Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, the guest speaker at the Beverley Westwood Probus Club’s recent January lunch meeting, he gave members a light hearted and entertaining insight into his life and work as our constituency MP, a position he said he felt privileged to have held for 8 years.
He interspersed amusing anecdotes with serious comments on the issues facing the government. Graham Stuart MP in action, answering members’ questions.
Among various other areas he touched upon was his work as chairman of the cross-party Education Select Committee which monitors education policies.
On reform of the House of Lords he explained why he had voted against the government on this issue and in doing so felt he might have damaged his prospects for advancement. However he strongly felt that the present arrangement provided a better check to government policy than would be possible by a second elected chamber.
On unemployment he pointed out that in this constituency the rate was only 4.1% but the overall figure for the area was distorted by the situation in Hull.
He concluded with a question and answer session during which he tackled various points raised by the Probians. On the contentious issue of Gay Marriage he appreciated some of the arguments advanced by both sides and confessed that he had yet to decide how to vote.
Another question concerned Siemens on which he felt everything possible was being done by the government but, in the end, it would be down to the management of the company to decide on their location. A questioner asked if the former BAE site at Brough had been considered as a location for Siemens and Mr stuart pointed out that there was insufficient depth of water at this point for this purpose.
Membership of Beverley Westwood Probus Club is open to retired business or professional men.
The Next Lunch will be at the Beverley Arms Hotel on Wednesday 6th February at 12.20 p.m. followed by Sam Walton reminiscing on his Life in Rhodesia.
Interested? Contact the Secretary, on 01482 888955 or any member for further information.
