MPs’ Round-Up

The highlight for me of the last week before the ‘Conference Recess’ was the Spartans’ dinner. As one of the 28 Conservative MPs it was a pleasure to celebrate our vote on March 29, 2019. In the words of an editorial in ‘The Daily Telegraph’ the Spartan Group’s ‘stand against Theresa May’s Brexit deal will certainly go down in history. They saved the country from a surrender … their persistence turned the tide. It goes to show that if you stand by an idea and that idea is sufficiently logical and just, you can win in the end’. Having joined the war against European integration soon after my first election to the House of Commons in 1983, it has been a privilege to have played a small part in our nation’s history. As the influence of the European Union declines, there is a great opportunity for the Council of Europe, which comprises 47 European countries, to fill the vacuum. To that end, I attended the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly and was chosen to lead the inquiry into transnational repression as a growing threat to the rule of law and human rights. The subject has been given added topicality now that a third person is charged with the Salisbury poisonings and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has found against Russia in the Litvinenko case. The case concerns the death by poisoning of Aleksandr Litvinenko in the United Kingdom. Mr Litvinenko had worked for the Russian security services before defecting and being granted asylum in the UK. In 2006 he was poisoned with polonium 210 in London and died. Since 2014 there have been more than 600 cases of transnational repression reported internationally including assassinations, violence, forced abductions and other reprisals against dissenters abroad. What can be done by the defenders of democracy to deter such criminal conspiracies? Specifically, how can governments now enforce the judgment of the ECHR? Aleksandr Litvinenko’s widow has already waited for 14 years, having applied in 2007.

t The Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill has been under detailed scrutiny in a Standing Committee of which I am the joint chairman. The Bill generated a lively debate about how to promote freedom of thought and expression in universities without burdensome and counter-productive regulation. No one, however, could offer an easy solution as to how to prevent academics succumbing to peer-group pressure to suppress their real views by exercising selfcensorship. This is also a growing problem for freethinking politicians. This takes us back to the Spartans and the importance of ensuring that those whose views may, at any one time, be in a minority are able to express them openly and fearlessly.

Christchurch & East Dorset: Chris Chope

City status application could affect villages

By Faith Eckersall

newsdesk@stourandavon.net You may be living in a village or town, such as Merley, Throop, Bearwood or Burton. But if BCP council decides to make an application to the Queen, you could find yourself as part of one of Britain’s newest cities! The council has announced that it’s writing to the mayors of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to ask them to formally consider whether an application for city status is desirable for their town. The reason? The Queen intends to award new city status to areas as part of her Jubilee celebrations in 2022, and councils can bid for the honour via a competitive process. Whilst the process dictates that BCP Council would technically need to make the application, the status can be awarded either to the full BCP area or to one or more of the towns of Poole, Christchurch and Bournemouth in their own, individual right. BCP council leader Drew Mellor said: “In many ways, the BCP area is regarded as a single place, for example in terms of harmonising local government service provision or attracting inward investment. However, our strongly held view is that we must at all times respect, protect and celebrate the sovereign status of all three towns so we feel it is correct for the civic leaders of each of these towns to determine whether they wish their area to apply for city status.” He’s written to the mayors to ask for the next meetings of their town council or chartered trustees to consider the city status question. “Depending on the outcome of those decisions, BCP Council will take action or no action accordingly,” he said. “I’m really clear – it should be the Town Council or Chartered Trustees decision, not BCP Council’s. “It could well be that none of the three towns feel that they want to apply. Or it could be that one or more decide they would like to put forward a bid. There are no strict criteria that need to be considered, such as the need to have a cathedral. “However, if we are to apply for city status for all or part of our area, we must do so in the knowledge that we have the support of our civic representatives, since this is an honour from the Queen herself, one that has the potential to benefit our area and the people who live here for generations to come.” What do New Stour & Avon readers living in the BCP area think?

n Is this a great idea? Or is it the thin end of an unwanted wedge? Email newsdesk@stourandavon.net with your thoughts

An environmental treasure tucked away in town

by Sarah Wise

Wimborne’s fairtrade shop FairGround, tucked away in the Cornmarket, has a long history of supporting farmers, artisans, producers, and communities around the world by selling products which are fairly traded and ethically sourced. It is really exciting to see the wide range of products now available, and our volunteers enjoy the chance to browse the catalogues and choose beautiful, upcycled, recycled and environmentally responsible products too, while all still carrying the fairtrade guarantee. Some of our favourite upcycled gifts are rugs made from recycled plastic bottles, jewellery made from offcuts of fabric from the textiles industry, bottle racks made from recycled bicycle chains, and cosy throws and hair bands made from recycled saris. FairGround is a proud supporter of the Wimborne Green Festival, and environmental sustainability is at the heart of what we do. Our partnership with Wimborne War on Waste ensures we are in a position to help support our customers, whether it is a question about the best reusable coffee cup to use, choosing a present for a newborn, an enquiry into the dates for the next Repair Cafe, or simply a chat about the state of the world! It has been inspiring to be part of the Wimborne business community, and we have much support from the BID, our directors, volunteers and, of course, our wonderful customers. We can all do our bit, no matter how small, and by choosing to buy gifts, food and household items from the shop, our customers are helping to pay farmers and producers fair prices, and Fair Trade provides security in an ever-changing environment. This increased financial security, combined with standards and incentives for environmental stewardship, makes Fair Trade the best choice for the planet and its inhabitants. The shop is open from 104pm Monday to Saturday and run entirely by volunteers. Drop us an email if you have any questions: fairground21@googlemail. com, or phone us on 01202 849898. We look forward to welcoming you.

COLEHILL COMMUNITY CAFÉ

(formerly Centre Rendezvous) A LUNCHTIME VENUE for the whole community St. Michael’s Church Centre

at Junction of Smugglers Lane and Colehill Lane BH21 7AB OPEN Wednesdays COFFEE AND CAKE FROM 11.00am LUNCHES FROM 12.00 TO 1.30pm COLEHILL COMMUNITY CAFÉ ...good food & good company!

Come and try our delicious menu and make new friends EVERYONE WELCOME