Wirral West’s 3 new councillors  : -

Wendy Clements – who will now represent Greasby Frankby and Irby.  Wendy stood at the last local elections and despite not winning worked incredibly hard and managed to win the support of many of the local residents. After another year of hard work  Wendy achieved a decisive win. Wendy is a great addition to the Conservative group and will be a tremendous addition to local democracy.

Don McCubbin – now representing Pensby Barnston and Thingwall. Don, a local resident and wonderful campaigner, who many will know from all his hard work with the local libraries, is now the local Conservative Councillor. For those who know Don, and those about to know him, he is a much needed voice in local politics.

Eddie Boult – now representing Hoylake and Meols.  Eddie a long standing supporter and worker in the Conservative Party secured a decisive victory to return Hoylake and Meols another Conservative Councillor. Eddie will be a champion for the local area.

Cllr Jeff Green – was returned as the Councillor for West Kirby and Thurston with a majority of over 2000 votes. Jeff remains group leader of the Conservative Party on Wirral Council and will continue to stand up for the local area as he did most vociferously when he opposed the Labour Lib Dem decision to close libraries and leisure centres.

I am delighted to be working with such a strong set of new Conservative Councillors in addition to those already there.