My News Magazines - July 2010

Midsummer is often a busy time in the constituency with plenty of fetes and constituency party events. An added complication was the timing of the Emergency Budget on 22 June and, as Treasury Minister, the run up to this period was particularly hectic.

My big concern was that in recent years, the Treasury Ministers have gathered together for a photocall on the Saturday immediately before the Budget. But this was the same Saturday as the Croxley Revels, something I haven't missed in the five years of being the local MP.

I had no choice but to take this matter to the Chancellor. "George, never mind about all the tax measures in the Budget, my big concern is the Croxley Revels." I have to tell you that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was not as familiar as he might have been about the Croxley Revels, but he is now. Anyway, no Saturday photocall (I'd like to think out of respect for the Croxley Revels).

So I got to perform my usual roles - declaring the Revels open, judging the stalls and crowning the princess. Another well attended and well organised event. Particular congratulations to St Bedes on their African stall (I have awared them a prize for six years out of six but there's no denying the consistent quality of their stalls) and to Harvey Road School for their Play Your Cards Right stall. And well done to the organising team for another excellent event.

On the following Tuesday was the Budget. As a junior Minister, most of your work is done in advance of the Budget day but there is the task of the Downing Street photocall. The nation's media are camped outside No. 11 as we gather inside. There is a little bit of nervous conversation and we all get a chance to have a look at the famous Gladstone Budget Box (it is starting to fall apart so this was its last use before being put into a museum).

We then line up to go outside, facing dozens of press photographers and TV cameras. We know it is going to be an unavoidably tough Budget so it is not a time for grins or waves as we are filmed and photographed before going over to the House of Commons.

This is not the place to make the argument as to why this was the right Budget for the country, although I have been heartened by the general response to the measures the Chancellor announced. I think the country appreciated that we have a Government trying to get a grip of the crisis in our public finances.

Anyway, first Budget out the way. Like the Croxley Revels, it involved a lot a hard work behind the scenes but it was worth it in the end. And now we can all look forward to next year!
Midsummer is often a busy time in the constituency with plenty of fetes and constituency party events. An added complication was the timing of the Emergency Budget on 22 June and, as Treasury Minister, the run up to this period was particularly hectic.

My big concern was that in recent years, the Treasury Ministers have gathered together for a photocall on the Saturday immediately before the Budget. But this was the same Saturday as the Croxley Revels, something I haven't missed in the five years of being the local MP.

I had no choice but to take this matter to the Chancellor. "George, never mind about all the tax measures in the Budget, my big concern is the Croxley Revels." I have to tell you that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was not as familiar as he might have been about the Croxley Revels, but he is now. Anyway, no Saturday photocall (I'd like to think out of respect for the Croxley Revels).

So I got to perform my usual roles - declaring the Revels open, judging the stalls and crowning the princess. Another well attended and well organised event. Particular congratulations to St Bedes on their African stall (I have awared them a prize for six years out of six but there's no denying the consistent quality of their stalls) and to Harvey Road School for their Play Your Cards Right stall. And well done to the organising team for another excellent event.

On the following Tuesday was the Budget. As a junior Minister, most of your work is done in advance of the Budget day but there is the task of the Downing Street photocall. The nation's media are camped outside No. 11 as we gather inside. There is a little bit of nervous conversation and we all get a chance to have a look at the famous Gladstone Budget Box (it is starting to fall apart so this was its last use before being put into a museum).

We then line up to go outside, facing dozens of press photographers and TV cameras. We know it is going to be an unavoidably tough Budget so it is not a time for grins or waves as we are filmed and photographed before going over to the House of Commons.

This is not the place to make the argument as to why this was the right Budget for the country, although I have been heartened by the general response to the measures the Chancellor announced. I think the country appreciated that we have a Government trying to get a grip of the crisis in our public finances.

Anyway, first Budget out the way. Like the Croxley Revels, it involved a lot a hard work behind the scenes but it was worth it in the end. And now we can all look forward to next year!