SUMMER 2007 The 60p (where sold) Post

For Winchester and surrounding villages, including Chandler’s Ford OUR PRIORITY: INSIDE Page 2 “No-one owns Winchester,” THE LOCAL NHS Steve Brine THE number one priority of an incoming important freedoms to deliver more interviewed efficient and truly modern care, free Conservative Government can be from endless meddling by Ministers.” Conservative leader David summed up in three letters: NHS. Cameron has made clear his priority Page 3 Staff and managers at the “Obviously I am pleased that the for Government is the National Winchester & Eastleigh NHS Trust have closed their deficit and Health Service; “We would continue Nominate Healthcare Trust, which runs the Royal the team should be congratulated to fund the NHS, and we would County Hospital, may be after what has been a challenging continue to increase funds for the your favourite able to breathe a collective sigh of year,” he says. “But we should NHS, and we've made absolutely relief after a recent savings plan remember it has come at a price for clear it's our priority and it's going local business managed to close an £11m deficit but some of those working at the other to be the first call on resources we they know we cannot afford to take end of the pay scale inside the make.” and win our eye off the ball for one second. RHCH. I think the important thing Steve adds, “I am determined Winchester’s Conservative now is for everyone to look positively we will be positive about the future Parliamentary Candidate, Steve to the future with confidence and of our much loved hospital and work Brine, has focused his attention on optimism. In my view this demands together to see Winchester has a Page 4 the crisis in our local NHS since being a successful bid for Foundation range of local services worthy of the chosen in November to contest the Status which will give our hospital place recently judged to be the best seat at the next general election. and the staff working within it area to live in the entire country.” Help demanded for Steve Brine (second from Brown’s right) with local campaigner Rob pension Ducker talking to shoppers in victims Winchester as part of the Conservatives recent National NHS Action & Day

Kings The Worthy Alresfords Littleton Itchen & Hareston Valley Sparsholt

Winchester City

Hiltingbury Twyford Chandlers Ford

www.stevebrine.com

Promoted by Paul Twelftree on behalf of the Winchester Conservative Association, both of 1 Station Hill, Winchester, SO23 8TJ and printed by Culverlands Press, Winnall Valley Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 0LN Page 2 - THE WINCHESTER POST New Winchester - new man Winchester’s current So you actually What do you currently do to pay the bills? MP, , is live here then? I am one of the Directors of a company called The Azalea Group. standing down at the Yes! I’m not drafted in from , We are a specialist marketing agency focused on the golf industry, Scotland or even Newbury - Susie based in Winchester, London and Petersfield. Our clients include next General Election and I live between and Europe’s largest consumer golf show (The London Golf Show), The meaning we will have a Alresford, bang in the middle of the Leaderboard Group (which owns courses such as The Oxfordshire new Winchester constituency. and Sandford Springs) and the Scotland Tourist Board. It’s quite new Member of a new company but the potential is enormous and we are all golf Parliament when the mad so there is never a dull moment. I play off a handicap of 17 country next goes to before you ask. My wife Susie (pictured below in ‘quick-fire questions’) the polls. Local Steve with works as a Speech & Language Therapist in the local NHS. nephew and Conservatives have Godson Oliver So you’re not a riding the chosen Steve Brine to Watercress Line career politician contest the seat. then? Constituents describe Why do you say the ‘new’ Winchester? No! I have real experience him as “energetic”, Because Hampshire as a whole has been the subject of some of the political world both “eager to win” and significant boundary changes since the last General Election in May at its heart in Westminster 2005. The ‘new’ Winchester constituency centres on the city itself and out here on the someone who is and includes Alresford, & Twyford, Compton & doorsteps in a true marginal breaking the mould of Otterbourne, the , Littleton & Harestock, Kings Worthy, constituency which is very a traditional Tory MP. Oliver’s Battery & , Sparsholt as well as Wonston & important if you aspire to Micheldever. In addition it now includes Chandlers Ford & Hiltingbury be the next Member of Steve is a keen dart player, pictured here which was previously in the Romsey constituency. See map below. Parliament. I already have at The Cricketers, Easton while Popcorn The writer and a great deal of experience watches on in a precarious position!’ A recent poll showed politicians to be among the which I think will serve me novelist well in providing this area with the strong voice it deserves. Politics Michael Dobbs least trusted professionals, why on earth do you and my career are very important to me but my family and my friends spoke to Steve want to be a Member of Parliament? will always come first and I know they will always be there to keep to find out Because I believe it’s a job where I can do what we’re all trying to my feet on the ground wherever this path takes me! do - make a difference to the world around us. I care deeply about what makes him tick, this country and about Winchester; there are many problems facing Do you think you will win this constituency back and a few other things us after ten years of a Labour Government and I think I can provide for the Conservatives? besides... the local area with a strong voice in Parliament. An MP has to look The new Winchester will be one of the most keenly watched and at the national and international picture as part of the UK Parliament marginal seats in the whole country at the next General Election. and take decisions such as whether we go to war but he or she also I think we have a tremendous chance to win the seat but nothing You can keep up-to-date with has to look at the local picture to fight for a fair deal for their comes for free and that is true in politics as in life! We have to get Steve’s campaign and sign up constituency in areas such as NHS funding. They must also fight out there, as we are doing, and tell people why I deserve their for regular newsletters via on behalf of individuals who very often have nowhere else to turn - support and why Britain so desperately needs a new Conservative www.stevebrine.com it’s not just a job for me, it’s a vocation. I am well aware it’s not for Government led by David Cameron after ten years of everyone but I am very excited at the prospect of becoming and . No-one owns Winchester, but it is a very special Winchester’s next MP. place, it is my home and I promise you I will fight for every vote to give local people positive reasons to support me - and vote for me OK, but what experience do you have of - when the time comes. politics and the life of an MP? Wonston & Micheldever I was fortunate to work with in Westminster when he was Leader of the Quick-FireQuick Fire Questions Opposition; as a media ghost writer, a speech contributor and member of the Conservative Favourite sport? Kings The Alresfords Research Department. I was also Golf and football; I am a Spurs fan for my sins and my Dad Worthy able to work inside the Houses of is a season ticket holder at his local club. Littleton Itchen Parliament with members of the Shadow & Hareston Valley Cabinet as we followed pieces of legislation through both Favourite film? Sparsholt the Commons and the Lords. It was an amazing It’s always been Back to the Future; I am fascinated by the experience and gave me a true insight (warts and all!) into the idea of time travel. Winchester City work of the oldest Parliament on the planet and the life of a Otterbourne Member of Parliament. Beatles or Stones? Beatles What experience do you have outside of politics? Blair or Brown for dinner? Hiltingbury Twyford I am a trained radio journalist and have worked within the BBC, Can I pass on that one? Oh ok, Chandlers independent local radio here in Hampshire and for a large media Blair - he’d be much more fun. Ford group in Chicago, USA. I was a reporter, feature maker and producer. I also spent a period working for a consultancy firm specialising in Boxers or briefs? training programmes for the airline industry, but was made redundant Definitely boxers, I am a from that role after the attacks in New York on September 11th, Conservative after all - 2001. I want to be free! Focused on climate change Steve Brine launched Green Winchester with a special screening in February of the Oscar winning film An Inconvenient Truth. The film fronted by former Vice President of the USA Al Gore, offers a passionate and inspirational look at one of the big issues of our time - climate change. Steve teamed up with The Screen at Winchester, to bring the film for a special one-off screening. He is pictured left with students from Kings School and the University of Winchester. For more information and to sign up to GW, please visit www.greenwinchester.com www.stevebrine.com THE WINCHESTER POST - Page 3

Conservatives oppose ID card plan Conservatives LOCAL Conservatives have made clear their opposition to Government plans to introduce stay in control ID cards. No change at Guildhall after elections Parliamentary Candidate, Steve spending £20bn of our money on ID Brine says,”ID Cards are a bad idea Cards. Instead of these expensive, in our view. They will do nothing to intrusive and ineffective ID Cards, improve the safety of us living here the money should be spent on in Winchester and Chandler's Ford. worthwhile projects to cut crime - They are not the answer to the threat such as a dedicated UK Border of terrorism, to benefit fraud, to illegal Police, more prison spaces and immigration human trafficking or increasing the number of residential identity theft. They are a waste of drug rehabilitation places." money and an incoming Conservative Government will ID cards give the State too much abolish them. personal data in one place. "At a time when our local hospital is having to find ever more cash If that isn’t bad enough, ID savings to balance its books, it is cards will cost us each £93! an insult to be even considering

The Conservative team pictured after the count on the front steps of Winchester Guildhall

THE Conservatives have retained control Keeping it LOCAL of Winchester City Council after the local elections held on May 3rd. Nominate Popular councillor Eileen Berry was re-elected in STEVE Brine has St Barnabas, while Cllr Fiona Mather (St Michaels), launched a campaign your favourite Cllr Malcolm Wright (Wonston & Micheldever), Cllr to find our favourite Ernie Jeffs (The Alresfords) and former Mayor Cllr local shop. Neil Baxter (Itchen Valley) all strengthened their It’s all part of the Use Them or positions. The Conservative administration remains Lose Them appeal which urges people in control with a majority over all the other parties of to support local shops and businesses across Winchester and Chandler’s Ford. just one seat. He says, “Long-established independent shops City Council Leader, George Beckett told The are a feature of Winchester and the surrounding Winchester Post, “I am absolutely delighted that we area. While there is a place - and obviously a have consolidated the extraordinary gains of the last demand for bigger national stores - there has to be two elections and have polled an increased number a place for smaller more unique outlets. Stores such as D&G Hardware in Winchester City Centre are of votes in many different parts of the district. This real gems; they have never failed me, the place is is a position from which we can surely make further like a treasure trove of useful things and the team gains next year”. working there are superb. I will kick off the campaign You can see the local results in full at by nominating D&G myself as my favourite local shop.” But Steve adds, “We have to support these www.winchester.gov.uk independent shops, or they won’t survive and we’ll all be worse off as a result.” Nominate your favourite local shop, service or business and we’ll report the results in the next edition of The Winchester Post. It can be anywhere Malaria pledge in Winchester city centre or surrounding villages, including Chandler’s Ford. The shop or business Conservative Leader David Cameron has vowed to with the most nominations will receive a special make malaria in developing countries a disease of ‘Green Winchester Keeping It Local’ Trophy and the past by pledging that a future Conservative window sticker; while everyone who sends in a Pictured with Steve Brine are the team from D&G Hardware; nomination will go into a prize draw to win a bottle Government would spend 500 million pounds ($1 from left to right, Mike ‘the shorts’ Cooper, Tina Ralph and of champagne! Go to www.stevebrine.com and billion) per year tackling the disease, until the UN owner Toby Roberts choose ‘Campaigns’ today. Millennium Goal on malaria has been met. Controlling economic migration Shadow Home Secretary David Davis has unveiled new proposals designed to introduce more effective Anger at Post Office move controls on economic migrants seeking to enter the UK. Mr Davis states that asylum policy MUST be Local people have reacted with a mixture of shock and The Silver Hill redevelopment plan separated from policy on economic migration and anger at news Winchester's main Post Office in Middle has always included a replacement makes clear his belief that Britain benefits economically Brook Street is to close - services will be transferred to Post Office, discussed and agreed from immigration, but not all or any immigration. He WH Smith in the High Street as part of a national move by between the City Council, the said economic migration levels into this country should Royal Mail. developer and the Post Office. Add take account of the economy, housing, public services, your name to the growing number of infrastructure and community cohesion and confirmed Steve says, "Of all the Post break loose on pension day each people supporting Steve’s campaign Offices I expected to be worried week! Winchester demands a full to keep Winchester’s main Post Office the Conservatives proposed Border Police Force about it was not Middle Brook size central post office offering the open at: would be given an enforcement role and powers to Street. It is Winchester's central full range of services.” www.stevebrine.com/campaigns track down immigrants who over-stay or illegally enter Post Office and because of that the country. provides the full range of services not always available to customers Call charges to fall? at smaller sub-branches, which Keep our Post Office people will know are currently threatened by a closure programme A powerful committee of the European Parliament themselves. has backed a plan to cut the cost of using a mobile "This idea will cause deep phone when abroad - within the EU. At present, calls concern and I fear it will be seen as made between member states can cost up to 60 a further erosion of people’s access times more than making a call between networks at to the Post Office network. I simply home. Steve Brine says, “This still has to go before cannot see how we will have the the European Parliament and then be ratified by same level of service in a relatively member states but good for the EU for attempting to small branch of WH Smith; I just tackle a subject that can often add a hefty bill to a don’t think it’s feasible - all hell will Conservatives simple trip overseas. It’s not often I praise the EU to be honest but credit where it’s due!” www.stevebrine.com Page 4 - THE WINCHESTER POST Call for new help for victims of pension-scheme closures CONSERVATIVES have added their support to demands for new help for the victims of Can we trust company pension-scheme closures. Gordon? The party is calling for a ‘Lifeboat Fund’ to be set up to top up the pension income of thousands of vulnerable people who have It has emerged Gordon lost their pension savings from company pension schemes Brown ignored official collapsing, and who now face an uncertain retirement. advice that his stealth The bold proposals have been put forward to tackle the on pensions would consequences of Gordon Brown’s 1997 stealth tax raid - which destroy our pensions has robbed £100 billion from pension funds. system and leave millions Prospective MP for Winchester, Steve Brine, says, “Gordon vulnerable in retirement. Brown has destroyed our pensions system, which was one of the After years spent covering best in the world. He robbed today’s and tomorrow’s pensioners up the advice he was given of security in retirement through his £100 billion stealth tax raid in 1997, he was finally and then tried to cover up that fact. “Today’s pensioners are suffering from soaring council tax, forced to reveal it in rocketing utility bills and more means-testing. Meanwhile, March. Conservatives are tomorrow’s pensioners are facing plummeting pensions returns now asking the question and the closure of company and final salary pension schemes.” on the lips of voters across Steve recently met with Conservative leader David the country - can we trust Cameron locally to discuss the pensions issue and his this man to be our Prime plans to help those most affected; the two men are Minister? pictured examining the first copy of The Winchester Post

‘GREEN’ ISSUES 5 Do you believe that incentives should be given to airlines to use more fuel efficient aircraft? YES NO I am keen to hear what people living in this area think about one of the subjects dominating the political agenda at the 6 Do you agree with the proposal that for each additional pound raised moment – climate change. I would be grateful if you could complete in aviation tax, there should be a matched reduction in family this short survey to let me know your views. so that the overall tax burden does not rise? Many thanks I AGREE WITH THE PROPOSAL I DISAGREE WITH THE PROPOSAL 1 Are you concerned about the issue of climate change? YES NO UNSURE 2 Have you, or do you plan to, alter your home / lifestyle to reduce carbon emissions and be more energy efficient? Please return to: Steve Brine (Green Survey), Winchester Conservatives, YES NO Freepost (Licence Number SO2228), Winchester S023 8ZZ Please use block capitals 3 (Please tick all that apply.) If yes, which of the following have you considered? Name: HARVESTING RAINWATER FLYING LESS Address: INSTALLING ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTBULBS DRIVING LESS Postcode: INSTALLING SOLAR PANELS INCREASE RECYLCING Telephone: 4 Do you agree with the idea of a green air miles allowance for Email: every passenger so that those who fly more pay more tax? Please tick this box if you would like Steve to keep you in touch by email I AGREE WITH A GREEN AIR MILES ALLOWANCE After the next election I would like to see as Britain’s Prime Minister... I DISAGREE WITH A GREEN AIR MILES ALLOWANCE Gordon Brown David Cameron Menzies Campbell UNSURE Promoted by Paul Twelftree on behalf of the Winchester Conservative Association, both of 1 Station Hill, Winchester, SO23 8TJ and printed by Culverlands Press, Winnall Valley Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 0LN

Winchester Conservatives – be a part of the success story Everyone’s talking about the Conservatives again across Winchester I would like to deliver a few leaflets. and Chandler’s Ford. Membership of the local Conservative Association is at record levels and now we have an energetic new Parliamentary I would like to help by displaying a poster at election time. Candidate to lead us forward. If you can help us we would be delighted I would like join the party or send a donation (tick this box to hear from you. Please take a moment to complete this form and and we will be in touch). return it to the address on the right or save the I would like to be a part of it, please call me. stamp by going to www.stevebrine.com Please return to: Winchester Conservatives, and choosing the Freepost (Licence Number SO2228), Winchester S023 8ZZ ‘Contact’ option. Please use block capitals Name: Data Protection Act: The information you supply to us will Address: always be treated in the strictest of Postcode: confidence in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and will not be passed to any third parties. Telephone: By giving us your email address you are agreeing to receive occasional Email: communications from us. Please tick this box if you would like Steve to keep you in touch by email Promoted by Paul Twelftree on behalf of the Winchester Conservative Association, both of 1 Station Hill, Winchester, SO23 8TJ and printed by Culverlands Press, Winnall Valley Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 0LN www.stevebrine.com