News

The Akeman hosts Q&A session with MP David Gauke

24.Jun.2010

The Akeman played host to a dynamic political question and answer session with David Gauke, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for South West Hertfordshire, bringing together lively discussion among local businesses, charities and residents regarding the pressing issues facing the constituency.

As the pressure builds during the run up to the General Election, The Akeman was paid a visit by the prestigious regional MP to offer a host of local individuals and company representatives a chance to voice their queries on a more personal level.

The Akeman, while not aligned to any specific political party, neutrally conducted the event to demonstrate its support and commitment to the local community, offering a networking opportunity and face-to-face exposure for any politically-inquisitive individuals.

Dominating a comfortable corner of the bar area and with a full provision of coffees, David addressed the gathering by covering some of the highly publicised topics on the national political agenda such as the government deficit, taxes, education and the environment, while raising more localised concerns applicable to small businesses and charities operating in the area.

Representatives from Tring's Iain Rennie Hospice at Home posed concerns regarding the survival and longevity of charities and protection for the NHS -items which David regarded as crucial to both national and regional society.

"South West Herts sees the striking impact of hospices, and we really recognise the value of palliative care,"Mr Gauke stressed. "The government needs to engage more with outside charities and hospices and the fundraising efforts that go on, as they are inherent parts of the community."

Relying primarily upon public contributions, hospices such as Iain Rennie are concerned that proposed tax increases and a hike in interest rates by way of attempting to restore the economy could significantly affect fundraising donations, and the continued support and attentiveness of local communities is imperative.

Additionally, in light of the proposed VAT increases, the threat to businesses is causing much trepidation in the corporate world, particularly for smaller companies operating on a localised level such as those within Tring and the surrounding area. A number of business identities present at the session broached such matters to David, who responded with the emphatic message for "change" in the way national debt is dealt with.

"We need to prevent tax rises and National Insurance contributions, and ensure that regulations don't go overboard. There needs to be a move towards greater competition in banking, to redesign the banking structure and to build on a national loan guarantee scheme so banks are prepared to lend more, creating a much easier system for businesses," he said.

Underlining how the need to restore both the economy and political trust is an issue of national scale, David Gauke dismissed the plans to raise VAT and indicated that it is more viable to reduce the deficit through a reduction in public spending, the primary objective being economic correction and the procurement of a business-friendly environment.

Bringing political debate to the very core of Tring, the successful turnout at The Akeman was a perfect setting to throw around some unequivocally contemporary matters, acting as a conversational prelude to Election day on 9^th May.