Another busy Conservative Policy Forum (CPF) Dinner at Bourn Golf Club last night.  The Guest of Honour this year was Robert Halfon, the MP for Harlow and Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills.

"I enjoyed speaking at the South Cambridgeshire CPF annual dinner tonight.  Big thanks to @heidiallen75 for inviting me!" he tweeted later.

He began by lamenting how the Labour party has been taken over by the far Left.  "It is," he said, "no longer a party of democracy, no longer a party which will protect Britain but rather a party with a Trotsky mentality."

"Most people in Britain are Conservatives at heart, even if they choose to support other parties" he went on to say.  "Our problem, though, is identifying what being a Conservative means.  I want us to re-affirm the Conservative Party as one that has a moral mission which excites millions across the country.

"I want it to be genuinely seen as the party of working people, not just because of government policy, but by our own membership offering, language, acts, deeds and actions.  A party attracting people from every walk of life – whether it be through our nation’s volunteers, entrepreneurs, teachers or nurses.

Ladder of opportunity
"Winston Churchill once said the Conservative Party should be the party of the ladder: of assistance, aspiration and achievement.

"By the 2020 election, when Conservatives are knocking on doors across the UK, our objective must be not to convince ‘shy Conservatives’ to vote for us, but to meet people who are proud to be associated with the Conservatives, because – unlike our opponents – we are on their side.

"How much better would it be, if the public, instead of thinking of us just as Tories, thought of the Conservatives as for the workers.

"Conservatism has always been about changing what is necessary to conserve what is best.  The potential for successful party reform is huge – and exciting.  Building on our traditions, but renewing ourselves for the years ahead."

Value of apprenticeships
Not surprisingly, with his ministerial responsibility for apprenticeships and skills he enthused about his role of wanting to give young people the best start to get on in life and have a rewarding career.

"It's an area close to my heart.  Apprenticeships can give young people the opportunity to learn valuable skills while earning.  As an MP I have led from the front in championing apprenticeships – I was the first MP to employ a full time apprentice in my Westminster office and I helped to secure £10 million of government funding to build a new state of the art University Technical College in Harlow.

"During the last Parliament we saw the biggest ever increase in apprenticeships with over two million people starting them.  We also ensured it is now easier for businesses to hire apprentices and next year the employers’ National Insurance contributions for apprenticeships, for people under the age of 25, will be abolished.

"The government is committed to going further and delivering three million more apprenticeships by 2020.  To ensure high quality training, it will introduce an apprenticeship levy on all large firms so those offering apprenticeships can get more back than they put in, he concluded."

James Palmer's turn
Also at the Dinner, organised with great efficiency by Mark Howard and Denise Smith, were Heidi Allen MP, Peter Topping, Leader of SCDC, Jason Ablewhite the County's Police and Crime Commissioner, and James Palmer, Conservative candidate for the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

James, taking the opportunity to say a few words, began by remarking how he intends to use the phrase 'Ladders of opportunity' in his own campaign literature, for part of the £770m devolution deal for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with the government incudes a focus on apprenticeships to help build a well trained and capable workforce.

"Investment in a Peterborough University will give more choice to young people wanting an education close to home and our apprenticeship schemes will provide greater opportunities for those seeking a work-based scholarship.

"Should I be elected Mayor, I will create business growth and spread the ‘Silicon Fen’ effect out of Cambridge into the whole county and build a ‘CB’ brand which is recognised globally.

Infrastructure
"To achieve that we also have to accept growth away from Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire into the north of the county and Fenland with more housing – which they will welcome – and vastly improved road and rail infrastructure so we can all move about the county easier.

"Cambridgeshire is already highly respected worldwide – but until the traffic problems in and around Cambridge are solved, we will not be able to attract the highest levels of international investment.

"And South Cambridgeshire needs a radical solution to its traffic problems – the City Deal is not providing an answer.

As Mayor I will endeavour to provide an underground for Cambridge and a light railway into South Cambs.  Buses are not the solution.  A clean, integrated system, fit for a world leading education and technology centre, is needed.

As Mayor, I will work hard on your behalf to provide these vital improvements – so South Cambs remains a good place to live and becomes an easy commute to work."

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• Robert Halfon MP – website.
   
• Contact James Palmer

james@jamespalmer4mayor.co.uk

07933 251 545

www.jamespalmer4mayor.co.uk

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