1 May 2010
George spent the day out on the campaign trail meeting the voters of Mid Norfolk on Saturday.
Having started early in Watton, he then went knocking on doors in Spooner Row and Wicklewood, before ending up on Dereham High Street.
The day was completed by catching the last match of the season at Dereham Town Football Club.
George said "We're getting a really positive reaction on the doorsteps. We're covering a lot of ground trying to get to as many people as possible. Finishing with the football was great; we won 3 nil in the bright sunshine, which is better than the last time I went when it was snowing and we lost!
Having started early in Watton, he then went knocking on doors in Spooner Row and Wicklewood, before ending up on Dereham High Street.
The day was completed by catching the last match of the season at Dereham Town Football Club.
George said "We're getting a really positive reaction on the doorsteps. We're covering a lot of ground trying to get to as many people as possible. Finishing with the football was great; we won 3 nil in the bright sunshine, which is better than the last time I went when it was snowing and we lost!
1 May 2010
George took part in a debate on Friday at Wymondham College featuring the Mid Norfolk candidates from Labour and the Green Party, with other representatives from the Liberal Democrats and UKIP.
Questions were raised by the pupils on a range of topics, including future employment prospects for young people, Gordon Brown's 'Bigotgate' and the minimum wage.
Speaking afterwards, George said "It was really nice to have our first hustings here in Mid Norfolk, I've been really disappointed we've not had more chance to debate the issues. The pupils seemed really engaged and interested, and I think we could have gone on a lot longer, as loads stayed to ask questions at the end.
"It's a real credit to the school that it went so well and helping to introduce younger people to the democratic process. Too often young people are just confused or ignored by politics."
Photo: George Freeman takes part in a debate at Wymondham College
Questions were raised by the pupils on a range of topics, including future employment prospects for young people, Gordon Brown's 'Bigotgate' and the minimum wage.
Speaking afterwards, George said "It was really nice to have our first hustings here in Mid Norfolk, I've been really disappointed we've not had more chance to debate the issues. The pupils seemed really engaged and interested, and I think we could have gone on a lot longer, as loads stayed to ask questions at the end.
"It's a real credit to the school that it went so well and helping to introduce younger people to the democratic process. Too often young people are just confused or ignored by politics."
Photo: George Freeman takes part in a debate at Wymondham College
30 April 2010
Chapel Road School
George recently spent the morning at Chapel Road School, a Special Needs school in Attleborough.
George said "The school is full of model professionals, but has suffered in recent years. They desperately want bigger and newer premises, but the funding for this has never materialised. Schools like this are inspirational, and we need to do all we can to help them."
30 April 2010
George went out with the police in Watton last Friday night to see how community policing can tackle anti-social behaviour in the town and other challenges that face the force at night.
After a briefing on the work of the force and the challenges that they regularly face, George shadowed two officers in their patrol vehicle as they went out onto the streets.
Speaking afterwards, George said "I'm extremely grateful to the officers for giving me the chance to shadow them for the evening. The officers I was with were absolutely brilliant, exactly the type of people who you hope are serving our communities. The knowledge they had of the area and the people was like an encyclopaedia and they way they dealt with difficult situations was very impressive."
After a briefing on the work of the force and the challenges that they regularly face, George shadowed two officers in their patrol vehicle as they went out onto the streets.
Speaking afterwards, George said "I'm extremely grateful to the officers for giving me the chance to shadow them for the evening. The officers I was with were absolutely brilliant, exactly the type of people who you hope are serving our communities. The knowledge they had of the area and the people was like an encyclopaedia and they way they dealt with difficult situations was very impressive."
23 April 2010
It's St George's Day and George will be cycling across Mid Norfolk on the A47 to draw attention to the economic potential of our area to pioneer sustainable economic growth, with first class communications.
Over the last 3 years The Norfolk Way has been promoting the potential of a revitalised Mid Norfolk economy to generate new jobs in exciting new industries drawing on our local strengths – food science, biomedicine, farming, engineering, micro-brewing, local retail – revitalising our pubs and post offices and communities.
St George’s Day is a day for English people to celebrate our great country, and the part our county has played in our Island’s Story.
Norfolk gave England the 1st Prime Minister, the Agricultural Revolution, and Admiral Nelson. With some local empowerment and a new vision of our potential unleashed we could lead our country again.
MORNING SESSION
North Pickenham Arr 9.45 Dep 10.30 Outside Blue Lion Pub
Holme Hale Arr 10.45 Dep 11.30 Meet in playing field car park
Bradenham Arr 11.45 Dep 12.30 On the Green
Necton Arr 12.50 Dep 2.30 Windmill Hill Car park
AFTERNOON SESSION
East Tuddenham Arr 3.45 Dep 4.30 Meet at Village Hall
Hockering Arr 4.45 Dep 5.30 Meet Village Hall (1st Left Heath
Rd)
North Tuddenham Arr 5.45 Dep 6.30 The Lodge Pub on A1110
EVENING SESSION
Lyng Arr 6.50 Fox and Hounds in middle of Lyng
Over the last 3 years The Norfolk Way has been promoting the potential of a revitalised Mid Norfolk economy to generate new jobs in exciting new industries drawing on our local strengths – food science, biomedicine, farming, engineering, micro-brewing, local retail – revitalising our pubs and post offices and communities.
St George’s Day is a day for English people to celebrate our great country, and the part our county has played in our Island’s Story.
Norfolk gave England the 1st Prime Minister, the Agricultural Revolution, and Admiral Nelson. With some local empowerment and a new vision of our potential unleashed we could lead our country again.
MORNING SESSION
North Pickenham Arr 9.45 Dep 10.30 Outside Blue Lion Pub
Holme Hale Arr 10.45 Dep 11.30 Meet in playing field car park
Bradenham Arr 11.45 Dep 12.30 On the Green
Necton Arr 12.50 Dep 2.30 Windmill Hill Car park
AFTERNOON SESSION
East Tuddenham Arr 3.45 Dep 4.30 Meet at Village Hall
Hockering Arr 4.45 Dep 5.30 Meet Village Hall (1st Left Heath
Rd)
North Tuddenham Arr 5.45 Dep 6.30 The Lodge Pub on A1110
EVENING SESSION
Lyng Arr 6.50 Fox and Hounds in middle of Lyng
21 April 2010
Yesterday George took part in a cross-party debate for the Norfolk Council of Ageing on policies affecting the over 60s.
The panel for the debate included former Home Secretary Charles Clarke (Labour candidate in Norwich South), Liberal Democrat Health Spokesman and North Norfolk candidate Norman Lamb, and Green candidate for Mid Norfolk Tim Birt.
The issues of how we pay for care and pensions are two of the biggest issues of our generation. Many of us judge societies by how they look after the most vulnerable, and that often involves the young and the old. I've heard so many terrible stories from pensioners on the doorsteps, we simply can't delay on taking action. We need cross-party cooperation wherever possible, but the bleak financial picture caused by Labour's economic recession makes our work even more important.
The event was covered in today's Eastern Daily Press:
| Eastern Daily Press
The panel for the debate included former Home Secretary Charles Clarke (Labour candidate in Norwich South), Liberal Democrat Health Spokesman and North Norfolk candidate Norman Lamb, and Green candidate for Mid Norfolk Tim Birt.
The issues of how we pay for care and pensions are two of the biggest issues of our generation. Many of us judge societies by how they look after the most vulnerable, and that often involves the young and the old. I've heard so many terrible stories from pensioners on the doorsteps, we simply can't delay on taking action. We need cross-party cooperation wherever possible, but the bleak financial picture caused by Labour's economic recession makes our work even more important.
The event was covered in today's Eastern Daily Press:
| Eastern Daily Press
21 April 2010
George Freeman has published his "Parliamentary Candidate Declaration of Interests".
George said:
"The breech of trust by the last Parliament in the expenses scandal has heightened the need for all MPs to disclose their outside interests and confirm that they are a UK taxpayer. I have therefore published my schedule of interests, which I have prepared in accordance with the guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice.
"I feel very strongly that we need new people in Parliament with hands on experience of the real world, and of the industries and businesses whose affairs we regulate. But I believe that means we need to be very open about any roles so constituents can decide - at the ballot box - whether their MP is doing a good job and worthy of continuing in office.
"Not being a professional career politician, and coming to politics as a 42 year old local businessman, I have a small number of outside interests and advisory roles in food, farming and science which reflect my deep interest in the potential of these sectors for our local economy. I believe these advisory roles will be positive strength in my ability to promote the economic needs of the Mid Norfolk constituency, and if elected I would intend to continue with this level of advisory role with these organisations (or in the event of their changing or ceasing to operate potentially alternative similar), subject of course to their relevance to Mid Norfolk and being able to fulfil my Parliamentary duties."
| Parliamentary Candidate Declaration of Interests
George said:
"The breech of trust by the last Parliament in the expenses scandal has heightened the need for all MPs to disclose their outside interests and confirm that they are a UK taxpayer. I have therefore published my schedule of interests, which I have prepared in accordance with the guidance issued by the Ministry of Justice.
"I feel very strongly that we need new people in Parliament with hands on experience of the real world, and of the industries and businesses whose affairs we regulate. But I believe that means we need to be very open about any roles so constituents can decide - at the ballot box - whether their MP is doing a good job and worthy of continuing in office.
"Not being a professional career politician, and coming to politics as a 42 year old local businessman, I have a small number of outside interests and advisory roles in food, farming and science which reflect my deep interest in the potential of these sectors for our local economy. I believe these advisory roles will be positive strength in my ability to promote the economic needs of the Mid Norfolk constituency, and if elected I would intend to continue with this level of advisory role with these organisations (or in the event of their changing or ceasing to operate potentially alternative similar), subject of course to their relevance to Mid Norfolk and being able to fulfil my Parliamentary duties."
| Parliamentary Candidate Declaration of Interests
14 April 2010
We've received many enquiries about postal votes at the election. If you wish to register for a postal vote, you must do so before the 20th April.
If you live in an area covered by Breckland Council, you can download the form here (http://www.breckland.gov.uk/postalapp-2.pdf)
If you live in an area covered by South Norfolk Council, you can apply for a form here (http://forms.south-norfolk.gov.uk/ufs/BrowserCheck)
If you are unsure which council you fall under, please use the Aboutmyvote.co.uk service here (http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/register_to_vote/postal_vote_application/postal_vote_application.aspx)
If you live in an area covered by Breckland Council, you can download the form here (http://www.breckland.gov.uk/postalapp-2.pdf)
If you live in an area covered by South Norfolk Council, you can apply for a form here (http://forms.south-norfolk.gov.uk/ufs/BrowserCheck)
If you are unsure which council you fall under, please use the Aboutmyvote.co.uk service here (http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/register_to_vote/postal_vote_application/postal_vote_application.aspx)
12 April 2010
A couple of weeks ago, BBC Look East came along to cover one of my Politics in the Pubs in Colkirk.
Here is the video of their broadcast:
10 April 2010
My father won the National in 1958 (on Mr What, by 30 lengths). He died tragically young and National Day is always a special day for my brothers and I to remember and pay tribute to his achievement. It is every jump jockey's dream as this year's winner Tony McCoy showed when, after 15 years as Champion jockey, he said he'd finally done something his 3 year old daughter would be proud of.
The Grand National is one of those inspiring events in the annual calendar when the nation comes together, has a flutter, and celebrates a special piece of our heritage, and the always inspiring stories of brave people defying the odds to acheive their goal.
Politics generally, and General Elections specifically, need to recapture some of that spirit. Taking part in choosing who goes to Parliament and who governs us should be a pageant of inspiring ideas and dreams. For me the chance to go to our historic Parliament and have a go at doing my bit and putting something back into this great country is a dream.
Sadly, trust in politics has been broken and a new generation of us are going to have to work hard to rebuild it. For me, It Starts Here at home in Norfolk.
As well as having a flutter at Corals in Watton on my godfather's son Tom Scudamore (unseated!) Corals kindly gave me a charity bet in aid of the Sue Ryder homes. I'm sorry it didnt pay off.
Hopefully this election will be a photo finish between Change, Trust In Politics and Hope.
The Grand National is one of those inspiring events in the annual calendar when the nation comes together, has a flutter, and celebrates a special piece of our heritage, and the always inspiring stories of brave people defying the odds to acheive their goal.
Politics generally, and General Elections specifically, need to recapture some of that spirit. Taking part in choosing who goes to Parliament and who governs us should be a pageant of inspiring ideas and dreams. For me the chance to go to our historic Parliament and have a go at doing my bit and putting something back into this great country is a dream.
Sadly, trust in politics has been broken and a new generation of us are going to have to work hard to rebuild it. For me, It Starts Here at home in Norfolk.
As well as having a flutter at Corals in Watton on my godfather's son Tom Scudamore (unseated!) Corals kindly gave me a charity bet in aid of the Sue Ryder homes. I'm sorry it didnt pay off.
Hopefully this election will be a photo finish between Change, Trust In Politics and Hope.
