Let's Talk Business Roadshow Rolls Into Keighley

I was delighted to play my part in ensuring that Keighley was the first post-launch destination for an excellent new venture set up to showcase the spirit of black and ethnic minority enterprise across the country and to find out more about the current barriers to business success for black and ethnic minority women.

Hosted by the Asian Women’s Centre on Marlborough Street in Keighley and jointly promoted by the Conservative Party and the National Black Women’s Network, the main speakers included Shadow Cohesion Minister Baroness Warsi, Conservative Party Women's Officer Liz St Clair, National Black Women's Network Director Sonia Brown and my colleague Cllr Andrew Mallinson who holds the Economy Portfolio on Bradford Council’s Executive.

A number of highly successful black and ethnic minority female entrepreneurs were also present to take part in the roundtable discussion together a number of young women who have attended the Asian Women Centre's Business OCN Level 2 course.

An excellent day for everyone involved and a great day for Keighley.

Labour finally admits defeat on ID cards

I have spoken out on many occasions over the last 18 months on why the Labour Government was wrong in its belief that compulsory national identity cards were good for this country.

The fact is that very little evidence exists to suggest they would assist in the fight against terrorism and illegal working.

And then, of course, there were the cost implications. Towards the end of last year, the Home Office was forced to admit that the cost of the ID card scheme had risen to more than £5.6 billion – a quite staggering sum.

The London School of Economics had already predicted that the eventual bill would be an even more mind-boggling £20 billion.

It is with all of this in mind that I am pleased to learn that the Government has finally seen the error of its ways although, New Labour being what it is, we have only discovered this through a Home Office leak.

When he became Prime Minister last summer, Gordon Brown had the opportunity to draw a line under the fiasco and say he would not proceed with the scheme. But, as has become his trademark since he entered Number Ten, he dithered. And, as he dithered, more taxpayers’ money was wasted.

Ever since the steam of data loss fiascos began a few months ago with HM Customs and Revenue CDs disappearing in the post and, most recently, Ministry of Defence laptops going AWOL, we have heard arguments that ID cards should not be introduced as the Government could not be trusted with our personal data.

This is a very fair point. But the fact remains – the scheme should have been cancelled long before now.

NHS patients continue to be kicked in the teeth by Labour

A report out today reveals that more than seven million patients have been unable to see an NHS dentist for almost two years.

Most of those denied access have paid for private care instead, says Citizens Advice, but almost three million have gone without treatment altogether.

The figure includes thousands of children and is much higher than Government estimates.

"Improving access to NHS dentistry is now a national priority for the health service,” is the response from Health Minister Ann Keen – but what has the Labour Government been doing for the last 11 years?

Speaking at his party’s annual Conference in Bournemouth in September 1999, then Prime Minister Tony Blair promised that everyone in the country would have easy access to an NHS dentist within two years.

Today’s report proves that this pledge was, like so many before and since, just another example of Labour spin.

And in the meantime, millions of patients – mostly from the poorest households in the country – have been left to suffer pain and indignity.

An Opposition politician this morning described the ongoing crisis in NHS dentistry as “this Government's hidden legacy.”

I couldn’t agree more.

The future's bright for BIGK 10K

I was delighted to be involved this week in the public launch of the inaugural BIGK 10K charity run which will take place around the streets of the town on Sunday 16 March in aid of the Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope.

A team of us have been working on the venture for some weeks now and, with little more than two months to go, I am now very confident we will produce an event for local people to be proud of.

It is an excellent chance for people to get fit, raise money for a very worthy cause and help strengthen Keighley’s increasingly strong reputation for sporting endeavour.

Entry forms will be available shortly from a variety of outlets including the Keighley News and I will also keep everyone up to date via this blog.

For now, I’m off to do a bit more training in my spanking new luminous Manorlands Hospice Running Club tee-shirt which I had the privilege to wear at the launch alongside Manorlands Fundraiser Andrew Wood. Not sure it’s quite my colour but at least you’ll see me coming!

David Cameron volunteers his support for Airedale Hospital

Only three days into the New Year and, if anyone was in any doubt, they should now be assured about a future Conservative Government’s iron resolve to put the NHS at the top of its priority list.

Following his trip to Trafford General Hospital in Greater Manchester only yesterday, I had the opportunity to accompany David Cameron during a much longer visit to Airedale General Hospital in Keighley earlier today.

The two of us had the privilege of talking to the excellent staff about the challenges the hospital faces, what they're doing and the issues that worry them.

As anyone who knows Airedale Hospital would expect, David was extremely impressed by what he saw and heard. In particular, he singled out the incredible spirit that surrounded the place and the clearly important role played by the hospital in the community at large.

As the Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Keighley and Ilkley, my job is to continue to work very hard to convince local people that our goal of becoming the party of the NHS is based on the firmest of foundations – namely that Conservatives wish to improve the NHS for the benefit of all.

Rather than continue the Labour Government’s high-handed, remote and target-obsessed approach, we must ensure that the key decisions are taken at the right level by the right people including patients.