New Year New Leader

I am delighted that we have a new leader - Nick Clegg.

But I want to pay a real tribute to Vince Cable. Didn't he do well? Standing against the Saudi's, making real news on Northern Rock and delivering a killer blow 'Mr Bean' comment about Gordon Brown. I think a lot of members were thinking why didn't he stand?

I saw Nick on Newsnight last night with Jeremy Paxman giving him a real grilling. He stood up well on the onslaught. Bear in mind he probably has had little sleep and travelled thousands of miles over the last few weeks - plus his celebratory party - he was excellent.

I look forward to driving up membership in Truro and Falmouth with our new, vibrant leader.

Difficult decisions

Mum didn't make it sadly. The consultant said that since she could not swallow it would be unlikely she would ever have any quality of life. She was unable to take food or water. It was hard to see your mum ebb away especially since she was denied food and water due to her inability to take it.

The staff at Botallack ward were fantastic not only to Mum but also to us, the family. Very compassionate, calm and understanding. We tend to only think of hospital staff as dealing with sick people but they also deal with emotional families during stressful times too. I was really impressed with this side of the medical profession and would like to thank them all for their care.

Ironically Mum was on a local TV network as part of Treliske's response to dignity of vulnerable patients. Because she could not eat or swallow she had a blue wristband on her arm. This alerted all staff to the fact she could not speak and needed special care.

Anyway this year has been one that has orphaned me - my Dad died in February.

My parents were lucky in that both my brother and I were around to help them. What about all those elderly people with little or no real family support.

Treliske hospital

Mum is still fighting - she has an iron will. Unfortunately it is not doing her any favours at the moment. My brother and I are visiting constantly.

I contacted the Chief Executive of Treliske to ask him to make sure the notices at the entrance to the hospital were more clearly displayed. This is to get everyone to use the hand gel when they enter the hospital. It's really important for those vulnerable patients who could pick up an infection. I think they should put large notices on the floor to say 'STOP clean your hands, NOW'. I will keep pressing them on this.

I am also concerned about the £1.70 for 2 hours parking charges. Why can't they also have a 30minute break for 60p. This would allow family to just pop in to see their relatives on a more frequent basis. The car park was supposed to be changed to a pay on exit system this October but this does not seem to have happened.

Very difficult times

While I was in Singapore my mother was rushed into Treliske hospital having suffered a stroke. Fortunately my brother and sister in law were staying with her. The last two weeks have been a round of visits and updates from the medical staff.

Unfortunately today we have had to come to terms with the fact that mum just isn't going to make it. She just barely responds and only to us - the family. The future would be bleak for her and she was a very independent lady.

What a difficult decision to come to terms with - a bedridden future at best or being allowed to slip away with dignity.

The staff have been fantastic and Mr Battle, my Mum's consultant, has shown great compassion. There may be all sorts of financial trauma surrounding the hospital but the front line staff have all demonstrated warmth, humanity and commitment. Thank you very much.

End of another era in the Liberal Democrats

I heard very early in the morning indeed, while visiting my daughter in Singapore, that Ming had resigned. This timing will give his successor a reasonable run up to a General Election and for this we must be thankful.

The good news is that our party has abundant talent who can take on this challenge and move the Liberal Democrats to the forefront of new thinking in the country. Most people are generally not interested in politics and are apathetic. Is this down to the politicians or media reporting? Who knows? But politics is about the art of engaging people with new ideas. Our party can, in my view, afford to be risk takers and innovative. In fact, we must be. We cannot be seen as bland, grey and boring. I want our party to become colourful again.

I look forward to the contest.

Gordon Brown pulls back General Election

It's Saturday afternoon and instead of forging ahead with a general election it has been called off for the Autumn. So who knows when it will be now? Trouble is the adrenalin is running and we really thought he would go for it.

He really should have made his mind up. I don't think playing these games is a good and we ought to have fixed term parliaments. This would give all political parties the same level playing field. I think many of his own MP's are fed up about it as well.

Mylor grand opening of community hall

Julia Goldsworthy and I visited Mylor on Friday on her travelling surgery. Mylor has a really strong community and this was borne out by the refurbishment of the old village school into a community centre. The whole building is looking great.

The next day, Saturday, I went to the official opening where a time capsule was being hidden in the rafters. The next time any refurbishments are undertaken the children then will see pictures of today's school children and various items that have been enclosed in the box. I hope there are still CD players around in 100 years time or so though.

Saturday with the Police in Truro

I met up with Sergeant Gavin Barnes at 9pm on Saturday night. The incidents all come in via the computer and various police officers are sent off to attend in order of priority. Clearly this screening of calls is vital. Who knows if a domestic incident could turn into a violent assault or worse?

The police had been busy earlier in the evening due to a fight on Platform 3 at Truro train station. This involved various football supporters from Bath. I hope its not something that will blight us in the future.

I went out with Sergeant Barnes in a police car and we toured around Truro and the outlying area. There was a large congregation of young people at the Matalan car park at Threemilestone. A couple of drivers were pulled over for safety reasons - one a 16 year old on a motorbike with no rear lights.

Following this there was a domestic call out - I accompanied the police to Newquay station where the holding cells are based. The prisoner was held over night due to drunken behavious and assault on a member of his family. Surprisingly, this is very common in Truro.

Truro is a very safe place to live. Most of the incidents stem from too much alcohol. I am saddened by the amount of domestic violence though.

Housing problems in Carrick highlighted at Brighton

Back from the Liberal Democrat conference at Brighton - exhausted but really enjoyable. Everyone was in good heart and Ming's speech yesterday came over really well.

I was pleased to be called in the Poverty debate. I was able to highlight the fact that Carrick is the least affordable place in the country for housing. According to the Halifax building society it takes 16 times average incomes in Carrick to buy a house. In the rest of the country the average is 8 times average income. So we have double the problem here in our own district!

Most people just don't recognise the significant problems we have in Cornwall. They think of us as pretty cottages with roses trailing over them. Rural poverty is a real issue and largely unrecognised.

Delegates were shocked when I said that many fishermen now have to commute to their boats in the morning. It sounds odd doesn't it but it is a fact of life down here.

Truro Police station

Yesterday I went to visit Inspector Mark Richards at Truro Police Station. It was really encouraging to see that there had been an overall decrease in the number of all crimes in his patch.

The biggest problem is that of anti social behaviour usually fuelled by alcohol. This seems to be a major problem throughout the UK. Mark Richards told me that they had put more community police officers out in teams across the his patch to counter these issues. It's obviously a bit of an uphill battle.

I want to tell older people that they can certainly sleep safe in their beds in Cornwall. Domestic burglaries are very very low. The reality is that no-one wants to buy old TV's or electrical equipment. But best keep your credit cards safe!

Carrick housing problem highlighted

The Campaign for Affordable Homes Cornwall (CAHC) are calling on Carrick District Council to pull out all the stops to deliver more affordable homes in the district after the Halifax revealed that Carrick is the least affordable rural area in the country.

With over 2500 people on the waiting list for homes in the district and far too few vacancies arising in social housing each year to house even those in priority need, CAHC are seeking reassurance from the council that every new development in Carrick will feature the percentage of affordable units as specified by the council, at the very least.

Kate Tregunna CAHC:

“We want Carrick to promise that they will make it crystal clear to all developers that building new affordable homes is not a requirement they can escape from. It’s time that the council put us first. We are in crisis, we desperately need more affordable homes and it’s time Carrick acted this way”.

Penryn branch

Pictured here from left to right: Terrye Teverson, Cait Hutchings (Penryn County Councillor) and Bev Hulme (deputy mayor Penryn).

We are working together to get an active team of people working for Penryn. If you are interested in helping contact me on terrye@teverson.net. You can come along to an informal meeting with refreshments with us at Miss Peabods Kitchen Cafe, Jubilee Wharf at 7pm on Friday 28 September.

Combined University of Cornwall

Last Friday I visited Tremough Campus. I still remember the old Tremough convent school for girls.

The Combined University of course, covers a variety of sites, including University College Falmouth and Truro College in our constituency of Truro and Falmouth.

The new European Convergence funds will be looking to upskill the workforce in Cornwall. I believe this is really important. Many people in the workplace have not had the opportunity of further education. The task is to be able to provide working people with easy access to upskilling via work-based learning without major disruption to their day to day work. I will be supporting this intiative. I also like the bite-sized courses idea of very short, university level programmes to allow people to try out higher education without committing to a long course. It means that workers get the change to gain specific knowledge quickly.

Perranporth

I have found a great way to save money at the gym. Just deliver leaflets in Perranporth. You don't need step exercise and the views are stunning.

The hang-gliding looks fun too!

The author Winston Graham lived in Perranporth for many years and his famous Poldark novels, which were televised, starring Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees as Ross and Demelza, are based on the history of the area and its local families. "Hendrawna Sands" in the novels is Perranporth beach. This was one of the 'must watch' serials when it was shown - everyone loved Ross Poldark!

If anyone wishes to help out there please let me know.

SOS for the NHS

On Friday a group of us were on Lemon Quay to get people to sign our petition against cuts in the NHS.

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrats’ Shadow Health Secretary, has launched a nationwide survey into people’s views on the NHS.

We, the undersigned, back the Liberal Democrat campaign to stop the cuts, cut the waste and give local people more say over our NHS.

You can sign on line at http://www.nhssos.com/

Day at the Docks in Falmouth

I met up with Peter Childs, Chief Executive of A&P Docks in Falmouth. The good news was it was one of the best days weatherwise this year.

There are exciting developments at the Docks. Projects to enable larger passenger ships to dock alongside will provide additional wealth to the town. There are also major plans to build a marina where some of the old pontoons are currently being taken down.

The docks employs and provides skills to many people in this area. It is without doubt the lifeblood of Falmouth and the surrounding area.

I spent a lot of time around various docks in the world when I was sailing around in the 1970's. There is always a feeling of excitement and travel - and of course, the smell of the sea!

Pirates ahoy

Had a great time at the Maritime museum. Julia Goldsworthy and I went down for a working breakfast. The museum has had a really good summer - due, of course, to all the rain. The children are being entertained by making pirates hats. Of course, Julia and I and the Mayor of Falmouth all had a go!


The picture sitting on a cannon says it all.

We followed this by going to see the famed Skipper in the Packet offices. Seemed the fun thing to do wearing our hats. Ahoy there.

Inside H.M Prison Dartmoor

Terrye & prion office Ian Harris outside Darmoor Prison

Last Monday I went with Tim Jones from the Devon & Cornwall Business Council to HMP Dartmoor. Tim and I have been consulting on setting up a print room there.

The prison officers showed us around and some suitable space for teaching prisoners skills in the print industry.

'C' wing was in need of complete refurbishment. This wing would provide 125 cells. The prison, following repeated requests, have not heard whether this refurbishment will take place so the wing just languishes.

Meanwhile in the South west alone 110 prisoners are being held in police station cells.

Liberal Democrat Team for Cornwall

It's great to be back in the Team for Cornwall.

Left to right:
Steve Gilbert (just selected for St Austell/Newquay new seat)
Dan Rogerson MP for North Cornwall
Julia Goldsworthy MP for Falmouth/Camborne
Matthew Taylor MP for Truro/St Austell
Terrye Teverson (just selected for Truro/Falmouth new seat)
Andrew George MP for St Ives.

Our joint campaigning on issues that affect Cornwall have been really successful in getting Cornwall the recognition it deserves.

New Candidate for Truro/Falmouth constituency

All the canvassing of members is now finished and we have had the hustings. I was absolutely delighted to be selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the new constituency of Truro and Falmouth.

All our candidates were absolutely superb and I was up against a strong team. This is excellent for the future of the Liberal Democrats. It bodes well for our future as a party.

David Cameron is coming under pressure. Being in Rwanda in the sunshine when your own constituency is flooded never makes good press headlines. They say that events is the thing to fear in politics. Events have certainly not done Dave any favours.

Gordon Brown has pushed forward on the housing agenda. I am pleased about this but will he really go far enough. The Labour government have not overseen the building of enough houses over the ten years they have been in power.

I am currently reading their latest Homes for the Future green paper. Quite a lot of Lib Dem ideas in the bits I have read.

On the campaign Trail

At the moment I am busy trying to meet as many local members as possible. I am really enjoying doing this. I think it is something that needs to be built into the membership diary ie visit members particularly those who many not be able to make it to any meetings or social events.

I have listened to the views expressed. And will reflect a number of these in my hustings speeches on Friday 20th July and Saturday 21st July.

The weather has been generally appalling but I am dashing through the rain to knock on members' doors. Thank you to all those I have met and for the warm, friendly welcome. It's great meeting people with similar political views!

Cameron has just fallen flat on his face with the defection of a Tory MP to Labour. Gordon must have a big smile on his face. But the important thing is that it points up the whole issue with the Conservatives being style over substance. I am sure Labour will make this their theme over the coming months.

It's got to help us here in Truro/Falmouth.

The Slave Trade in Bristol

When I was in Bristol I visited the exhibition 'Breaking the Chains' commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

Between 1450 and 1850 over 10 million Africans were forcibly transported across the Atlantic Ocean – with another 10 million perishing in the process of capture.

• British ships carried over 3 million Africans to slavery in the Americas between 1662 and 1807.
• Over 2000 slave voyages left Bristol alone between 1698 and 1807, by which time over 60% of the city’s trade was directly related to slavery.
• Britain’s official involvement in the transatlantic slave trade was ended in 1807 after years of protest by the Abolitionist movement.

This is an exhibition well worth visiting and its on for the next 2 years.

Kate Hoey at the Zimbabwe rally

A large banner saying ‘Supporting the People of Zimbabwe’ was the backdrop to a rally in Bristol last week.

Held in the centre of town, the area was alive with the sounds of drumming and singing. The Anti-Apartheid Movement together with the Bristol Zimbabwe Association orgnaised the event.

Kate Hoey MP spoke about her involvement in the struggle to get international condemnation of Mugabe and praised the Australian prime minister in his clear decision recently to ban the Australian cricket team from going to Zimbabwe. She compared this with the shilly shallying of our own government and the England Cricket Board in 2003 in refusing to act on the same issue, being unsure of what they should do lest they lose votes and money. She pointed out that sport was an area with a lot of clout and that boycotting international sporting events against Zimbabwe would draw worldwide attention to the tyranny of Mugabe’s regime.

Kate Hoey was followed by the Red Notes Socialist Choir who performed a fine repetoire of South African songs. White balloons were handed to the assembled crowd with messages demanding Mugabe’s departure and free and fair elections.

Cornwall Business Leader of the Year Awards 2007

Well I am really pleased. Following my journey back from Cambridge yesterday I ended up at the Cornwall Business Awards dinner at St Mellion. Gordon, my Business development Director, came with me.

I was nominated in the Business Leader of the Year category. And was delighted to be voted one of the top two business leaders in Cornwall and the top woman!

The award for the Business Leader of the Year was sponsored by NatWest
This award is made to the outstanding individual who in the last year has best demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision. The judges are looking for evidence of how the organisation has significantly improved performance for its employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders,and how the entrant has contributed to that success. Specific qualities that the judges considered include the performance of the current business including sales and profit growth, and a vision for the future.

The award was given to leaders who had been able to drive their businesses through difficult change and still demonstrate growth.

Entries were judged by a panel of high-profile business figures, including Eden Project Chief Executive Tim Smit; former Bank of England governor Lord George; John Smith, CEO of BBC Worldwide and Sir John Banham, Chairman of Johnson Matthey PLC and former Chair of Whitbread.

Around the country

Caroline and I at the Print Industry Conference

Both of us are keen to get women into high profile positions in print

Mad couple of days rushing around. I left home at 5am on Wednesday morning to get to a Print conference near Rugby. I am a committee member of the Independent Print Industries association which is an organisation that allows manufacturers and print management companies to meet and exchange views.

The conference was excellent covering aspects of environmental issues for the paper industry through to the latest technology using web pages. There are some truly excellent innovations in web page development.

It also means that I get to catch up with a number of customers in one place rather than various journeys around the UK.

Following the conference I stayed at Cambridge so I would be able to visit some customers in the area. There is no substitute for getting out of the office and actually seeing your customers. Email and the phone cannot replicate actually sitting and chatting through customers needs face to face.

Election results

The council elections are over! When John Major went on to win the 1992 General Election he had 46% of the vote - Cameron needs to do better.

In Cornwall the battle is on - a clear two horse race between us and the Tories.

The BBC estimated share of the national vote for Liberal Democrats in the local elections is 26%. The final calculations on estimated national vote share for the Liberal Democrats between 1994 and 2006 are all in a range of 23% - 27%.

This year's estimate for the Liberal Democrats is therefore towards the very top of the range of estimated vote share in the last 13 years. It is just 1% below the record high level achieved by the party in last year's local elections (27%).

The estimated share of the vote for Labour in the first local elections with Tony Blair as Leader was 47%. Labour appears to have lost 20% of this vote share in the 13 years since Tony Blair became Leader.

The highest estimated national vote share for the Tories in recent times was the 46% achieved under John Major in 1992 which was also the last year in which the Conservatives won a General Election. The BBC estimate for the Tories this year is 40%.

The end is nigh

The finishing line for the District elections is now in sight. I have canvassed pretty much all over the Carrick District council area. It feels pretty good for us.

Tonight I am out in Truro again. There is always an excellent response to the Liberal Democrats. Every vote always counts and we cannot afford to take anything for granted.

I am running a petition about Pat Ely who is being forced to retire as a Guider due to her age. I am waiting for the National Guide Association Human resource department to get back to me with their current policy. Sounds like they may be struggling! We'll see.

Meantime Robin has also put in a written question to the Minister. I will be interested to see their response too.

Volunteer guider forced to retire at 65

Pat, St Agnes Guider, with Terrye Teverson

Well I have stumbled across a very interesting case while out canvassing in St Agnes. A local lady who has run the Guides in the village for the past 22 years has been told that she cannot continue past her 65th birthday in May.

This means that a new leader has had to be found for the Brownies and Guides but the Rainbow group (5-7 year olds) have no leader and the group is shutting.

This is appalling news. The national Guides Association are saying that the legislation only covers paid workers not volunteers. I think that is cynical manipulation of the wording of the bill by them.

The fact is that Pat (that is the Guider's name) has given her time and efforts free of charge and now they want to say 'you're past it'. How dare a national organisation dedicated to encouraging young people to grow up with good values make that judgement based only on a birth date.

Over the weekend I have been getting the legislation checked with a specialist employment firm to see what they make of this interpretation. The Department of Trade & Industry website clearly states that employed people cannot be discriminated against but is there a loophole here?

I have also heard of another case where a volunteer has been asked to stand down because of her age.

I have just had a phone call to say there is no protection under the new legislation for volunteers. However, certain unpaid office holders such as magistrates are protected.

Do you know of any if you do please get in touch on 07836752647.

Listening to people on the door

Looking at the City Hospital site housing scheme in Truro

The great thing about canvassing is that you get to hear first hand the issues that really bother people.

The key issues in the district elections of affordable housing and environmental concerns are certainly striking a chord on the doorstep.

Trying to find a home is getting increasingly difficult. This is not just people trying to buy a home but also those trying to find affordable rented accommodation.

One lady told me this week that she is now in her late 40's and is still not in a position to afford anything. Both she and her husband are in full-time employment in academic-type jobs. They are currently renting a property in Truro. We got onto the subject of the cost of homes in Cornwall. In the papers the lowest price home 1/2 bed maisonette was around £150,000. In Kent a larger property would cost about £112,000.

From my experience the prices in London are not much different to those you find in Truro and Falmouth. If you have a sea view there is an extra premium. Yet wages are nearly a third less than those in London.

I am visiting Shelter in Redruth shortly to listen to more of the issues about homelessness in Cornwall. I am a member of Shelter. I think that the first priority for politicians is to get a decent roof over people's heads. Somewhere they can feel safe and secure and at home.

Most people are really pleased to think that Carrick District Council is the best performing council for recyling household waste (32%) in Cornwall. And the aim is to increase this over the next council cycle.

Please support your local Liberal Democrat councillor so that they can help increase the 540 tonnes of recycling materials and 360 tonnes of garden waste they currently collect each year.

If you are a councillor in the Carrick area please ring me for some help canvassing.

Best wishes

May elections are around the corner

Terraced housing in Falmouth

Clear blue skies, warm sun and primroses in the hedges. Cornwall at its best over the Easter weekend. This weather is set to continue for the rest of the week - it's even predicted to get warmer.

I will be out canvassing in Truro, Falmouth, Penryn, St Agnes and various other villages over the rest of this week. It is important that we get a good result on Carrick district council. The Liberal Democrat group have done a good job in getting £20 million under the Decent Home Scheme which upgrades homes ie bathrooms etc in local authority properties.

The issues of affordable homes for young families will be one of the top issues on the political agenda. Most homes in Truro are around the £200,000 mark. Even if two people are working and bringing home £20,000 each this would only equate to a mortgage of £120,000 under the old 3x's earnings rules. The mortgage lenders are now extending the number of years of the mortgage and up to 5x's earnings. It just means that young families are even more in debt for a longer period.

Who is really winning?

If any councillors would like me to help them with some canvassing please let me know. I will be glad to help you.

Why doesn't the USA do something?

It is sobering listening to the news from Brussels today where the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are meeting to discuss the latest projections on climate change.

The USA and Australia both need to alter their stance on climate change and do something to help. Bear in mind that since 1990, the baseline year for the most important gases dealt with by the Kyoto treaty, US greenhouse gas output has risen by about 20%

Terrye outside the environmental cafe in

Penryn

while emissions for the pre-expansion EU have declined by about 2%.

This shows some progress in Europe completely wiped out by the USA cavalier attitude.

You would think that their recent experiences in New Orleans would make more impact on the President and his men.

More than one billion people who receive fresh water from glaciers in mountain ranges including the Himalayas, Alps, Andes and Rockies will see supplies dwindle.

It is difficult because I am as guilty as everyone of not doing enough. But I do think that the UK and the rest of Europe have taken a pretty good lead on these issues.

If America will not start to engage how can we persuade the future powerhouses such as China and India to cut back.

Light at the end of the tunnel

What a fantastic day - the weather is glorious. Not that I need to be reminded but this is why I love Cornwall and find it such a great place to live and work.

The last few weeks have been a bit hectic. My Dad died on February 27th and two of my daughters returned from abroad: Singapore and Moscow. My brother also returned from Milan in Italy. My mother was also diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat following Dad's death so she has been in Treliske for 8 days. She had excellent care and as a past night sister herself really enjoyed the experience and seeing all the new ways of doing things in hospital. She was particularly taken with the latest thermometers (not like the ones she had to sterilise!).

Mum has been staying with me in Tregony while recouperating with her cat, India. She is a lot better now and has gone over with my brother to her home near Helston today.

Last night Robin and I drove to Heathrow Airport and back to take Tor and Zac to get their flight to Singapore. Our home will be quiet for the first time in weeks.

On top of all the above the kitchen is still ripped out awaiting further building works. Robin, on his Easter recess from London, is now painting the ceiling so that at least is moving things on.

Today is the first day I have been able to give attention to my business in Launceston. It is a little bit quieter as the Easter holidays mean quite a few people are away from work.

Over the next few weeks I want to get out and help get some good District council results. As a past Chairman of Kerrier District council I am keen to see a good Lib Dem result.

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