Technology Policy

Some of you have been interested in my involvement in technology with the Conservative Party. However this is not in the realms of IT – in which I have no role – but with new ‘emerging’ technologies such as genetics, biotechnology and robotics. I am writing a green paper for the Conservative Party which will be published shortly. There are many exciting new possiblities and I would want to encourage as much ethical technology research and development business opportunities in the constituency as possible.

I know this quote is on my website, but it’s worth repeating it here:

“As part of our policy review, I have been working with Julia on the
difficult ethical and practical issues raised by nanotechnology. She
has contributed hugely to our thinking in this very difficult area.
Through her charm, perseverance and intellect, she has managed her team
of distinguished experts and has come up with common sense solutions to
problems that looked intractable. She clearly has a huge amount to offer
our party and parliament.

Oliver Letwin MP, Head of Policy

Last chance to meet at the Saturday market!

There are probably three posting days left to be sure that your vote gets to the Electoral Reform Society in time for the count of ballots. Last Saturday I was joined by family and friends as we handed out leaflets and it was a pleasure to meet so many of you.

And thank you to those who came to the coffee morning today – it was really good to be able to hear more of your concerns and hopes.

This Saturday I will be back at the Gosport Market from 10-12 and do please come and say hello if you would still like to have a chat before you cast your vote!

 

 

Mixed messages on Browndown

According to The News today, part of Browndown will remain open. However my sources tell me this isn’t the case and Sir Peter Viggers seems to think this too.

The reason being given is that it’s not used for pre-deployment training in connection with Afghanistan. But hang on, if training for counter-insurgency wars is the criteria for keeping training grounds open, what about planning and training for the scenario of having to face down fully-fledged state agression? Once again it is short sighted and premature to make this kind of decision without a Strategic Defence Review.

Browndown to close

I’ve just heard that despite Bob Ainsworth’s assurance on October 22nd that the Browndown Training Camp will continue to be used ‘particularly the dry training area’, it has now been announced that it will be closed after all.

On the back of their announcements and re-announcements on TA training, and the relatively small amounts of money involved, this latest decision seems to defy logic. If there is one thing we can be certain of on top of death and taxes, it’s that we will always need to be able to defend our freedom – and to do that requires adequate training facilities for our Armed Forces.

Writing for the BBC

Have a look at a recent article I wrote for the BBC News website on health.

2020health event with Dr Phil Hammond (Private Eye), Julian Le Grand (Blairs ex-advisor on health), Niaill Dickson (King's Fund) and Stephen O'Brien MP (Shadow health minister)

I run www.2020health.org at the moment, a bottom up policy ‘think-tank’ designed to give people at the front-line of healthcare, whether in the NHS, industry or independent sector, a voice in policy formation. We must listen to those who work in the sector and give them as much freedom as possible to deliver high quality care without political interference.

Working together for the constituency

Some Gosport Councillors at the recent Remembrance Sunday parade

One lady I spoke to today had a query about the land opposite her home in Cherque Farm (great google maps showing the development over time). I emailed the local councillors and had the answer in minutes – the ground in question has had no enquiries about it’s development so there are no plans for it at present. However the Council would like to see it levelled and cleaned up in the meantime – which is up to the owners, Persimmon Homes.

Working closely with the local councillors, both borough and county, is a commitment that I see as vital. It will enable two-way feedback with councillors keeping me up to speed on topical local issues, and it would give me the chance to feedback from the debates and decision-making in Westminster that impact locally. Day to day issues are the responsibility of the councillors but keeping informed means I will understand the issues that residents are facing in their wards.

Haslar’s Future

Listening to people across Gosport it’s clear that there remains real sadness about the closure of The Royal Hospital Haslar. Not surprising after 256 years of serving the community. However some people don’t seem to have heard about the hugelyexciting plans for redevelopment that will build on Haslar’s heritage.

OurEnterprise is a social enterprise consultancy with a dynamic Chief Exec, Matthew Bell, focused on enabling positive community developments. There are many local people who have worked extremely hard to develop a new vision for Haslar and Matthew has a track record of facilitating partnerships based on community involvement, good relationships and secure investment. He has worked closely with the Haslar Heritage Group, Veterans’ Village Consortium and the Council to secure a partnership that plans to deliver a south-coast Royal Hospital Chelsea-style accommodation and sheltered accommodation for elderly ex-service people and a new health centre which should creat 900 new jobs.

Meeting Matthew and hearing about the plans for the site was incredibly exciting and I will do all I can to support this regeneration and facilitate this new vision for Haslar if I am selected to serve you here.

Video of Friday’s Public Meeting

Have a look here at the first part of my presentation at the Thorngate Halls on Friday evening : The News.

This was followed by many questions from the floor – they may be available on the Conservative’s website shortly -will keep you posted.

Thank you for your support

Thank you so much to those of you who have got in touch to encourage me and offer your support – it is much appreciated. I wouldn’t be in the Gosport Constituency selection if I didn’t think that my background of growing up in the area and service in the NHS, combined with my passion for local regeneration, experience in policy advising in Westminster and as a small business entrepreneur could all be used to serve you here in the constituency.

I sincerely believe that I can deliver the new investment, new enthusiasm and new vision that the area needs based on a foundation of trust built up through working with some of our most disadvantaged and vulnerable in society through my work in the NHS.

Public Meeting Today

I am hearing different stories about why the ballots for the postal primary have been delayed. The good news is that they now all seem to have arrived; the bad news is that not everyone will have found out about tonight’s public meeting in time. However if you can’t make it and you would still like to meet me I will be at the Gosport Market tomorrow morning, at the Conservative Club for lunch, then visiting Lee-on-the Solent and Stubbington Shops.  You can also read moreabout me in the article in The News this week, and feel free to contact me on my email julia4gosport@btinternet.com.