FROM STEVE
BRINE MP
Parliament doesn’t sit during August (and some
of September) which must mean school’s out for
all MPs and it’s time to hit the beach! In my case,
that is true – well, it is for one week when the
Brine family pack up the car and head to Devon
whatever the weather. This year, the last few
months especially, has seen a pretty punishing
schedule for me so I cannot wait to spend some
real family time but there is much to do either side
of that including my Summer Tour 2013.
My previous tours have been really well received
by constituents and it's been a great way for me
to get out and meet even more of the people I
represent. This year's programme is certainly
ambitious and spans the real length of my
constituency, taking in street surgeries, door-todoor activity and for the first time this year, a
special supermarket surgery. It also includes a
street surgery in Alresford; on the morning on
Saturday 3rd August in my usual spot on the
corner of Broad / West Street. The web-page is
at www.stevebrine.com/summertour
Another great Summer tradition in these villages
is the lovely Bighton Fete which this year falls on
Sunday 8th September. I hope to go along with
Susie and the kids (plus Popcorn) and really
need to, not least as I have a coconut shy record
to maintain. And the day before, we have the
annual Alresford Show which I look forward to
attending again this year and hope to see you
there.
This time last year I launched something called
the Safer Places scheme in Winchester. It aims
to improve the experience of vulnerable people in
the community and provide, particularly for those
with a learning disability, a safe place to go to
where help can be summoned if they are feeling
scared or frightened while out on their own in the
community. I am delighted this scheme has now
come to Alresford following a launch last month
at the Community Centre. Please look out for the
eye-catching ‘Safer Places’ signs in shop
windows in the town.
Two other issues; constituents across the vast
area I represent will be well aware of the
dangerous A33 junction with London Road at the
Cart & Horses near Kings Worthy. Many
residents in these villages will no doubt use the
junction to access Winchester and may have
experiences to share about incidents at the
spot. As your local MP I am pulling people
together on the subject and recently chaired a big
meeting with parish, city and county councillors,
as well as police to further our campaign for some
fundamental road layout change at the site. Do
you have a view about this junction? Please visit
www.stevebrine.com/a33 for more and support
the campaign which will only strengthen my hand
with Hampshire County Council and the
Highways Agency.
Finally, I have been really busy in the House of
Commons lately; speaking in debates about the
reform of legal aid, health spending and disabled
access to train travel in our country. I have also
now launched, with Jenni Murray from Radio 4’s
Woman’s Hour, my inquiry into older people and
breast cancer which has caused a huge splash.
I can’t possibly cover it in these pages but you
can catch up on all my Westminster work on your
behalf via www.stevebrine.com/westminster
I wish you all a glorious Summer and hope to see
some of you out and about at the various events
noted. My website is www.stevebrine.com or
call 01962 791110.
Steve Brine
MP for Winchester & Chandler’s Ford
01962 791110 (constituency)
0207 219 7189 (House of Commons)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stevebrine.com
Steve Brine TV: www.stevebrine.tv
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