Happy New year!

This is my first post for 2014 and since a month ago.

Christmas has come and gone so quickly and during that time I have reflected on my political year as well as my forthcoming re-election.

But first of all let me start by saying to all my readers and residents in Stoke Park and Ipswich - Happy New Year and may 2014 be the beginning of some better times.

There is much to do in this lovely town of ours and I feel that we are being let down by the Labour administration.

So much of what has been achieved has been delivered by Ben Gummer or instigated by the previous Conservative/Libdem administration but you wouldn't think so by the amount of credit councillor David Ellesmere takes. In fact Ipswich Spy wrote about it here

It might seem like a compliment from the headline but actually the writers notion of a good politician is one that describes a person that manages to get all the right publicity and doesn't let the truth get in the way of a good story. I'd say Spy is right in this context but I am rather hoping that Ipswich residents are a bit more savvy than that.

Where I do disagree with Spy is on the point about Ben communicating in only a few wards. I have been delivering Ben's latest communication in Stoke Park which summarises all the good work he has done. As I have been ill for the last 2 weeks, I was'nt able to complete it by the year end, but I will continue to do the rounds.

My definition of a good politician is not the same as Spy's. Being less political and rather more proactive in doing what's right for my residents, I believe a good councillor does the following:

Responds promptly to e-mails, phone calls and letters from residents regarding issues they have.
Finds the right person to deal with it immediately and monitors the action, keeping the resident updated where necessary
Communicates in a newsletter what has been going on by positive actions
By attending as many community events as is possible where a councillor adds value or the event adds value to the councillor (as I am invited to so many this is the criteria I use to decide whether to go. I don't pay lip service or attend somewhere just for a photo opportunity).
By balancing council meetings and committee meetings with the work on the ground and with business/work that actually pays the mortgage!
Be accessible and approachable via several means including social media.
Liaises with the councils partners so that the best organisations are used to resolve problems in the town.
Help to formulate policies and creative ideas
By being honest, open and upfront, staying true to themselves even when it can actually lose them votes.

And I have tried my best to do all the above in the last 8 years, succeeding most of the time but sometimes falling short due to other demands. Being a councillor has been an honour and I never forget that.

I intend to stand for another 4 years in May and I accept that the national tide will have a big say in whether I win or not - however that will not be any excuse. A good councillor is hard to come by and I hope that the residents in Stoke Park will pick a hard and proactive worker, irrespective of whether they agree with David Cameron or Ed Milliband.

So Councillor Ellesmere is welcome to Spy's definition of politician of the year. When you read it you will see why I would rather have Honest, Hardworking & Efficient councillor of the year who is sometimes known not to do as she is told if she thinks it's right for the people of Ipswich. A bit of a maverick but someone who listens and gets things done.

If you want to help me or Ben Gummer MP, either delivering, knocking on doors or just to be kept informed of events, then let me know and I'll take you up on that!

If you want to know more about my beliefs, work, actions then follow me on twitter @stokeparkcllr and look out for my regular Nadia's News as well as the usual forms of communication..

I look forward to seeing some of you on the doorstep!

Here's to an exciting 2014!

Stoke park News - Newnham Court

Plan to transform site into new homes

Following a tweet I received from a resident, I asked a question at council to the housing portfolio holder, about the empty buildings off Cambridge Drive, in my ward.

This appears to have prompted some action to follow that of councillor Richard Pope a conservative councillor and previous portfolio holder who instigated a solution to the semi derelict accomodation.

Here is the latest from IBC about this:

 The Council’s contractors will completely refurbish and convert the main block and annex at Newnham Court, off Cambridge Drive, into 19 flats. Two of the flats will be fully wheelchair-accessible. Five adjacent bungalows will also be refurbished.

 The complex, once home to bedsit accommodation, has been empty for many years. The Council wants to create new flats, particularly two-bed homes, to meet growing demand.

 Executive meets on 17th September to consider the appointment of a contractor to refurbish the site, which is owned by the Council and had been on a long lease to a housing association.

If my residents want to know more then please comment in the box below this article. 

Politics, The Games People Play and why I am proud of Ben Gummer

Every aspect of our lives has some political connection, be it rules and regulations or just the fact that funding seems to be the governor of all things.

It is obvious that when it comes to local and national politics, different parties will have a go at the others whether they are justified or not.

This week, in Ipswich, we saw some treachery at work and I suppose this is one of my biggest personal dislikes in this 'other' world I find myself in.

It is important to me in my political world to have honesty, authenticity and a desire to help my residents. I am not sure many people understand this because all they see are negative stories and media agendas on councillors and MPs alike. In Ipswich, conservatives have a worse deal with local papers and journalists who tend to be more Left leaning. Thank goodness for blogs.

I have always stated that there are good and bad councillors in all parties and that some Labour councillors have my utmost respect, even fondness. I want them to be happy, effective local champions who do good for the people in this town.

This week, I have witnessed one of our own activists who decided that writing a controversial blog was more important than loyalty, proving that he is not fit to be a councillor or a candidate. Whether people like it or not we have to stand together as a party. This person was an activist and does not really know what is going on behind the scenes. Any decisions we make are for the group only and just a part of that is released to our activists, although leaks do happen sometimes.

All of us will tell you that we need to stick together in order to bring about changes. However, when you are in opposition, there is still no real influence in council - but what we must do is bring accountability to those in power.

This is where I consider Tory behaviour to be different from Labour's, who tend to disagree with anything we might decide, do or believe in, just for the sake of it, whereas we offer occasions where we agree on a particular stance (especially if it's in our manifesto's) and other times when we are allowed a free vote. This does not make us 'shambolic' - it means we are more authentic. So I refute Ipswich Spy's comment that at council, when we voted differently in a council motion, that this was tantamount to being 'a shambles'. Far from it - especially as the motion, brought by Labour to make themselves look clever, is as ineffective as before the motion.

There has also been some talk about Councillor Stewart's effectiveness as a leader and I want to say something about that. In fact I wanted to support him before this, but held back in order to avoid stoking the fires of untruths.

You may know that we were up against each other for the position of group leader and that I refused deputy leadership (this was because I knew we would work in completely different ways and it would've been draining for both of us!)

I am a big picture person that gets straight into the action, makes quick decisions and is bold in my words and my deeds. I do not need to be liked and nor do I lack the confidence needed to do a good job.
Chris is more measured, enjoys fine detail and takes a cautious approach. This method needs more time before it can show itself to be effective.

Now whether the decision was right or wrong is irrelevant and Chris has my total loyalty, support and expertise right behind him. The group is working together to help him find his way and this includes being patient while he works out a solid way forward.

So to conclude on this, what might look like pear-shape from the outside, is actually a nice apple in the ripening, on the inside.

And for those who are not loyal to the people in our family, then they have the right to leave and join a void that is totally useless against the real enemy of our country - Socialism.

Last but not least is our shining star - Ben Gummer MP. Again Ipswich Spy are not looking at this in a logical way or from the eyes of Ipswich people. All those that meet Ben say the same thing 'I am so impressed' and I know that Ipswich people will vote for the best MP they have had for decades.

Ben works hard for Ipswich, is articulate, charming and has a great sense of humour. He can relate to anyone, at any level and is honest and tactful. I am so proud when I canvass with him by my side.

I held a 'Ben' house meeting this week, where Stoke Park residents could ask him anything they wanted, over wine and food. Every one of them concluded that he was knowledgeable, authentic and impressive.

If you get the chance to meet Ben at one of his house meetings or monthly Ben in the Pub events, then go see for yourself and tell me if you don't agree. Of course staunch Labourites are exempted from this challenge!

Have a great week...

Our Trip to Westminster with Ben Gummer MP

Last Wednesday 31 October 2012, I had the pleasure of accompanying my residents in Stoke Park to Westminster, at the invitation of Ben Gummer MP.

Ben is planning on repeating the outing for all his constituents, one ward each month, because he believes that people must be brought closer to Parliament and Westminster.

We left Stoke Park Asda at 3.30pm where nearly 100 booked residents turned up (truly a magnificent response) for the sum of £ 15 just to cover the coach costs.

I had a lovely journey down, as my mother and step father are both Stoke Park residents, so I had the added bonus of being able to enjoy their company too. I was also pleased to note that I knew most of the residents and after 6 years you might think I should but I appreciate that many contact me when they think I need to know something and trust me to get things done in the ward - it was a real pleasure to share some fun with them.

After a pleasant journey we arrived just before 6pm and made our way into the Westminster building by following one of Ben Gummer’s assistants James, and Ben’s campaign manager Olivia. We were welcomed by Ben in the Grand Committee room for a chat before he lead the tours around the building.

Ben was charming, informative, witty and warm. I felt so proud that my residents were enjoying such a treat from one of Ipswich’s finest MPs - my mother was most impressed, a rare thing! Talking about mothers, Ben’s made us some cake, to have with our tea and coffee, as she thought it terrible that we were all going to be refreshed but not fed.  Thanks Mrs Gummer, and panitone is one of my favourites!

We then set off in 3 groups, although some of us did have a bit of a wait, which gave me a chance to speak to some of the residents. However the wait was worth it as we set off first into Westminster Hall. What a gaff!

Built in 1099 for hosting state occasions and to impress, it has the largest surviving single span mediaeval timber roof in Northern Europe. The Hall and the Jewel Tower were the only parts to survive the fire of 1834, the rest had to be rebuilt. It truly is a magnificent hall still used to host important events, some of which are commemorated with plaques set into the floor.

We then went through St Stephens Hall, itself a room full of historical events, into the central lobby, which is at the heart of our democracy. This is where people can exercise their right to lobby and is a public area whilst the house of commons is sitting.

The House of Lords is a sight to behold and I was in awe of the opulence, grandeur and atmosphere of the whole of Westminster. It made me want to be an MP (but that was momentarily. I came to my senses a few hours later).

Make no mistake, being an MP is a lot of hard work, a great deal of responsibility and requires the strength, the dedication, the focus, the commitment and the humour, which Ben has in abundance.

We are very lucky to have him as our MP and I know you will love this trip to Westminster if you take up the unique offer from Ben in due course.