Wednesday 30 December 2015

Newspaper column - 30 December 2015 - Looking back at 2015 part 2

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and were able to enjoy a break with your friends and family.  This column continues my review of progress to date on my six point plan for this constituency. One of my priorities is to support families, charities and communities.

The changes to Tax Credits proposed in the Summer Budget was an issue that generated much debate and controversy and many of you contacted me.  I met with the Chancellor personally to push the case for reconsideration. I was therefore pleased when the changes were scrapped. The Tax Credits will now be replaced by Universal Credit during this Parliament and the immediate impact of the reduction in benefits will be delayed until the benefit of the rises in the new National Living Wage and increases in the personal tax allowance are felt.   

An issue that was first raised with me by the Newquay Chamber of Commerce, several months before the election, is the impact that the changes to school attendance rules are having on families in Cornwall. So many of you have made your feelings clear that as your MP, I simply could not ignore the force of feeling in Mid-Cornwall. Many people here work in the tourist industry and therefore are unable to take a family holiday during school holidays. Additionally many families are simply unable to afford a holiday during the peak season. My job is to represent you and so I have worked to do just that.  In October I lead the Parliamentary debate that re-opened this issue.  While the debate did not result in any immediate change, the issue has received wide coverage and I will work to ensure that momentum is maintained.

The historic Deal for Cornwall signed in June this year represents a first step on the road to devolution of more powers to Cornwall from Westminster and then of powers from Cornwall Council to a more local level.   High on the agenda for me in this area is the issue of public toilets.  Cornwall Council has been looking to hand responsibility for the running of public toilets off to local councils and so I have been lobbying in Westminster for the removal of business rates on toilets. 

Finally, young people and their future in mid-Cornwall is a topic that is close to my heart.  I have been lucky to spend my whole life working in Cornwall, but I know too many of our young people have no option but to leave Cornwall to pursue the career they want. I am working to support the creation of better career opportunities in mid-Cornwall through attracting companies to bring jobs to this area. We need to provide new times of career opportunities and I see the chance of the UK Spaceport coming to Newquay as the best opportunity Cornwall has had for many years to achieve this.  I have been and will continue to promote Newquay as the best location for this new exciting facility in Westminster.


Representing St Austell and Newquay as your MP is the greatest honour of my life. But for me the real honour will be in helping to bring about the positive change we need. I have tried to use my first few months to make a start but I know there is much more to do.   

Wednesday 23 December 2015

Newspaper column 23 December 2015 - Looking back at 2015 part 1

With Christmas only two days away I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas.  I hope that the holiday season gives you the chance for a break and to catch up with family and friends.  I am now back in the Constituency until Parliament returns in the New Year and this is a good time to reflect back on the months since I was elected in May.  The seven months since the election have been full of issues and challenges, but have also provided the opportunity to make a start in delivering on the promises that I made in my election campaign.  So, for this and next week’s column, I will be reviewing the progress made on my six election pledges.

In the campaign I stated my six priorities would be to: be a strong voice for Cornwall in Westminster, work to deliver economic growth, work to protect our coasts and countryside, fight for investment in our infrastructure, support families, charities and communities, work to create jobs and career opportunities.

In Parliament I have sought to speak up for our constituency and Cornwall, speaking in a number of debates, as well as asking numerous questions including at PMQs.

A strong economy is the foundation of a strong society; it is only from a strong economy that governments can raise the funds to spend on public services.  With this in mind I have supported projects that aim to increase employment and boost the economy in our area.  The Aerohub at Cornwall Airport in Newquay is an exciting development that will continue to grow and provide the higher paying jobs that we need.  The recent announcement of the extension of the Aerohub Enterprise Zone was fantastic news, along with new routes and the re-introduction of jet aircraft to the Gatwick route.

The Eden Project near St Blazey remains at the forefront of renewable technologies and I am delighted to be able to support their geothermal energy project.  Geothermal will harness the power of the heat that lies within the rocks far below the surface of the earth.  Cornwall’s ancient granite makes our geology suitable for this technology and it is not dependent on either the wind blowing or the sun shining.  I recently met with the Energy Minister to discuss how the Government can support geothermal energy in Cornwall and was able to champion the potential of these local projects.

Our environment is precious and so I was honoured to be asked to chair the All Party Parliamentary Group, Protect our Waves.  I am actively working with Surfers Against Sewage to support their work in protecting our marine environment. I have also been lobbying South West Water to improve our bathing water quality and supporting the fight against marine pollution and beach rubbish.


Infrastructure remains a challenge in Cornwall so I was delighted when the Chancellor wrote to me recently to confirm that funds have been set aside for the improvements to the A391.  I am also actively working to gain investment in our NHS services and local schools.

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Newspaper column 16 December 2015 - Coastal Revival Fund and more

The St Austell Bay area has a unique and important industrial past that should be preserved and celebrated.  When vast swathes of green fields were dug up over the last 250 years, the clay miners could not have predicted they were in the process of creating a unique environment that would still be with us in the 21st Century.  The Eden Project is a reminder of what is possible and the potential for more innovative development remains.

The iconic Sky Tip is in the news again and I agree this is an important reminder of our china clay heritage. I meet regularly with the Imerys management team and they have consistently assured me they do not intend to change or remove the Sky Tip in any material way.  I am aware a number of local people have signed a petition to get UNESCO to register the tip as an industrial heritage site. Whilst it remains to be seen whether this is likely, I certainly will do all I can to ensure this iconic landmark is preserved for the future.

We are fortunate to live in an area that has a number of heritage assets. This past week has been an important week for two other such assets in this area. On Friday the Department for Communities and Local Government announced the Coastal Revival Fund Awards for 2015/16. 

The Coastal Revival Fund is designed to kick start the regeneration of at-risk coastal heritage sites.  The St Austell Bay area was designated as eligible to apply to this fund through its local Coastal Community Team.  The St Austell Bay Economic Forum applied for, and was confirmed as the Coastal Community Team in July 2015.

Two bids were put together in a relatively short space of time and happily both bids were successful.  This was despite applications to the fund being three times over-subscribed.  The Minister for Local Government, Marcus Jones, wrote to me last week and confirmed that the two applications from this area were among the 77 successful bids.   

St Austell’s Market House has been granted £49,000 for its renovation and regeneration. The Market House is a big part of the town’s history and is a key heritage asset in the center of St Austell. The project will consider the elements of potential uses and layouts of the building, community engagement, feasibility scenarios and sustainable business planning to feed into a larger and very significant Heritage Lottery Fund application. 

Efforts to preserve and conserve St Blazey Roundhouse and Turntable have been awarded £50,000. There are plans to revitalise this space as an engineering training centre and community asset, contributing to the economy of St Blazey and Cornwall. The roundhouse and turntable are two of the few intact reminders of the Steam Age in Cornwall, and I think it is important we preserve this history.


Congratulations to all those behind the two successful bids. This is a great step forward for these projects and I am glad the Government have recognised their importance.  I look forward to watching these two projects move forward with this welcome boost in funding. 

Newspaper column 16 December 2015 - Newquay BID

One of the issues most often raised with me by residents of Newquay are the challenges facing the town centre. Like most seaside towns, Newquay has faced the challenges of maintaining a vibrant town centre amid the changing nature of retail.

It is often easy to be negative about the situation we face, however here in Newquay there has been a number of positive developments.

Recently the Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) had been named a “Rising Star” in the Great British High Street competition for its work in Newquay town center.  Newquay just missed out on the final but the judging panel were so impressed by the great strides made in improving their local high street, in particular the investment by the BID in events intended to increase visitor numbers and extend the season, that they awarded them the Rising Star award and £1000 cash.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Newquay BID has made a positive contribution to the town. I am sure they will be the first to acknowledge that they have not got everything right and there is still a great deal of work to do. Therefore, I was delighted to hear last Friday morning that the Newquay BID has been successfully re-elected for a second term.

The Newquay BID was formed in 2011 following the first successful vote by local businesses.  The BID has been in operation since then and has grown from strength to strength.  It has been great to witness the BID board and management team take an honest look at the issues that Newquay faces and then execute plans to tackle these issues head on.

I would like to congratulate the Chair of Newquay BID, Rachel Craze, the board and the Management Team on their re-election success.  I have sought to support this team since my election and their dedication and professionalism is to be admired. 

Looking to the future, the BID team have learnt lessons from their five years of experience.  I am sure there will be challenges going forward but I believe it is positive that their work to date has been recognised and they have been given another 5 years.

I am under no illusion that there is still a great deal of work to be done to develop the town into the vibrant business and retail centre we would all like to see. With the likelihood of more retailers coming to the edge of Newquay in the near future this will add both opportunity as well as further challenges. I will continue to do all I can to support those who are willing to take a lead and work together to make a difference.

My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and seek to make a real difference to the lives of everyone who needs help and support in any way.

If there is any issue that we can help you with then please contact us on either 01726 829379 or on office@stevedouble.org.uk.  

Monday 7 December 2015

Newspaper column - 9th December 2015 - The vote on Syria

Last Wednesday the House of Commons voted, by a majority of 174, to extend our air campaign against Da’esh (ISIS) into Syria.

That day was one of the most serious and solemn of my life.  I was in the Chamber almost all of the debate, which lasted over 10 hours, and was honoured to be able to contribute with a speech.

I view this issue as a matter of conscience and I want to make clear that I came to my own decision on how I voted. It was only on Tuesday afternoon that I decided that I would be voting in favour of the motion.

I think it is important to understand this is not a new conflict. It is an extension of a conflict we are already engaged in. Da’esh are already our enemy. They hate us, and all we stand for. We are already engaged in conflict against Da’esh in Iraq so it makes little sense not to pursue them into Syria.

Some people have expressed understandable concern that extending our attacks in this was will heighten the likelihood of attacks on our country.  But we are a priority target for Da’esh; there have been seven known attacks planned on our country. The reason we have not witnessed the scenes we watched on the streets of Paris is not because we not a target, but because of the professionalism and dedication of our security services. The level of threat to this country is already severe and will not go away until Da’esh are diminished or destroyed.

Many people are concerned by the possibility of civilian casualties; no one wants to see innocent people caught up in this war. However there are already civilians caught up in this conflict. Da’esh is killing, terrorising and enslaving innocent Syrians every week. They are killing more civilians than are ever likely to be caught up in our aerial campaign. Not attacking Da’esh will result in more and more civilian casualties.

During our 15-month bombing campaign in Iraq there have been no reported civilian casualties. Our precision targeting capabilities are second to none in the world.

Finally, some people have suggested that this is not our fight and that we should just simply walk by. But it is our fight; British people were killed on the beach in Tunisia and the streets of Paris.

The USA and France, our closest allies, have asked for our support in Syria. Imagine how we would feel if the streets of London had been attacked and France refused to stand with us.

We have often learned throughout our national history that there is a price to pay for peace, a price we have historically been prepared to pay. We should still be willing to play our part in fighting for our way of life.


Thank you to all of you who contacted me with views on this debate. It is clear people hold strong views both for and against further action in Syria. I know that not everyone agrees with my decision. I hope everyone can accept that I have made my decision after careful consideration. 

Wednesday 2 December 2015

The vote on Syria


This evening the House of Commons voted, 397 to 223, a majority of 174, to extend our air campaign into Syria.

Before deciding to stand for election to this House one of the questions I asked myself is ‘would I be able to stand up and be counted on days like today?’

I have to say that I take this vote today as one of the most serious and solemn days of my life to date. I have spent more time considering and indeed agonising on how I would vote on this motion than just about anything else I have had to do.

In fact it was only yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, once I had seen the actual wording of the motion, that I came to a settled position on how I would be voting.

I view this issue as a matter of conscience and I also want to make clear that I have come to my decision on how I voted as a matter of my own choice. I was not pressured into my position by the Government Whips or anyone else, and anyone who thinks or suggests otherwise is very mistaken and clearly really does not know me at all.

As a newly elected MP, just over six months ago, I approached this issue without the baggage that some other MPs have from previous votes on military action. That does not mean I do not recognise there are lessons to be learnt from the past. Indeed there are. But I also believe we should not be hamstrung by the past.

This is an extension of a conflict we are already engaged in. It is not a new conflict.
Da’esh are already our mortal enemy. They hate us and all we stand for. What is at stake is our national security.

But it makes no sense to me whatsoever for us to be willing to attack them from the air in Iraq but not be prepared to follow them in Syria. If they are our enemy, then they are our enemy wherever they can be found.

But we also need to note that extending our air raids into Syria is only one part of a full package of measures contained in this motion. I want to see peace and stability brought to Syria and it surrounding region.

I am pleased that this motion commits us to not just bombing, but to our continued involvement to find a political resolution in Syria. I want to see an end to the refugee crisis and seeing thousands of Syrian people risking their lives to escape the terror of Da’esh.

The full wording of the motion is here

‘That this House notes that ISIL poses a direct threat to the United Kingdom; welcomes United Nations Security Council Resolution 2249 which determines that ISIL constitutes an 'unprecedented threat to international peace and security' and calls on states to take 'all necessary measures' to prevent terrorist acts by ISIL and to 'eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria'; further notes the clear legal basis to defend the UK and our allies in accordance with the UN Charter; notes that military action against ISIL is only one component of a broader strategy to bring peace and stability to Syria; welcomes the renewed impetus behind the Vienna talks on a ceasefire and political settlement; welcomes the Government's continuing commitment to providing humanitarian support to Syrian refugees; underlines the importance of planning for post-conflict stabilisation and reconstruction in Syria; welcomes the Government’s continued determination to cut ISIL’s sources of finance, fighters and weapons; notes the requests from France, the US and regional allies for UK military assistance; acknowledges the importance of seeking to avoid civilian casualties, using the UK’s particular capabilities; notes the Government will not deploy UK troops in ground combat operations; welcomes the Government's commitment to provide quarterly progress reports to the House; and accordingly supports Her Majesty's Government in taking military action, specifically airstrikes, exclusively against ISIL in Syria; and offers its wholehearted support to Her Majesty's Armed Forces.’

We want to be able to begin the work of reconstruction in Syria and see the countries of the region rebuilt and returned to economic stability. This motion commits us as a country to play a full part in all of these things.

But none of this will be possible while Da’esh are able to continue their campaign of terror and barbarity.

In coming to my decision on how to vote, along with wanting to see a comprehensive package to work for peace in the region, I had three main specific concerns. These were reflected in many of the emails I received on this issue.

1.    Will extending our military involvement into Syria increase or lower the risk to our nation.

We have to understand we are already a top target for Da’esh. The Prime Minister has stated that there have been seven known attacks planned on our country. The reason we have not witnessed the scenes we watched on the streets of Paris in this country is not because we are not a target. It is down to the professionalism and dedication of our security services and police, for which we should be eternally grateful.

The level of threat to this country is already severe and will not go away until Da’esh are destroyed.

Listening to some people it seems some have the view that doing nothing is the safe option. When it comes to confronting terror and evil there are no safe options.
Doing nothing will not make the threat go away. Doing nothing will not make our country any safer. The only way to reduce the threat is to stop Da’esh planning these attacks on us and our allies.


2.    The second specific concern was that of the risk of civilian casualties.

I am sure no one wants to see innocent civilians caught up as casualties in this war.
But the fact is they already are. Da’esh is killing, terrorising and enslaving innocent people in Syria. They are killing more civilians than are ever likely to be caught up in our aerial campaign. Not attacking Da’esh will result in more and more civilian casualties.

I am also comforted by the news that in our 15 months of bombing in Iraq there are no reported civilian casualties. Our precision targeting capabilities are second to none in the world. I do not believe we can stand by and allow Da’esh to continue their reign of terror. I am therefore content that on this important issue of the risk to civilian casualties extending our bombing into Da’esh is the least worst option open to us.

3.    The third question I wanted answering is - Is it legal?

United Nations resolution number 2249 has authorised all national states who have the ability to help tackle Da’esh. The exact resolution states:

We call upon Member States that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures, in compliance with international law, to redouble and coordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL also known as Da’esh”

The resolution makes targeted strikes against Da’esh legal under international law. This is in addition to having a majority of MPs voting for action in the House of Commons.   

Finally, some people have suggested that this is not our fight and that we should just simply walk by.

But this is our fight. British people were killed on the beach in Tunisia and the streets of Paris.

Additionally we have been asked by our closest allies the USA and France, for our support in Syria. I can only imagine how we would feel if it was the streets of London that had been attacked and France refused to stand with us.

We have often learned throughout our national history that there is a price to pay for peace. As a country we have always been willing to step up and pay the price. Da’esh is a direct threat to our national security, our peace and freedom and our democracy. I believe we should still be willing to play our part in fighting for our way of life.

In conclusion, this is a very complex situation and I respect everyone who has seriously considered this matter, whatever conclusion they have come to. There are no easy answers but I believe that doing nothing is not an option.

That is why I voted for the motion to commit this country to further engagement in Syria.

I know that not everyone will agree with my decision. But I hope everyone can accept that I have made this decision after careful consideration, considering all the facts and information I have received and having attended numerous briefings as well as listening to the debate over recent weeks.

Thank you to all of those who contacted me with views on both sides of this debate. It is clear people hold strong views both for and against further action in Syria.

I have not made this decision out of any sense of party loyalty but because I believe it is the right decision for our nation. I trust people can respect that.

A video of my contribution to today's debate can be found here

Newspaper column 2 December 2015 - The Autumn Statement

Last Wednesday I was in the House of Commons for the Spending Review and Autumn Statement, delivered by George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In the months since the Summer Budget I have been working on your behalf behind the scenes at Westminster to lobby on the issues that directly impact our constituency.  So, I was extremely pleased to hear many of the measures that the Chancellor announced.  I was not a lone voice, the strength of feeling came from across the backbenches and I am pleased that our voices were heard. 

Many of you contacted me with concerns about the reforms to Tax Credits announced in the summer.  I met with the Chancellor personally to push the case for reconsideration.  The Tax Credits will now be replaced by Universal Credit during this Parliament and the immediate impact at the reduction in Tax Credits will be delayed until the benefit of the rises in the new National Living Wage are felt.   

In my view the housing market in Cornwall has long been skewed unfairly against local people.  House prices are driven up by second home owners from more affluent parts of the UK, and this combined with the relatively low average wage in the County, has put home ownership out of reach for many working families.  At the same time buy-to-let landlords, many of them using pension lump sums to buy property in the county, are also pushing prices up.  The additional 3% Stamp Duty on second homes is a good first step to controlling that market. I recognise that work in this area is by no means finished. The Chancellor also stated that much of the money raised nationally will be spent on providing homes for local people in Cornwall.

I was particularly pleased to listen to the announcement on the fairer funding for schools.  Cornish schools have had the raw end of this deal for many years and it is time that local children receive funding commensurate with the more wealthy areas of the country.

Despite the rumours and scaremongering by some leading up to the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor did not cut funding to our police force.  With international tensions growing and the threat of terror strikes on the increase, it is important that we continue to focus on the security of our country and its citizens. 

I was also pleased to hear that the £50 rebate on South West Water bills will continue.  This Government has recognised that the South West faces specific issues and is willing to help support us in tackling those issues.

The session before the Chancellor spoke was the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions and I was given my first opportunity to question the PM in the House.  I took this opportunity to ask about the timetable for the Spaceport decision, and was told that this will unfold during the course of next year.

I was therefore delighted to hear that the application for the extension of the Newquay Aerohub Enterprise Zone has been successful.   With Goonhilly Earth Station and Newquay Aerohub working closely together, Cornwall has the opportunity to cement its reputation in the aerospace and space industries.  These will help provide the higher-paying jobs we so desperately need. 

The Autumn Statement represented the logical next steps in building our economy, ensuring our security and protecting the vulnerable in our society.