Norman Baker’s Annual Report 2004 page 8 Norman Annual Baker MP - Norman BakerReport helping local people Lib Dem MP for the Constituency2003 - across our area Norman Baker holds regular advice 2004 surgeries throughout our area. Last year he introduced a new innovation known as the ‘Baker Bus’ in which Norman visited many of the smaller villages in our area to hold surgeries.  Norman Baker, our local MP, visiting For more details about Norman’s surgeries, a local school last year. please contact Norman’s office. Contact your local MP www.normanbaker.org.uk Write to: Telephone: Why not visit Norman Baker’s 01273 480281 Norman Baker MP website? The website contains Fax: 204 High Street 01273 480287 up to date news and views Lewes Email: from across the Lewes Fighting to BN7 2NS [email protected] Constituency. This annual report has been paid for by advertising revenue from Paradise Park and Ibstock, and by the parliamentary Incidental Expenses Provision of Norman Baker MP. Printed by R&B printers, Commercial Road, Eastbourne. Published and promoted by Norman Baker MP, High Street, Lewes, . improve our area A Legacy Standing up IN BRICK for us at Westminster Getting things done for local people

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For samples or further information, call us on 0870 903 4000 or visit A TRADITION IN CLAY www.ibstockancestry.co.uk www.normanbaker.org.uk Norman Baker’s Annual Report 2004 page 2 Norman Baker’s Annual Report 2004 page 3 Norman Baker MP A message from our localFrom MP HOUSE OF COMMONS Norman’s Fighting for local people all year round LONDON SW1A 0AA Norman Baker is one of the hardest working MPs in Dear Local Resident, postbag Parliament. As our local MP, he has helped thousands of local I promised when you first elected me as your MP back in 1997 that residents with their problems. I would do my best to make myself account right to know what I am doing on your behalfable - so to welcome you. You to have my a “May we take this Norman is also a strong voice for our area both locally and sixth Annual Report. nationally. Here is just a small sample of the press coverage opportunity to thank you Nationally, the last year has been much dominated by the war in in general for the fine job Norman has received for his campaigning in the last year. Iraq and its aftermath. I opposed military action against Iraq without you are doing clear approval from the . representing your MP urges watch on cancelled buses The failure to discover any constituency in Parliament Baker blasts Blairweapons of mass destruction has only reinforced my view that the Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, war should not have been launched. …. we are aware of your announced the relaunch of his buswatch on top-up fees stand on many issues and campaign following an upsurge in Of course there have been other big issues, such as top-up appreciate the way that complaints about services in the area. Seaford MP Norman university fees and the creation of foundation hospit you represent us.” Baker has slated the In both cases I opposed these measures. als in the NHS. government’s Mr and Mrs P, Lewes Baker I’m sure you will know by now that I am p A crackdown controversial plans over assionate about blasts university top-up fees. environmental issues. As Shadow Environment Secretary, I have “I would just like to say a on smuggling spent a good deal of time on these issues. Sadly the government big thank you to Norman county for The Lib Dem MP says and illegal continues to ignore the importance of action on our environment. Baker for the debate he  A winner - Norman Baker its roads that the proposals will raised. My family are very immigration at record stop students from going But it is working to help my constituent receives the 2003 RSPCA Lord s locally that I see as my lucky to have him as our Newhaven to university - or saddle most important role, and actually the most satisfying p MP.” Eskine Award for contribution to art of my job. animal welfare Harbour has them with huge debts. Local issues that I have been campaigning on include the need been better flood defences in Lewes and also opposing plans to build a Mrs T, Newhaven welcomed by Lib Dem MP Norman Baker voiced his huge waste incinerator near Newhaven. fears as ministers admitted that nearly “Thank you very much. All the town’s MP, And of course there are the literally hundreds of other issues that I your work on my behalf 5000 tons of weedkiller, fungicides and Norman Baker. have worked on including fighting for safer roads, cheaper rail fares finally won the day!” pesticides which have not had full and against intrusive telecommunications mast Mrs G, Seaford clearance are used on farm and gardens endless. s. The list is each year. MP acts over I hope if I can ever help you that you will not hesit “Thank you very much for ate to be in touch. broken street lights Whatever party you support, I am here to do what I can for you. all your support, help and “Iraq inquiry was rigged” encouragement during the MP Norman Baker has With best wishes past few years in our accused the government of campaign, especially for attempting to rig the inquiry Your award winning MP MP for Lewes Constituency the trouble that you took into the intelligence which Among the distinctions Norman in writing countless letters was provided in the build-up has received since arriving in on our behalf.” to the Iraq war. Parliament in 1997 are: Mrs S, Polegate  2003 RSPCA Lord Erskine Swimming Keeping his promise to you“I am writing to say thank Pool: Act now, Award for his contribution to you for all that you do for animal welfare Norman Baker our full time MP your constituents. You are  A campaigner - Norman Baker MP tells  2002 Channel 4 Opposition When elected in 1997 and re-elected in 2001, Norman an excellent MP and is campaigning for the unfair Councils thoroughly deserve your Politician of the Year made five key pledges to local people. They are printed Council Tax to be abolished. below and Norman continues to keep them . position.”  2001 Inquisitor of the Year in Mrs W, Wivelsfield MP attacks the Zurich/Spectator Awards I will always put I will take no paid I will hold I will keep in I will be an active A survey of shopkeepers in Polegate constituents and regular attendee directorships, no frequent advice touch with local “I am so very proud that I Bush over town centre is being carried out by  1998 Best Newcomer in the before party and paid surgeries in every people, reporting at the House of work for everyone Commons, speaking have an MP who cares green issues the town’s MP, Norman Baker. Green Ribbon Parliamentary consultancies, and town and major back regularly. regardless what no cash from village in the up strongly for the about his Constituents to interests of our Awards party they lobbying constituency. such a degree.” support. area. companies. Mr W, Lewes NORMAN BAKER STANDING UP FOR YOU ON ISSUES THAT MATTERP P P P P Norman Baker’s Annual Report 2004 page 4 Norman Baker’s Annual Report 2004 page 5 All year round action across the Lewes Constituency Newick - Norman opened the Wivelsfield - Norman has new osteopathy clinic been fighting hard to secure a new school for the village South Chailey - Norman without the need for a huge successfully campaigned for lower housing development. speed limits.

Ringmer - - Norman is Chailey - Norman helped Norman attended campaigning for road safety secure and opened a new the launch of the improvements. Doctors’ Surgery. popular new skate ramp. Selmeston - Norman helped persuade the Highways Agency to introduce a 40mph limit Here to help you all year round Cooksbridge - Norman and is campaigning for a If you need Norman’s help, please contact his office opposed the extension to using the details on the back page. industrial site. mini-bypass to improve safety. Polegate - Norman has launched a business survey. He has also helped get defunct street lights fixed. - Norman has been working with the Parish Council to improve parking in Falmer.

Newhaven - Norman Baker Fighting for better opened the town’s new Skate pavements in Park. He strongly supports the Polegate - Norman with Cllr Roy Martin provision of better facilities for view the problems. 11-16 year-olds. Lewes - Norman continues to work Berwick - Norman has with local Councillors for better flood helped residents oppose plans defences. Norman is also calling for a to build a new park and ride site to be established at telecommunications mast Southerham Grey Pit. close to homes

Seaford - Norman Newhaven - Norman Baker has been out on the held a summit to improve beat with the local Norman security at Newhaven’s port. police to stress the Opposing incinerator plans need to tackle anti- Alfriston - Norman has WORKING - Norman Baker and local social behaviour. been campaigning for action campaigners continue to fight on anti-social behaviour FOR YOU plans for a huge waste and is calling for action on Cleaning up our area - Norman is backing Baker incinerator near Newhaven. illegal parking. the campaign to tidy up our area. Norman Baker’s Annual Report 2004 page 6 Norman Baker’s Annual Report 2004 page 7 FACTORY DIRECT WHILE Stemming the tide STOCKS Working for zero waste Following the terrible floods of SELLOUT LAST Norman Baker has continued to oppose East October 2000, Norman has made it Sussex County Council’s plans for an incinerator to a top priority to fight for OFFERS comprehensive flood defences in QUALITY BRANDS MAKE be sited at Newhaven. Norman has given his backing to BLOOMIN’ GOOD GARDENS local residents and environmentalists who are fighting the Lewes and other parts of the plans. constituency affected by flooding. 100 sq m Norman has initiated several debates Premium They are concerned not only at the increased traffic flow, PREMIUM BRANDLawn Food THE PROFESSIONAL BUY ONE the undermining of recycling schemes, and the positive about this in the House of Commons and rrp £9.32 GET ONE GARDENER’S£6 CHOICE.99 encouragement of waste production that an incinerator submitted numerous parliamentary FREE will generate, but also at the potential health risks questions. He is also in regular contact 25KG GROWMORE rrp £12.05 £5 .99 with the relevant government WHEN ITS GONE ITS GONE associated with incineration.  Norman Baker and local campaigners are fighting Premium Grade Multi Purpose Compost Massive 100 Ltr Bail £4 .99 against plans for a huge incinerator in our area. department, the floods minister, and the  Norman Baker and local Councillors Norman recently gave detailed evidence at the Waste Local Association of British Insurers. have been campaigning for action to 3 BALES FOR £11 .99 Plan Public Inquiry against the proposed incinerator. tackle flooding in Lewes 800 ml Norman said: “This is a bad plan for people in our area and for the government to adopt a ‘zero waste’ strategy. As a result, he has helped negotiate an Bug Clear FREE will do real damage to our local environment for years to agreement so that all householders Norman welcomes the new defences for Scotts Gun rrp £4.67 He told the Commons: “The Government’s waste OUR No. 1 £3 .99 come.” should be able to get flood insurance, and Malling, but continues to believe that there FREEFungus hierarchy – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover – is missing Clear Gun (rrp £4.73) he has taken up individual cases where should be one Lewes-wide scheme, and is QUALITY BRAND Up in Westminster, in his role as Lib Dem Shadow one vital ‘R’ – Redesign. If a material cannot be recycled with every purchase companies have refused cover. lobbying ministers accordingly. Greensward 240 sq m Lawn Feed, Weed Environment Secretary Norman Baker has been pushing or reused, it should be redesigned until it can.” & Mosskill SPECIAL £9 .95 WHEN ITS GONE ITS GONE 7 kg Campaigning for you Poultry ARTHUR Manure Moving in the right direction BOWERS rrp £6.99 Among the many areas in which Norman Baker has been active on behalf of his .99 Traditional£5 quality Norman Baker has successfully persuaded South constituents are: 2 FOR ONLY £7.99 Central to introduce cheaper rail fares for train Slug Stoppa  Expressing concerns about weaknesses in the planning procedure affecting FITO Excellent & Safe travellers in his constituency. phone masts which give insufficient protection to residents. Control rrp £5.99 ORGANICS£3 .99 BUY ONE GET ONE FREE Commuters travelling from Seaford and Newhaven into  Leading the campaign against Post Office closures in our area. Our No. 1 Organic Brand Lewes have seen big reductions in the cost of their tickets. Screened Topsoil  Campaigning to make sure that our local environment is protected - Norman is 4 BAGS FOR £9.99 Commuters travelling from Eastbourne, Polegate and demanding a full public inquiry into proposals to change the nature of Multi Purpose Compost 3 BAGS FOR £9.99 Berwick to Lewes have also benefited with prices reduced Cuckmere Valley. TUNSTALL Voted No.1 for qualityBlended Stable Manure by a third. in independent J.I.Trials4 BAGS FOR £9.99  Fighting for more resources for local schools. Ornamental Bark Norman Baker said: “This scheme has been a real success 3 BAGS FOR £9.99 John Innes Seed, No.1, 2, 3 (any mix) and both rail and road users have benefited. A year on, 4 BAGS FOR £9.99 season ticket sales are up 35%, and overall passenger Norman Baker – standing up for Multi Purpose compost with John Innes 2 BAGS FOR £9.99 numbers up 13%.” Lawn Sand Dressing  Norman Baker and Cllr Jon Freeman with a new 4 BAGS FOR £9.99 But while cheaper fares are getting more people onto the you in Westminster Coarse Horticultural Grit - improving clay soils etc train at Seaford Station. 4 BAGS FOR £9.99 trains, Norman has also been campaigning on the broader Norman Baker was promoted in autumn 2003 to In January Norman re-launched ‘Buswatch’, a campaign in QUALITY PLANTS issue of sustainable transport for East Sussex and the shadow environment secretary in Charles Because we grow our own whole of south-east England. In a parliamentary debate, he which he encourages his constituents to write and let him plants, you get BEST VALUE Kennedy’s Liberal Democrat shadow cabinet. BEST ADVICE & one of criticised the government for viewing money spent on rail know of their less-than-satisfactory experiences with In that capacity he has raised issue impacting BRITAIN’S LARGEST RANGES as ‘subsidy’ and money spent on road schemes as local bus services. heavily upon our area, including: www.wildlifegardening.co.uk ‘investment’. The MP first established Buswatch in 2000 in response to Garden Centre,  Government proposals for a massive increase in PARADISE Museum Of Life, Norman Baker is also campaigning strongly for more a startling number of complaints from local public PARK Water Gardens, house-building on green fields AVIS ROAD Planthouses, transport improvements across our area including: transport users about poor services, particularly in NEWHAVEN Heritage Trail, Inadequate water resources, leading to the Seaford. Marked improvements in services followed this  01273 512123 Dinosaur  The reinstatement of the Lewes-Uckfield proposal to build a desalination plant at Newhaven www.paradisepark.co.uk Safari,Playzone railway line initiative.  Opposing the planting of GM crops SOUTH DOWNS Merging the 3 Newhaven stations into one NURSERIES Britains largest “You underestimate him [Norman Baker]  Hazardous waste being dumped in landfill sites  Norman Baker campaigning to ROAD A273 purpose built retail modern station HASSOCKS plants nursery. at your peril ... He has a habit of being  The need for more recycling, including an stop US ‘ghost ships’ being Safety improvements on the A27, including a 01273 845232 A Hortiholics right. He sticks to his guns and I think extension of the doorstep collection system brought to Britain. www.south-downs.co.uk Paradise. bridge over the railway at Beddingham - now approved his constituents are very lucky to have “... at a time when we have been lamenting the demise of parliamentary accountability, Mr Baker has him.” (‘Today’, BBC Radio 4) reminded us that it is still possible for individuals in the Commons to make an impact.” STANDING UP FOR LOCAL PEOPLE Michael Brown ()