Evening Star Column - 7th February 2012

"I think all of Suffolk saw the snow this weekend. It is vital for us all to keep warm but please look in on your neighboursto ensure they are ok. I understand people may be worried about bills but the free Home Heat Helpline 0800 336699 can offer advice on keeping your home warm and on fuel bills. It was so cold this weekend that, for those eligible, the cold weather payments have kicked in for many Suffolk postcodes. After the successful Surviving Winter appeal, I have written to the Suffolk Foundation and Age UK to ask them to prioritise residents who are off the gas grid. Heating your home via oil, LPG or coal is so much more expensive than using gas and if last winter is anything to go by, the oil price will shoot up (just as I need to order some). I recently met Suffolk ACRE to discuss their new oil-buying club. I think this is a useful idea but we discussed the challenge of people signing up without having a quoted price or really an indicative price. Bulk-buying should lead to lower prices and the prices since the scheme started have shown a reduction compared to smaller buying groups and price comparison websites. I have challenged them to think how this aspect of the otherwise excellent service could be improved. Credit to our council workers and the emergency services for ploughing on regardless. The bin was collected Monday morning like usual (but I wish the lorry hadn't gone quite so quickly down the hill –cue prayers that the brakes would work properly). The gritters were out and good job all round I think.

The debate I had helped secure on Network Rail was held last week. Most MPs who contributed were dissatisfied with the performance of Network Rail. Clearly there are concerns that large bonuses may be awarded when the Rail Regulator has served a breach of notice for failures. The corporate setup was patched together ten years ago and it is time for a review. I want Network Rail to succeed and as I discussed last week, some changes seem to be underway. One significant change is the deeper partnership with Abellio, who took over running our Suffolk trains on Sunday. After a good Sunday, the snow turning to ice led to some delays as trains reduced their speed slightly. If journeys to work in our cars took considerably longer, I think we can forgive an extra ten minutes' time to London, but it is key that a new tone is set straightaway and that we do see a change under Abellio.

After a week when Sir Fred became Mr Goodwin, a Cabinet Minister resigned after being charged with the serious offence of perverting the course of justice. Now it is sub-judice, I will not offer my views on this matter but no doubt, it is another blow to the public perception of politicians. The alleged offence is serious as it undermines the very nature of our justice system. These changes bring new opportunities though and through the reshuffle, the new Minister in charge of the Post Office is MP for North Norfolk, Norman Lamb. A Liberal Democrat yes but critically a rural MP who will understand the frustration of dealing with the Post Office in trying to protect small post offices and Outreach services.

Finally, Her Majesty has been our Queen for sixty years and what a wonderful sixty years it has been. Undoubtedly she has enjoyed a life of privilege and may not have faced financial problems but her family life is not atypical from many of us – losing her father when still quite young, shepherding her own family through their own troubles – actually three out of four children divorcing is probably higher than average – while she enjoys the steadfast support of the Duke of Edinburgh. To think she has seen more than ten Prime Ministers come and go, is Head of State for a quarter of the global population and embraces the Commonwealth. Queen Elizabeth is attending Parliament in March to celebrate the occasion. It is a few months off yet but I expect the celebrations in June will be an opportunity to reflect on her service and another glorious excuse for a good party."

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