A Great Blog

Fiona's Campaigns

2012-04-30T06:50:00.000-07:00

As MP for the Congleton Constituency, Fiona is committed to promoting community life, local businesses and voluntary activity and works closely with Cheshire East Council and Town Councils in Alsager, Congleton, Middlewich and Sandbach as well as many Parish Councils in support of the strong local communities in her Constituency.

Fiona Bruce MP meets Minister Ed Vaisey MP to discuss Broadband

She has vigorously led campaigns in and outside Parliament for more funding for improved High Speed Broadband facilities for her Constituency, a particular need for many businesses in the area. Fiona champions Small Businesses – for example funding for apprenticeships and for a reduction in regulation, particularly from the EU.

Fiona has also fought for Rural Growth Funding for her Constituency – millions of pounds of which have now been advanced by Central Government to transport links in the Constituency.

Fiona has worked with a group of MPs to secure better online protection for children from inappropriate internet material and unnecessarily explicit sex education.

She has been a lead member in a Parliamentary Inquiry into improved Financial Education in Schools, the report of which, published December 2011, can be found at http://www.pfeg.org/curriculum_and_policy/appg_on_financial_education_for_young_people/appg_strands/appg_inquiry_report.html

Fiona and other MPs meet the Prime Minister to discuss Financial Education

Fiona is a member of the All Party Group for better protection for the victims of Human Trafficking.

Fiona has a long term relationship with and commitment to developing a school in Tanzania and in inspiring young people to partner support projects in that region of Africa. Fiona has also led teams of business advisors to Rwanda to help build the capacity of business in Rwanda to trade and so create jobs and promote economic growth and development. She has worked closely in connection with the Rwandan Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

Fiona is a member of the Parliamentary Group for North Korea and seeks to highlight the plight and suffering of the many millions of people there. She was praised for her compassion in a debate, led by her, on this subject. Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Cry Freedom campaign features the debate at http://www.csw.org.uk/cryfreedom and details the aims of CSW regarding North Korea.

She bought an amendment to the Finance Bill pressing for the introduction of a married person’s tax allowance – something the government is now committed to bringing in during this Parliament.

Fiona has clearly voiced her opposition to the HS2 rail proposals which she has described as being ‘an inordinately expensive potential burden on my constituents without any justifiable business case in the current economic climate and voted (against the party whip) in favour of a referendum on Britain’s relationship with the European Union.

Locally, she has campaigned vigorously against the proposed incinerator in Middlewich which she considers to be a totally unreasonable, unfair and unnecessary imposition on the strong local community there. She has campaigned successfully against the imposition of car parking charges in Market Towns across her Constituency leading one constituent to write in the local press of how Fiona always stood by what was right for her constituents.

Campaigning against the Middlewich Incinerator

Fiona in Alsager

2012-04-30T01:32:00.002-07:00

Fiona in Alsager...

· Attended and spoke in the aftermath of the riots at the 2^nd annual Festival Praise event at Alsager Arts Festival of which Fiona is Patron.

· Opened the newly re-named B’Hoys Community Gardens in Alsager.

· Met with the 1^st Alsager Scout Group.

· Met with the Alsager and District Branch Embroiderer’s Guild.

· Cut the ribbon at the Official Opening of Rode Heath Park.

· Organised the Ministerial Visit by Defence Minister Peter Luff MP at BAE Systems Radway Green site.

· Visited Cranberry Primary School

· Attended the launch of the Open Door Project at St Mary’s Church, Alsager.

· Opened the Odd Rode Mother’s Union Centenary Concert.

· Visited staff and pupils at St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School, Alsager

· Attended the Alsager Civic Dinner

· Highlighted constituents concerns on HS2 in a debate in the Commons.

· Opened the newly refurbished Wood Park (even trying out the Zip Wire!)

· Attended a lunch to help with the upkeep of Lawton Memorial Hall.

· Visited the Alsager One World Festival each year.

· Opened and judged the Wesley Place Methodist Church Christmas Tree Festival

· Attended the Alsager Christmas Lights Switch on.

· Attended the Alsager MS Society Coffee Morning.

· Lent a hand to the Friends of Alsager Station and seen the excellent work they do with the upkeep of the train station.

· Presented a sword from 1912 to the Royal British Legion Military and Historical Exhibition at Alsager Library.

· Visited the Special Treasures Group at Alsager Community Church

· Thoroughly enjoyed visiting the St Luke’s Frock Stop Bus on its Alsager visit.

· Attended the Remembrance Day Parade

· Seen the delightful artwork on display in the Alsager Arts Association Exhibition.

· Supported the Alsager Ladies Lifeboat Guild Summer Event and Hog Roast

· Hosted a celebration of the 30^th Anniversary of the Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association in Parliament.

· Held regular surgeries with residents of Alsager and the surrounding areas

· Responded to hundreds of constituents letters and e-mails

And more...

Fiona in Congleton

2012-04-30T01:31:00.001-07:00

Fiona in Congleton…

· Held regular surgeries and meetings for residents in Congleton

· Watched a SOL Theatre School Production of Our House praising the young people involved for their great commitment.

· Enjoyed the Congleton Youth Orchestra Concert

· Attended the East Cheshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards at Cranage Hall

· Visited Bromley Farm on a number of occasions

· Attended the Lion’s Youth Brass 21^st Anniversary Celebration Concert.

· Written her own entries in The People’s Bible.

· Attended the Visyon AGM, one of the local charities, of which Fiona is Patron.

· Supported the Macclesfield and Congleton District Scout Fellowship Charities Fayre

· Attended a superb performance of Oliver by Congleton Musical Theatre.

· Opened a new classroom at Mossley C.E. Primary School

· Attended a fantastic concert by Congleton Choral Society.

· Recorded a video message for the CVS Speed Networking event.

· Attended the Congleton Learning Centre Open Day

· Taken a tour of Congleton Museum

· Opened Plus Dane 1000^th home in what was the former Congleton Borough.

· Attended the Congleton Town Council Civic Celebration

· Spoke at the Congleton Fairtrade Coffee Morning

· Read at the Good Friday service at New Life Church

· Attended the Women’s World Day of Prayer

· Paid a visit to the Congleton Macmillan Autumn Fayre.

· Responded to hundreds of constituents letters and e-mails

And more...

Fiona In Holmes Chapel

2012-04-30T01:28:00.002-07:00

Fiona in Holmes Chapel:

· Led a debate in Parliament calling for better funding for the provision of Rural Broadband for Cheshire.

· Attended Holmes Chapel Today 2011

· Spoke at the AGM of Cheshire Local councils about her campaign in Parliament to ensure the new National Planning Framework (NPPF) protects our green spaces.

· Called and held a public meeting on the problems posed by the speed and volume of traffic in Holmes Chapel.

· Helped in a mass litter pick up with Village Volunteers in Holmes Chapel.

· Attended a Holmes Chapel Music Society Concert

· Met with student leaders of Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School and Sixth Form College to discuss their burning issues.

· Attended the Holmes Chapel Fairtrade Coffee Morning

· Praised the work of Home Grown in Holmes Chapel in Parliament

· Attended the Remembrance Day Parade

· Welcomed the Duke of York on a visit to Jodrell Bank.

· Attended the Holmes Chapel Cancer Committee Ball

· Heard a wonderful Welsh Male Voice Choir Concert arranged by Holmes Chapel Rotary.

· Attended the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides first District Christmas Fair

· Been bulb planting with Holmes Chapel Volunteers in Dane Valley.

· Held regular surgeries for residents

· Responded to hundreds or constituents e-mails and letters

And more...

Fiona In Middlewich

2012-04-18T08:41:00.002-07:00

Fiona in Middlewich...

· The first debate I called was on behalf of Middlewich – against the incinerator proposal

· Fought for local traders to increase support and against Tesco expansion

· Attended Christmas markets, World War 2 weekend, the Roman Festival, helped choose the Rose Queen, attended the Remembrance Service, Walked in Civic Parade and Christmas Lights switch on Parade.

· Spoke at Folk and Boat Festival (now the FAB Festival) and supported boaters at Inland Waterways Association stand and elsewhere on Middlewich canal network, several times – As a result I have since received the IWA Parliamentarian of the Year Award 2012

· Attended concerts by Middlewich Concert Orchestra, Middlewich Concert Society and African Choir

· Met with Scouts, Boys Brigade, Fair Trade Group and other community organisations

· Joined Middlewich Mothers’ Union and attended meetings

· Become a member of Middlewich Clean Team – joined litter pick and bulb planting sessions

· Visited Middlewich Cricket Club

· Supported several local church events. Spoken several times in Parliament about metal theft

· Worked closely with Middlewich Town Council – arranged for the Head of NW Lottery Fund and Head of North West Regional Development Agency to Middlewich to discuss funding for Middlewich

· Held dozens of surgeries in Middlewich library, homes and jointly with Town Councillors

· Worked with 2 publicans to challenge petty bureaucratic pub restoration requirements on the part of Cheshire East Council

· Supported events held by Middlewich Vision

· Supported Junior School International Teacher Exchange visit

· Met with workers at the former Ideal Standard factory several times, worked with them to arrange a job club, and raised the issue of employment in the House of Commons and worked with the new owners to help smooth through new business and employment of local people.

· Met with Ministers to discuss protection for green spaces from undue development and fought alongside residents against developers inappropriately sited proposals around the town

· Held a Meet your MP event

· Arranged for a senior manager from Leighton Hospital to come to Middlewich to address a resident’s concerns

· Visited the Salinae Community Centre

· Opened the new canal walkway

· Spent an afternoon at Newton Court

· Promoted Middlewich in Cheshire Life

· Invited representatives from Middlewich Town Council & Clean Team to Parliament to promote Middlewich positively on several occasions – including with Government Ministers

· Hosted constituents visits to Parliament

· Fought for residents interests regarding the United Utilities disruption to access to homes

· Challenged Balfour Beatty and National Grid about Wheelock Street disruption

· Strongly supported St Luke’s, our local hospice including inviting them to Westminster

· Spent a night on duty with Middlewich Police

· Explored solutions regarding anti social behaviour

· Invited the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire to the launch of Middlewich Street Pastors

· Written hundreds of letters on behalf of constituents

...and more

Fiona in Sandbach

2012-04-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Fiona in Sandbach...

· Raised questions in the House of Commons with the Transport Minister and met with the Highways Agency to impress on them the importance of improvement to Junction 17 of the M6.

· Met GP’s at Ashfields Medical Centre in Sandbach.

· Attended a concert by Foden’s Band in support of the St Mary’s Church (Sandbach) Roof Appeal.

· Been the guest speaker at the Sandbach Today community event praising the work of local volunteers.

· Seen the excellent artwork at the 20^th Anniversary of the Sandbach Art Club

· Spoken at the Home-Start Presentation event at the Chimney House Hotel, Sandbach

· Attended the 1873 (Sandbach) Squadron Annual Dinner and Cadet Presentation Evening and the 230 Squadron ATC Cadet Dinner and Presentation Evening

· Visited Waitrose to present the Community Matters cheques.

· Attended the Foden’s Band Patrons Concert

· Met with the Chimney House to help their community involvement.

· Made keynote speech at Young Enterprise Awards congratulating Eaton Bank School on their Best Presentation award

· Attended the Sandbach Town Council Charity Dinner and Ball

· Taken part in the Rotary Club Swimathon

· Attended the opening of the new centre at St Peter’s Church, Elworth

· Visited Hill House to see their impressive new facilities

· Attended Sounds of Sudan fundraising event

· Met with the developers of The Old Hall to see their plans

· Attended the fantastic Transport Festival

· Spoke with the Sixth Form Group at Sandbach School

· Welcomed the Sandbach Schools to Parliament

· Held regular surgeries with local councillors

· Responded to hundreds of constituents e-mails and letters

And more...