The programme offers young people aged between 15 and 21 the opportunity to compete in a series of team-based activities that will help improve their team-building skills, learn more about the political process and get involved in their community. As part of the programme the teams will visit Parliament to see what it’s like working in Westminster and discuss with Richard his role as Watford’s MP.

Richard says “The programme is a great way for young people to learn new things, experience politics and improve their confidence. It’s designed to cater to people with no prior experience or political knowledge. It’s perfect if you’re looking for something different to do this summer”

There are 2 programmes planned between Sunday 17th July – Thursday 28th July and Sunday 7th August – Thursday 18th August. It is open to anyone between the 15 and 21 and is completely nonpolitical; all views and ideas are welcome. If you know anyone who would like to take part please ask them to get in touch with the Watford Conservative office on 01923 218804 or by e-mailing volunteer@richardharrington.org.uk.

www.watfordjobsfair.co.uk/

Launched by Richard Harrington in March, the jobs fair will be on Thursday the 30th June and will have over 50 companies offering jobs and training opportunities. Entry is free and you can preregister on the website.

I personally will be voting no. In the UK we have a strong and proud tradition of ‘one person, one vote’. Under AV each vote will not be equal to another; for those who put a minority party as their first preference who have no chance of winning, their second or third choice will be given more weight than those who vote for one of the main parties.

Looking at the General Election results on 2010, the BNP secured 1217 votes. Under AV every second or third preference vote made by a BNP voter for a major party would be counted, whereas someone voting for a major party would have their vote counted only once.

AV is only used in 3 countries, Australia, Papa New Guinea and Fiji. Of these countries, Papa New Guinea and Fiji are already looking to change this system and 60% of Australians want to scrap the system all together.
One of the main arguments for AV is that it gives voters the chance to create change in the traditional safe seats. This would not be the case. In many of these seats MPs poll more than 50% of the votes and therefore automatically get elected.

Any change to the electoral system would be a very expensive change at a time when we just don’t have such money to spend.

AV would not only change how MPs are elected but also how Government is formed. This would make coalition Governments the standard, not the exception, allowing all future Governments to be formed by politicians making back room deals rather than it being truly reflective of how the nation has voted.

This will be an excellent opportunity for local businesses to advertise any vacancies or apprenticeships they may have. We already have many big local and national companies signed up as well as plenty of small local businesses; offering vacancies in everything to hairdressing to accountancy to building jobs.

It will also be a great opportunity for local jobseekers to meet with prospective employers as well as register for apprenticeships and attend the many seminars running through the day giving expert advice on how to write CVs, apply for jobs and use your skills.

The all day fair will take place on 30th June 2011 at the Langley Banqueting and Conference Suites on Watford High Street.

If you are a business looking to book a table free of charge to advertise jobs or apprenticeships in your organisation please email; jobsfair@richardharrington.org.uk.

All jobseekers of any age or employment background will be welcome on the day.

Over the last few weeks many of the services running in and out of Watford Junction and Bushey stations have been hit by delays and cancellations as the company and driver’s union ASLEF failed to reach an agreement on pay and conditions.
Richard said;

“Watford is a very important commuter town with thousands of local residents using our stations each day. These commuters are often paying high prices to travel and should therefore expect a good service.
“This has not been the case for several months. Whilst I am pleased to see that an agreement has been reached by the company and the unions it just isn’t good enough to give paying customers this kind of service.

“I will be meeting shortly with London Midland chiefs to demand answers to recent disruptions as well as to ask how in the future they will prevent the difficulties also experienced during the bad weather earlier this year. “

Key measures include:

-          Simplification of the Tax System

-          Streamlining the planning process

-          Expanding apprenticeships and work experience

-          Cutting Fuel Duty and introducing a Fair Fuel Stabiliser

-          Giving help for first time buyers

-          Providing £100 million to repair potholes

-          Cracking down on Tax Avoidance

I chose to speak shortly after the Chancellor has made his announcements to raise in the House what I believe to be a most fundamental issue in getting the economy on its feet; creating and supporting a strong Business culture in Watford and nationally.

With over 3,000 businesses in Watford, each employing an average of 8 people, we are setting a good standard and I was pleased to see so many measures in the Budget designed to support such businesses. I believe that we now have a duty to keep this growing and to encourage people to join businesses and create a culture in the UK that makes people want to become entrepreneurs. We need to see a greater emphasis on training young people in manufacturing, create a new generation of skilled workers and make sure that our banks are lending to business again.

I believe that this Budget will help create long term confidence for small business. It was also a Budget for larger business, given the encouraging Corporation Tax measures. However, more importantly it is a Budget for ordinary people and their prospects. I believe that this is the best Budget that we could have, given the mess that the Government were left.

 On Thursday 17^th March the UN Security voted to ratify Resolution 1973, tabled by the UK, US, France and Lebanon, to impose a no- fly zone over Libya. Following the Prime Minister’s statement to the House of Commons and further discussions in Paris over the weekend the Prime Minister committed British troops to join troops from other countries in enforcing the no- fly zone.

On Monday evening I voted with colleagues from the Government and opposition parties to show my support for this action and for the commitment of the British Government in their attempts to stop Colnel Gadaffi committing atrocities against his own people.

Making such decisions is never easy, especially in light of the budgetary constraints at home and with forces currently deployed in other parts of the world. It is however, a decision that needed to be made and the Government have my full confidence in their actions on this matter.

With over 25 years of business experience, I know just how important business is to the local community and the national economy.

As your representative it is my role to communicate the problems facing businesses in Watford to the Government. I have therefore set up a survey to find out how what businesses are faring, and to use your experiences to improve things for local companies.

The survey will only take you five minutes to complete, but could make a real difference to the growth of local companies.

Please note that all information will be treated as strictly confidential.

To take the survey click here

With this in mind I felt it very important to find out what is really happening at a local level in terms of cuts, so that I can learn of any problems and provide the Government with some tangible evidence of the real picture of cuts. As such I have created a detailed survey that I hope will provide a comprehensive analysis of how public sector cuts are effecting front line services and jobs in Watford. This survey was sent to many public bodies and charity groups.

So far I have received a great response from the many organisations contacted; however I would like to hear from as many people as possible. Any business, charity or other organisation that would like to take part can do so by clicking here.

If you would like to discuss this any further please get in contact with my office.