Meetings:
COME AND MEET CLAIRE osm 16.3.15
MP buddying:
Claire Wright Buddy press release 16.3.15
National Planning Policy Framework
Claire Wright NPPF press release 16.3.15
Category Archives: Claire Wright
Last night’s hustings
Organised by Federation of Small Businesses, at Sidmouth’s Kennaway House, appears not to have been too well organised. Public were supposed to have been excluded, then apparently there was a change of mind to include them and then a change back to no public. Irritated UKIP members invaded en bloc and the chairman (who seemed unsure where “Knowle” was) seems not to have understood his role.
Not a good start, though we hear Claire Wright was in very good form and Hugo Swire made some very strange remarks (possibly from a very large briefing folder he brought with him).
No doubt UKIP will blame the EU for the way the evening went.
Some of us are in it together, some of us aren’t
The post below, in which Independent councillor and potential Parliamentary candidate Claire Wright speaks of people having to choose between “eating and heating” reminds us of this post which appeared in November 2013 (NOT, of course, an East Devon Watch post!) at the time o the MPs expenses scandal was at its height. He had become Minister of State at the Foreign Office on 4 September 2012.
It is believed that Mr Swire currently pays his own energy bills from his £100,000+ salary.
Source: http://anotherangryvoice.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/mp-energy-expenses-fuel-poverty.html
Note:
Ministerial salaries:
and here is a list of ALL their perks:
INDEPENDENT CLAIRE WRIGHT STILL GAINING ON CONSERVATIVE HUGO SWIRE IN DEVON EAST
Press release:
The Independent Claire Wright is making ground fast in the race to represent Devon East after the next General Election. Her odds, originally quoted at 66/1, have improved and now stand at 9/2 according to William Hill. Hugo Swire’s odds have deteriorated again. In late February, he was standing at 1/12 and is now at 1/6. This further confirms Claire Wright’s position as the main challenger to the Conservative who has held the seat since 2001 but who has been widely criticised for neglecting the constituency. UKIP remain in third position, at 18/1, followed by the Liberal Democrats at 40/1. Labour trails in last place at 100/1.
Claire Wright, already regarded as the independent with the best chance of success in the election across the whole of the UK, welcomed the latest confirmation of her position.
“My team and I have been working hard to show that I have the best chance of unseating Mr. Swire. The local press has been full of supporting letters, not least in refuting some of my opponent’s ridiculous and patronising claims. For example, he wrote about independents ‘popping up’ and being ineffective in Parliament. I am delighted to have ‘popped up’, just like Mr Swire. We are both exercising our democratic rights. His claim that, effectively, a vote for anyone but him would lead to chaos, is preposterous. If independents can do nothing in Parliament, I cannot understand how a vote for me could lead to chaos!
“I started my campaign last June and my manifesto was launched in January. It was based on my experience as a town, district and county councillor and also on a survey that I undertook to find out what concerned local people. Since then, in many hundreds of conversations with local residents and representatives from local businesses, several key points have emerged repeatedly.
“Many voters are tired of the main parties, the system under which they operate and the absurd claim that ‘we are all in this together’. As I meet elderly people, now denied readily available hospital beds or local buses, I become angry.
“Eight supporters have given the Conservative party £12.2 million so far during this Parliament. Is it right that so much is given to so few to rule so many?
“I find it offensive that in this country, which has the fifth largest economy in the world, some people have to choose between heating and eating. It is clear to me that voters want significant change. They are angry and frustrated with Conservative-led government at central and local level. They want to be represented by someone who lives in the constituency, knows about its problems and will always be free to speak and free to act. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I can promise that I shall listen to my constituents and work hard for them in Parliament.”
River Otter beavers are healthy and can stay for at least 5 years
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-31831665
Thanks to Independent Councillor and Parliamentary candidate Claire Wright who campaigned to keep them from the very beginning and liaised with Defra and Devon Wildlife Trust to ensure that, in line with local public opinion, they would be allowed to stay, if healthy.
Hugo Swire merely noted on his website that he was pleased to hear the news they might be allowed to stay.
Community Voice on Planning adds its plea for planning reform
The planning system is in urgent need of reform
SIR – How many communities across the country have fought hard and continue to fight against inappropriate development only to be swept aside by a planning system that is now so heavily weighted in favour of developers and development? The Government’s complacent response to the Communities and Local Government Committee’s (CLG) recent report on the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) seems to reject the suggestion that there are problems.
One particular concern of ours is the over-harsh application of the presumption in favour of development, when according to the Government many councils do not yet have an up-to-date local plan in place and are deemed not to have a five-year land supply. The Government believes that this will force all councils to accelerate their local plans and to a certain extent this is true, but at the same time they badly misunderstand local party politics. Councils do not suffer from rampant opportunistic exploitation by developers; it is local people and communities who suffer, but little is currently being done to protect them or the environment, pending the adoption of a new local plan.
The CLG supported our concerns, saying that “the NPPF is not preventing unsustainable development in some places” and that “inappropriate housing is being imposed upon some communities as a result of speculative planning applications”.
A key recommendation was that “the same weight is given to the environmental and social (dimensions) as to the economic dimension”. Whilst not agreeing with every aspect of the CLG committee report, we can at least see that it did understand the need to reform the operation of the NPPF. The Department for Communities and Local Government completely disregarded the point and clearly thinks that everything is going well.
In the run-up to the general election we are asking all political parties to publish their manifesto position on planning and, in particular, to state their position on the CLG recommendations. We also invite them to say whether, and how, they will protect people and communities from inappropriate development.
Above all we urge voters to vote only for party candidates who support proposals to rebalance the planning system.
Signed by COVOP members
covop.org
Straitgate Quarry: Independen councillor Claire Wright’s view “environmental vandalism”
Claire Wright, who is contesting the Parliamentary seat of Devon East as an Independent, has condemned the “consultation” exercise carried out by Aggregate Industries, that could lead to the development of a quarry on the outskirts of Ottery St. Mary. AI is a member of the multinational Holcim Group, based in Switzerland. The company wants to develop the 100 acre site at Straitgate Farm and is intending to make a formal planning application in the near future.
Claire Wright commented: “If the plan is approved by Devon County Council, up to 100 truck movements would carry sand and gravel along the inadequate B 3180 each day, five days a week for five years to Blackhill Quarry, on Woodbury Common, for processing. This is a distance of just over eight miles. These movements would create substantial pollution, noise and create additional safety problems on a road that already has a very poor safety record. However, it is my understanding that if permission to use Blackhill is not granted, the project will not proceed. I understand that Natural England have a large number of serious environmental objections to processing at Blackhill.
“AI have acknowledged that processing at Straitgate would not be acceptable. I cannot understand why the project is still alive. It will create no new jobs, will damage the environment, could lead to increased flood risk in Cadhay, Coombelake, Ottery and West Hill and will harm the local economy, which relies on tourism for a significant part of the year. Experts contend that there is no need for a new quarry. Devon has over eight million tonnes of reserves with planning approval. At current levels of demand, it may only be in 2025 that the county has less than the seven years of reserves required under the National Planning Policy Framework. Many organisations, keen to avoid serious environmental damage, have voiced their concerns, not least because very precious and scarce ancient woodland could be irreparably damaged and lost forever.
“Local residents who attended the consultation were not impressed and it seems to me that AI, keen to replace material no longer available from their other sites, will be the only winners if Devon County Council eventually approve this development. I see nothing but disadvantages for the people of Ottery and West Hill. It is environmentalism vandalism.”
Claire Wright’s betting odds improve yet again!
Hugo Swire 1/6
Claire Wright 9/2 !!!!
UKIP 18/1
LibDems 40/1
Labour 100/1
Definitely not good news (again) for Hugo.
Remember: bet responsibly and be over 18.
Tory dirty tricks?
https://susiebond.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/hes-behind-you/
Shameful – politics before people, politics before common sense, politics before the safety of children.
How can you sleep at night, councillors?
Is Hugo Swire piggy-backing on Claire Wright’s campaigns?
Hugo Swire’s web site lists the things he is most proud of having done in East Devon recently but it seems to mirror many of the campaigns that Claire Wright has been involved with in the four years since she has been an East Devon councillor and even before that. The full list is:
– My coffee morning at Kennaway House
(Conservative Party fundraiser)
– The opening of Culver House’s new garden room
(brief appearance and photo opportunity)
– Public meetings on planning
because he finally realised that his constituents are as mad as hell – Claire Wright has been pushing this issue for YEARS and almost certainly knows more about local planning issues than he ever will.
– The opening of the new premises of Sheds Direct Devon
(Swire says he got EDDC to reverse a planning decision (based in part on poor access) about this company in Whimple even though he has not spoken up about any other planning issues since he was elected in 2010 (e.g. massive overdevelopment) – which Claire Wright has done for YEARS and YEARS, even before she became a councillor.
– I call on EDDC to put their plans to relocate on hold
simply a press release – Claire Wright has been campaigning on this for years – in the face of massive EDDC Tory councillor opposition) – Hugo announced his view only AFTER EDDC Tories had taken the decision to relocate.
– I take the campaign to save Ottery Hospital’s beds straight to the Secretary of State for Health
because as a Minister he says he cannot speak about East Devon in Parliament so his meetings, if any, have to take place behind closed doors – Claire Wright has held many, many local (open and poblic) consultations and attended many meetings on this issue for MONTHS since hospital closures were mooted.
– I welcome the news that the beavers will remain on the River Otter
Claire Wright has campaigned tirelessly ever since they were identified and has liaised with DEFRA and Devon Wildlife Trust to ensure that they remain on the river.
– I welcome a cash boost for East Devon’s school buildings
buildings that have been allowed to deteriorate for years and for which Claire Wright continually points out are stretched to capacity because of over-development.
Not Hugo Swire’s day ….. but it is Claire Wright’s!
Here:
and here:
and here:
and here:
and, finally (at least for today) here:
“Out of touch MPs don’t get it”
“Too few politicians in Britain have any idea what life is like for people living on benefits, the former head of the Civil Service has warned, criticising ministers who send their children to public schools and have private health care rather than use the NHS. In an outspoken attack Lord (Gus) O’Donnell said there were still “too many people in politics who just don’t get it” and called for political parties to select candidates using open primaries to broaden representation in Parliament.
And he criticised the “few” Government ministers who, he said, still did not use the public services they were in charge of delivering.
…“There are unfortunately too many people in politics who just don’t get it; who just don’t understand what life on benefits would be like,” he said. Recalling his time as press secretary to Sir John Major, Lord O’Donnell said Sir John repeatedly emphasised that “we need to really care about public services”, but was often met with opposition from ministers who would ask: “Why should we bother about that? Our people don’t use them.”
“Many badly run organisations tend towards what can be termed the “North Korean” school of management; a culture of secrecy, with as little information as possible allowed out, and a generally hostile attitude towards anyone from outside questioning the prevailing culture.”
So runs the first paragraph in today’s editorial in the The Independent …
Claire Wright a real threat to Hugo Swire according to William Hill bookmaker
Press Release:
CLAIRE WRIGHT CONFIRMED, AGAIN, AS MAIN CHALLENGER TO HUGO SWIRE
Claire Wright, the Independent candidate for Devon East, has been confirmed, again, as the candidate most likely to oust the current MP, Hugo Swire in the General Election.
William Hill say that her odds are 7/1. She is followed by UKIP at 16/1, the Liberal Democrats at 33/1 and Labour at 100/1. The current MP’s odds are 1/9.
An experienced spokesman for William Hill said that she was the only independent candidate in the country with odds in single figures and the next best, the comedian Al Murray, had odds of 50/1. “This means that she has the best chance of any independent of being successful.
“I believe that it is unprecedented for a genuinely independent candidate, not already in national politics and not identified with a single issue, to have such odds.”
Earlier Ladbrokes quoted Claire Wright at 6/1 and said that she had the best chance of any independent in the country of success.
Responding to the latest odds, Claire commented “What a boost it is for the campaign to have such great odds on winning the East Devon seat. It is really motivating! I am talking to people every day during my campaigning and they tell me time and time again that they are looking for someone who is going to properly represent their views, with none of the excuses the current MP makes for not doing so.
“The positive feedback I am continually receiving feels as though there is an ever-increasing energy to get me elected. We will be working hard to ensure that, when the General Election comes, the people of East Devon will have an MP who will put their interests ahead of a party.”
Claire Wright is running a very active campaign across the constituency and her next public meeting will be on Tuesday 10th March, at the Unitarian Church, at the junction of All Saints Road and Sidmouth High Street.
Other events are already scheduled for Budleigh Salterton, (18th March at the Masonic Hall), Ottery St. Mary (27th March at the Institute), Sidmouth (Woolbrook) (1st April at St. Francis Church Hall) and Exmouth (16th April at the Rugby Club, Imperial Road). All the meetings begin at 7.00 except the one at Woolbrook which commences at 8.00.
Ottery General Election upset on the cards?
An increasing number of people seem to think so…http://www.heart.co.uk/exeter/news/local/ottery-general-election-upset-on-cards
Claire Wright urges postponement of Knowle decision till after judgment on Information Commissioner v EDDC court case
The court case, about whether consultants reports on relocation should be disclosed to the public is due 2 days after the rushed decision is to be taken. Claire Wright urges the council to consider its reputation:
Now William Hill wants piece of the Wright/Swire action!
William Hill has opened a book on the East Devon parliamentary battle between Claire Wright (ever-present Ind)ependent) and Hugo Swire rarely-seen Conservative). Claire Wright opens at 7/1, with Ukip well behind on 16/1, Lib Dems 33/1, Labour 100/1. Hugo is 1/9.
Currently Ladbrokes has Claire Wright at 6/1.
So, still perceived as a two horse race!
Note: bet responsibly and over 18 years of age.
Wright (Ind) v Swire (Con) Round 2 – the Western Morning News reports
Claire Wright – Independent Parliamentary Candidate for East Devon – background
It’s quite easy to find out about Hugo Swire’s background (e.g. 3rd Great Grandson of John Swire (b. 1793), founder of the Liverpool textile trading business later to become the Swire Group, the great powerhouse conglomerate based in Hong Kong, Prep School, Eton, St Andrews, Grenadier Guards for a couple of years, Financial Adviser [to whom unspecified], National Gallery, Sotheby’s [where he got his auctioneering skills] here:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Swire
but Claire Wright is less well-known, so here is the background information on her from her campaign team):
NOTE FOR EDITORS – Background – Claire Wright:
Claire Wright, an Independent member of the East Devon District and Devon County Councils, is standing, as an Independent, for the Parliamentary constituency of East Devon. Aged 39, married with a young daughter, Claire has lived in East Devon for most of her life. A very experienced local campaigner, she announced her bid for Parliament last June, in response to public pressure, and launched her manifesto, based in part on the results of a local survey, in January.
She started campaigning whilst at school, organising protests against animal cruelty. This concern to confront perceived wrongs has seen Claire leading many campaigns on a variety of local issues, from fighting to retain a local hospital’s inpatient beds and other key services essential to the local population, to protecting the beavers and important native trees. She is the Woodland Tree Trust Champion for Devon. As a staunch advocate of openness in central and local government, she has worked to expose the links between local developers and the Conservative-led district council. She has been outspoken on many subjects including the need for a housing local plan, to safeguard the environment from inappropriate development, and the district council’s very costly plan to move to a new office and sell valued parkland. In 2010, Claire campaigned successfully to retain overnight stays at Honiton Hospital and led a group to create the first-ever play park near Ottery St. Mary.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Claire Wright has an impressive understanding of the local area, its people and what concerns them. This has been gained, initially, by work on the Ottery Town Council where she served from 2009 to 2013 and the East Devon District Council where, in 2011, she ousted the long-standing Conservative leader. In May 2013, Claire was elected to the Devon County Council after securing 2,974 votes which represented 74 per cent of the total vote. This was the biggest share in the South West. She is the leader of the non-aligned group of three Independents and one Green councillor. The main committees on which Claire sits are the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny, Procedures and Member Development. She is also on several other committees.
In her council work, Claire has focused on two main themes, to encourage more transparency and openness at East Devon District Council and to save the district from the very real threat of over-development. Recently, having announced her bid for Parliament, Claire organised a survey to establish what concerned local people. Hundreds responded and her very popular blog has a huge audience, keen to find out what is happening in local politics and her constituents’ views.
CAREER
Claire worked in the NHS from 2001, in a PR role, and initiated campaigns to improve health. She also worked for Devon County Council before becoming a freelance in 2008. This permitted flexibility in her work and family life and the freedom to speak her own mind and to represent people’s views instead of representing an organisation. As her parliamentary bid claims, she is “free to speak, free to act”.
On joining the town council, Claire worked hard for the local people and was rewarded when the Honiton hospital maternity unit allowed overnight stays. Other campaigns have been concerned with fighting the planning chaos that followed the National Planning Policy Framework, effective in 2012, and supporting the local communities that have been engulfed by large scale housing proposals. She is also involved in fighting a project to create a new and local quarry for which there is no economic benefit for the community and which would damage the local tourist sector and the environment.
Ladbroke’s confirm East Devon is a parliamentary “two horse race”: Wright and Swire
Press Release from Claire Wright claire-wright.org)
‘THE INDEPENDENT WITH THE BEST CHANCE OF VICTORY ACROSS THE UK’
‘Claire Wright, the Independent fighting to be the next Member of Parliament for the East Devon constituency, is now regarded as the candidate most likely to unseat the current MP, Foreign Minister Hugo Swire. She is drawing ahead of the other three parties contesting the seat and the data implies that she is attracting support from many anxious to see a Conservative defeat.
Her odds, according to Ladbrokes, have changed from an initial 66/1 to 6/1, which are the best odds of any independent candidate in the UK. A spokesman for the company confirmed that “it is now definitely a two horse race” as others lose ground.
The spokesman also asserted that the improvement in Claire Wright’s odds have been ‘the most dramatic of any candidate, of any party, in the UK’ and now her prospects of victory are seen to be’ better than for any other independent across the whole country’.
Claire Wright, an experienced district and county councillor, who has lived in East Devon for most of her life, has devised her campaign on her extensive knowledge and experience of the constituency. Her manifesto was based on a survey of views from hundreds of responders and thousands of conversations with voters across the whole of the constituency.”
‘East Devon District Council accused of “forcing” a vote on controversial relocation project’ , reports Exeter Express and Echo
By Exeter Express and Echo | Posted: February 25, 2015
The Knowle in Sidmouth
A LEADING East Devon District Councillor has accused the council of “forcing” a vote on its controversial relocation project ahead of the local elections in May.
The council’s relocation project is set to be decided upon next month, because of the looming local elections.
Ward member for Ottery St Mary Councillor Claire Wright, criticised council officials for prematurely “forcing” a vote on the project “just days “ before the pre-election period known as purdah which prevents council’s from making any major decisions so as not avoid the risk of prejudice.
The council was pursuing plans to relocate to a purpose built office at SkyPark. However, at the end of November, the local authority announced a U-turn on its plans and instead the council backed the revised plan for the council to retain the council-owned East Devon Business Centre at Heathpark in Honiton where a new build will also be constructed – formerly earmarked for a supermarket – and to use existing space at Exmouth Town Hall.
Councillors have been informed that a meeting of the Cabinet has been brought forward a week to March 11, and will include a report on the office relocation.
A joint meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny and Audit and Governance committees is being held the day later to make recommendations on the relocation report.
And, at an additional meeting of the full council on March 25, a decision will be made on the relocation.
Cllr Wright, said: “It is a shocking indictment of the way that the Conservative leadership operates at the Knowle.
“This is the most controversial and costly project, apart from the local plan, which incidentally has been deliberately delayed until after the election, in years.
“There has been stacks of concern about the facts and figures, as well as the enormous cost and the millions that would need to be borrowed.
“So, instead of waiting to allow a new council to make up its own mind on the plans, the Conservatives force through a vote, just days before the election period starts.
“What a disrespectful way to run a council.”
A council spokesperson, said: “The special council meeting to decide on the proposed office move needs to take place before the end of March so that the proceedings do not fall inside the purdah period leading up to the local election on May 7, during which time no major decisions can be taken.
“The scheduled date for Cabinet was March 18, but there would not have been sufficient time for the council to receive the paperwork from Cabinet so as to discuss it on March 25.
“It was therefore agreed that the cabinet meeting would take place on March 11, to allow more time.
“It also followed that the cabinet reports and recommendation would need to be referred to Overview & Scrutiny and Audit & Governance Committees before full council.
“The chairs of those committees have therefore agreed to meet in a single session on March 12, with one item on the agenda – office relocation.
“That will allow time for all the documentation to be processed and available for councillors to make an informed decision at their meeting on March 25.”
he added: “At full council in December, members rejected a proposal that the decision should be postponed until after the election and tasked the deputy chief executive with continuing to progress the project.
“In the interests of transparency, the cabinet deliberations must be scrutinised by both committees.”
East Devon Watch 