A very British resort
This letter comes from a part of Europe.  Yet it is a part that hardly fits most people’s perception of a European Resort. Blackpool is definitely and determinedly a very British place.  Sadly abandoned by fickle New Labour it has been supported by constant Conservatives as a conference venue (click here for photo). 

A Conservative facelift
This year Blackpool had a different feel to it.  For one thing the sun shone and it didn’t rain.  For another there were distinct signs of an effort at a makeover, no doubt one benefit of a Conservative Council taking over.  Another hint of something afoot was all the placards and banners at the railway station with green backgrounds and the blue message time for change to emphasis we mean business. 

Labour off the rails
On the other hand, the long train journey north on the Sunday served to illustrate the failings of Labour transport policy and remind me of the disgraceful way they forced Railtrack out of business in a distinctly old Labour piece of vindictiveness.  The costs of that act are being covered partly by we long-suffering tax payers and partly by a typically dubious piece of off balance sheet borrowing by ex-Chancellor Brown as a wheeze to pass off public sector borrowing as private. 

Weasel words won’t wash
The first event we attended was our Conservative MEPs Reception addressed by William Hague MP who reminded us all (as if we needed reminding) of the Labour manifesto promise in 2005, only two years ago, to hold a referendum on the draft European Constitution.  Now, that pillar of rectitude and probity, man of the manse Brown, tells us there is no need for a referendum because it is a Reform Treaty and quite different. The rest of Europe openly declares it is virtually identical to the rejected constitution but good old Gordon uses weasel words to pretend it isn’t. 

Sister solidarity from down under
On the Monday I meet up with a visiting MP from the National Party of New Zealand, Gerry Brownlee (click here for photo).  We are sister parties and they also face a wily Labour Prime Minister who has been successful in the past.  In addition I was wearing my hat as Chairman of the European Parliament Australia and New Zealand delegation.

Signing the wall
While at our Conservative MEP stand which sported photographs of all of us going about our work I made a point of signing our wall demanding a referendum (click here for photo) and signing a postcard to No 10 with the same message.  Which reminds me that I have written to Mr Brown asking what he will do about all the expats in France caught by a change in the French rules on health cover which will deny them cover.  I told the Prime Minister that his predecessor never bothered to reply to my letters.  Could he do any better?  Some hope!

Cameron goes South West
In the evening I went to the most important event, for me, of the conference otherwise known as the South West Reception.  This is a good opportunity to meet friends from the region (click here for photo) but seems all too short.  High point was a visit from David Cameron himself (click here for photos) to make some upbeat remarks about prospects for gaining seats in our region and some of the themes of the week.  I was glad to have a brief moment to tell him I thought he was doing a great job on the principle that even stars need a little encouragement now and then! 

Sustainable Energy
Next morning I was up far too early for my liking to speak at a breakfast meeting held by Trade Unions for Safe Nuclear Energy (click here for photo).  With hand on heart I could attest to a lifelong interest in and support for civil nuclear energy as well as wave a copy of my new pamphlet “Sustainable Energy” (copies available from my office or you can view it on my website).  I have had contacts with TUSNE over quite a long period including organising a meeting with the then Energy Commissioner in Brussels, Loyola de Palacio.  We are long past the time when it seemed odd for Conservatives to have anything to do with trade unionists so I resisted the temptation to underline my credentials by mentioning the fact my father was once a coal miner and union member.  It is ironic that a Labour Government is divorcing from its roots in the coal miners union to support nuclear energy. 

Listening to Business
Later on I take part in the Corporate Day programme organised by the Party for representatives of business and industry.  It seemed to me that the attendance was significantly higher than previous years, a straw in the wind perhaps denoting greater interest in what we have to say.  The final session was a question and answer panel with four of us Conservative MEPs under the chairmanship of our Leader Timothy Kirkhope (click here for photo).  This seems an excellent continuation of the Enterprise First Europe (EFE) exercise I founded in Brussels in 2000 to demonstrate Conservatives want to listen to the business community. 

Time for Change
Meanwhile the main conference was putting on a fine display of unity, talent, good policy ideas and leadership.  Time for change indeed! 

Good week ending
Later in the week I visited another Blackpool in Devon, where I met the school council of their Primary School.  And a good week was nicely rounded off by watching underdogs England beat Australia in the Rugby World Cup.  A good omen for Conservatives against the clunking fist?