Does it matter our MP lives in Brussels?

The Argus article which reveals that Caroline Lucas' family home is still in Brussels nine months after she was elected MP for Brighton Pavilion has, understandably, attracted a large number of comments. Many are along the lines of whether the role she is playing is really that of a constituency MP. Some of course are supportive that she is getting involved in a lot of national and international issues, but others feel that this is moving her away from her first responsibility, that of being a constituency MP for the people of Brighton.


Supporters say it doesn't matter where her family home is, if she is doing a good job. I understand this view, but I do think that when it comes to matters like these, the same rules should apply regardless of party and political viewpoint. Would these same people be equally understanding if a Conservative or Labour MP had their main home abroad?

I also struggle to see how it fits with the Green Party's policy of localism - reducing the need for travel by planning so that what you need is closer to home. I do think that there is a serious point here: if Caroline Lucas is finding it difficult to live and work locally, how realistic are these policies for people generally? In fact, many people find that clashes between work and family commitments mean that they travel a long way to work.

I'm concerned about the small number of comments accusing the Argus of "sloppy journalism" or criticising them for running the article at all. Of course people are interested in knowing where their MP is based. No-one should expect a Green MP to be less subject to scrutiny than MPs of other parties. The Argus article seems pretty well balanced to me, and I'm glad they raised this important issue.

Tracey Hill

In Hanover today with Steve Bassam

We were joined today by Steve Bassam, knocking on doors in the Southover Street area. Steve ran the Council for many years when it was under Labour control, and is now a Labour peer and in the shadow cabinet. It's always interesting hearing his perspective on things, particularly the long view on politics in the city, and great to have his support today.

Issues coming up today with local residents: parking, particularly the impact of restrictions in nearby areas making it harder and harder to find a space, and once again some of the effects of the large number of student houses in these streets.

Old Florist on Elm Grove could be a sandwich bar

Planning permission is being sought for the old florists at the bottom of Elm Grove to be turned into a sandwich bar/deli serving hot food. Local residents are being consulted on the idea. To make a comment on the planning application and see accompanying documents, visit the planning register on the Council's website.

Interview with David Speirs - Council candidate for Hanover and Elm Grove

The link to the above interview which took place on Brighton Community Radio is below:

http://www.archive.org/details/BrightonHoveCommunityRadio-talkingBrighton12-davidSpeirs-12.02.11

Please feel free comment on any aspect of it by repling to this blog site.

thanks

Brighton Community Radio

On Saturday February 12th at 3.00pm Brighton Community Radio is featuring an interview with council candidate David Speirs. Listen on-line by following link below.

http://www.bhcr.org.uk/

Brighton Community Radio is a great local network for local issues. It provides advice and information on a wide variety of speakers and subjects.

Praise for Fairlight Primary

I was pleased to see reported in the Argus that the latest Ofsted report for Fairlight Primary and Nursery school gives it an improved "good" rating.

We were outside the school last week meeting parents at going-home time, and were delighted to meet the headmaster Damian Jordan. He'd come outside to say goodbye himself to the children as they left for the weekend, and was at hand to chat to parents as well. He seemed to know the names of most of the children, which is really impressive, and showed a personal touch which I'm sure makes a difference to the children's experience of the school.

Safety concerns on Elm Grove

Several people have mentioned to me lately that they are concerned about vehicles driving on the pavement on Elm Grove. Given that there are schools on the road and plenty of pedestrians, it is a safety issue that cars, particularly on the north side where people are parking on the pavement parallel to the road, are driving between the parked cars and the houses in order to get into or out of spaces!

One person said that they had been tooted by a car driver to get out of their way when the car was actually driving down the pavement.

In some places, particularly directly opposite Elm Grove School, bollards have been put up where roads meet Elm Grove. Although this isn't failsafe, it does make it more difficult for cars to mount the pavement and could help the problem if they were installed on streets further down. If instead of bollards some of them were cycle racks, that would solve two problems at once, providing cycle parking as well as making the pavements safer.