Esther McVey

Speaking with concerned residents

WEST Kirby’s only rapid response vehicle will cease to operate from April 1, as a result of spending cuts instigated by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

Currently based at West Kirby fire station, the rapid response vehicle (RRV) is first on the scene following emergency calls, providing vital treatment and assessing risk for pursuing ambulance crews.

But from next month, residents of West Kirby and Hoylake will be forced to rely on the remaining RRVs based in Moreton, Heswall and at Arrowe Park Hospital.

This is just not acceptable and working with all local councillors we headed to the streets Saturday morning to collect petitions in a bid to stop this happening.

Conservative leader and West Kirby Councillor Jeff Green said he’s determined to get this decision overturned.

We are all shocked and disappointed that such a decision has been taken without speaking to local representatives or residents.

According to new research by online service CreditPal, 43% of small companies have been affected over the past 2 years leaving them out of pocket as trading partners and customers go bust.

It’s research estimates the cost to the small firms sector could be as high as £5.3B. A shocking figure but not an unrealistic one. Speaking to small business owners right across the north west, and being one myself, we know only too well what a financially precarious time it is at the moment. Only yesterday a friend confided one of her large suppliers had gone into liquidation and although they have said they’ll pay what they owe her, she’s uncertain if that will be the case, and if they don’t, it will mean her company closing too.

Chief Exec of GreditPal Chris Poll said ‘The amount left owing to SME’s as a result of company liquidations is shocking and threatens the survival of some UK businesses. ‘ Which reflects what I’m being told through my business women’s network group.

Mother's Day Super Sunday Team

The Conservative Action Team was out in Pensby yesterday – 40 of us out and about listening to the people of Wirral lead by Adam Sykes our local candidate for the area. Adam was born and brought up in Pensby, so he’s very  much a local candidate with his ear to the ground. Last year he got his PhD in Chemistry and now runs his own computer company – added to that he gives free weekly computer lessons to users of Pensby Library.

Saturday we were in Greasby, Wendy Clements, along with myself and 4 other helpers were doing a street stall on the high street. Trust in politics and the economy were the key issues being talked about. It is for that reason my next Wirral Conservative newspaper’s front page story will be on ‘Trust in Politics’ and what we the Conservative Party will do to clean the system up,  restore faith in the political system and integrity into politics.

Friday night was a fun night – I was invited to the Greasby infants school fashion show that had been organised by the parents to raise money for a new stage in the school hall. Accompanying the fashion, as well as all the latest accessories, was vino, a chocolate fountain, fudge….. in fact far too many indulgences for a Friday night in Lent! Temptation get thee behind me!!

Thursday night I was invited to the Ethnic Minority Business Forum Awards which was held at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral. The Awards were hosted by Ranvir Singh from BBC’s Northwest tonight and Dr Nighat Awan OBE.  I was invited in my capacity as board member for the Northwest Business Women’s Enterprise Forum.  Donations on the night went to UK Med – a wonderful charity that supports education and training for health workers in developing countries and continues to facilitate the provision of UK health care workers who volunteer their services to countries during conflict and catastrophe. The team has just returned from Hiati and will be returning there in the next few months.

Wednesday night was spent meeting with some of the team from the Woodchurch Inclusion Project –  an award winning project that has done much to help the community of the Woodchurch.

Tuesday night I spent canvassing – a team of us were in West Kirby – thank goodness the weather has perked up and Monday I went to the opening of an art exhibition at the Art Box West Kirby – a project by Calday Grammar School.

If you’d like to meet with me or a member of the team – then call on 0151 632 1052

Wendy Clements – Greasby, Frankby, Irby

Adam Sykes – Pensby Barnston Thingwall

Geoff Gubb – Upton and Woodchurch

Eddie Boult – Meols and Hoylake

Jeff Green – West Kirby, Thurstaston and Caldy.

Sir John Major came to Chester to meet with Conservative helpers, supporters and volunteers from across Wirral and Cheshire.

Over 300 supporters came out to meet John Major, the last Conservative Prime Minister, and hear what he had to say. His insight into the current financial situation, as the the Prime Minister who bequeathed this Labour Government the handsome legacy it began it’s reign with but which it so sadly squandered, was perceptive, his approach and strategy to come out of this economic situation astute and pragmatic.

The night was an evening to remember, a night to rally out troops and thank our supporters.

Last night I went to the Art Box, the Calday Grammar School’s Enterprise centre in West Kirby for the opening of an art exhibition by local artists.

The Enterprise centre is part gallery, part toy shop which the students set up as part of a school project to learn about how to run a business as well as to hone their financial and marketing skills.

The Enterprise centre is carving out quite a name for itself as well as bedding itself into the local community. the next exhibition will be of work by other local schools and their pupils.