YOU SPOKE – WE LISTENED!GREAT YARMOUTH CONSERVATIVES ANNOUNCE TOWN CENTRE PARKING REVIEW

FIND OUT HOW BRANDON’S BEEN WORKING FOR US IN GREAT YARMOUTH AND WESTMINSTER

SUMMER 2015 EDITION / PRODUCED AND DELIVERED AT NO COST TO THE TAX PAYER

WWW.BRANDONLEWIS.CO

Soon we will see the “Right to Buy,” which gave so many people the opportunity to own their home, extended to housing association tenants. For so long they have been denied that right. I want to see Britain building again, providing the affordable starter homes, so desperately needed for our young people and new families. That will finally bring an end to the housing

crisis created by Labour.So much more is changing, and you can read about it

all in this edition of Reporting Back.

With best wishes,

Brandon Lewis

THIS IS THE first Reporting Back magazine, since the General Election campaign. It delivers on my continued commitment to keep local residents up-to-date with my work on their behalf both here in Great Yarmouth, but also in Westminster. It’s vital you hear from me all year round, not just at election time. No other local politician or political party delivers that commitment.

It’s an exciting time politically. Being at the very heart of the first Conservative majority government in 18 years, unencumbered by a difficult coalition partner, means I can help deliver the change, so many people supported during the recent election.

Already those changes are beginning to take place.

DEAR NEIGHBOUR,

PS If you would like to receive regular email updates about my work on behalf of Great Yarmouth, sign up by sending an email to office@brandonlewis.co.

House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A 0AA

REPORTING BACK FROM BRANDON LEWISPAGE 02/08

LOCAL CONSERVATIVES: ALREADY MAKING OUR COMMUNITIES BETTER

LABOUR’S COUNTY CUTS

CONTINUE

COUNCILLOR GRAHAM PLANT and his Conservative team have only been running the local council for a short time, but already

work is underway to improve our community. The Conservatives who seized control, from an unpopular Labour administration, at the local elections in May, are already making a difference in the town and our villages.

Initially, they are looking at overturning the mistakes Labour made. Following the high-profile “Save our Loos” campaign led by Brandon Lewis, the Conservatives are working hard to protect our local lavatories from unnecessary closure. They are looking to make routine maintenance, such as grass cutting and street sweeping, a priority, to end the neglect that had gripped so many neighbourhoods. And the current car parking charges in the Town Centre, which put so many people off from shopping in Great Yarmouth, are under review.

“It’s frustrating that residents endured three years of inaction from Labour, whilst having to listen to a list of excuses,“ our new town hall boss, Graham Plant, explains. “Great Yarmouth is a fantastic place to live and work, but we can make it even better. Instead of making excuses, we will be listening to local people, and taking real action to tackle their concerns.”

IN 2013, OUR SUCCESSFUL county council was replaced by a rag-

tag alliance of councillors, dominant county leaders run a Norwich based and focussed council.

In an act of wanton political vandalism, this alliance’s first act was to scrap the Voluntary Norfolk programme, which had been created to save taxpayers money and increase income for the council to spend on frontline services.

If left in place, by now, the county finances would be in sound shape. Instead, we are facing more excuses as the alliance takes the axe to more vital services, caused by their own financial incompetence.

… THEY COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED!

PAGE 03/08REPORTING BACK FROM BRANDON LEWIS

TOUGH ON IMMIGRATIONCRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL ENTRY

We’ve all seen the recent news reports about the extraordinary lengths

people will take to get into Britain illegally. In the past it’s been difficult to tackle illegal immigrants once they’re here. Conservatives are introducing tougher restrictions on available benefits and making deportation faster.

BUILDING NEW HOUSESHELPING PEOPLE TO OWN THEIR HOMES

After the slowest housing building programme for generations, we’ve seen

more homes built, but we need to do more. Unlocking unused brownfield land, will help us build thousands of new starter homes. And extending the right to buy to housing association tenants, will help even more people on to the housing ladder.

HELPING YOUNG FAMILIESMORE FREE CHILDCARE FOR WORKING PARENTS

Anyone with children, will understand the demands of jugging the

needs of a family with working. Helping families and making sure our young children get the best start in life is a priority. That’s why we are increasing the free childcare available for working parents, with three and four year olds, to 30 hours a week.

THE CONSERVATIVE

FIVE-YEAR PLAN

What it means for you and your family

THE CONSERVATIVE victory at the General Election, although unexpected by both politicians and the press, means that with a working majority the pledges set out in the election manifesto can now be delivered over the next five years. Find out how they are already putting these promises into practice.

REPORTING BACK FROM BRANDON LEWISPAGE 04/08

ENGLISH VOTES FOR ENGLISH LAWSGETTING A FAIR DEAL FOR GREAT YARMOUTH

So many residents told me they were worried about the Scottish Nationalists

holding a Labour government to ransom. Fortunately that hasn’t happened, but we are still introducing a new system, so that only English MPs can have a say and vote on issues that affect only English constituencies.

LETTING YOU DECIDE OUR EUROPEAN FUTUREREFERENDUM GUARANTEED BY AUTUMN 2017

Frustratingly, both the Lib Dems and Labour blocked plans for a European

Referendum twice during the last Parliament. Prime Minister Cameron is already negotiating hard to get a better deal for Britain. And you will have the final say on whether we stay in the European Union or leave.

SAYING NO TO “LEGAL HIGHS”TACKLING A NEW DRUGS MENACE

It’s alarming how easy it is for people to purchase psychoactive drugs,

known as “legal highs,” with them freely available in certain shops. New powers will restrict their availability and allow police to seize and destroy “legal highs”. Illegal drug use can lead to so many problems in society, it’s important we tackle this latest craze.STOPPING THE MARCH

OF THE WIND TURBINESGIVING LOCAL PEOPLE THE FINAL SAY

The massive subsidies, paid out of your taxes, provided to onshore windfarm

developers will come to end next year. Too often these turbines blighted our landscape and were opposed by local people. However, bureaucrats in London had the final say. That’s being changed so local councils can decide if they can be built.

PAGE 05/08REPORTING BACK FROM BRANDON LEWIS

HEN BRITAIN LAST HAD AN OPPORTUNITY to decide its relationship with the rest of Europe, I was still a young boy. The debate and

discussions that preceded that referendum passed me by. It does mean that millions of people have never had chance to express whether they want to remain part of the European Union or for Britain to go it alone.

So many things have changed over the last forty years. The way the European Union operates and the impact it has on our everyday lives is very different from how it was envisaged all those years ago. It’s fundamentally different from the collection of free

trading partners, which many people supported in that original referendum.

That’s why I voted for a referendum in the last Parliament, something both the Lib Dems and the Labour Party joined forces to block, thus denying the British people the opportunity to have say. Fortunately, Labour politicians have now seen the light and are backing our referendum plan. We even know the question – “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?” – with voters having the opportunity to say yes or no. The Conservatives promised a referendum, we’re now delivering it.

GIVING YOU A VOICE IN THE EUROPE DEBATE

W

REPORTING BACK FROM BRANDON LEWISPAGE 06/08

the right bike for you10% OFF

15 London Street, Norwich, Norfolk NR2 1JE. Tel: 01603 624253 Email: norwich@cyclesuk.comTerms & conditions apply. 10% off on production of this advert at Norwich store only. Not in conjunction with any other offer.

NORWICH

GORDON BROWN LET THE benefit bill get out of control when he was Chancellor, and then continued when Prime Minister. The country can’t afford this bill for ever, that’s why reforming the system is so important.

We need to give all those who can work the chance to get a decent, well-paid job. We have capped benefits and seen over 2 million getting into work. We will continue helping those still

unemployed back into work – and helping those in work, but on low pay. We need to move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare society to a higher wage, lower tax, lower welfare society.

That means dealing with the merry-go-round where the government taxes people on minimum wage, and then gives them that money back – and more – in welfare. This is just dealing with the symptoms of the problem – topping up low pay – rather than extending opportunity and helping to create well paid jobs in the first place. That is why we are taking millions out of Income Tax and increasing the value of the Minimum Wage.

MAKING WORK PAY – REFORMING OUR BENEFITS SYSTEM

“We have capped benefits and seen over 2 million getting into work”

PAGE 07/08REPORTING BACK FROM BRANDON LEWIS

LAST YEAR’S CAMPAIGN to identify the best local businesses in Great

Yarmouth saw an overwhelming response from residents, as they nominated their own particular favourite. It was a delight to visit

so many of these businesses, and present them with their “Yarmouth Greats!” certificate. You can see the bright yellow rewards proudly displayed in windows and behind counters throughout the area.

But I know there are many more great independent businesses, providing a great service to both residents and visitors, out there who may not have been recognised yet. That’s why I am organising the Yarmouth Greats competition once again this year.

So if you have a favourite local shop where you love to browse and buy, or a fantastic café, pub and restaurant serving delicious or a must-see attraction you always take family and friends to visit, let me know.

You can nominate your Yarmouth Great at www.brandonlewis.co or phoning 01493 652928 for a nomination form.

BACKINGYARMOUTH’SGREATS AGAIN

“If you have a favourite local shop, a fantastic café, pub, restaurant, or a must-see attraction, let me know”

HOW YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH BRANDONwww.brandonlewis.co EMAIL office@brandonlewis.coTELEPHONE 01493 652928

If you need my help or want to discuss a matter of concern, please get in touch. I hold regular surgeries in the constituency. To make an appointment just call 01493 652928.

Sussex Road Business Centre, Sussex Road, Gorleston, NR31 6PF