Reflections on Hammermet 2013

This year I attended Hammamet 2013, a conference organised by the British Council, enabling delegates to form new relationships and share insights into some of the major political, social and cultural issues arising in the UK, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Morocco.

It was my first time in North Africa and in a short space of time I gained a real insight into the challenges that face both the UK and North African region. It was fascinating to meet people from other countries with different political stances who told me their stories. Despite these differences, it became clear how similar we all were as many of the issues facing our countries overlap and we share common values, goals and aspirations for the future.

Hammamet focused on five key themes; trust and accountability between citizens and leaders; difference, diversity and dialogue; active citizenship; reforming the education system and arts, culture and innovation. It was co-chaired by Dr Atia Lawgali from Libya and Lord Lothian from the UK.

Over the course of the two days there were numerous examples of mutual agreement and understanding between delegates. I attended a session on reforming the education system and we all agreed that our respective education systems were archaic and that schools should focus on both knowledge and skills so that students would be equipped with skills that would help them travel through life.

I also felt rather ashamed that political systems across the world are designed to focus on providing solutions for problems that countries are facing now, rather than plan and provide direction for issues that countries will inevitably face in the future. It is clear that all of the countries present at Hammamet face a crisis of education that our respective leaders need to work together on to tackle and change for the better, if our countries are to thrive in the global competitive world. Moving forward, it is clear that there is a very crucial mentoring role for NGO's and companies to play in this area as the curriculum within the UK is constantly changing and requires external support and direction to ensure it keeps up with the standards of other leading nations.

But ultimately, as well as improving the policies and skills of each of our respective countries, Hammamet was really about partnerships and building relationships for the future. Every conversation that I had with fellow delegates was ultimately about building a stronger and prosperous world for the next generation.

If you turn on the TV and look at the news or pick up a newspaper, you will all too often see headlines and stories focussing on the divisions and negativity between countries and cultures across the world. But we all know, through conferences like the one that I attended, that the world is becoming a better place and that all countries have an exciting opportunity to move forward, with mutual support and exchange of ideas to build a better future.

I left Hammamet with a better understanding of our values and cultures and realised that my optimism and understanding must be shared so that others are inspired to get involved and make a difference.

November is Croydon Business Month

Croydon Council, in partnership with NatWest, Croydon Voluntary Action, business support agencies and colleges, is organising a series of seminars and events throughout November for business start-ups, micro and small businesses operating in the profit and not for profit sector.

Croydon Enterprise was set up in 2012 and is a group of private, public and third sector agencies whose task is to promote Croydon as London's most enterprising borough. This is an informal partnership that reports into the wider Croydon Skills and Employment Strategy Group coordinated by Croydon Council. 

To attend, click here to see the events list.

Conservative Achievements

When the Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls welcomes the news that the UK economy has seen the fastest growth for three years, you know that Britain is on the right track! To add to the good Friday feeling vibe here is a summary of what the Conservatives have achieved since 2010…

• Deficit cut by a third
• 1 million more people employed
• Crime down by more than 10% 
• Car manufacturing up 10%
• 25 million people's income tax cut
• 1.4 million new private sector jobs created
• More than 1.5 million apprenticeships created
• Benefits capped
• Net immigration down a third
• Penny off the price of a pint
• Freezing and cutting fuel duty

Remember that we're on the right track and that Labour is the same old Labour who have opposed EVERYTHING we have done to turn our economy around. 

By opposing every single measure the Conservatives have taken to turn the country around, Ed Miliband has shown what a weak leader he is who cannot stand up for hardworking people. 

Don't let him lie about our achievements and remember to remind everyone the damage that a Labour government would do to Britain. 

http://sharethefacts.conservatives.com/

Cutting national insurance will create more jobs

Today, I am delighted that the Prime Minister David Cameron has announced that the government will cut National Insurance by up to £2,000 from April for small businesses.

Around 99% of Britain's five million firms are SMEs that employ less than 250 people and 96% are micro-businesses with fewer than ten employees. These businesses contribute £1.5 trillion and form the  backbone of the UK economy. Two-in-three jobs are based in SMEs and in some places the figure is much higher.

Today's proposal will help to show that the Conservative's are on the side of small business and 450,000 small businesses will benefit from this policy.

These businesses form the lifeblood of our economy and their success will determine our success.

For more information please click here

A Truly Conservative Conference for a Tory Majority

With a general election under two years away, Manchester 2013 will be remembered as a landmark conference, where the Conservative Party focussed not only on what it has to do for the country, but why it is doing it. In the conference hall and exhibition space, banners hung from the roof rafters reminding delegates of our record in office. We have cut income tax for 25 million people, capped welfare and created 1.4 million new private sector jobs. The message to members and to the wider public was simple, we are proud of our deficit reduction strategy and are on the side of hardworking people who play by the rules. 

It is very easy for the Labour Party to sit back and attack the ‘cost of living crisis – but the fact they ignore is that this very crisis was created by Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband with their ludicrous over-spending and poor management. The Conservatives are cleaning up the mess and opinion polls demonstrate that the public see that the tough decisions are working and also see that these decisions are being taken in the national interest for the good of the country. 

Under the direction of George Osborne and David Cameron, the British economy is growing at the fastest rate in the developed world. There have been huge savings made across all government departments, with welfare rebalanced to ensure it pays to work instead of spending a life on benefits. The private sector is growing fast, and more and more people are getting into work. Added to this, the Help to Buy scheme is designed to ensure more and more people can own their own home, carrying on a key policy implemented previously by the late Margaret Thatcher. 

As we head closer to a general election, Conservative Party members need to heed the words of Liam Fox who recently spoke at a Blue Collar Conservatives event saying, “We have got to have more faith in ourselves and be proud of what we have achieved and if we are proud of ourselves it shows.” 

The Conservative Party has a record of which we can be truly proud, now we need to make the case to voters in the lead up to 2015.

Alzheimer's Society Memory Walk 2013

At the start line wearing special t-shirts with my Grandma on

On Sunday, my family and I completed our memory walk for the Alzheimer's Society. 

A massive thank you to everyone who sponsored us as we raised just under £1,000 in total. We were walking in memory of my Grandma who died in February this year of Alzheimer's disease.

It was an amazing day and it didn't rain once!

We were very lucky to meet other people in our position who had lost loved ones to this terrible disease as it made you realise that you're not alone. 

Thanks again to everyone who sponsored us.

With our medals after finishing the memory walk!

Help me raise funds for the Alzheimer's Society

In three days time my family and I will be walking in memory of my Grandma who died from Alzheimer's disease in February. It was devastating for my family and I to watch someone you love die in this way. 

All of the money that we raise will go to the Alzheimer's Society as they support people affected by dementia as well as funding research into cause, cure, care and prevention of dementia. They aim to improve treatment for people today and search for a cure tomorrow.

Thanks to those who have already sponsored me and if you haven't then please do so here