Breaking the paywall with Teignbridge MPs weekly goings on

By PRSD, on Sunday, February 14, 2010

Some people may applaud Richard Younger-Ross’s decision to favour the traditional press with his weekly column, which puts news of the Teignbridge MP’s weekly goings-on behind its internet paywall. We think showing such favouritism is a little awry. But then we just sigh and gaze out on the changing media landscape and remember why we got into this game in the first place. Therefore, here’s what MP Richard Younger-Ross got up to this week – worth 40p of anyone’s money (psst, you can donate if you want – we’ll get the message).

The Av’s and the AV Nots
A historic vote took place this week, the Commons voted for a referendum on a fairer voting system. What is remarkable about this is that it was proposed by one Gordon Brown. This is the same Gordon who, when he was Chancellor to Tony Blair, blocked Blair’s proposals for such a vote. Blair had suggested such a referendum was possible to Paddy Ashdown, but as Ashdown recalled in his diary, was told by Tony that he “couldn’t get it past Gordon”.

Now the vote is clearly a cynical device to put the Conservatives onto the back foot and expose them as being anti reform. What Gordon proposed was the alternative vote (AV) which is simply a modified system of voting for MPs in the existing single member constituencies. Instead of a cross on the ballot paper, it is marked 1,2,3,4 in order of preference. The candidate with the lowest vote is eliminated and the votes allocated to the second choices on their ballot papers. This is done until one candidate has 50 per cent of the vote. It preserves the MP constituency link and ensures an MP has the support of more than half of those voting. It is not much more proportionate than our existing system which is why the Lib Dems support a three or four member constituency which preserves a link and makes the individual the centre of the vote (rather than the party) and is more proportionate.

When I was elected in 2001, the Lib Dems took 20 per cent of the vote but only elected 52 MPs! Twenty per cent of the vote should have elected 110 MPs! But that aside and ignoring the motives of the author, this could herald a historic change in our electoral system, a step towards making MPs more accountable.

Dentists
I had picked up that a few people were having problems finding a dentist again so thought that it would be useful to pop along to the Brunel Dental Centre in Newton Abbot, an NHS dental practice I helped to get established. I had a chat with Mike Haden, the senior practice nurse who assured me that the Practice is still taking on NHS patients. When I was elected in 2001 there had been a real dental crisis but the Teignmouth-based Den Dental Centre asked if I would support them in opening up a new practice for NHS patients in Newton Abbot. With the help of the District Council and the Primary Care Trust we were able to achieve this. With other initiatives we were able to provide more than 7,000 patients with NHS dentists.

Business Help
Later on Monday I spent some time with businesses in Teignmouth. The town’s excellent and active trade association had asked me to talk to a few businesses about the problems they face. Rises in the business rates (which go to the Government and not the council) topped the list of their concerns. Simply put, if rates increase some shops will close. One brilliant thing the Teignmouth Traders are doing is ensuring that all businesses check to see if they are entitled to rate relief which could save some of them thousands of pounds.

Fish Quay
Back in my Office on Friday I called a meeting to look at status of the proposed improvements to the Fish Quay in Teignmouth. The development had stalled, but after half an hour we sorted out the issues and everyone was happy in that progress had been made. Still a long way to go but it is looking hopeful.

Herbalists
One concern where there has been progress is the change in law regarding herbal medicines. Regulation is now forcing many traditional remedies off the shelves despite assurances from Government Ministers that where medicine had been used for a number of years they would be exempt. Now the status of herbalists is in question. The herbalists who lobbied me in the House of Commons on Wednesday said: ‘We want statutory regulation of herbalists which would ensure that public have continued access to high quality medicines.’ Without this many herbalists may find they are unable to practise.

Surgeries
Monday February; 15 Meadow Centre, Kingsway, Teignmouth, 9.30am-10.15am
Thursday, February 18: Chudleigh Town Hall, Chudleigh, 5pm-5.45pm